Skip to content
wheretotravel.info
Wooden boats on river at sunset with people

Vietnam travel guide

Big cities and coastal towns, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, best in March

Best: Mar

Photo: Wphoto / Pixabay

Capital
Hanoi
Language
Vietnamese
Currency
Vietnamese đồng
Time zone
UTC+07:00
Plugs
Type A, C, F, G · 220 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
115 / 113 / 114

Why visit Vietnam

Vietnam suits travellers who want to mix big cities with time by the sea. Start in Hanoi, the capital, or Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city. Then add slower stops such as Huế, Hội An, Da Nang or Nha Trang. March is the best month to go. The honest catch: our data points to only that one month, so the ideal window is short. Neither of the two biggest cities is on the coast, so plan extra travel for beach time.

  • Two very different big cities

    Hanoi is the capital, but Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in our data and has far more people. Both are inland, so you can compare north and south without needing a beach. Many trips start in one and end in the other.

  • Three coastal cities to choose from

    Da Nang, Nha Trang and Hội An all sit on the coast. Da Nang is the largest of the three. Nha Trang and Hội An are much smaller, so you can pick a big-city base or a quieter town by the sea.

  • March is the month to aim for

    Our data names March as the best month to visit Vietnam. If you can only travel at other times of year, check the conditions for your route before you book. Weather can vary a lot across a country this long.

  • Smaller cities beyond the main hubs

    Huế, Cần Thơ and Đà Lạt are all much smaller than Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Đà Lạt is the smallest inland city in our list. These places give you a break from the two largest cities on a longer trip.

  • Simple practical set-up

    The whole country uses one time zone, so there are no clock changes as you move between cities. Traffic drives on the right. Power is 220 V, and sockets take plug types A, C, F and G, so many travellers can use their chargers with a simple adapter.

Is Vietnam right for you?

Great for

  • Spring trips: March brings highs near 25°C, 9.6 sun hours a day and about 13 rain days.
  • Travellers who dislike strong heat: average highs peak at just 28.2°C in June.
  • City lovers who want to see both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in one trip.
  • Mixed trips of city and coast, with Da Nang, Hội An and Nha Trang by the sea.
  • Early summer sun seekers: June averages 11 sun hours a day, the most of any month.

Less ideal for

  • Autumn trips: October averages 687 mm of rain over about 27 rain days.
  • Winter visitors wanting warmth: December highs are 18.5°C, with only 4.1 sun hours a day.
  • Anyone needing dry summer days: May to August has 22 to 25 rain days a month.

Vietnam right now: October

6.6/10
Avg high
23°C
Avg low
18°C
Rain days
27

Averages for Vietnam.

Weather by month

The climate data covers Vietnam as a whole (2015–2024), and March is the best month, with highs of 24.7°C, 9.6 hours of sun a day and only 91 mm of rain. Avoid September to December if you dislike rain, when 25 to 27 rain days a month bring up to 687 mm in October.

Average highs and lows in Vietnam by month January: high 19°C, low 13°C , 21 rain days . February: high 21°C, low 14°C , 13 rain days . March: high 25°C, low 17°C , 13 rain days . April: high 27°C, low 19°C , 16 rain days . May: high 28°C, low 20°C , 25 rain days . June: high 28°C, low 20°C , 22 rain days . July: high 27°C, low 20°C , 25 rain days . August: high 27°C, low 20°C , 24 rain days . September: high 26°C, low 19°C , 26 rain days . October: high 23°C, low 18°C , 27 rain days . November: high 22°C, low 17°C , 25 rain days . December: high 19°C, low 14°C , 26 rain days . 19°C 13°C JAN 21d 21°C 14°C FEB 13d 25°C 17°C MAR 13d 27°C 19°C APR 16d 28°C 20°C MAY 25d 28°C 20°C JUN 22d 27°C 20°C JUL 25d 27°C 20°C AUG 24d 26°C 19°C SEP 26d 23°C 18°C OCT 27d 22°C 17°C NOV 25d 19°C 14°C DEC 26d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Vietnam (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Vietnam: month-by-month weather →

Sample itineraries

7 days

Capital to coast in one week

  1. Day 1–3

    Hanoi

    Start in the capital. Spend your first days on foot, getting used to the traffic, trying local food and choosing a few sights at a slow pace.

  2. Day 4–5

    Huế

    Move south to Huế, a smaller inland city. Two days give you time to explore without rushing and to compare it with the capital.

  3. Day 6–7

    Hội An

    End in Hội An, the smallest city on this route and on the coast. Walk, eat well and keep your last day free for rest.

