Vietnam has an incredibly diverse climate influenced by both tropical monsoons and its range of altitudes and latitudes. Temperatures can vary from a brisk 4°C (39°F) in the northern mountains during winter to a sweltering and humid 36°C (97°F) in Ho Chi Minh City during the middle of the dry season. In general, the weather is marked by two distinct seasons: the northeast monsoon from October to early April, and the southwest monsoon from April to September.
Weather in Sapa
Sapa, in Vietnam’s north, has the most varied climate in the country, experiencing both subtropical summers and temperate winters. Temperatures top 29°C (84°F) in June and July and drop near the freezing mark in late December. We recommend you pack a warm jacket, gloves and beanie during the winter months between November and February, when it can get cold, frosty and occasionally snows. While some might prefer to avoid the rain and travel to the north during the dry season (November to May), the wet season (June to October) is the best time to see the terraced rice fields.
|
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
|
March to May |
21°C/70°F |
13°C/55°F |
|
June to August |
24°C/75°F |
18°C/64°F |
|
September to November |
20°C/68°F |
13°C/55°F |
|
December to February |
14°C/57°F |
7°C/45°F |
Weather in Hanoi and Halong Bay
Hanoi and Halong Bay experience similar climates, which is influenced by the northeast monsoons. Temperatures range between 16°C (61°F) and 21°C (70°F) during the winter, which runs from November to March. Summer begins mid-April and continues until October, when it is hot, humid and rainy. Hanoi is wettest in July and August when the temperature reaches an average high of 32°C (90°F). Often shrouded in mist, weather can change quickly in Halong Bay, where a breeze from the coast can have a cooling effect.
|
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
|
November to March (winter) |
21°C/70°F |
16°C/61°F |
|
April to October (summer) |
30°C/86°F |
24°C/75°F |
Weather in Hoi An
While the coastal city of Hoi An is warm year-round, it does experience two distinct seasons – dry season from February to August, and wet monsoon season from September to January. The dry season is characterised by plenty of sunshine, low humidity, highs of 30°C (86°F) and calm waters. While most other parts of the country experience heavy rainfall during the summer, Hoi An stays dry until August, making it a great summer beach destination. During the wet season, the city’s low-lying old town is prone to flooding and typhoons become a risk.
|
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
|
February to March (dry) |
27°C/81°F |
21°C/70°F |
|
April to August (dry) |
33°C/91°F |
25°C/77°F |
|
September to November (wet) |
30°C/86°F |
24°C/75°F |
|
December to January (wet) |
25°C/77°F |
20°C/68°F |
Weather in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is consistently warm and humid, averaging around 28°C (82°F) during the day and barely dropping in temperature overnight. From April to November, the southwest monsoon causes heavy, though usually brief, tropical downpours in the afternoon.
|
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH |
AVERAGE LOW |
|
March to May |
34°C/93°F |
25°C/77°F |
|
June to August |
32°C/90°F |
25°C/77°F |
|
September to November |
31°C/88°F |
24°C/75°F |
|
December to February |
32°C/90°F |
22°C/72°F |
Click to read about the best time to visit Vietnam
Click to read our Vietnam packing guide
Click to return to Vietnam FAQs
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