Climate - Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam)

In Ho Chi Minh, there is a tropical climate, hot all year round, with a rainy season from May to November, due to the Southeast Asian monsoon, and a dry season from December to April.
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly called Saigon, is the largest city of Vietnam and is located in the south of the country, on the banks of the Saigon River, and at 11 degrees north latitude. About 50 km (30 mi) to the south is the delta of the Mekong, one of the longest rivers in Asia.
In winter, we are in the hottest area of Vietnam, and in fact the maximum temperature is 32 °C (90 °F) even in December and January. Sometimes, the temperature can reach 35/36 °C (95/97 °F) even in this period. In January 1998, one of the most intense years of El Niño, it reached 37.4 °C (99.3 °F).
Even in winter, it gets rarely cool, however, sometimes the temperature can drop below 20 °C (68 °F), and more rarely, down to 16/17 °C (61/63 °F).
Starting from February, the temperature increases further, and from March to May is hottest period of the year, in which the temperature can reach 38/39 °C (100/102 °F), and which will continue until the arrival of the monsoon in May. Already in April, however, there is a certain increase in rain showers.
From May to October is the monsoon period, with frequent and sometimes heavy rains, slightly lower temperatures and high humidity. Sometimes the rains can cause floods. In November, the monsoon rains become rare, but typhoons can still pass.



In fact, Ho Chi Minh can be hit by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of the western Pacific. In southern Vietnam, typhoons generally occur from October 15 to December 20, with a maximum in early November.
In January, and again from mid-March to mid-April, some tropical depressions can occasionally form, generally off the central-southern coast of Vietnam, but they almost always dissipate over the sea before reaching the coast. However, they can cause abnormal waves. Anyway, sometimes they can reach the coast, for example, on April 1, 2012, Tropical Storm Pakhar made landfall at Vũng Tàu, on the coast south of Ho Chi Minh.

Best Time

To visit Ho Chi Minh you can choose the period from late December to late February, i.e. in the coolest, or rather less hot, and outside the typhoon season. In February, it is often already a little hotter than in January.
In December, the weather is often sunny and not too hot, but there is still the risk, albeit declining, of a tropical cyclone arriving.
In March and April it is still the dry season, but it is very hot.
For swimming, the sea is warm enough all year round.

Ho Chi Minh - Climate data

In Ho Chi Minh, the average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 26.9 °C (80.4 °F), that of the warmest month (April) is of 30.4 °C (86.7 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Ho Chi Minh, precipitation amounts to 1930 millimeters (76 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 5 mm (0.2 in) in the driest month (February) to 325 mm (12.8 in) in the wettest one (September). Here is the average precipitation.
At Ho Chi Minh, the sea temperature ranges from 25 °C (77 °F) in January, February to 29.5 °C (85 °F) in May. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Ho Chi Minh, there are on average around 2490 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Ho Chi Minh - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Ho Chi Minh is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.1 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 21.8 °C (71.2 °F) and a maximum of 32.3 °C (90.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Ho Chi Minh is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 28.0 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 22.5 °C (72.6 °F) and a maximum of 33.4 °C (92.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (67.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Ho Chi Minh is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 29.4 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 24.4 °C (75.9 °F) and a maximum of 34.4 °C (94 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In April, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Ho Chi Minh is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 30.4 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) and a maximum of 35.1 °C (95.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In May, the weather in Ho Chi Minh is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 30.0 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 25.4 °C (77.8 °F) and a maximum of 34.5 °C (94.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 23 °C (73.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 220 mm (8.7 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29.5 °C (85 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In June, the weather in Ho Chi Minh is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.0 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 24.6 °C (76.4 °F) and a maximum of 33.3 °C (92 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (73 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 310 mm (12.2 in), distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In July, the weather in Ho Chi Minh is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.4 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) and a maximum of 32.6 °C (90.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 295 mm (11.6 in), distributed over 23 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 29 °C (84 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In August, the weather in Ho Chi Minh is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.4 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.4 °C (75.9 °F) and a maximum of 32.5 °C (90.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 270 mm (10.6 in), distributed over 22 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In September, the weather in Ho Chi Minh is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.2 °C (75.5 °F) and a maximum of 32.2 °C (89.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 325 mm (12.8 in), distributed over 23 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In October, the weather in Ho Chi Minh is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.8 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) and a maximum of 32 °C (89.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (72 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 265 mm (10.4 in), distributed over 21 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In November, the weather in Ho Chi Minh is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.6 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 23.2 °C (73.7 °F) and a maximum of 32.1 °C (89.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (69 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In December, the least warm month of the year, the weather in Ho Chi Minh is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.9 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 22.1 °C (71.7 °F) and a maximum of 31.7 °C (89 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.