The rice terraces in Sapa, Vietnam, are a stunning sight in any season.

If you are planning to travel to Vietnam, one of the most important things that you need to consider is the weather. Vietnam is a long and narrow country that stretches from north to south, and it has a diverse and complex climate that varies by region and season. Depending on where and when you go, you may encounter different weather conditions, such as hot and humid, cool and dry, rainy and stormy, or sunny and pleasant. Knowing the weather in Vietnam will help you prepare for your trip, choose the best time and place to visit, pack the right clothes and accessories, and enjoy your stay in this beautiful and fascinating country.

We will provide you with a comprehensive guide to the weather in Vietnam, including the average temperature, humidity, rainfall, sunshine, wind speed, and weather forecast by month and by region. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about the weather in Vietnam and provide you with some tips and advice on how to deal with the weather and make the most of your trip. By the end of this article, you will have a clear and complete understanding of the weather in Vietnam and how it affects your travel plans.

What is the typical climate of Vietnam?

The typical climate of Vietnam is tropical monsoon, which means that it has two main seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season is characterized by high temperature, high humidity, and heavy rainfall, while the dry season is characterized by low temperature, low humidity, and little rainfall. However, the climate of Vietnam is not consistent throughout the country, as it is influenced by several factors, such as latitude, longitude, altitude, topography, and ocean currents. Therefore, the weather in Vietnam varies significantly by region and by season, and it can be unpredictable and changeable.

The northern region of Vietnam, which includes Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa, and Ninh Binh, has a subtropical climate, which means that it has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The spring (February to April) and the autumn (August to October) are the best seasons to visit the north, as they have mild and pleasant weather, with moderate temperature, humidity, and rainfall. The summer (May to July) is the hottest and wettest season, with high temperature, humidity, and rainfall, and frequent thunderstorms and typhoons. The winter (November to January) is the coldest and driest season, with low temperature, humidity, and rainfall, and occasional frost and snow.

The central region of Vietnam, which includes Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Nha Trang, has a tropical climate, which means that it has two main seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season (September to December) is the worst season to visit the central region, as it has high temperature, humidity, and rainfall, and frequent storms and floods. The dry season (January to August) is the best season to visit the central region, as it has low temperature, humidity, and rainfall, and sunny and clear weather. However, the central region is also affected by the Truong Son mountain range, which creates a microclimate that divides the region into two sub-regions: the north-central and the south-central. The north-central sub-region, which includes Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An, has a cooler and wetter climate than the south-central sub-region, which includes Nha Trang, Mui Ne, and Dalat.

The southern region of Vietnam, which includes Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Phu Quoc, and Vung Tau, has a tropical climate, which means that it has two main seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season (May to October) is the hottest and rainiest season, with high temperature, humidity, and rainfall, and occasional thunderstorms and typhoons. The dry season (November to April) is the coolest and driest season, with low temperature, humidity, and rainfall, and sunny and clear weather. The southern region has a more stable and predictable climate than the northern and central regions, and it is generally warmer and sunnier throughout the year.

Vietnam weather by month

Vietnam is a long and narrow country that has a varied climate depending on the region. The weather can be divided into three main zones: the north, the central, and the south. Each zone has its own seasons, temperature, and rainfall patterns. Here is a summary of the weather by month in Vietnam:

