Vietnam beckons in any season, but picking the optimum time for a visit comes down to what you crave from a trip most: optimum beach weather? Cultural festivals? Fewer tourist crowds? A combination of all three?
To help you choose the best time to book your flights, here’s our guide on when to visit Vietnam.
High season: July & August
Best time to go for beach lovers
July and August are the busiest months to visit Vietnam, with prices increasing by up to 50% by the coast; book hotels well in advance. The whole country, except the far north, is hot and humid, punctuated by spectacular summer monsoon downpours.
Shoulder season: December-March
Best time to go for visiting Hanoi and HCMC
Winter in Vietnam tends to be drier than the summer months, but also colder. Expect chilly conditions in the north, but in the far south, clear skies and sunshine are the norm.
If big cities are your thing, shoulder season is a pleasant time to be in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with reliable weather and good temperatures. Although, during the Tet festival (late January or early February), the whole country is on the move and hotel prices rise.
Vietnam tips: a first-timer’s guide
Low season: April-June and September-November
Best time to go for exploring the whole country
Low season in Vietnam falls on the transition period from winter to summer and summer to winter, offering unsettled weather that can provide glorious days of sunshine, but also days of rain. It’s a great time to visit for those who want to avoid tourist crowds, or those looking to tour the whole country (with weather not notably awful anywhere).
This is also a good time to tour Halong Bay, with weather relatively reliable in this region during these months, particularly October and November.
Here’s a monthly guide to what you can expect throughout the year in Vietnam. All events are subject to change.
January
Winter temperatures can be bitterly cold in the far north, with snow possible. The further south you go, the milder the weather. Providing a dose of winter cheer, the Dalat Flower Festival, held early in the…
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