10 days

North to south in ten days

  1. Day 1–2

    Hanoi

    Begin in Hanoi, the capital. Use two days to walk the centre, try local food and adjust to the time zone, UTC+07:00.

  2. Day 3–4

    Huế

    Travel to Huế, an inland city much smaller than Hanoi. Take two unhurried days to explore at your own pace.

  3. Day 5–6

    Da Nang

    Continue to Da Nang, a large coastal city. Split your time between the city and the sea, and use it as a base to rest.

  4. Day 7–8

    Hội An

    Head to nearby Hội An, a small coastal town. It suits slow days of walking, eating and relaxing after the bigger cities.

  5. Day 9–10

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Finish in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city on this route. Spend your last two days eating, walking and shopping before you fly home.

Food to try in Vietnam

Phở

A rice noodle soup in a clear broth, usually with beef or chicken and fresh herbs. It is often eaten for breakfast, and Hanoi is known for a simpler northern style.

Bánh mì

A crisp baguette filled with pâté, cold meats or egg, pickled vegetables, chilli and coriander. It is a cheap street snack that people eat on the go at any time of day.

Bún chả

Grilled pork served with rice vermicelli, fresh herbs and a sweet and sour dipping sauce. It is a classic Hanoi lunch, often eaten at small local eateries.

Gỏi cuốn

Fresh spring rolls made of rice paper wrapped around shrimp, pork, noodles and herbs. They are not fried and are usually served with a peanut or fish sauce dip.

Cao lầu

A noodle dish from Hoi An with chewy noodles, slices of pork, greens and crispy crackers in a little broth. It is best tried in Hoi An itself.

Cà phê sữa đá

Strong Vietnamese coffee dripped through a small metal filter, mixed with sweetened condensed milk and poured over ice. People drink it at pavement cafés throughout the day.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Vietnam uses plug types A, C, F and G, and the supply is 220 V. Check that your chargers accept 220 V. Pack a universal adapter, because sockets vary.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right. Traffic in cities can feel chaotic, so take care when crossing roads or hiring a scooter.
  • Emergency numbers: Vietnam uses 3 separate emergency numbers: 113, 114 and 115. Save all 3 in your phone before you arrive, and ask your hotel which one to call for which service.
  • Currency: The currency is the Vietnamese đồng. Notes have many zeros, so check each note carefully when you pay or get change.
  • Language: The official language is Vietnamese. Outside the main tourist areas, few people may speak English. A translation app or a few written phrases will help.
  • Time and phone code: Vietnam is on UTC+07:00 all year. The country calling code is +84.
  • Tap water: Don't drink water from the tap. Use bottled or filtered water, and be careful with ice from small street stalls.

Vietnam: frequently asked questions

What is the best month to visit Vietnam?

March is the best month in our data, with a score of 7.5 out of 10. Days reach about 24.7°C and nights drop to 16.8°C. It has the fewest rain days of the year at 12.7, only 91 mm of rain, and about 9.6 hours of sun a day. February is a close second at 7.3.

Is Vietnam good to visit in October?

October still scores 6.6, but it is the wettest month by far, so pack for rain or pick another month. It averages 687 mm of rain over 26.7 rain days, which is more than 7 times the rain in March. Sunshine falls to about 6.5 hours a day. Highs are a mild 22.7°C.

Is June a bad time to go to Vietnam?

June is the lowest-rated month, with a score of 4.9 and an "ok" verdict. It is the warmest month, with highs of about 28.2°C, and there is rain on 21.8 days. It is also the sunniest month, with about 11 hours of sun a day. If you can choose, February or March score higher.

How cold is Vietnam in December and January?

December and January are the coolest months, with highs of only 18.5°C and 19°C. Nights fall to 14.3°C in December and 13.4°C in January, so bring a warm layer. December is also grey, with about 4.1 hours of sun a day and 25.9 rain days. These are one average for the whole country from 2015–2024, so each city will differ.

What plugs and voltage does Vietnam use?

Vietnam uses plug types A, C, F and G, and the voltage is 220 V. Check that your chargers and devices accept 220 V before you plug them in. You may need an adapter, depending on where you come from.

What are the basics I should know before travelling to Vietnam?

The currency is the Vietnamese đồng, and the main language is Vietnamese. The time zone is UTC+07:00, the calling code is +84, and cars drive on the right. The emergency numbers are 115, 113 and 114. The capital is Hanoi, but the largest city is Ho Chi Minh City, with about 14 million people.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Vietnam.