Vietnam Weather by Month: Your Simple, Real-World Guide

Vietnam’s weather changes by region. Use this month-by-month guide to know where to go, the best times to visit, and what to pack.

Vietnam is long and skinny—which means there’s rarely one “perfect” month for the whole country. Instead, each region does its own weather thing. This month-by-month planner gives you a no-nonsense way to match your travel dates to spots with the friendliest conditions.

TL;DR: When’s the Weather Best?

Top months for most travelers: March–April, October–November (but read below: North and South don’t always sync up).

Vietnam is three mini-climates:

North: Four seasons. Cool winters, steamy summers.

Central: Bone-dry spring/summer. Sudden, wild autumn rains/typhoons.

South: Dry and hot November–April. Short, hard rains May–October. More from Vietnam Tourism, Weather Spark.

Quick Regional Cheat Sheet

North (Hanoi, Ha Long, Sapa)
Cool/drier November–April; hot, humid, and lush May–September. Weather Spark - Hanoi

Central (Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An)
Sunnier, beachy January–August; September–November = typhoon season, heaviest downpours (especially October). Weather Spark - Da Nang

South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong, Phu Quoc)
Dry, sunny, and festive November–April; hot rains May–November, but downpours usually short. Climate to Travel - HCMC

Month-by-Month: Where to Go, What to Expect

Month	North (Hanoi, Sapa)	Central (Da Nang, Hoi An)	South (HCMC, Phu Quoc)	“Sweet Spot” Location	Notes
January	Cool, clear, misty	Dry, sunny	Dry, sunny	Hoi An/Da Nang	Good everywhere!
February	Crisp; Tết holiday	Dry, festive	Dry	Hoi An; Mekong	Tết: book ahead
March	Warm, mild	Sun, beach time	Dry	Entire coast; Nha Trang	All-round best
April	Warming up	Hot, dry	Hot, dry (peak)	Nha Trang; PHU QUOC	Beaches start shining
May	Hot, occasional rain	Long dry spell	Hot, occasional showers	Da Nang; Hoi An	Start of wet in south
June	Raining, muggy	Beachy, hot	Rain, still hot	Central Coast	Best central beaches
July	Humid, rain	Sunny, gets wet late month	Wet, tropical	Da Nang, Quy Nhon	Typhoons possible end-July
August	Warm, lots of rain	Wet late, typhoon-prone	Storms, but brief	Sapa (rice terraces)	Keep flexible, especially central
September	Clear, autumn gold	Wet, stormy	Fewer showers	Hanoi, North Highlands	Rice harvest up north
October	Dry, fresh, crisp	Peak storms/typhoons	Warming, drying up	Ha Long Bay, Hanoi	Central = avoid for storms
November	Cool, dry	Rainy (early), then dry	Dry, festival season	Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong	Good transition month
December	Chilly, gray	Dry, cool, fresh	Dry, sunny	Saigon, Phu Quoc	Good everywhere

Live Weather & Local Reality

Still unsure? See actual conditions before you go.

Live Webcams: Windy.com Vietnam Cams, YouTube street streamers
Historical Charts: Weather Spark - Choose your city. Plot temp/rain/moon ourselves.

Pro tip: “Send a photo of today’s weather!” is a common ask in Vietnam travel groups. For real-life shots, search #HanoiWeather or #PhuQuocWeather on Instagram the week before your flight.

Vietnam Weather by City: What Locals Say

City	Best Weather	Hottest/Rainiest
Hanoi	Oct–Apr (cool/dry)	Jun–Aug (hot + rain)
Da Nang / Hoi An	Feb–Aug (beach)	Sep–Nov (storms)
Ho Chi Minh City	Dec–Apr (sunny)	May–Oct (brief storms)

Sources: Weather Spark, Vietnam Tourism

Festivals & Planning Around Weather

Tết (Lunar New Year): Usually late Jan–mid Feb. Transport busy, some shops close, but cities festive—book ahead.
Mid-Autumn (Sept): Lantern festivals, especially in Hoi An—evenings only, so rain is less an issue. Tết Dates + Info

Packing: What to Expect (and Bring)

North, Dec–Feb: Light jacket, scarf, warm sleepwear.
Central, Sep–Nov: Rain jacket, waterproof bag, flexible plans.
South, Dec–Apr: Sunblock, hat, loose clothes, big water bottle.

FAQ: Vietnam Monthly Weather

Q: Will rain ruin my trip?
A: Rarely. Downpours are fast; just carry a poncho and adjust plans.

Q: Are typhoons a real threat?
A: In Central Vietnam, especially Sept–Oct; always check forecasts if visiting Hoi An, Hue, or Da Nang then. If storms disrupt plans, you can pivot to inland escapes like Cat Tien National Park.

Q: Is it ever cold in Vietnam?
A: North can dip to 10°C (50°F) in winter; the South stays above 25°C (77°F) year round.

Q: Can I swim year-round?
A: Yes along the central/southern beaches, but seas get rough during autumn typhoons. For specific recommendations, see our Phu Quoc Best Beaches guide.

Q: Where should I check weather before flying?
A: Use windy.com, Weather Spark, or ask Vietnamese Facebook groups for photo upates.