Best Time to Visit Vietnam

Vietnam's long, narrow shape lends the country several seasons throughout the year. Deciding the best time to visit Vietnam greatly depends upon how far north or south that you begin, as well as other factors such as festivals and holidays.

When to Go to Vietnam

Vietnam can be enjoyed at anytime throughout the year, however, weather plays a big factor -- particularly if you plan to enjoy trekking or outdoor activities. You'll find far less travelers during the rainy season and negotiating better prices for accommodation becomes easier. Sometimes monsoon rains can become so heavy in urban areas that streets flood and transportation shuts down.

Read more about how monsoons affect Southeast Asia weather and tickets to Vietnam.

While showers can and often do pop up during the so-called 'dry' seasons, the driest months for visiting the south of Vietnam (Saigon) are typically between December and April. Temperatures in April can be scorching before monsoon rains begin to cool things off in the summer months. The best months to visit are during January and February when temperatures are milder.

The spring and autumn months are most pleasant for visiting the north of Vietnam (Hanoi). Winter nights can get relatively chilly, with temperatures dipping into the 50s Fahrenheit. You'll certainly need a jacket when visiting Halong Bay in the winter, particularly if you're already accustomed to warmer temperatures in the south or in other countries around Southeast Asia.

Typhoons and Tropical Storms

Regardless of the season, large weather events such as typhoons blowing in from the east and tropical depressions can create week-long downpours. While Mother Nature doesn't always play by the rules, typhoon season typically ends around December each year.
See more about the weather in Vietnam.

Festivals and Big Events

The largest national holiday in Vietnam is the New Year celebration known as Tết. During Tết, transportation and accommodation will be booked for days as people go to celebrate or visit family. While Tết is an extremely interesting and exciting time to be in Vietnam, your travel plans will certainly be affected -- book ahead and arrive early!

Tết follows a lunar calendar so dates vary from year to year. The celebration usually occurs between January and February. Learn more about Tet in Vietnam.

Other big national holidays include May 1 and National Day on September 2. Beach estinations such as Nha Trang tend to fill up with families on vacation. That good time buying tickets to Vietnam for travel.