The essentials
When to go to Vietnam, in brief
November to April: the nationwide window
The only stretch when North, Center and South are all roughly dry. 25-32°C, little rain, ideal for a full circuit.
One country, three climates
The North has a cool winter (Dec-Feb), the Center rains in autumn (Sept-Nov), the South is dry from November to April. No month is perfect everywhere.
North: cold in winter
Hanoi and Sapa drop to 10-15°C from December to February, lower in the mountains. March-April and Sept-Nov are the mildest.
Center: autumn rains
Hoi An, Hue and Da Nang take heavy rain from September to November, with typhoon risk. Dry and hot from January to August.
South: dry then wet
Ho Chi Minh City, the delta and Phu Quoc are dry from November to April. The monsoon falls from May to October, mostly June-August.
Tet, plan around it
Lunar New Year (17 February 2026) shuts shops and transport. Festive but tricky to travel: plan well ahead.
The verdict
The best periods
Nov - April
The best window for a full North-South circuit: dry almost everywhere, mild temperatures. Book 2 months ahead.
May - August
Good for the Center and North, but the South takes the monsoon. Hot and humid in the south, short afternoon showers.
Sept - Oct (Center)
Rain and typhoon peak on the Center (Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang). Risk of flooding and cancelled flights.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
20-30°C
Dry, cool North
21-31°C
Dry, Tet
23-32°C
Mild, dry overall
25-34°C
Hot in the South
26-35°C
Monsoon in South
26-35°C
Hot, humid
26-34°C
Rain South/North
26-34°C
Humid, green
25-33°C
Rain in Center
24-32°C
Typhoons in Center
22-31°C
Dry returns
20-30°C
Dry, cool North
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| North (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong) | Mar-Apr & Oct-Nov: 20-28°C, mild | May-Aug rain; Dec-Feb cold (10-15°C) | Ideal Mar-Apr & Oct-Nov |
| Center (Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang) | Feb-Aug: dry, hot, 25-35°C | Sept-Nov: heavy rain, typhoons | Ideal Feb-Aug |
| South (Ho Chi Minh, Phu Quoc) | Nov-Apr: dry, 25-32°C | May-Oct: monsoon, peak June-Aug | Ideal Nov-April |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Tet (Lunar New Year)
The country's biggest festival, a 9-day holiday (14-22 February). Flower markets and offerings, but transport and shops close.
🇻🇳 Nationwide
Hoi An Lantern Festival
The old town glows with lanterns one night a month. The finest edition lines up with Mid-Autumn, on 25 September 2026.
🇻🇳 Hoi An
Hue Festival
International Arts Week: royal court ceremonies at the Citadel, traditional opera and ao dai shows along the Perfume River.
🇻🇳 Hue
Da Lat Flower Festival
Eleventh edition: flower parades, exhibitions and concerts in the cool highland town of the South.
🇻🇳 Da Lat
Our analysis
Vietnam does not boil down to one season. Spanning 1,650 km north to south, the country stacks three climates that never quite line up. The rule that works for a long circuit: aim for November to April, when almost the whole country is dry.
Three regions, three calendars
The North (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay) has a real winter: 10 to 15°C from December to February, lower in the mountains. Spring (March-April) and autumn (Sept-Nov) are the mildest and brightest there.
The Center (Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang) flips the logic: dry and hot from February to August, up to 35°C, then soaked from September to November. This is typhoon season, to dodge if you care about your beach days.
The South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc) is the simplest: dry from November to April, wet from May to October, with the monsoon peaking in June-August.
The shared window and the Tet trap
If you want to see it all in one go, November to April is the only stretch when the three regions roughly hold up. One strong caveat: Tet, on 17 February 2026. Lunar New Year is striking, but shops, restaurants and transport close for nearly nine days. Book ahead or schedule your trip just after. For the Center alone, I would pick March-April over the heavy summer.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Vietnam? +
From November to April: the only window when North, Center and South are all roughly dry, with 25-32°C. Ideal for a full country circuit.
Why does the climate vary so much by region? +
Vietnam is 1,650 km long and crosses three climates. The North has a cool winter, the Center rains in autumn (Sept-Nov), the South is dry from November to April. No single month is perfect everywhere.
When to visit the Center (Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang)? +
From February to August, dry and hot (up to 35°C). Avoid September to November: it is the peak of rain and typhoons, with flood risk.
When to visit the South and the beaches? +
From November to April, dry season in Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc. The monsoon falls from May to October, mostly June-August.
Should you avoid Tet for travel? +
Tet (17 February 2026) is festive but many shops, restaurants and transport services close during the 9-day holiday. Book everything ahead or shift your trip.
Can you visit Vietnam during the monsoon? +
Yes, from May to August showers are often short in the afternoon and prices drop. The North and Center stay workable; only the South is genuinely wet.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026