Ok here it is, everything you wanted to know about the weather in Vietnam. I usually start my writings from South to north, so let me be a rebel and start in the north.
SAPA
The climate of Sapa is highly seasonal, with a subtropical climate in the summer and a temperate climate during the winter. Average temperature for Sapa town is 15.4ºC, with a maximum of 29.4ºC and a minimum of 1ºC. Sapa also experiences a marked wet season from May to September, with the heaviest rainfall occurring in July and August. The weather is also notorious for changing frequently and quickly. It is said that only in Sapa, one can experience many different seasons within only one day.
February- Very cold in early days, cloudy, foggy. Getting warmer & better towards later days.
March- Much nicer and warmer weather than Feb, more sunshine
April- Summer start, dry, clear, warm enough
May- Starting rainy season with quick shower occasionally, clear sky with more sunshine but little bit warm in the open at noon.
June- Warm but not as hot like other region. Clear sky, much sunshine but summer shower get more but not too wet
July- Among the 2 worst months of the year caused by summer shower
August – The peak month of typhoon and rain
September – Autumn starts, getting drier and normally very nice towards the end of the month.
October- Cool, dry, sunshine almost everyday, clear sky
November- Cooler, dry. May be misty and foggy towards the end but nice weather.
December-Wet winter starts and gets worse in the later days of the month. It can get quite chilly.
Halong Bay
Halong’s climate is humid and tropical. With a hot, humid summer and dry, cold winter; Halong’s temperature varies from 15ºC to 25ºC.Annual rainfall is between 2000mm and 2200mm. Ha Long bay has typical diurnal tide system (tide amplitude ranges from 3.5-4m). The salinity is from 31 to 34.5MT in dry season and lower in rainy season. It is possible to visit Ha Long Bay year-round, with the best time to visit from October through April, although during the winter months of December, January and February, the weather can be cool and overcast with low visibility. During the summer months from May to September, temperatures rise and storms are more likely during the rainy season.
Hanoi,
Hanoi has typical North Vietnam climate, with a cold and dry winter (when temperatures can drop to as low as 6°C – 7°C) and a hot and extremely humid summer (temperatures can climb up to a maximum of 35°C). Spring is characterized with light drizzles while the summers bring heavy rain. The best time to visit Hanoi is around September to November or from March to April for their milder temperatures and pleasant weather.
Average Rainfall millimeters
Average Temperature
Hue/ Danang
The coast and delta area of Hue has tropical climate and is divided into two distinguished seasons. The dry season (from March to August) has a maximum temperature of 400 C and the colder, rainy season (August to January) has temperatures that can go down to 19,70 C. In higher areas (on mountains, highlands) the temperature is generally cooler. From March to August will be the best time to visit Hue, especially between March and April when the temperature is more pleasant, though rainfalls are still likely. Hue sees fog and rain quite frequently, even when the weather across the Hai Van Pass in nearby Danang is sunny. During the rainy season, between September and January, rain is more frequent and can be heavy.
Weather chart for Hue/Danang/Hoi An area
Average Rainfall centimeters.
Average Temperature
Hoi An
Somewhere between tropical and climate. The temperature is warm throughout the year (average 29°C), yet hotter around months June and July and cooler around December. Hoi An is affected by monsoon winds. The city will be constantly raining from September till January, and dry for the rest of the year. Overall, the best time to visit Hoi An is between May and June. February and April are among the best time to visit Hoi an when rainfall is low and temperatures are pleasant. The temperatures can get hot during summer time and during the rainy season, particularly during October and November, rains can be frequent and heavy.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is extremely lucky to not be influenced by monsoon winds that turn the rest of southern Vietnam into water six months every year. Nha Trang has a warm, fair and beautiful climate nearly all year round, with the exception of late October, November and early December. The best time to visit Nha Trang would probably be March or April. The least windy months of the year are May, April and June. Nha Trang in general is not windy enough to windsurf, with the exception of Doc Let beach (35 km north of Nha Trang), which is usually reserved for experts.
