Last updated January 2025 | Words and photos by Vietnam Coracle | 111 comments
Tom Divers is the founder and creator of Vietnam Coracle. He’s lived, travelled and worked in Vietnam since 2005. Born in London, he travelled from an early age, visiting over 40 countries (he first visited Vietnam in 1999). Now, whenever he has the opportunity to make a trip, he rarely looks beyond Vietnam’s borders and his trusty motorbike, Stavros. Read more about Tom on the About Page, Vietnam Times and ASE Podcast.
Weather is an important consideration when planning a trip to Vietnam. Many people assume Vietnam is bathed in tropical sunshine year-round, country-wide. But this is not the case: Vietnam’s climate is complex, variable and subject to two monsoons, each affecting different parts of the nation at different times of year. Depending on the region and the month, Vietnam can experience hot and humid summers, chilly winters, an extended dry season, typhoons, and the crachin (a period of interminable grey drizzle in the Red River Delta). A long, narrow country, Vietnam spans both tropical to sub-tropical zones. Some parts of the nation have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons; other parts only have two seasons: wet and dry. At the same time of year, snow can fall in the northern mountains with temperatures close to freezing while the southern beaches are enjoying cloudless skies and daily temperatures above 30°C. But, no matter the month, there’s always a good region to travel in Vietnam. This guide will help you decide when and where to go.
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WEATHER IN VIETNAM
A Guide to When & Where to Go
The travel industry generally does a bad job of communicating the complexities of Vietnam’s climate to potential visitors, often leading to misunderstandings and false expectations. In this guide, I’ve written an overview of weather conditions nationwide for each quarter of the year, including recommendations of where to go (and where to avoid) during each period. I’ve also created a colour-coded map to illustrate the information. Whether you’re planning a south-to-north adventure, a beach retreat, a mountain exploration or a motorbike road trip, this guide will help you decide when and where to go. However, bear in mind that weather patterns are inherently unpredictable: I’ve done my best to give an accurate overview, but of course I can’t guarantee conditions will be exactly as I describe. For up-to-date weather reports, including rolling satellite images with toggleable layers for rain, cloud, wind and temperature, I recommend Windy.com. Use the contents below to find out about weather conditions and recommended regions at each time of year. If you find this guide useful, please support my website. (For similar resources, see Related Guides).
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MAP:
Where to Travel Month-by-Month in Vietnam
MAP LEGEND:
- January-February-March
- April-May-June
- July-August-September
- October-November-December
January, February, March
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- Weather conditions: southern dry season, northeast monsoon, northern winter & ‘crachin’
- Where to go: southern beaches & islands, Central Highlands, Ho Chi Minh City
- Where to avoid: north & central provinces & cities
The first three months of the year is the height of the southern dry season, a glorious period of warm, sunny and bright weather in most coastal and highland regions south of Nha Trang on the coast and of Buôn Ma Thuột in the mountains. This is the perfect time to travel, explore and enjoy the southern provinces of Vietnam. Meanwhile, however, most of the central and northern regions of the country are subject to the northeast monsoon, which occurs when cold winds blow in from Siberia, Japan and the Korean peninsula, bringing long periods of bleak, grey, damp and surprisingly chilly weather. The popular central cities of Hội An, Danang and Huế can be quite dark and grim for the first couple of months of the year. Further north, the Red River Delta region – including Hanoi, Hạ Long Bay and parts of the northern mountains – suffers months of persistent light rain and concrete skies, known during French colonial times as the ‘crachin‘ (drizzle). In the mountainous far northwest and northeast of the nation, frost forms on the highest peaks, passes and plateaus abutting China, and some places even experience snow.
South of Nha Trang, Vietnam’s coastline sweeps westward, thus sheltering the southern provinces from the cool winds and unsettled weather of the northeast monsoon. From Nha Trang all the way down to Phú Quốc Island, at Vietnam’s southwestern-most tip, conditions are excellent: blue skies, warm sunshine, relatively low humidity, sharp light, and cool mornings and evenings. It’s ideal beach weather. On Phú Quốc Island the water is calm, glassy, balmy and blue. The same is true of neighbouring islands and archipelagos dotting Vietnam’s portion of the Gulf of Thailand, such as Hòn Sơn, Nam Du and the Pirate Islands. This is by far the best season to island-hop or settle into a comfortable beach retreat for a week or two. Meanwhile, on the Côn Đảo Islands – far out in the East Sea – winds can blow hard until February, but by March they abate and the archipelago looks fresh, green, clean and shiny.
