Vietnam stretches 1,650 km north to south, so the best time depends on where you go. Use this month-by-month guide to pick dry, comfortable windows for Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City.
Cover image: limestone karsts rising from Halong Bay, Vietnam — photo by Graceac, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons — photo by Graceac, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The best time to visit Vietnam in 2026 is February to April for the widest dry window across the country, with October to November ideal for Hanoi and Halong Bay and December to April for Ho Chi Minh City and the south. Vietnam has three distinct climates. The north has four seasons with a cool dry winter, the centre has a sharp wet peak from September to December, and the south is hot year round with a May to November wet season. If you want one answer for a first trip that covers north, centre and south together, aim for late February to April when rainfall is lowest in all three regions.
In the north, Hanoi averages 20 to 26 C from November to March with only 19 to 60 mm of rain a month, then rain jumps above 165 mm from May and exceeds 250 mm in June to August. Ho Chi Minh City sits around 31 to 35 C all year and is driest from December to April with 8 to 57 mm, while the centre around Da Nang and Hoi An is driest February to April with 23 to 35 mm and wettest October with 628 mm and regular typhoons. This guide explains each region month by month, when Tet crowds hit, and when prices are lowest.
When is the driest month to visit Vietnam?
February to April is Vietnam’s sweet spot for dry weather. In Hanoi, February averages 20.2 mm of rain, March 35.8 mm and April 103.7 mm before the summer monsoon. In Da Nang and Hoi An, February is just 23.6 mm, March 25.0 mm and April 35.3 mm. In Ho Chi Minh City, February is the driest month at 8 mm, January 12 mm, March 18 mm and April 57 mm. If you want low rain from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh in one trip, late February to early April gives you the best odds.
That window also avoids the centre’s typhoon season. From September to December, Da Nang averages 350 mm in September, 628 mm in October and 448 mm in November, with tropical storms most likely September to November. For beach time in Hoi An, An Bang or Phu Quoc, February to August is safer than October to December.
Best time to visit north Vietnam: Hanoi and Halong Bay
North Vietnam is the only part with a real winter, so temperature matters as much as rain. Winter from December to February is cool and dry, with Hanoi highs of 20.2 C in January, 21.7 C in February and 21.3 C in December, and lows of 13 to 16 C. Days can be grey with drizzle in March, then April warms to 28.5 C before the hot wet summer from May to September when highs reach 33 to 35 C and rain tops 250 mm.
For Halong Bay cruises, October to November and March to April balance calm seas, clearer skies and comfortable heat. October averages 155 mm in Hanoi after the summer peak, November 60.7 mm, and both months sit near 26 to 30 C. Summer cruises still run but expect afternoon downpours and higher humidity above 80 percent. Winter cruises are dry but cooler, and mist can limit views in January and February.
Hanoi and Sapa follow the same pattern, though Sapa in the mountains runs 5 to 8 C cooler than Hanoi. If you are trekking Sapa, March to May and September to November are often cited as the most pleasant for visibility and trail conditions. See Vietnam e-visa requirements 2026 for entry rules before you lock dates, and compare with best time to visit Bali if you are choosing between the regions.
Best time to visit central Vietnam: Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue
Central Vietnam around Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue has its own rhythm. It is dry from January to August and wet from September to December, the opposite of what many first-time visitors expect. The driest stretch is February to April with 23 to 35 mm a month, sunny days and highs of 26 to 31 C. By September, rain jumps to 350.7 mm in Da Nang, peaks at 628.0 mm in October and stays high at 448.2 mm in November.
For the ancient town of Hoi An, lantern streets, beach and cycling, February to August is the reliable window, with February to April the driest and May to June offering the most sunshine at 242 to 247 hours a month. If you travel September to December, plan indoor time, flexible beach days and travel insurance that covers weather delays, and check do you need a visa for Vietnam for how weather-driven rebookings interact with your visa validity.
Best time to visit south Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong and Phu Quoc
South Vietnam is hot all year, averaging about 28 C, with highs of 31 to 35 C even in January. The dry season runs December to April, with Ho Chi Minh City averaging 12 mm in January, 8 mm in February, 18 mm in March, 57 mm in April and 41 mm in December. The wet season from May to November brings 202 to 490 mm a month, with September the wettest at 490 mm.
For Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc island, December to March is the classic dry and comfortable choice. November to April is peak beach season in Phu Quoc with calmer seas, while May to October brings short, heavy afternoon showers that rarely last all day. Southern Vietnam never gets cold, so your choice is really between lower rain and slightly higher hotel prices in December to March, or fewer crowds and lower prices in the wet shoulder months.
Vietnam weather by month: quick comparison table
| Region / city | Dry season | Wettest months | Comfortable months | Temperature range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi and Halong Bay (north) | December to February, around 19 to 20 mm a month | June to August, 253 to 273 mm | October to November and February to April | 14 to 35 C annual swing, winter lows 13 to 16 C |
| Da Nang and Hoi An (centre) | January to August | September to November, 350 to 628 mm, typhoon risk | February to August, best February to April | 19 to 34 C, coolest December to February |
| Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc (south) | December to April | May to October, 202 to 490 mm, peak September | December to March | 23 to 35 C year round |
In one line: if you must pick a single month for all three regions, March and April give the best compromise of low rain, warm days and fewer typhoons than autumn.
When are crowds and prices highest: Tet and peak season
Tet, the Lunar New Year, is Vietnam’s biggest holiday. In 2026 it fell in mid February and in 2027 it falls in early February, based on the lunar calendar. Domestic travel surges for about one week before and after Tet, with trains and flights fully booked, shops and restaurants closed for several days, and hotel rates in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City at yearly highs. If you travel over Tet, book transport and hotels at least two to three months ahead and expect quieter sights but busier airports.
Beyond Tet, the busiest months for foreign visitors are December to February for the south and July to August for domestic summer holidays around Da Nang and Nha Trang. Shoulder months March to May and September to early November often balance decent weather with lower prices. December to March in the south and October to November in the north usually cost 15 to 30 percent more for hotels than May to September, according to seasonal fare and hotel pricing patterns seen on Vietnamese routes.
Cheapest months vs best months: how to choose
If your priority is price, the wet shoulder seasons are cheapest. In Hanoi, May to September brings the heaviest rain and the lowest hotel rates. In Da Nang and Hoi An, October to December is wettest but cheapest, though you trade beach time. In Ho Chi Minh City, May to October is wetter and often 10 to 20 percent cheaper for hotels than December to February.
If your priority is outdoor time and photography, pay the shoulder premium. February to April costs a little more than the wet months but gives you the highest chance of dry days from Halong Bay to Hoi An. Many travellers split the difference: visit in late March or early April for dry weather, then add two or three buffer days for Hue or Hoi An in case of a late-season front.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Vietnam for first timers?
March or April. Rainfall is still low in Hanoi with 35 to 103 mm, very low in Da Nang with 25 to 35 mm, and low in Ho Chi Minh City with 18 to 57 mm, so you can see north, centre and south with fewer washouts than summer or autumn.
When is Halong Bay best to visit?
October to November and March to April. Seas are calmer, humidity is lower than midsummer, and rain is closer to 60 to 155 mm versus more than 250 mm in June to August. Winter is dry but cooler and mistier.
Is Vietnam good to visit in the rainy season?
Yes, if you know where to go. The south and centre have opposite wet seasons. In July, Ho Chi Minh gets 231 mm while Da Nang gets 92.5 mm, so July can be fine for Hoi An but wet for the Delta. Pack rain cover and keep beach plans flexible.
When should I avoid typhoon season in Vietnam?
Avoid September to November for central Vietnam if your trip depends on beach days in Hoi An or Hue. Da Nang averages 350 to 628 mm those months and storms are most likely then. The south and north are less exposed to autumn typhoons.
How far ahead should I book for Tet in 2027?
At least two to three months ahead. Tet in early February 2027 drives a nationwide travel peak. Flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City often sell out, trains fill for a week either side, and hotels in the Old Quarter and District 1 raise rates. Booking by November 2026 gives you more choice and better prices.
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