When to go
It is difficult to find the
best time to visit all of Vietnam. In general, it is better to avoid very hot periods, the monsoon rainy season and the typhoon period.
The
rainy season runs roughly from May to October in the north (see Hanoi) and in inland central areas, from September to December on the south-central coast (see Hue, Da Nang, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang) and from May to November in the south (see Ho Chi Minh).
Typhoons typically arrive from May 20 to mid-November in the north, from early September to December 10 in the center, and from October 15 to December 20, with a maximum in early November, in the south.
The
hottest period of the year goes from May to September in the center-north, while in the south, where it is hot even in winter, it goes from March to May, i.e. before the summer monsoon.
In the
north (see Hanoi) there is no season that is mild, dry and sunny at the same time. In winter, from December to February (and more rarely in the first half of March), the weather is generally cool or mild, but there is little sun, there are frequent rains, and sometimes it can be a bit cold. In the mountains, then, it can get very cold and it can snow.
Therefore, if you want to visit Vietnam as a whole, you can choose the months of
March and April, because in the north the climate is milder than in winter, although there is not much sun and the rains are enough frequent, while in the centre-south it is a dry and sunny period, even though it must be said that in the south it is very hot. In addition, during this period you can go to the beach throughout the country.
Otherwise, if you fear the heat, you can choose the period of
Tet (Tết Nguyên Ðán), the Vietnamese New Year, which traditionally marks the beginning of spring and occurs from January 21 to February 19 depending on the year. In this period, the weather is generally cool and cloudy in the north, with frequent drizzles, and sometimes even cold, while in the centre-south it is progressively warmer and sunnier, but in the south it is not as hot as in the following months. Moreover, in this period the country is covered with flowers.
In the period of
Christmas and New Year, therefore between the end of December and the beginning of January, the weather is similar to that of the Tet, i.e. cool and cloudy in the north, hot and sunny in the south, however, in the central part of the coast, the last rains related to the "retreating monsoon" occur.
If you want to go in
July and August, you can choose the south-central coast (from Da Nang and the Cham islands to Phan Thiet, including Nha Trang), where, as mentioned on the climate page, it is sunny and not very rainy, and generally, in this period, it is also spared by typhoons.
For swimming, in the north, the
sea is a bit cool from January to March, while it is very warm in the summer months. Anyway, in winter, cool and cloudy weather conditions which prevail in this season are usually not inviting for swimming. Already in the center, on the other hand, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round, although only in the south, both air and sea temperatures are fully summery even in winter.
What to pack
In
winter: in the north (Hanoi), pack spring/autumn clothes, a jacket and a sweater, a raincoat for the drizzle, and a hat and gloves for colder nights. In mountain peaks, pack warm clothes, such as a down jacket, gloves, a hat, and hiking shoes.
In the center (Hue, Nha Trang), pack light clothes for the day, a sweatshirt and a scarf for the breeze, a jacket and a sweater for cooler evenings, and a raincoat or umbrella until January inclusive.
For the inland south-central areas, light clothes for the day, and a jacket and a sweater for the evening.
For the south (Ho Chi Minh), light clothing, a scarf for the breeze, a light sweatshirt for the evening, and possibly a light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings.
In
summer: across the country, at low altitude, pack tropics-friendly, lightweight clothing of natural fibers, a light raincoat or umbrella, and a light sweatshirt for the evening; for the towns located at an altitude higher than sea level, you can add a sweatshirt and a light jacket; for the highest peaks, warm clothes, a fleece, a jacket, a raincoat, and hiking boots.
When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.
Before entering pagodas, it is customary to take off shoes, dress neatly and cover a little.
Back to the climate of
Vietnam