If islands aren’t your thing, find a resort on one of the the long, sandy beaches and promontories on the mainland, such as Ho Tram, Mui Ne, Cam Ranh or Nha Trang. For more restless travellers, riding a motorbike along the southeast coast at this time of year is a beautiful thing. Link up the following famous quartet of coast roads from Saigon all the way to Nha Trang: the Ocean Road, the Sand Dune Highway, the Dragons’ Graveyard, and the Nui Chua Coast Road – forming the perfect sandy, salty, sunny beach road trip. There’s something inherently life-affirming about endless blue skies and the warmth of the sun on your skin.
Cool nights, low humidity and hardly any rainfall make this time of year southern Vietnam’s camping season. Pitch a tent at one of the many campsites along the south coast between Saigon and Nha Trang or wild camp in the pine forests of the Central Highlands and along the riverbanks of the southern plains. Every year I spend the Tet Lunar New Year holiday (which usually falls in late January or February) motocamping in the southern provinces, alternating between the mountains and the coast with my motorbike and camping gear: it’s one of the highlights of my year.
The southern dry season is also the best time to explore the mountains, plateaus and forests of the Central Highlands. Daytime temperatures in the mountains are at least 10°C cooler than on the coast, but at night they drop even further, sometimes to single digits. Staying in cosy accommodation in the former French colonial hill station of Dalat or exploring the vast and rich landscapes of the Central Highlands on two wheels is a wonderful way to spend the first quarter of the year. From January to March the highlands are dry, fertile and fragrant with coffee blossom and woodsmoke, and the light and colours are HD-sharp. Finally, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is at its best in the first month or two of the year. The cool mornings and nights make the city much more pleasant and manageable than at other times of year. In January, you can walk the city’s alleyways, explore its markets, or sit on the sidewalks enjoying Saigon’s famous street food, without feeling uncomfortably hot and sweaty.
Although I generally avoid northern destinations and motorbike routes in the winter because of low temperatures and bleak conditions, it should be said that many, many people do travel the north in January and February and absolutely love it. Also, despite the often damp and grey weather in central regions at this time of year, such is the charm of cities like Huế and Hội An that they can still be thoroughly enchanting, even in the constant drizzle. The same is true of Hanoi. In fact, the cooler temperatures make exploring these cities on foot much more appealing than in the sweltering, sweat-soaked summer months. I am not saying the weather is always bad in central and northern regions at this time of year, or that you shouldn’t visit these areas from January to March. But, for me, given the choice, I will stick to the south and make the most of the dry season.
April, May, June
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- Weather conditions: northern & central spring, southern ‘hot’ season
- Where to go: northern mountains, north-central countryside, central cities
- Where to avoid: Ho Chi Minh City & the Mekong Delta
As the southern dry season reaches its crescendo, temperatures in the south begin to soar: humidity rises, the air thickens and conditions become stifling. Meanwhile, in the northern mountains and valleys and all along the central coast, spring is taking hold: the sun regains its warmth as the cold winds of the northeast monsoon fade; the grey mists lift from the highland peaks and the lowland Red River Delta; the damp countryside dries out, flowers bloom and crops begin to grow. A fresh, new light illuminates the grand northern landscapes and the sweeping central beaches. From April to June, the southern provinces are baking hot, but northern and central regions are relatively mild.
In the far north of Vietnam, the hauntingly beautiful landscape of Hà Giang is slowly emerging from a cold, barren winter. The rocky landscape of limestone pinnacles, rising and falling like petrified waves on a ruffled sea, is never in sharper focus than late spring (April-May) or late summer (September-October). There’s no better time to ride the legendary Extreme North Motorbike Loop (although the high passes can still be surprisingly frigid). To the west of Ha Giang, the former French colonial hill station of Sapa, perched on a steep slope high in the mighty Hoàng Liên Sơn Range, basks in crisp, clear spring light. Although, at 1,500 metres above sea-level, temperatures may still be a little chilly, this is the best time of year to visit Sapa town, drink in the mountain views, and even climb Mt. Fansipan, the highest peak in the nation, known as The Roof of Indochina. But to get a real feel of how grand the scenery is in this magnificent region, get on a motorbike and ride one of the jaw-dropping northwest routes. The landscape on these routes is on a scale not seen anywhere else in Vietnam, so it pays to see it in clear weather: visiting between April-May increases the chances of this.
