Vietnam regions
Climate zones
Vietnam's three regions have very different climates. Here is what to expect in each — season by season.
Northern Vietnam
Sa Pa · Hà Nội · Hạ Long
The only region with four distinct seasons — cold dry winters, hot humid summers with storms, and crisp spring and autumn.
Seasons
Spring
17–23°CFeb–Apr
Mild but damp — the muggy 'nồm' humidity wets walls; peach and plum blossom.
Summer
28–38°CMay–Aug
Hot and very humid with heavy downpours and the occasional typhoon on the coast.
Autumn
22–28°CSep–Nov
Crisp, dry and clear — the most comfortable season and the best time to visit.
Winter
10–18°CDec–Jan
Cold and dry; frost and rare snow on the highest peaks like Fansipan.
Key cities
Hà Nội
Red River delta — feels all four seasons.
Sa Pa
Alpine north-west — cold, cloud seas, winter frost.
Hạ Long
Coast — calm spring, summer storm risk.
Tips
- 01Come in autumn (Sep–Nov) for the clearest, driest weather.
- 02Pack warm layers Dec–Feb, especially for the mountains.
- 03Expect heavy rain and possible storms Jun–Aug.
Central Vietnam
Huế · Đà Nẵng · Hội An
A long coastline behind mountains — a dry, sunny summer and a sharp Sep–Dec rainy and typhoon season.
Seasons
Dry season
24–35°CFeb–Aug
Sunny and hot, with the dry 'Lào' foehn wind pushing temperatures up inland.
Rainy & typhoon season
20–28°CSep–Dec
Heavy, prolonged rain with flooding and the highest typhoon risk in the country.
Key cities
Huế
The wettest city — flood-prone Oct–Nov.
Đà Nẵng · Hội An
Beach summers; Hội An floods Oct–Nov.
Quy Nhơn
Drier south-central coast, long beach season.
Tips
- 01Beach and explore Feb–Aug while it's dry and sunny.
- 02Avoid Oct–Nov — peak flooding and typhoons.
- 03Always check storm alerts in the rainy season.
Southern Vietnam
TP. HCM · Phú Quốc · Mekong
Tropical and warm all year — just two seasons, dry and wet, with little temperature change.
Seasons
Dry season
26–34°CDec–Apr
Sunny with lower humidity — the peak season for beaches and the Mekong.
Wet season
25–32°CMay–Nov
Short, heavy afternoon downpours from the south-west monsoon; mornings stay clear.
Key cities
TP. Hồ Chí Minh
Hot and humid year-round; brief afternoon rain May–Nov.
Phú Quốc
Island — driest and best Nov–Apr.
Mekong Delta
Floating-water season Sep–Nov.
Tips
- 01Dec–Apr is ideal — sunny, dry and warm.
- 02Wet-season rain is short; plan around afternoons.
- 03See the Mekong floating season Sep–Nov.
I'll weave this into your trip
Done reading? I'll handle the planning
Everything in these hubs is applied automatically when I build your itinerary. No copy-paste needed.
