When to visit Vietnam: the regions and their seasons
The north cools in winter and storms in summer; the south rains from May; the central coast carries the rain late. The months for each region.
By the Local SIM Vietnam team, checked October 2, 2026
The short answer
Vietnam's weather splits by region. The north has cool, misty winters and hot, rainy summers; the south is hot all year, with rain from May to November; and the central coast's driest months run from February to August, with rain from September. March to May is the clearest stretch countrywide.
- Hanoi: cool and misty December to March, warm and sunny April to June, hot and rainy June to August, cool and clear September to November.
- The south: hot all year, with afternoon downpours from May to November.
- The central coast: Hoi An and Hue are driest from February to August.
- Ha Long Bay: clear April to June and September to November; storms can cancel cruises in summer.
Checked October 2, 2026
The regions, month by month
Hanoi
- The seasons
- Cool and misty December to March; warm and sunny April to June; cool and clear September to November
- Rain
- June to August
Ha Long Bay
- The seasons
- Warm and clear April to June; warm to cool September to November
- Rain
- June to August storms; mist December to March
Hue and Hoi An
- The seasons
- Warm and sunny February to August (Hue from March)
- Rain
- Hue September to February; Hoi An September to January
Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong
- The seasons
- Hot and clear December to April
- Rain
- May to November, mostly in the afternoon
Phu Quoc
- The seasons
- Hot and clear October to June
- Rain
- July to September
Region by region
The north
Hanoi's winter is cool and misty, with lows around 10 degrees from late December; summer is hot and rainy. Sa Pa is colder, with occasional snow in January.
The centre
Hue and Hoi An carry the rain late, from September to January, and Hue sees flooding from September to November. The dry, warm stretch runs from February to August.
The south
Ho Chi Minh City sits around 30 degrees all year; the wet season runs May to November, usually as afternoon downpours.
Ha Long Bay
The clearest months are April to June and September to November. Tropical storms can cancel cruises in summer, and January can be cold.
The bottom line
30 days · 5 GB a day · US$11.88
A north to south route often runs three to four weeks; a 30-day plan covers the whole window.
Buy on VietSIMQuestions
What is the best time to visit Vietnam?
March to May brings the clearest stretch countrywide. The south is hot all year, and the central coast's driest months run from February to August.
When does it rain in Vietnam?
The north and south rain mostly from June to September, and the central coast from October to December, according to the UK's advice. In the south, rain usually comes as an afternoon downpour.
Get your Vietnam eSIM before you fly.
Plans from US$5.88, tax included, on Vietnam’s own networks. Pick one here and pay on the store in US dollars.
See the plansCheckout on VietSIM · full refund if it does not work