Famous travel guide reveals the best time to explore Vietnam
The famous travel guide Lonely Planet recently published an article to help tourists determine the ideal times to visit different regions across Vietnam.
According to writer Joe Bindloss, Vietnam is one of the rare destinations in Southeast Asia that tourists can visit all year round. But of course, they will still have some differences.
"Where you go will depend a lot on your decision. If you want to go to the sunny and windy beaches of the central region, you can choose the dry months from February to June, before the crowded summer. If you come to Vietnam to trek in the highlands, October to March is the most ideal," Lonely Planet shared.
It is important to note that the weather can vary greatly when travelling across Vietnam. The country stretches 1,650km from north to south, and includes high mountains in the north and flat tropical wetlands in the Mekong Delta. The north can get very cold in the winter, from December to February. The highlands around Sapa can see snowfall while the delta stays at a constant 25°C.
To help you plan the perfect trip, here's Lonely Planet's guide to the best time to visit Vietnam.
July and August - Choice for beach lovers
July to August is the busiest time of year for tourists to Vietnam. This is also when the weather is favorable on the central coast. Demand for flights increases and room rates can increase by up to 50% in resorts such as Da Nang and Nha Trang.
But this is not the ideal time of year to visit the north, when hiking trails turn into quagmire. Hanoi and Ha Long Bay often have heavy rains.
December to March - Ideal for exploring Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
Winters in Vietnam tend to be drier and cooler than the sticky summers. It can get very cold in the north, especially in the mountains. However, this is the perfect time to explore Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as temperatures do not fluctuate much and humidity is low.
If you want to explore more of Vietnam, this is also a great time to visit the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc Island, with warm temperatures and clear skies.
One obstacle during this time is the Lunar New Year, which usually takes place in late January or early February. The large number of people traveling causes transport and hotel prices to skyrocket.
April to June and September to November - Avoid crowds
Vietnam’s low season coincides with the transition from cool, dry winters to hot, humid summers and vice versa. From April to June and September to November, the weather is often unpredictable but rarely extreme. You can expect some gloriously sunny days, but you can also expect some rain, so pack for both dry and wet weather.
These transitional periods are a good time to avoid the crowds at the attractions, save money and explore the country, as the weather isn’t too bad anywhere. The period from October to November is particularly good for exploring the islands and cliffs around Ha Long Bay, with more dry days than wet days and mild temperatures.
Storm season - Full of difficulties
In theory, the typhoon season in the Northwest Pacific runs from May to November. But in Vietnam, the greatest risk of typhoons is from August to September. On average, the country experiences 4-6 typhoons each year, characterized by heavy rain and strong winds. Sometimes severe storms lead to flooding and disruption of transportation, especially by air and sea.
The areas most affected by typhoons are the south coast and the north coast (including Ha Long Bay). The weather tends to be most severe near the coast, you can expect heavy rain and occasional power outages.