Dry season / wet season
Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate . Generally speaking, the weather in Vietnam is dictated by two seasons – the southwest monsoon from April to September and the north monsoon from October to late March or early April.
What is worth remembering is that the southwest monsoon is hot and humid and the northeast monsoon is cool and not so humid.
When it comes to planning, the best way is to divide the country into three zones – the north, the center and the south. Temperatures are fairly constant, with the exception of Hanoi and the far north (which can be very cold in December and January) and the central highlands (which can be a little cooler than the rest of the country throughout the year). ).
Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam has a freshness in the cold season (with the northeast monsoon from November to March) and a warm atmosphere in the hot and humid season (from April to October). The months of December and January in particular can be quite frosty in the far north of Vietnam – bring warm clothing.
This time of year can also see heavy fog which can last for days. They can reduce visibility in tourist places like Sapa and Ha Long Bay. The wettest months of the year in Hanoi are July and August, the driest are December and January.
Central Vietnam
Central Vietnam is a kind of transitional zone between the climate of the north and the south. This part of Vietnam is protected by the Truong Son mountain which protects from the rains that come with the southwest monsoon, therefore between April and September.
This advantage is reversed during the northern monsoon when, between September and December, the northern part of central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue) receives abundant rains.
This region can also be affected by the typhoon season in the Western Pacific, which can bring severe storms lashing the coast from August to November – Hoi An, particularly where flooding is recurrent in October and November. Further south, however, the southern coastal strip from Nha Trang to Mui is less affected by rain and sees a longer dry, sunny season.
Southern Vietnam
Without the protection of the Truong Son mountain range, southern Vietnam, particularly the Mekong Delta, receives a lot of rain and hot, humid weather during the southwest monsoon from April to September, with June and July more particularly humid. At this time, you will be more likely to see flooding in Saigon and the southern island of Phu Quoc.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
There is no ideal time to visit Vietnam. Generally speaking, northern destinations such as Hanoi and Sapa are ideal to visit in October, November and December, as you will see little rain and should have clear skies and temperate conditions. Also ideal for visiting Halong Bay.
The coastal strip from Hue towards Nha Trang is best visited in the first half of the year, from January to July, while the months from November to February or March are best to see southern Vietnam like Ho Chi Minh and the Mekong Delta.
