Vietnam is a big country. Well, more accurately, it’s long and narrow; the distance from Saigon to Hanoi is around 1,200 kilometres (750 miles). That’s comparable to the distance between Orlando and New York City, or Los Angeles to Portland. As you might imagine, this means there’s never one perfect time of year to see it all.
Here’s my quick guide on what to expect, weather-wise for each region of Vietnam, as well as neighbouring Cambodia and Laos, including links to view the average temperatures and rainfall for the year and my recommended B&R trip to experience the best of the area.
Vietnam
South
Here in Ho Chi Minh City, (a.k.a. Saigon and the Mekong River Delta), it’s far enough south in this region that the weather is generally similar year-round. In the summer months, you’ll find more afternoon thunderstorms, but it isn’t drastically hotter.
Best trip: Mekong River Biking
South Central Coast
The coastal destination of Nha Trang in the southern part of central Vietnam remains hot all summer, and the rainy season is during September and October. You’ll find pleasant weather from November all the way through April or May.
Best trip: Vietnam Walking
Central Coast
Along Vietnam’s central coast, comprising Hoi An, Da Nang, and Hue, it gets rainy and wet for the whole fall season, but it dries up around December-January and stays that way until June or July. It gets very hot by the end of April, but if you stay at coastal beach hotels, the temperature feels more manageable. Best trip: Vietnam Biking
North
Here in the north, where you’ll find Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Ninh Binh, the best time of year is in October and November. By the time December rolls around, fog and drizzle set in and it stays quite dreary until March, when it clears up. March and April is when more hospitable weather returns; in the summer months, it’s quite hot, humid and muggy.
Best trip: Northern Vietnam & Laos Biking