Best Time To Visit Vietnam

The peak season in Vietnam is from December to January and then again from March till the end of May. The western New Year sees a large number of trips being planned to the country of Vietnam. March to May is spring season when the entire nation is in full bloom. However, the period from May to July is a period of peak domestic travel which drives up the prices for international tourists.

Events during Peak Season in Vietnam

• Vietnam Military Day is celebrated on the 22nd of December.
• January is a month of celebration as it marks the Western New Year.
• In March, Perfume Pagoda festival is celebrated extensively in North Vietnam. 
• The 8th of March which celebrates International Women’s Day is a significant event in Vietnam.
• Reunification Day is celebrated on April 30th. 
• May 1st, the International Labour Day, is a public holiday in Vietnam.
• May 19th is witness to a widely celebrated event in Vietnam, Uncle Ho’s Birthday.
• The Chem Temple festival is held in Hanoi in June.
• Hue festival also takes place towards the end of June or early July.

The remaining months of February, August, September, October and November constitute the low season for tourism in Vietnam. The cheapest time to visit Vietnam, however, would be from September to November. The monsoon repels a majority of the travellers. You can expect to get an extremely cheap deal on the accommodation. The deals continue to be offered until February when the weather starts getting better.

Events during Offseason in Vietnam

• February, the month of the Tet holiday, is a period of celebrations and relaxation for the Vietnamese.
• Tet Nguyen Tieu is celebrated precisely two weeks after the New Year. Hoi An holds a lantern festival whereas other places have live music and traditional games at the centre squares.
• The 3rd of February marks the anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party.
• Vietnam Revolution Day is celebrated on August 19th.
• Vietnamese Independence Day is proudly celebrated on 2nd September.
• The Mid-Autumn festival takes place towards the latter half of September.
• Hanoi’s Liberation Day is celebrated on the 10th of October and is a day of significance and major celebrations for Hanoi.
• The International Tea Festival is celebrated in Thai Nguyen in the second week of November. Certain regions of Vietnam, like Hanoi and Hoi An, lavishly celebrate Thanksgiving.

The northern part of Vietnam is best visited from March to May and from September to November when the weather is generally warm and sunny.
March marks the beginning of Spring season in North Vietnam. Parts of North Vietnam, especially Hanoi, see their best weather in March. The conditions remain favourable until Mid-May. The sea temperature starts to rise with an increase in humidity; this season is considered to be a quiet one for tourism. May to October experiences hot and humid temperature with heavy rainfall hence not an ideal time to plan your trip. The beginning of September is the blooming season when the weather conditions start easing with balmy days and cold nights. The north provinces experience mild sunlight and a considerable decline in humidity. By November, the winters have begun to set in with pleasant days cooler nights making it another best time to visit the region.

Province of Northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Cuc Phuong, Mai Chau and Ninh Binh.

If you prefer the tropical climate, then Central Vietnam is the best choice. January - June is the best time to visit Central Vietnam when it flaunts sunny beach weather. This is a suitable time for biking and trekking activities. By March, there's a slight increase in temperature as compared to February; however, it's mostly pleasant until April. April marks the beach season of Vietnam, especially in Hoi An. The conditions are deemed extremely favourable for swimming and other water activities. In May, temperatures begin to rise in the central provinces of Vietnam with occasional rainfall and a slight increase in humidity. June is said to receive the largest amount of heat in a year. Since this region experiences heavy rain, the latter half is prone to unpredictable monsoons and typhoons. One must take care to make a note of the typhoon season as it can get particularly difficult to travel during this time. With the end of the Typhoon season in November, the weather conditions become more favourable for outdoor activities. November to January is the coldest period for Central Vietnam.

Provinces of Central Vietnam: The towns of Hoi An, Danang, Hue, Dalat, Quy Nhon & Nha Trang form Central Vietnam.

The southernmost part of Vietnam does not experience much variation in climate annually. December to April is considered to be an ideal time to travel the south. December marks the beginning of the dry season for the southern parts of Vietnam and might be the best time for a trip. Ho Chi Minh City sees a hike in tourism by January for the New Year Eve while February is the driest month in South Vietnam. With favourable weather for beach activities; March and April are optimal months for outdoor activities and sightseeing too. By the end of April, there are slight drizzles and occasional rainfall. Tourists are advised to carry rain gears while visiting in April. Warm to hot temperatures dominate this region with a dry spell from January to April and downpours from June up to November; hence the latter half is not an ideal time to visit.

Provinces of South Vietnam: The southern part is made up of Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc & Con Dao, Phan Thiet & Mui Ne, Ho Tran & Long Hai.