Dalat
Surrounded by mountains and pine forests, Da Lat has many characteristics of a temperate climate. The average temperature here is 18–21°C, with highest temperature 30°C and lowest 5°C. Dalat also has the two season climate typical of South Vietnam, with a monsoon season from May to October and a dry season from November to April. Dalat is never stormy and only has occasional heavy winds from the ocean through the mountains East side of the city. Dalat is in the temperate region and has pleasant weather year-round, even sunny during much of the rainy season. The dry season lasting from November to March, and the rainy season from April to November. During the winter months, the average temperature is 10 C while during summer it is around 20 C. Ideal weather is from November to March, when the air is fresh and cool.
Mui Ne
Mui Ne lies in the monsoon tropical zone, with 2 district seasons. The rainy season is from May to October and the dry season from November to April. Dry season normally means NO RAIN. Mui Ne lies in the emerging Binh Thuan Desert and is prone to drought. Onset of rainy season can bring flash flooding and extensive errosion. Rainy season brings lush green foliage and the return of birds, butterflies and other wildlife (and takes away the tourists). Rain is usually for an hour, once or twice a day (typically afternoon and evening), during the rainy season. The yearly average rainfall varies between 50 and 100 cm. The average relative humidity is 79%. Because Mui Ne receives very little rain, it is also sunnier, and thus feels hotter than Nha Trang or Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City weather and climate
Located in South Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City city has a tropical climate. The average humidity level is 75%, average temperature is 28 °C. The city is generally warm, and has a monsoon season from May to November and a dry season from December to April. During the rainy season starting from May to November, rains can be long and heavy, but often are short daily rains that clear quickly. Generally, the best time to visit is during the dry season from December and April, although the coolest months are October through December.
Average rainfall in Saigon
Average temperature in Saigon
Phu Quoc
The island’s monsoonal sub-equatorial climate is characterized by distinct rainy (June to October) and dry seasons (November to May). The annual rainfall is high averaging 2,879 mm. In the northern mountains up to 4,000 mm have been recorded. April and May are the hottest months with temperature reaching 35 °C. Trips to Phu Quoc can be made all year round, but the best time is dry season when the sky is always sunny, clear and blue.
So there you have it!! I wish to thank all of the sites I copied from. It was a bit hard compiling this information into one place, and your sites helped immensely.
Update.
Here is another link to rainfall and temperature charts with more detailed information
We are planning a Viking river cruise arriving in Hanoi on 9/25/17 then onto Siem Reap for 2 days then embarking on the river cruise from Kampong Thom to Ho Chi Min City AND THEN leaving from Vietnam to home in the US.
What type of weather should we prepare for on this excursion? Another question if I may, should we also assume that bug repellant is necessary and should pants and sleeved shirts to be anticipated because of the probability of these flying insects.
I know this is a longer post than usual but any suggestions would be greatfully welcomed.
Thank you
It should be mostly warm and sunny. You might experience some cooling afternoon showers. If you do get chilly or need rain gear, it is inexpensive to buy everywhere. I do not suggest over packing. As to the bugs…. The bug spray here is only 15% deet. I rarely see a mosquito, however, some people seem prone to bites. Spry some deet on your legs before dinner and you should be fine.
Hi Owee
We arrive into the region 28th August-10th September. Would like to visit Siam Reap, Phnom Penh, HCMC and another TBC destination in southern Vietnam.
Would you suggest Vietnam or Cambodia first from a weather perspective? Ie. does the weather worsen in HCMC as September goes on, meaning it’d be sensible to go there first? Or vice versa?
Also, any recommendations for another destination in Southern Vietnam, ideally on the coast/beach? Is the weather in Hoi An too unpredictable in late Aug/early Sept?
Thanks in advance
I think Vietnam first as mid September is the start of rainy season in central Vietnam. It will already be rainy seaon in Cambodia so perhaps the later the better. Hoi an is really not a beach destination. Look at Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Phu Quoc and also Sihanookville
Hi Owee
November – Jan is good idea go Dalat ?
Yes but very chilly
Hello Owee-
I just discovered your site a few minutes ago as I am considering a last minute tour of Vietnam from July 17-July 27, starting in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, finish Ho Chi Minh City. I would expect heat and humidity, but would I be miserable? Thanks for your thoughts.
