Deciding on the best time to visit Vietnam will generally depend on which places you plan on visiting. Of course, there are other factors to consider as well, such as holidays and festival. The country is long and narrow and this means that different places in the country tend to experience different seasons. Just to give you an idea, here’s everything you need to know when it comes to deciding the best time to visit Vietnam.

Prepare your visa

Vietnam visa on arrival office in Da Nang Airport

Regardless of where or when you plan to visit Vietnam, it’s always a good idea to prepare your visa in advance. Thankfully, applying for a visa to Vietnam is now so easy and you can simply do it over the Internet by going to this website, Evisa-Vietnam.com. Using the online facility is so easy and would not take up a lot of your time. Simply fill out the form with your information. Make sure you provide your details accurately so you won’t encounter any problems with the immigration. After you submit the form, make a payment and wait for the pre-approval letter to be sent to your email. Print the letter and carry it with you on your trip to Vietnam so you can present it at the immigration upon arriving at the country.

When To Go To Vietnam

Mu Cang Chai Rice fields on terraced in Yen Bai

Vietnam is a diverse country so you can enjoy it anytime throughout the year. However, the weather plays an important factor in your trip, especially if you plan on doing certain activities such as trekking. Sometimes, monsoon rain can become so extreme in the urban areas and this can lead to flooding that will greatly affect transportation in the country.

In general, the best time to visit Vietnam is during the months of December, January, and February, when the temperature is mild and the rain is not too extreme. Spring and autumn months are the most pleasant time to visit the north of Vietnam, such as Hanoi. Yet, winter nights can get very chilly and the temperature could dip to 50°F. You certainly need to bring winter clothes when visiting the Halong Bay during winter, especially if you’re someone who is not accustomed to colder temperatures.

Typhoon Season in Vietnam

Typhoon Season in Vietnam

Regardless of what season you’re visiting Vietnam, large weather events like the typhoons and tropical depressions that blow in coming from the East could lead to week-long downpours that could potentially ruin your travel plans.

Typhoon season (May-October) usually ends around October each year, although this may not necessarily be the case because Mother Nature doesn’t abide by any rules. The start date will depend on which part of Vietnam you are visiting – north, south, or central. Overall, July tends to be very stormy in the country. Thankfully, typhoons would not normally get into the country unexpected. So keep an eye on weather updates when planning for your trip to Vietnam.

Visiting During the Monsoon Season

Monsoon Season in Vietnam

Like most places in Asia, Vietnam can still be enjoyed during the monsoon, usually between May and October. However, there are some precautions.

During the rainy season (May-October), there will be a lot more mosquitoes in the country. Furthermore, outdoor activities such as exploring the impressive citadel in Hue may not be a pleasant experience. But the good news is that accommodations and tour packages during the monsoon tend to be cheaper.

Transportation delays are often common during this time. Bus trips may be cancelled due to long periods of heavy rain and flooding. Even the low-lying tracks at the north and south railway could be flooded too, which causes delay and cancellation in train service.

Big Events and Festivals

Ho Chi Minh City: Vietnamese scholar writes calligraphy at lunar new year calligraphy festival

The most significant national holiday in Vietnam is the Lunar New Year, which is commonly known in the country as “Tet”.

During this festival, accommodation and transportation costs tend to increase and they get fully booked since people would move around the country to celebrate. Although it’s a great time to be in the country during Tet, your travel plans will surely be affected. So make sure you plan your trip ahead.

Tet follows the lunisolar calendar since it is a Lunar New Year. Therefore, the date will vary each year and it often coincides with the Chinese New Year and occurs between the months of January and February.

Other major holidays in the country are the International Worker’s Day on May 1st, Reunification Day on April 30th, and National Day on September 2nd. Just like with other countries around the world, transportation during the holidays tend to be busy since locals would be traveling during these times. Therefore, consider the holidays when planning your trip to Vietnam especially if you plan on traveling from one place to another.

Happy couple on the beach of Nha Trang