  • January: This is the coldest month in the north, with average temperatures of 17°C and occasional fog and drizzle. The central and southern regions are dry and warm, with average temperatures of 25°C and 27°C respectively.
  • February: The weather in the north remains cool and dry, with some sunny days. The central and southern regions are still dry and warm, with average temperatures of 26°C and 28°C respectively.
  • March: The weather in the north starts to warm up, with average temperatures of 20°C and more sunshine. The central and southern regions are still dry and warm, with average temperatures of 27°C and 30°C respectively.
  • April: This is the transition month between the dry and wet seasons in Vietnam. The weather in the north is warm and humid, with average temperatures of 24°C and some rain. The central region is hot and dry, with average temperatures of 30°C and clear skies. The southern region is hot and humid, with average temperatures of 31°C and some thunderstorms.
  • May: The wet season begins in the north and the south, with frequent rain and high humidity. The average temperatures are 28°C and 32°C respectively. The central region is still hot and dry, with average temperatures of 31°C and sunny days.
  • June: The wet season continues in the north and the south, with heavy rain and thunderstorms. The average temperatures are 30°C and 33°C respectively. The central region is still hot and dry, with average temperatures of 32°C and clear skies.
  • July: This is the peak of the wet season in the north and the south, with the highest rainfall and humidity. The average temperatures are 30°C and 33°C respectively. The central region is still hot and dry, with average temperatures of 33°C and sunny days.
  • August: The wet season starts to ease in the north and the south, with less rain and lower humidity. The average temperatures are 29°C and 32°C respectively. The central region is still hot and dry, with average temperatures of 33°C and clear skies.
  • September: The wet season ends in the north and the south, with dry and pleasant weather. The average temperatures are 28°C and 31°C respectively. The central region starts to experience some rain and thunderstorms, with average temperatures of 31°C and cloudy days.
  • October: This is the best month to visit Vietnam, as the weather is mild and dry in all regions. The average temperatures are 26°C in the north, 28°C in the central, and 30°C in the south. The skies are clear and the scenery is beautiful.
  • November: The weather in the north starts to cool down, with average temperatures of 23°C and some fog and drizzle. The central and southern regions are still dry and warm, with average temperatures of 27°C and 29°C respectively.
  • December: The weather in the north becomes cold and dry, with average temperatures of 19°C and occasional frost. The central and southern regions are still dry and warm, with average temperatures of 26°C and 28°C respectively.

The average temperature, humidity, rainfall, sunshine, and wind speed in Vietnam vary by month and by region, as shown in the following tables. The tables are based on the data from the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration and the World Meteorological Organization, and they represent the long-term averages from 1981 to 2010. The values may differ slightly from the actual weather conditions, as the weather in Vietnam can be unpredictable and changeable.

Average temperature in Vietnam by month and by region (°C)

MonthNorthCentralSouth
January 16.8 20.3 26.0
February 17.8 21.4 26.4
March 20.4 23.4 27.6
April 24.0 26.0 28.9
May 27.6 28.5 29.5
June 29.4 29.9 29.4
July 29.8 29.7 28.9
August 29.3 29.2 28.4
September 27.8 28.0 28.0
October 24.7 25.8 27.5
November 21.4 23.4 27.1
December 18.4 21.3 26.3

Average humidity in Vietnam by month and by region (%)

 MonthNorthCentralSouth
0 January 82 84 79
1 February 83 86 80
2 March 86 88 81
3 April 87 86 80
4 May 86 83 79
5 June 85 82 79
6 July 84 81 79
7 August 85 82 80
8 September 86 83 81
9 October 85 83 81
10 November 83 82 80
11 December 81 82 79

Average rainfall in Vietnam by month and by region (mm)

MonthNorthCentralSouth
January 18.6 101.1 13.8
February 26.2 31.0 4.1
March 44.4 12.2 12.5
April 90.1 18.4 42.7
May 188.5 47.2 197.2
June 239.9 58.5 311.7
July 288.2 85.6 293.7
August 318.0 117.5 269.8
September 265.4 447.1 327.1
October 130.7 530.8 268.9
November 43.4 221.4 114.0
December 23.4 192.6 56.3

Average sunshine in Vietnam by month and by region (hours)

 MonthNorthCentralSouth
0 January 93 90 226
1 February 66 77 239
2 March 62 102 272
3 April 90 150 251
4 May 155 179 195
5 June 150 182 171
6 July 186 211 180
7 August 186 196 173
8 September 150 138 156
9 October 155 124 182
10 November 120 90 198
11 December 124 62 214

Average wind speed in Vietnam by month and by region (km/h)

 MonthNorthCentralSouth
0 January 12.6 14.9 11.9
1 February 14.2 15.8 12.6
2 March 15.1 16.4 13.0
3 April 14.9 15.5 12.6
4 May 13.7 14.4 11.9
5 June 12.6 13.7 11.6
6 July 11.9 13.4 11.6
7 August 11.6 13.4 11.6
8 September 11.9 13.7 11.9
9 October 12.6 14.4 12.3
10 November 13.0 14.9 12.3
11 December 12.6 14.9 12.3

 

What are the best times and places to visit Vietnam according to the weather?

