Vietnam’s
weather
The weather
in Vietnam
Although the weather in Vietnam is extremely variable, it’s possible
to distinguish two main seasons: a dry season from November to
May, and rainy season from June to October. However, this generalisation
disguises considerable variations in other aspects of the weather
throughout the country.
For
example, in the south of Vietnam the difference in temperature between
the two seasons is a hardly noticeable 3°C with little variation.
In the north, however, the difference averages 12°C but can vary
from under 10°C in winter to a summer extreme around 40°C.
The
summer months: from April to October.
Apart from the Central Highlands and mountain areas, temperatures
are uniformly hot across the country during the summer months, and
humidity is high.
The
winds of the south-western monsoon blow across the country bringing
warm, humid weather to most of the country, and intermittent heavy
rain from July to the end of August.
The
main exception to this general pattern is the southern Central area.
From April to October, the south-western monsoon deposits its rain
on the Truong Son Mountains. As a result, the sheltered central
coastal lowlands from about Nha Trang to Nghe An enjoy warm, dry
weather throughout the summer.
During
the rest of the year, the Central Highlands remain dry – severe
droughts often occur in the spring.
The
winter months: from November to March.
Although the temperature cools somewhat, the South is hot and dry
during the winter.
Along
the Central Coast, autumn brings intermittent, strong on-shore winter
monsoon winds from the northeast. These can generate powerful waves
and an undertow making swimming off some beaches risky at times.
From October to December, the winds bring heavy rain, and often
severe flooding, to the central coastal area. The weather steadily
improves from January onwards.
The
north and the Red River Delta are sheltered by the landmass of China.
As a result, they miss the heavy rain - October, November and December
are usually dry and comfortable. However, during January, the ‘small
rains’ appear - cold, clammy, miserable weather that can last from
December to April, but mainly occurs during late January and February.
In
the northern mountain areas, temperatures are generally cooler in
both summer and winter. Occasionally, the area around Mt. Fansipan
experiences winter snowfalls.
Your
holiday weather
The
following table is a rough guide to the best and worst months for
visiting various places in Vietnam, but whether it applies to your
particular visit depends upon what you intend to do. For example,
if you want to go diving at Nha Trang, October, November and most
of December are useless because the rain turns the sea into a murky
soup at that time. However, if you want to visit the Cham monuments,
it’s only a matter of dodging the showers.
Hue
is wet for much of the year but it’s no more than an inconvenience,
even during the rainy season.
Location |
Activities |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Sa Pa |
mountain
scenery, ethnic groups, trekking |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ha
Noi |
culture, craft villages, city tours
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ha
Long Bay |
scenery, culture, heritage, kayaking
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hue
area |
heritage,
culture, war relics, beaches |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hoi
An / My Son |
heritage, culture, beach, Cham relics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Danang
area |
beaches
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nha
Trang |
beaches, diving, Cham relics, mud baths |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Centre
Highlands |
scenery, ethnic groups, trekking |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Da
lat |
mountain scenery, culture, golf |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phan
Thiet / Mui Ne |
beaches,
golf |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ho
Chi Minh City |
culture,
city tours |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mekong Delta |
scenery,
environment, culture, cruises |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phu Quoc |
beaches,
scenery, environment, diving
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good
time to visit |
|
OK,
but with some limitations |
|
Good
time to be elsewhere |
|