Hanoi is also nice in the spring and so too are nearby Halong Bay and Cát Bà Island, famous for their jungle-clad limestone karsts rising from the calm seas of the Gulf of Tonkin, not to mention the ever-popular limestone valleys of Ninh Binh. But, even more impressive at this time of year, in my opinion, are the verdant landscapes of Pù Luông Nature Reserve, Mai Châu Valley and Mộc Châu Plateau, all of which are due southwest of Hanoi. In the warm, clear conditions of April and May, this wonderland is best experienced by homestay-hopping or by riding a motorbike on the Limestone Loop. Rice terraces decorate the valleys, bamboo forests whisper on the hillsides, and rivers, lakes and waterfalls are clean and clear, not yet muddied by the runoff that will come with the summer rains. This is Vietnam at its prettiest.
Moving south toward the central regions, April to June is one of the best times to visit the extraordinary cave systems and landscapes of Phong Nha. Rivalling Hà Giang as the most dramatic and spectacular scenery in the nation, Phong Nha offers lots of great accommodation in which to base yourself while exploring the numerous natural attractions. This time of year is usually a sweet spot between the cold, grey conditions of winter and the heavy rains and high temperatures of summer. Phong Nha has an abundance of great road trips – long and short – that can be ridden by motorbike or bicycle. Finally, the famous trio of central coastal cities – Huế, Danang and Hội An – are all at their best around April: warm and sunny, but not too hot, humid or wet. Connecting these three cities is the Hải Vân Pass, probably the most famous road in Vietnam.
Because of the massive heat and humidity between April and June, it’s generally best to avoid spending much time in Saigon, the Mekong Delta, and the southern beaches and islands at this time of year. Conditions are dry, bright and sunny, but the heat makes travelling quite exhausting, especially if you’re coming from a temperate climate.
July, August, September
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- Weather conditions: northern & central summer, southern rainy season & southwest monsoon
- Where to go: central & south-central beaches, south-to-north routes, parts of the northern highlands
- Where to avoid: Central Highlands, southern islands, Ho Chi Minh City
The summer months bring hot, rainy, steamy and oppressive weather to the whole country. But, because conditions are similar nationwide between July and September, this is one of the best times of year to travel the entire country. For travellers wanting to experience all regions of Vietnam in one trip (on a south-to-north road trip, for example), this is probably the best window of opportunity. In the southern provinces, the southwest monsoon has arrived: it’s rainy season for all regions south of Nha Trang. Meanwhile, the northern cities, plains and deltas are unbearably hot and sticky, with frequent heavy rains, making the mountains an attractive retreat. Central regions are subject to similar conditions as the north, but the long coastline and easily accessible mountains make it much more bearable in this part of the country. However, despite the intensity of the heat and rain across much of the nation at this time of year, the sheer scale of these weather conditions is an attraction in itself. Cathedralic monsoon thunderclouds bearing over landscapes; violent rains bringing busy cities to a standstill; beaches where the sand is too hot to step on; sheltering from a storm under a banyan tree as rain sweeps over the jungle canopy – these are all exciting and exotic aspects of visiting a tropical country. The monsoon is an experience.
The south-central provinces of Phú Yên and Bình Định – some of the most attractive and unspoiled coastal regions in the country – are at their best during the summer months. This honeycombed coastline hides numerous sandy coves, secret bays and tiny islets. At the height of summer the empty hot sands, calm blue waters and clear skies have a benign and somehow immortal beauty. At the centre of this coastal region is the up-and-coming beach city of Quy Nhơn, also boasting some for the best seafood in Vietnam. And the excellent beach conditions extend even further up the central coast, including the islands of Tam Hải and Lý Sơn, then Tam Thanh beach south Hội An, and the long, long, empty stretches of sand between Huếe and Đồng Hới. All of these beaches are a treat in the heat.
Inland, it’s a great time of year to explore the long spine of mountains forming Vietnam’s central border with Laos. Offering relief from the heat of the coast, the beautiful Trừong Sơn Mountains are remarkably easy to access: in many cases just a couple of hours west of the central coastal cities. There’s no better way to experience these spectacular landscapes than on a motorbike road trip. Several stunning roads traverse the mountains of Central Vietnam: the Western Ho Chi Minh Road – a staggering ride through some of the most pristine, remote countryside in Vietnam – can be completed in just a day or two. There’s a good chance the sun will be shining at this time of year, so the rivers will be ribbons of turquoise, irresistible for swimming. Alternatively, take the Golden Loop linking Hội An, Danang and Huế which showcases a great variety of landscape over a relatively short distance. Or select an even longer route through the highlands, such as the little-known Trường Sơn Đông Road or any of the Saigon to Hanoi routes, giving travellers a chance to witness how the country changes from one region to the next. Whether bathed in sunshine or shrouded in mist, these road trips are all thrilling experiences in the summer months.
