Vietnam is extensive and has a very diverse topography. The South Vietnam lies in the tropical monsoon climate zone, where seasons differ only in rainfall and wind direction. There are two seasons: relatively dry (November–April) and rainy (May–October). Temperatures do not change significantly throughout the year. The Northern regions have a tropical climate with slightly more marked seasonal climate changes. Summer is hot and humid, while winter is cold and rainy.
Rice terraces in the Sapa mountains | Viajes Tuareg archive
In Southeast Asia, I would choose Vietnam, for the variety of its landscape. From the rice paddies of the Sapa mountains in the far north to the islands of the Mekong River Delta in the south, passing through Halong Bay and the central coast.
Francesca Marsà
Seasons in Vietnam
The best time to travel to Vietnam depends on your preferences and the regions you plan to visit. Its length and varied terrain create different climates in the north, centre and south.
The country’s north has four seasons — winter, spring, summer and autumn — while the south has just two: the dry season (November to April) and the wet season (May to October).
Dry season in Vietnam
The driest season falls between late November and January, in winter, with an average temperature across Vietnam of 30°C and warm, dry days.
During the dry season in the north of Vietnam, temperatures are lower than in the rest of the country. During these harsher winter months, it can be quite cold, especially in the Sapa mountains. Rainfall is minimal here, so it is possible to walk to local villages.
During the dry season we have many chances of having good visibility in Halong Bay
| Ha Noi | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 22 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 24 |
| Rainy days | 4,2 | 2 | 1,9 | 2,2 | 4,6 | 6,7 |
In the Central coast of Vietnam, winter runs from November to May, with wetter, cooler conditions than in the north.
During the dry season, temperatures are usually higher and there is less precipitation. The climate usually varies according to the exact location in southern Vietnam. Cities like Ho Chi Minh and coastal areas have warmer temperatures, while in the highlands of the south centre, like Dalat, temperatures are cooler.
The south has a variable tropical climate with distinct dry and wet seasons. The dry season, from November to April, is arguably the best time to visit southern Vietnam, with sunshine almost every day.
During the dry season, temperatures can be quite high in the south, especially in the months of March and April, just before the rainy season. Areas in southern Vietnam, such as Ho Chi Minh, experience higher temperatures during these months.
| Ho Chi Minh | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperature | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| Rainy days | 8,4 | 2,9 | 0,9 | 0,6 | 1,6 | 15 |
Wet season in Vietnam
In Hanoi and the north coast (Halong Bay), the rainy season runs from May to October, and the water is often cloudy.
| Ha Noi | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 22 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 21 | 24 |
| Rainy days | 12,2 | 14,4 | 16,3 | 17,2 | 12,6 | 8 |
In Sapa, at the start of the wet season, the weather can change dramatically in a short time, offering the rare chance to experience four seasons in one day. The scorching heat typical of summer elsewhere in Vietnam is absent in Sapa during the hottest months, June–August. Sapa enjoys cool summers, with daytime temperatures of 20 to 25°C and nights around 15°C.
During these months it is the rainy season in Sapa. We may not enjoy the best conditions for hiking.
In the Central coast of Vietnam, summer runs from July to October.
In the south coast, storms and typhoons are common between July and November, bringing strong waves. The sea can be murky and conditions may not be suitable for swimming.
| Ho Chi Minh | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperature | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| Rainy days | 11,7 | 15,9 | 16,7 | 15,7 | 16,6 | 16,5 |
Both in the north as in the south, the rainy season runs from June to September, coinciding with our summer. Relative humidity is around 80%, rising to 90% during the rains, making it feel hotter than the temperature suggests.
What is the best time to travel to Vietnam?
Vietnam is a very long country, and a trip covering its full length will encounter a wide range of weather. Travelling from north to south, we can experience different climates depending on the season.
Vietnam for Christmas
If you want to spend Christmas in Vietnam, a longer trip lets you make the most of the holidays. These departures usually leave before the 24th, with Christmas Day spent in Ho Chi Minh City. This year's departure is Saturday the 23rd.
