What is the best time to visit Vietnam? What is the best month for taking a hike in Vietnam? There is not really a right or wrong time to visit Vietnam as during most months of the year you will experience both sunshine and rain in varying quantities. Vietnam has 3,260km of coastline and three different weather systems.
Whilst Vietnam is typically warm and humid, the weather can vary significantly from one region to another due to the country’s length. At times there has been snow in the mountainous far north whilst the beaches in the south enjoyed 32 °C and sunshine.
Best time to visit north Vietnam
The best times to visit north Vietnam are the months of milder temperatures, from late September to November and again in March and April. The winters in the North Vietnam, especially in January and February, can get colder than you might expect, especially in the mountainous regions, with temperatures reaching 12-15ºC.
The humidity is high all-year at 60 – 80%, making winters cold and wet and summers hot and humid. During the summer, the average temperature is around 30-35ºC. The rainy season lasts from late May to late September, and while rains can be quite heavy, the rain is not consistent and does not usually ruin a hiking tour.
Best places for trekking in north Vietnam
- Ba Be National Park
- Bac Giang
- Bac Ha
- Bat Xat Muong Hum
- Cao Bang
- Cat Ba National Park
- Cuc Phuong National Park
- Mt Fansipan
- Ha Giang
- Lai Chau
- Mai Chau
- Pu Luong Nature Reserve
- Ngoc Son Ngo Luong Nature Reserve
- Sapa
- Son La
- Yen Bai
Best time to visit central Vietnam
The best time to visit Vietnam central region is during the dry season starting from January to early July, although June and July months can also be the hottest months. The temperatures in the Central Vietnam are milder than the North, with relatively warm weather year-round.
During the rainy season from August to December, rains can be quite heavy, particularly in the coastal areas including Thua Thien Hue, Quang Ngai, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang. The weather in Central Vietnam varies more between destinations than other regions, with the weather becoming more tropical as you move south.
Top places for hiking in central Vietnam
Best time to visit south Vietnam
Southern Vietnam is in a tropical weather zone with year-round warm weather with an average annual temperature of 27ºC. Generally, the best time to visit south Vietnam is between October and February, when it is dryer and a bit cooler.
The hottest months are March to May, followed by the rainy season from May to November. During the rainy season, rains can be long and heavy, but often are daily rains that clear quickly.
Best places for taking a hike in south Vietnam
Contact us if you plan a trekking holiday in Vietnam but don’t know what is the best time to come.