The three main central cities of Huế, Danang and Hội An, are all fantastic places to spend time during the summer. Excellent food, local beaches, historical sites and friendly people make them easy to love. Cycling around the royal tombs outside Huế, wandering the old streets of Hội An, eating seafood and enjoying the municipal beach in Danang, and exploring the green and rugged Sơn Trà Peninsula could keep a traveller occupied for weeks. The multitude of cultural sites in these central cities also provide a welcome distraction from the intensity of the heat and rain. In the north, late summer (September) is harvest season. In certain areas, such as Mù Cang Chải, thousands of rice terraces have been carved into the steep valleys and mountainsides. When the rice is ready to harvest, it turns a luminous gold-brown, creating one of the most visually arresting natural sites in Vietnam. As well as Mu Cang Chai, the rice terraces can be seen on any of the northern motorbike routes.
Travel in the southern provinces between July and September is fine, but the region is not at its best. Ho Chi Minh City can be very wet and horribly humid; the southern islands in the Gulf of Thailand, such as Phu Quoc, can be stormy; the Mekong Delta gets a lot of heavy rain and suffers flooding; and the parts of the Central Highlands, like Dalat, can experience long periods of persistent light rain and grey skies.
October, November, December
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- Weather conditions: northern autumn, central rainy season, southern transition, typhoon season
- Where to go: Hanoi, the northeast mountains, Mekong Delta, southern islands
- Where to avoid: central, north-central & south-central coast
The last three months of the year are best spent in the northern and southern extremes of Vietnam. In the north, it’s autumn, with mild temperatures and relatively dry conditions. In the south, it’s the tail end of the rainy season: downpours become less frequent and lose their intensity as the southwest monsoon fades and the region transitions to drier weather. Along the central coast and adjacent highlands, however, conditions turn grey, drizzly and bleak: anywhere from Nha Trang all the way north to Halong Bay can be subject to days of miserable skies reluctant to lift. In addition, September and October is Vietnam’s typhoon season, when powerful storms blow in from the east, affecting much of the nation’s coastline, but usually impacting central provinces the most. This can cause severe flooding in the cities and countryside alike.
Up in the northeast of Vietnam, the weather is balmy and beautiful. This little pocket of the country (Cao Bằng, Lạng Sơn and Bắc Kạn provinces) is generally under-appreciated by travellers. But the richly cultivated limestone valleys – where jade-coloured rivers amble past sleepy stone villages – are as scenic as any storybook version of rural Vietnam. With the harvest over, the rice fields turn beige, but the forests are still lush and green. Bản Giốc Waterfall, one of Vietnam’s most impressive natural sights, is at its most majestic in October. With its network of quiet back-roads, it’s easy to get off the beaten path in the northeast, especially by motorbike.
October in Hanoi is lovely. Gone is the searing heat and stifling humidity of summer: October is warm, bright and mellow. Hanoi is a great city for walking – it’s the only way to appreciate the multiple layers of this thousand year-old capital city – but the summer is too hot to be on foot, and the winter too cold and wet: autumn is ideal. Visit in October, and you’re sure to fall under Hanoi’s spell.
The last quarter of the year is a good time to explore the waterways and cities of the Mekong Delta, in Vietnam’s deep south. By the end of the rainy season, the Delta’s canals, rivers, channels, wetlands and marshes are brimful. The rice fields are flooded and the fruit orchards are bursting with colour. The cities and towns are alive – as they always are in the Delta – with commerce, food and festivals. The Mekong Delta is rich in culture, religion, history, architecture and cuisine – it’s a place to take your time and soak it up, either on foot or by motorbike. What’s more, the Delta is also the gateway to the southern islands, such as Phú Quốc, Hòn Sơn and Nam Du, via frequent passenger and car ferries. October is shoulder season on these islands: an excellent time to visit before the tourists arrive and the prices go up.