The best times and places to visit Vietnam according to the weather depend on your preference and your itinerary, as different regions and seasons have different advantages and disadvantages. However, here are some general suggestions based on the weather patterns and the popular attractions in Vietnam:

  • If you want to visit the whole country, the best time to travel to Vietnam is from February to April or from August to October, as these are the transitional periods between the wet and dry seasons, and they have mild and pleasant weather throughout the country. You can enjoy the spring festivals and the flowers in the north, the beaches and the historical sites in the central, and the urban and rural life in the south.
  • If you want to visit the north, the best time is from October to December or from March to May, as these are the autumn and spring seasons, and they have cool and dry weather in the north. You can explore the capital city of Hanoi, the natural wonder of Halong Bay, the mountainous town of Sapa, and the cultural heritage of Ninh Binh.
  • If you want to visit the central, the best time is from January to August, as this is the dry season, and it has sunny and clear weather in the central. You can visit the imperial city of Hue, the coastal city of Da Nang, the ancient town of Hoi An, and the beach resort of Nha Trang.
  • If you want to visit the south, the best time is from November to April, as this is the dry season, and it has warm and dry weather in the south. You can visit the modern city of Ho Chi Minh City, the floating market of Can Tho, the island paradise of Phu Quoc, and the seaside town of Vung Tau.

How to deal with the weather in Vietnam and make the most of your trip?

To deal with the weather in Vietnam and make the most of your trip, here are some tips and advice that you should follow:

  • Check the weather forecast and the updates before and during your trip, as the weather in Vietnam can be unpredictable and changeable. You can use some reliable sources, such as the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration, the World Meteorological Organization, or the AccuWeather app, to get the latest and accurate information about the weather in Vietnam.
  • Pack the right clothes and accessories for the weather in Vietnam, and bring some layers and backups. You should pack some light and breathable clothes, such as cotton, linen, or silk, for the hot and humid weather, and some warm and waterproof clothes, such as wool, fleece, or nylon, for the cold and rainy weather. You should also pack some hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, umbrellas, raincoats, and insect repellents, to protect yourself from the sun, the rain, and the bugs.
  • Plan your activities and your itinerary according to the weather in Vietnam, and be flexible and adaptable. You should choose the activities and the places that suit the weather conditions, and avoid the ones that are risky or uncomfortable. For example, you should avoid outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, or boating, during the rainy or stormy weather, and opt for indoor activities, such as museums, temples, or spas, instead. You should also be prepared to change your plans or your destinations if the weather is unfavorable or unexpected.
  • Enjoy the weather in Vietnam and the opportunities that it offers, and have a positive and open-minded attitude. You should not let the weather ruin your mood or your trip, but rather embrace it and make the best of it. You can find some beauty and fun in any weather, and you can also experience some unique and memorable moments. For example, you can enjoy the fog and the mist in the mountains, the rain and the thunder in the city, the snow and the frost in the north, and the sun and the breeze in the south.

Conclusion

The weather in Vietnam is a vital factor that affects your travel experience, and you should know it well before and during your trip. The weather in Vietnam is diverse and complex, and it varies by region and by season. The weather in Vietnam can be hot and humid, cool and dry, rainy and stormy, or sunny and pleasant, depending on where and when you go. Knowing the weather in Vietnam will help you prepare for your trip, choose the best time and place to visit, pack the right clothes and accessories, and enjoy your stay in this beautiful and fascinating country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best season to visit Vietnam?

What are the main weather hazards in Vietnam?

How does the weather affect the culture and the lifestyle of Vietnam?

When is the worst time to visit Vietnam?

What is the most expensive month to visit Vietnam?



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Last updated on 2023-12-07 04:13:36. 

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