What is the best time to visit Vietnam overall?

For a trip covering the whole country, March–April and October–November are best — these shoulder months give the best chance of good weather in the north, centre, and south at the same time.

When is the rainy season in Vietnam?

It varies by region: the south is wet May–November, the centre September–December (with typhoon risk), and the north is wettest June–August.

When should I visit Hoi An and Da Nang?

February to August is dry and sunny in central Vietnam; avoid September to December, the rainy and typhoon season.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam: Month-by-Month & Region Guide

Vietnam is over 1,600 km long and spans three distinct climates. When it’s perfect on the central beaches, the north can be cold and the south wet. The trick is matching your dates to your route.

The three regions at a glance

Region	Key places	Best months	Avoid
North	Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa	Oct–Apr (autumn best)	Hot, wet Jun–Aug
Centre	Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue	Feb–Aug	Rain/typhoons Sep–Dec
South	Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong, Phu Quoc	Dec–Apr (dry)	Wet May–Nov

Northern Vietnam

Four seasons. Autumn (Sept–Nov) and spring (Mar–Apr) are the sweet spots: clear skies and mild temperatures, ideal for Ha Long Bay and trekking in Sapa. Winter (Dec–Feb) is cool and sometimes grey or misty; the far-north mountains can get genuinely cold. Summer (Jun–Aug) is hot, humid, and rainy.

Central Vietnam

Driest and sunniest February–August — peak beach weather in Da Nang and Hoi An, though midsummer can be very hot. The rainy/typhoon season runs September–December, and Hoi An occasionally floods in October–November.

Southern Vietnam

Two seasons only. The dry season (December–April) is the prime window — warm and reliably sunny, best for the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc. The wet season (May–November) brings short, heavy afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain, plus fewer crowds and lower prices.

So when should you go?

For a whole-country trip: aim for March–April or October–November — the shoulder months give you the best odds of decent weather everywhere at once.
Beach focus (centre): May–August.
North + mountains: September–November.
South + islands: December–March.

Festivals to know

Tet (Lunar New Year), usually late January or February, is the biggest holiday — magical to witness, but many businesses close and transport books out. Plan around it.

Timing a dental trip

Treatment isn’t weather-dependent, so a dental trip is a great way to visit in the quieter, cheaper shoulder or wet season — you’ll find lower flight and hotel prices while you recover. Pair appointments in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi with the right regional weather window.

Want help picking dates around a treatment? Get a free assessment.