October to December can be very bleak along the central coast. The long sandy beaches of this region are marvellous in the sunshine, but miserable in the constant fine rain and grey skies toward to the end of the year. Inland, too, weather conditions in central regions aren’t favourable. The spectacular landscapes of Phong Nha, for example, are often flooded, the central cities of Huế, Danang and Hội An can experience days of drizzling rain, concrete skies and fairly cool temperatures. Furthermore, typhoons blow in from the East Sea towards central provinces, usually after having battered the Philippines, or sweep down from the northeast into the Gulf of Tonkin, wreaking havoc in Hạ Long Bay and Hanoi. The south is usually spared the full brunt of these typhoons (of which there around 10 every year), but every now and then one of them positions itself right above Ho Chi Minh City, like the space craft from the movie Independence Day (1996). The bottom line is, if you’re travelling during typhoon season, make sure to keep up to date with storm warnings. Windy.com is a good way to do this: view the radar map of Vietnam and click the filter for ‘Rain, thunder’.
*Disclosure: I never receive payment for anything I write: my content is always free and independent. I’ve written this article because I want to: I like weather and I want my readers to know about it. For more details, see my Disclosure & Disclaimer statements and my About Page
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Thanks for this extensive guide! I’m traveling to the north for the entirety of March and will likely do an extensive motorbike tour via Pu Luonh, Mai Chau, etc. to sa pa, ha giang, etc. and end it via cao bang towards ha long bay.
In the guides I’ve seen before it said March is possibly cool, but didn’t say anything about the drizzle. How bad is it gonna be for my route and how should I pack?
Hi David,
March should be OK in those areas – it could still be surprisingly chilly in some mountainous areas, but the drizzle (although always a possibility) is generally over by March. Overall, March/April should be a good month to visit all the places you listed.
I hope you enjoy it.
Best,
Tom
Hi,
We are planning a 16 day trip from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi from mid Oktober. Any advice on the itenary?
Will
Hi Will,
That’s a pretty broad question. I suggest you take some time to browse my website to get an idea of what the country has to offer – use the subcategories, search and Vietnam Coracle Map. Then, when you have more of an idea about what you want to do and where you want to go, you can email me again with more specific questions.
Best,
Tom
Hi Tom
Love your page. Am coming into Vietnam mid April for 2 weeks with a couple of friends. Current plan was ho chi Minh road from hoi an north to phong nga and then Muong long loop and continue to Hanoi after.
We are coming mainly for the riding. Would we be better of to do some north west routes around sapa from hanoi or head south along son Truong don road to delat than head through north central coast this time of year?
Hi Nick,
I think your current itinerary is a good one for that time of year: ride west from Hoi An and join the Ho Chi Minh Road north all the way to Phong Nha (that route includes the amazing Western Ho Chi Minh Road), then continue on the Ho Chi Minh Road north and join the Muong Long Loop, then rejoin the Ho Chi Minh Road again back to Hanoi, or if you have time, you can add the Limestone Loop before returning to Hanoi.
All of that is very good riding and it should be a good time of year for weather.
As always, the more time you have for your road trip, the better it will be.
Best,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thank you for youre for youre work with this amazing site.
Im coming to Saigon 30th of September this year and my plan is to rent a bike and drive for about 3,5 weeks.
Starting in Saigon and make some kind of loop back to Saigon.
Been looking at youre guides a lot now but its so hard to decide which one, in terms of weather this time a year and the lenghts of the trips. I would really like to see the countryside, some mountains and of course some coastline and beaches.
Is there any of all youre guides/loops you can highly recommend for this amount of time and the weather this time a year.
Thanks in advance
//Mikael
Hi Mikael,
Well, the weather in central provinces starts turning wet around that time of year, so I would suggest staying south of Danang, or even south of Nha Trang. They’ll still be rain around but it shouldn’t be as bad as central Vietnam. For some ideas about that region, take a look at the Motorbike Guides section of my Southern Dry Season post. That you get you started.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thank you for youre answer. What do you think about taking the” Saigon to Dalat: The backways and after that go for Phan Thiet and follow youre “Southeast loop” back towards Saigon.
Is that reasonable in like 3 weeks?
//Mikael
Hi Mikael,
Yes, that’s easily doable in 3 weeks. But, from Dalat, I would suggest taking road QL20 and QL27 east down to Phan Rang, and then joining the Dragon’s Graveyard Road to Ca Na, then the Sand Dune Highway to Mui/Phan Thiet. That’s a very nice coastal stretch.
You can also put your bike on the train from Phan Thiet back to Saigon, so you don’t have to ride through the traffic back into the city.
Tom
Tom,
You got too many routes, its really hard to choose one 🙂
Im getting more and more tempted to take The Ho Chi Minh Road from Saigon to Hanoi, maybe the coast road to Mui Ne and then Dalat and join the Ho chi Minh Road west of Dalat.
Is it doable 1 st October and a month ?
How is it with ATM:s on The HCM road?
