Vietnam’s climate: a real mess you need to understand well before setting off to visit the country
Are you dying to visit Vietnam and can barely contain your excitement?
If so, you’re probably asking yourself one very specific question: how do you say “where’s the bathroom?” in Vietnamese?
Here’s the answer: Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu vậy? We have no idea how to pronounce it, but hey, that’s your problem.
If, on the other hand, you’re wondering when the best time to travel to Vietnam is, here’s a guide we’ve put together for you: we’ll tell you everything about the local climate, when to go, and how to dress so you don’t end up with soaking wet underwear or make a fool of yourself in front of the locals.
Psycho climate: what’s waiting for you in Vietnam (yes, that’s a threat)
Vietnam’s climate is a bit of a character: from one moment to the next it can completely lose its mind and behave like it has post-traumatic stress syndrome.
In the north
This is where the climate reaches peak insanity.
Between November and April, temperatures are cool and the air is fairly dry and pleasant, perfect for exploring Hanoi and the surrounding area without ending up rafting through the streets.
But from May, monsoon and rainy season begin. And when we say rain, we mean biblical downpours that will soak you through to your underwear and beyond in no time.
In the center
Here the climate’s personality is a little more stable. Well, it’s not like you can be 100% sure that a thousand gallons of water per second won’t suddenly come crashing down on your head, but the weather changes are less sudden and violent.
From January to August, temperatures are wonderfully pleasant, ideal for visiting spectacular historic cities like Hue or the beaches of Da Nang. From September to December, though, here they come again: the monsoons. And then it pours like there’s no tomorrow.
In the south
This is the area with the most balanced and welcoming climate. Unfortunately, though, this year-round summer weather attracts some incredibly annoying creatures that can ruin your trip from start to finish: tourists!
From December to April, the south is a true paradise for sun lovers, with extremely mild and pleasant temperatures. But why should this region miss out on monsoons?
And so, from May to November, tropical rains make a comeback. Did you really think you’d stay dry all year?
In short, to cut a long story short, the truth is that you can go to Vietnam whenever you want. If we had to recommend an ideal time, we’d tell you to choose a period outside the rainy season, but otherwise this country is very, very pleasant from a climate point of view. You just need to know how to dress properly!
Dress properly, please, or you’ll catch your death!
If you choose to visit Vietnam in summer, from June to October, keep in mind that it will be very hot and quite humid.
Get yourself some breathable T-shirts, preferably cotton, and equally lightweight trousers. And, of course, a swimsuit if you plan to visit the beautiful local beaches.
Oh, and absolutely do not forget a proper heavy-duty rain jacket in case the heavens open.
If, on the other hand, you choose the cooler months, then what you pack in your backpack next to your teddy bear depends on which part of Vietnam you want to visit.
Travelling in the north?
In that case, bring a few sweaters, a wool hat (bonus points if it has pom-poms), and gloves, especially if you’re heading to places like Sapa, where the weather can get rather chilly.
If you’re going to the center or the south, on the other hand, a light cardigan or something similar may be enough to keep you warm even on the less mild days.
And now, a few notes on dress rules to follow so you can respect local culture without looking like the usual annoying tourist, even more irritating than mosquitoes.
In Vietnam, the less skin you show, the more respect you earn.
Cover your shoulders and knees even in the hottest months, especially when visiting temples and other sacred places. Also keep in mind that in the north, the local population can sometimes be a bit more conservative than in the south.
This doesn’t mean that if you go to Ho Chi Minh City you can just dress like you rolled out of bed and don’t give a damn. But you can definitely be a bit more relaxed and less worried about getting disapproving looks.
Read also: The coolest Notre Dame? It’s in Vietnam. Sorry, France
In conclusion
By now, you shouldn’t have any trouble choosing the best time to go to Vietnam.
But there’s still one question left to answer, the most important of all: who should you go with?
This one’s easy, we know it! With us!
We’ve put together a 14-day itinerary to explore the country far and wide, with special attention to the chance to really get to know authentic Vietnamese culture. In short, not your usual boring package-tour trip, but something a million times cooler that will give you an experience to remember.
Come on, grab that backpack, finish packing everything you need, and let’s go!
