Weather in Vietnam

The weather in Vietnam is generally humid and moderately hot. You’ll experience regional climatic variations, with the northern area being significantly cooler than the central and southern regions. Overall, average temperatures range between 63°F (17°C) and 81°F (27°C), and humidity is usually upward of 80 percent.

Like other Southeast Asian countries, the defining characteristic of Vietnam’s weather is the monsoon, a transitional wind that brings heavy rainfall. The south-easterly monsoon creates a long rainy season between May and October, depending on your location. Outside this period, rainfall is rare and light when it does occur. You’ll find the humidity especially oppressive during the rainy months.

Weather patterns in Vietnam vary dramatically from north to south. In the northern region around Hanoi, you’ll experience a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Winters (December to February) can be surprisingly cool with temperatures dropping to around 50°F (10°C), while summer temperatures typically range from 82-90°F (28-32°C). Spring and autumn offer milder temperatures and are often considered the most pleasant times to visit the north.

The central region, including cities like Hue and Da Nang, has hot, dry weather from February to August, with temperatures often reaching above 95°F (35°C) in June and July. The rainy season hits central Vietnam later, with the heaviest downpours between September and December, sometimes bringing typhoons and flooding.