//Mikael
Hi Mikael,
It’s not such a good idea to take the Ho Chi Minh Road all the way to Hanoi at that time of year because, as we discussed in the previous messages, the weather will probably start to get worse north of Danang.
Most towns now have ATMs.
Tom
Thanks Tom,
Better just stick to the Backways to Dalat and then take the coast down south. Maybe its nice to have 3 weeks on that route to just stay and relax at some places for a day or two.
Hi Tom,
Thank you for a very insightful post. I am planning on motorbiking from Hanoi to Saigon from the start of August. I am a fairly inexperienced rider and am concerned about the rain. How long do the rains last each day? What’s the best and safest way to manage it? And are there any areas that you would recommend I avoid at this time of year?
Many thanks!
Hi Michael,
In general, the weather in August is pretty much the same nationwide: hot, dry, humid in the mornings, clouding over by noon, then heavy tropical downpours by afternoon.
So the idea would be to get most of your time on the road during the first half of the day.
If you’re not comfortable on a motorbike, don’t ride during the heavy rain – it can be treacherous.
You’ll need to buy a rain poncho or suit and dry bags or plastic bags for your luggage.
Of course, it’s very difficult to predict exactly how the weather will be. Just keep an eye on it – try using Windy.com – it’s got a rain & thunder setting so you can get an idea of when the rains are going to come.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Thank you so much Tom. Thats really helpful. Also to note is that my visa expires mid August so would be looking to do a visa run halfway down at lao bao. This I think is manageable, unless I am met with successive days of rain that goes through the whole day. Is this a common thing to happen during August?
Thanks again
Hi Michael,
It can happen, if for example there’s a typhoon coming in from the east, then the rains can last 2-4 days.
Tom
Wow, fantastic site and will contribute. Here is my concern, retiring, want to move to Vietnam for about 5 years. I know, sounds like every other Expat story and wish you had a nickel…lol. I have been to SE Asia a number of times and now that plan to live for while. The weather is my biggest issue. Simply put, can’t stand the extreme heat of Vietnam, Thailand, so trying to find a balance.
Here’s the question, I want to live 6 months in Hanoi, winter months say October – March, looking for another colder or cooler place to live during the summer months. I have looked at De Lat, but seems just too quiet for me. What can I say, I like to hang out and drink a beer at night and people watch. So do you recommend any place to go live for say six months that has cooler temps, and a decent expat nightlife? I know, the $20,000 question right.
Thanks in advance, great blog, cheers.
Anthony
Hi Robert,
Well, Dalat would be the obvious choice really, because of its cool climate and the fact that it’s a big and fast growing city with a fair few bars and an ever growing expat scene. So it’s definitely worth looking into that some more.
The other choice might be Vung Tau, which is slightly cooler than other places because of its position out on a peninsular, where it gets plenty of cool breezes and the air quality is pretty good. There’s a good expat scene there, and in recent years it’s become a very nice place to be. What’s more there’s easy, fast and regular daily connections to Saigon if you need more of a metropolitan vibe for a day or two.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Perfect Tom, great information and very much appreciated. Da Lat looks fantastic, very beautiful. I’m just a night person and was afraid they rolled up the sidewalks at 9…12 would be ok with me..smile
Thanks again. Robert
Hi Tom,
I am arriving into Hanoi at the very start of May, I plan to motorcycle to Saigon. It seems most of the websites say the best time to travel to Vietnam is between October and April. Will the weather actually be that much of an obstacle? It’s my only real concern about biking across the country.
Regards,
James
Hi James,
May is one of the best months to ride the length of the country – it should be hot and sunny in most regions, but with tropical downpours every now and then.
Tom
your web site is wonderful!!
I’m planning my first trip this year in October for about 6 days, we are particular interested in Hanoi and Hoi An
What is the best way to get to Hoi An from Hanoi, by plane then take a taxi to old town from the airport/
Is October a good time to go to these two places?
Where would you recommend us to go at this time of the year?
I read about Mekong Delta and seems very interesting, how far away is it from Hanoi?
we are from the US, do we need visa?
Hi Kayi,
Yes, from Hanoi to Hoi An you can fly (to Dannag) then take a taxi from the airport to the old town (or some hotels offer airport pickup).
The weather in Hanoi and Hoi An at that time of year is pretty good, but sometimes Hoi An can be wet in October.
The Mekong Delta is as far away from Hanoi as you can get – it’s at the other end of the country, about 2,000km away. But you can make day trips there from Ho Chi Minh City.
For visa information I suggest contacting your nearest Vietnamese embassy to check the requirements.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hello Tom.
