Weather in Vietnam
Vietnam maps covers this whole contry, which can be split by region. In the north, May to September have high temperature and high rainfall, October to April is cold and dry. Central Vietnam is hot and dry between January & August when temperatures is around 33-34°C, whilst high level of rainfall can occur from September to November. Southern Vietnam is mostly dry and hot from November to April, wet and hot between May and October, with the highest rainfall in June, July, and August.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
There is not really a right or wrong time to visit Vietnam as there will be sunshine and rain during most months of the year. The country has a lot of regional diversity and three different weather systerms.
It is fair to imagine Vietnam as three separate destinations when researching for your intended visit and the following article may help you unravel the complexities.
Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam has a cold and dry season from October to April when the teperature average 17-22°C with the coldest month being January. These are the perfect time to visit the mountainous far north such as Sapa, Ha Giang, etc
Summer lasts from May to September wwhen it is hot and humid and often the wettest months of the year. You should go to Halong Bay around this time.
Central Vietnam
Hoi An, Hue, and Danang in the centre of Vietnam have hot and dry weather from January to late August, with temperatures often reaching the mid-30's°C. The rainfall is increases in winter, occasionally in the form of typhoons.
Hue is often cooler than Danang and Hoi An. In addition, with each sitting on opposite of sides of a small mountain rage the weather can often difer between the two greatly on any given day.
Quy Nhon and Nha Trang share a similar weather pattern although they benefit from a longer dry season (typically January to September), with high temperatures and little rain.
South Vietnam
The climate of southern Vietnam is split in two seasons, wet and dry. The dry season begins in November and ends in April or early May. The wet season lasts from May until early November with the months from June to August receiving the highest rainfall.
In the wet season rainfall is usually heavy but short lasting, often occurring in a mid-afternoon heavy downpour.
The average temperatures in the south range between 25 - 35°C year round.
The Island of Phu Quoc and Con Dao can be enjoyed year-round, with high chances of sunny days, although if visiting outside dry season, afternoon downpurs should be expected.