Climate of Vietnam

Vietnam weather changes from North to South with different temperature and season. Generally, the best time to travel Vietnam is from Sep till April next year

The climate of Vietnam varies considerably from region to region. Although the entire country lies in the tropics and subtropics, local condition varies from frosty winters in the far northern hill to year-round, subequatorial warmth in the Mekong Delta.

Rainfall chart in North Vietnam	Temperature chart in North Vietnam
Rainfall chart in Central Vietnam	Temperature chart in Vietnam Central
Rainfall chart in South Vietnam	Temperature chart in South Vietnam

Vietnam’s weather is indicated by  two monsoons. The  winter monsoon comes from the northeast between October and March, bringing wet cold winter to all areas north of Nha Trang, and dry and warm temperatures to the south. From April or May to October, the southwestern monsoon bring warm, humid weather to the whole country except for those areas sheltered by mountains.

• For the best balance, try the months of April, May or October;
• For those sticking to the south, November to February is dry and a touch cooler;
• From July to November, violent and unpredictable typhoons hit central and northern Vietnam.

The northern regions of Vietnam have four seasons. Winter is from December to February - temperatures are generally lower. The mountainous regions such as Sapa can be remarkably cold. Halong Bay is usually covered in mist, which reduces visibility but adds to the atmosphere. Mid of summer is June to August - expect hot and humid conditions at this time, with temperatures averaging between 27°C to 30°C and high humidity. In the monsoon season (May to November), you can expect days to be warm and humid with refreshing afternoon showers. Travel is rarely affected by the rain and everything is lush and green at this time. Skies over Halong Bay are usually clear and blue.

In the south, days are usually warm and clear. The weather is divided into 2 seasons. The dry season generally runs from December to June with March to May being particularly hot and humid. Temperatures usually range from 27°C to 36°C during this time. The wet season brings short and heavy rain showers from July to November, with temperatures averaging between 22°C and 27°C.

In Central Vietnam, you should be well prepared for some instability and possible flooding during the months of October and November. 

Some travellers like to time a visit with  Tet (Vietnamese New Year), which is the biggest festival in the calendar in late January or early February. A nice idea but not ideal, as the whole country is on the move.

More Reading on the top typical places for each weather type:
Hochiminh city - the main city of South Vietnam
Hoi an - the main site of Vietnam Central
Hanoi city - the main city of Nort Vietnam