First of all, i would like to thank you for this website and for all your work and good advices.
I took your “uncle ho’s road” that i have a lil bit remixed and it was amazing.
And i wanted to do a big northern loop, by mixing the limestone loop, the 2 sapa loop, the ha giang loop and the northeast loop. But i became “weather-dependant” and “landscape-with-beautiful-colors-dependant”.. so it is not the best time right now, everything is grey and brown. So i gave up and i continue my way to Laos, i’ll come back but i dont know when.
What would you recommand for this kind of loop ? April/May or October/November ? Because northern/northern west seems to be good during spring whereas northern east seems to be better in October/November.
Thank you again!
Hi Thibaut,
Yes, the weather can be pretty grim up in the north during this time of year. But either April/May or September/October are the best times to ride in that region. The colours and landscape look fantastic at those times and the weather is generally good, although there is still some rain, and because it’s the mountains there’s always the chance of heavy mist, especially in the Northwest.
Please note that I am currently updating the Limestone Loop and Northeast Loops guides.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Sorry I did not understand.. September/october or october/november for the north ? Because you wrote october/november/december in the article and now you said september/october ?
Hi Thibaut,
Personally, I like September and October in the north.
Tom
Hi Tony,
I’m planning first trip for later this year in either September, October, or November. Unfortunately I only have about 10 days this time so want to focus on 1-2 parts of the country. Was thinking of combining Saigon with either Con Dao or Nha Trang and possibly one night on the Mekong. It seems like the weather patterns are different for Con Dao & Nha Trang and my travel time overlaps an inbetween period in the seasons you mentioned. Any recommendation on which combination of month/beach area would give me the better chance of good weather?
Evan
Hi Evan,
Those months aren’t usually that good for weather in Nha Trang or Con Dao – it’s the rainy season in Nha Trang, and Con Dao can get quite windy. But if I had to choose between those months, I’d go in September, because there’s more chance of good weather conditions in both Nha Trang and Con Dao at that time.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hello Tom I’m in a bit of a crux, I’m here 50 km east of Saigon. And I’ve been reading into your weather recommendations. I was going to take the ocean road but I’m unsure whether it’s the best route at this time. I’m at a point that I could go any route. I have 40 days in total and I’m ready to explore this beautiful country. Could you point me to the best route? Maybe I was already on the right path with the ocean route.
Hi Tony,
Yes, I would stick to the Ocean Road. The weather should be good at this time of year everywhere south of Nha Trang, but the last two years weather patterns seem to be changing. You might also make your way up to Dalat from Cam Ranh. But just take it as it comes and keep an eye on the weather.
North of Nha Trang, and especially north of Danang, conditions will probably be colder and rainier.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Amazing, I’ve met many travelers along the way in Vietnam that reference to you. We are all very greatful for your efforts. Thanks for the advice. I’ll be off tomorrow morning then. 🙂
Cheers
Thanks, Tony.
It’s great to hear that other travellers are using my site too.
Have a good trip,
Tom
Hi Tom
Firstly, great site! full of great info.
I’m hoping to go from Saigon to Hanoi, but the big question is when? I don’t mind rain I think it adds to the adventure. So would I be right in thinking that March from the south heading north should provide me with not only a great ride but a mix of weather? Also, do you know a rough price guide to buying a 125cc. Thinking about the buying route rather than renting.
Cheers
Craig
Hi Graig,
Yes, that’s pretty much right: in general the best times of year for a Saigon to Hanoi ride are either spring (March-May) or autumn (late August-October).
For buying a 125cc bike I would strongly recommend you do so through one of the recommended companies in the right sidebar and bottom of this (and every) page of my site. These companies are extremely efficient and professionally run: most work on a buy-back basis – so you buy a 125cc bike from them and they guarantee to buy it back at the end of your trip for an established price. Try contacting a few of them and asking for more information. You can mention Vietnam Coracle if you like, they know me.
I hope this helps,
Tom
hi tom
i will arrive at vietnam at the middle of augest for three months, i want to see most of vietnam.
i am trying to bulid a route that will work with the weather.
can you plise explaine me in genreal where to start and where to go.
i am trying to undstend how to travil with the weather.
thanks noam
Hi Noam,
Well, the weather is pretty similar all over Vietnam in Augest. But I would start in the south and head north, because September and October are best in the northern provinces.
For ideas about routes, start by taking a look at my 5 Suggested Routes from Saigon to Hanoi.