The weather should be decent and not miserable….. Miserable is Hoi An and Hue in November 😉
Thanks Owee
Wow wow wow what an awesomesite, you sure take much time out in carefully answering all queries / questions. I am a single 63year woman from South Africa wanting to travel in October. First to Bangkok then by train to Cambodia and finally to Vietnam. Firstly is it safe for a woman of my age travelling to Cambodia and Vietnam alone. Then comes the challenge of the weather. I am only able to travel in October, so where would it be best for me to head from Cambodia in Vietnam. Many thanks and much blessings
Thanks.
Vietnam is very safe. Most people here are respectful and friendly. Only tourist area scoundrels can be a bit of a pain but you need not worry about personal security. Just yell police if hassled and they run away. Sadly, October is not the best time but……… Saigon and the Mekong , Hanoi, Sapa and Halong Bay also ok. It will be rainy season starting from Mui Ne all the way up beyond Hue. Unfortunatly Hoi An and Hue can have very bad weather at that time. Nha Trang is 50/50. The central Highlands will be wet and dry with micro climates.
I’ve been enjoying reading about the weather and ideas traveling to Vietnam and Cambodia. My husband and I want to take a 2-3 week trip, and would love to go on a Makong river boat cruise, since we are in our mid 60’s and want to take it easy traveling. But the touristy ones can be so expensive. What is this “non touristy” one I’m reading about above? Plus what would be the best time of year as far as weather to do the Makong? We would be coming from Hawaii and have to consider our flight costs also.
Any other bits of advice?
Thank you and aloha from Hawaii, berta
http://www.vexploretravel.com/tour_detail.php?tourID=218 simply modify this one to start and finish in Saigon I suggest Feb to June for best weather
Hi Owee,
Thank you so much for this great info, me and my partner are looking to fly into Ho Chi Minh City on 17th April until the 3rd may for my birthday, we would like to do some cultural sight seeing and then on to a beech destination for the last 4-5 days as we both love to snorkell, is there anywhere that you can recommend, we do like going off of the beaten track a little, somewhere that is not so crowded and full of tourists,
Many thanks
Jemma
I suggest looking ay my homrstay website. Off the beaten track is my thing. Right now I am on a tour to highlands. http://www.homestaynhatrang.com
Hi Owee
Your site is wonderful, full of useful information and a credit to you.
I am planning on visiting Vietnam at the end of August for 2 weeks and after a beach holiday. Which of the following places would have the best weather Danang Nha Trang , Phu Quoc or Con Dao island.
I would also love to do the non touristy Mekong River tour that you spoke about as well
Look forward to your reply
Cheers Sue
Thanks!
It will be rainy season in Phu Quoc. Nha
Trang and Danang should be about the same with decent weather https://owee58.com/2011/07/20/vietnam-weather-rainfall-temperature-charts/
I will email you regarding the non touristy trip
Hi Owee,
what a masterpiece you wrote about Vietnam’s weather! for couple of years now, I have the unexplained need to go and visit Vietnam. We (family with 2 teens) are experienced travelers, and have been also in some Asian countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka). Due to job requremetns only end of June till midd. of July holiday trip (arround 18-20 days) is possible, so I’m thinking about going to North (Sapa etc.) first and than prlong to South. Will work on detailed interary later on. What do you think about this idea? I really want to se the North of the county as well. We can handle some thunderstroms/rain, although wouldn’t be so great having pouring rain for days…
thanks in advance and perhaps see you…Mojca
Thanks for the compliment. June is a fine time with sunny days and often an afternoon shower to cool things down. July will be a bit more wet but still ok. June better because still slow season. July will get much busier.
hi owee
fantastic web site I have got some great info from it thank you!
we are traveling down to danang 24th feb through to 4th march for a beach break . having done bit of research not so sure the weather is going to be sunny beach weather would you recommend having a back up plane like carry on down to Nha Trang or further south and is itpossible to fly down from danang or go by rd only in Vietnam for 2 weeks so time is a consideration
thanks brian
The weather should be just fine. Danang has resorts on the beach, however, Nha Trang is more known for beaches. There is also a lot to do. You could also look at Hoi An.
hi owee
that’s great thanks for the advise much appreciated and will help a lot
take care
brian