The mix of Eastern and Western cultures shines during Christmas in Ho Chi Minh City, where communities of different faiths take to streets decorated with lights of every kind.
The Christmas holidays are a good time to visit Vietnam. The wet season begins and temperatures become more moderate, averaging from lows of 10° in parts of the north to highs of 31°C in the tropical south.
Walks through the Ban Ho Valley follow paths across farmland with spectacular rice terraces. At this time of year, the paddies form shining pools in a magnificent landscape.
Halong Bay at New Year is ideal for escaping the humidity and heat of the Vietnamese summer.
New Year special
Our New Year trips to Vietnam depart from Madrid or Barcelona on the 26th, leaving time to celebrate Christmas at home. At this time of year, the cold is offset by quiet walks through Sapa’s villages, the only way to discover the small settlements and landscapes of the area.
Vietnam at Easter and in spring
Around Easter, Vietnam's weather is usually cool and dry, making it one of the best times to hike in Sapa's mountains. Near the Chinese border, the valley Sapa It is a magnificent place: evergreen mountains, rice terraces and ethnic minorities expressing their identity through the colours of their clothing and ornaments.
Vietnam can be visited all year round, but in winter, between November and April, is the best time to visit northern Vietnam.
If we had to choose the best time to visit Vietnam, we would say spring, specifically February to April. These are the driest months across the country, with warm, dry weather and clear skies.
Vietnam in summer
It is important to consider: some rural areas may be affected by floods or landslides during the summer; so we have to be prepared for possible changes in itineraries depending on weather conditions.
Summer begins in May and ends in August. Vietnam’s average temperature is 30° to 35°, with humidity of 60% to 70%.
In the north of Vietnam, the climate can be more extreme than elsewhere in the country. Summer temperatures in Hanoi approach 40°C. In the Sapa mountains, night-time lows of 10°C can feel intensely cold because of the high humidity.
In the south the climate is tropical, with two seasons and little temperature variation between them; the wet season, from May to November, has its maximum rainfall during the months of June, July and August.
Vietnam in autumn and winter
Autumn is ideal for visiting Sapa. Rainfall decreases considerably, bringing drier, milder weather. Little rain and cool, stable temperatures make autumn a wonderful time to admire Sapa’s beauty.
In the centre In Vietnam, the highlands are a little colder than the lowlands. Vietnam is located in the so-called monsoon zone, where small typhoons may occur followed by floods in the period from October to November.
The dry season in Vietnam’s South runs from mid-November to April, when rainfall is limited, giving us several rain-free days to explore the beaches.
Upcoming trips to Vietnam
Vietnam It is moving rapidly towards the future and is now a modern country welcoming many visitors. No wonder: it is beautiful and brings together all the images we associate with Southeast Asia. This tourism development is good news for local people, though less so for visitors hoping to escape the busiest places. Our trips seek that sometimes elusive balance between tourism and authenticity.
Vietnam✔️ Single departure 5 Aug 2026
✔️ Price from 3100€
✔️ Departures 30 JUL > 13 Aug 2026
✔️ Price from 2400€
✔️ 7, 28 Mar | 18 Apr | 16 May | 6, 13, 27 Jun | 18 Jul | 5, 26 Sep | 10, 31 Oct | 21 Nov 2026
✔️ Price from 1900€ + flight
✔️ 9, 30 Mar | 20 Apr | 4, 25 May | 8, 22 Jun | 6 Jul | 7, 21 Sep | 5, 19 Oct | 2 Nov 2026
✔️ Price from 1450€ + flight
What is your favourite country in Southeast Asia?
Definitely. Vietnam, a country that leaves no one indifferent. Its people, the colours of its markets, the variety from north to south and its generally good infrastructure, mean Vietnam meets many of the things travellers look for. Its history, monuments contrasting with green terraces, and the simplicity and warmth of its people are captivating!
Yolanda Berrocal