I hope this helps to get you started,
Tom
Hello,
Which month do you recommend to ride from Hanoi to Saigon? I have two options: December and february. December would be better for me, but if difference of joy is big I can ride in february.
Best Regards.
Hi Daniel,
Well, both of those options the weather will be best in the south: once you get north of Danang you may find it gets colder and grayer, because the north gets a real winter. If you ride during February, you will probably overlap with the Tet Lunar New Year celebrations – this is very interesting but it’s not great for travel, because many businesses close and most of the nation goes on holiday so places become busy.
So perhaps December would be your best option.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Thank for your reply. I want be 100% sure because today I will book flight tickets. Btw I have no experience riding scooter or motorbike.
I see Lunar New Year will be at 16th February.
I saw also that in central Vietnam the amount of rain in December is 370mm (18 rainy days) and in February it’s a only 90mm (12 rainy days). That’s why I thought February is better. Of course if you think that problems with Lunar New Year is more important than the weather I will go for December. Is it better to start from Hanoi or from Saigon?
Hi Daniel,
I would start from Hanoi and go south, because that way you will save the better weather for last.
If your dates would fall over the Lunar New Year holiday then I would advise travelling on the earlier date.
Tom
Hi Tom!
Congrats to your blog! It is really helpful and you did a great job!
We plan to come to Vietnam for a month from mid-decembre to mid-january.
We will land in Hanoi and fly back from Saigon. We would like to discover the whole country from north till south on our motorbikes but are still unsure about the weather conditions and the best route. We think about starting in the north (northteast loop) and then cruise towards south through eather the Ho Chi Minh Route or the Classic.
Would you recommend the north at this time of the year?
Which route would you recommend for travelling from north till south?
Thanks,
Alice
Hi Alice,
It will certainly be rather chilly in the north at that time of year. The colder temperatures and grey weather could last all the way down to Hue. South of Danang the weather should get warmer and brighter.
Yes, the Northeast Loop or the Ha Giang Extreme North Loop would be good options for the north, before riding south on the Classic route. I would choose the Classic because it will give you some time by the beach in the south where the weather should be better.
I hope this helps,
Tom
Hello Tom, your motorcycle guides have inspired me to do a ride south to north. I am going to follow your Easy route and was thinking about starting this Christmas onwards. However I note the weather from Da Nang might be wet. I was wondered if you might comment from riders point of view how rainy it might be end of December first week January. I am experienced rider and can handle some rain but if riding in it all day I always seem to wet which if cold ends up being miserable.
Hi Warren,
Yes, that’s right: during that time of year the weather can be quite grey and drizzly, and surprisingly cold too, anywhere north of Danang. However, it shouldn’t be enough to ruin a motorbike road trip – just bear it in mind while planning your trip. For rain protection on the bike you can either buy a local rain suit (about $10, available in some supermarkets, called bộ áo mưa in Vietnamese) including a waterproof jacket, pants, and a poncho which goes over your handlebars, or buy a ‘real’ rain suit at the GIVI store in Ho Chi Minh City (about $50).
As well as this, you’ll need to make sure your luggage is waterproof – a large plastic ‘bin bag’ is good for your backpack or daypack.
I can actually be quite fun riding in the rain sometimes 🙂
Tom
Hi Tom,
So I’ve been traveling the classic route by motorcycle for a few weeks and taking the liberty to find even more off the path tracks. Needless to say it has been quite an amazing experience, even getting stuck in massive monsoons on the highest peaks.
I’m deciding now on what to do with my final two weeks, and was hoping to hit the extreme northern loop and incorporate more of the far North into the trek, maybe going counter clockwise from here in Ninh Binh. HOWEVER with all the recent rain, I’m wondering if you have any insight into the current road conditions for some of the areas.
The weather predictions are obviously quite fickle.
Thanks in advance and I hope you’re able to get back to me.
Also thanks for having such an encompassing insightful site.
BB
Hi Brian,
Good to hear you’re enjoying your road trip so far.
Yes, it’s a good idea to incorporate a couple of northern loops together.
Road conditions are always unpredictable in those areas so it’s very difficult to say. In particular, the northeast is famously bad for road conditions. The Ha Gaing Loop should be OK, but some readers have reported road works. Mu Cang Chai was recently washed away by flooding – I don’t know how the road would be now.
So I think the best thing to do is take it as it comes, pack some extra time into your itinerary to allow for some slow progress, and always try to ask a local before taking a road you’re not too sure about.
If you come across any bad (or good) roads you think I and other readers should know about then please let me know.
Good luck,
Tom