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Weather in Southern Vietnam: The ideal time to visit the area
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Weather in Southern Vietnam: The ideal time to visit the area
April 29, 2021
The climate in Southern Vietnam is somewhat different than the rest of the country. The weather is hot all year round and only a bit cooler in mountainous regions. There are 2 seasons: the dry and the wet season, similar to the weather in Central Vietnam but the differences between the 2 seasons are much clearer.
The weather in the Southeast is quite stable throughout the year. The average temperature ranges from 25 - 35°C. The hottest months are February, March, and April. The wet season starts in May and ends in November, in which the rainiest time is between June and August. The rain usually comes in the afternoon which is torrential but ends very quickly.
The city is unique each season so you can visit it anytime in a year. Most tourists often go to Ho Chi Minh City in the dry season which is from December to April. There is little rain so it is convenient to plan out your activities. Play thrilling adventure games like roller coasters in exciting outdoor amusement parks such as Dam Sen, Suoi Tien. Maybe check-in at various famous tourist attractions such as Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon or the Independence Palace. You can take amazing pictures under the radiant sunshine of Sai Gon. Just keep in mind that April is the hottest month of the year when it is very sunny and dry.
Suoi Tien water park during summer
Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon under warm sunshine
The Independence Palace - one of the most important historical sites
However, Ho Chi Minh City during the wet season is still worth a visit. If you are tired of the hot summer, Sai Gon comes to the rescue. You can still enjoy the city even in rainy weather. Instead of common attractions, you can choose to drop by many museums like the Fine Arts Museum. Many also go shopping at lively shopping centers like Vincom Dong Khoi. After the afternoon rains, the weather becomes very cool and pleasant. We recommend taking a walk at Nguyen Hue walking street to discover the city’s nightlife, sitting at a cafe nearby with the view of the beautiful Ho Chi Minh City Hall.
The Fine Arts Museum is a perfect check-in location
View of Nguyen Hue walking street by night
Cafe “apartment” on Nguyen Hue walking street
Vung Tau is a coastal city within a 125-kilometer distance from Ho Chi Minh City. Its weather is a lot like Saigon’s with an average temperature of 24 - 28°C. It’s also one of the cities least affected by tropical storms. That being said, you can visit Vung Tau anytime around the year.
Many people visit Vung Tau around Tet - the lunar new year of Vietnam, which is between January and March. At this time, the weather in other regions of Vietnam is either freezing cold or rainy. Meanwhile, at Vung Tau, the sky is still crystal clear. The air is still fresh, and the sun is still shining brightly onto fishing villages along the coast. Many festivals including lots of cultural activities like the Lion Dance and boat race also happen around this time.
Vung Tau is a well-known coastal city in the South
Rainy Vung Tau from May to October is also suitable for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of large cities. The best thing to do at this time is to watch the sunset on the sea. It’s a beautiful yet comforting moment for peace of the mind. However, remember to keep tabs on the weather forecast frequently to avoid rainy days and rough sea.
Southwest is at the very bottom of Vietnam. It is surrounded by sea so the weather is very temperate with warm sunshine all year round. There are also 2 seasons in this region: the dry season and the wet season. The average temperature is about 28°C, making it very popular for tourists here and there. What’s more, the area is not much affected by unfavorable nature. Visitors can come to the Southwest anytime.
Can Tho is also called “Tay Do”, or “Capital of the West”. It is one of the emerging tourist destinations of Vietnam. Can Tho is well known for its beautiful rice fields, gardens full of colorful sweet fruits, plentiful canals and rivers, unique architecture as well as friendly people. Like other places, the wet season in Can Tho starts in May and ends in November. On the other hand, the dry season is from December to April. However, it is a water area so the heat of Can Tho is different from those of the Northern regions.
Many people travel to Can Tho between April and July. During this time, you get to taste flavorful fruits in the city’s famous hicks or even try harvesting the fruits yourself. Have a look at the local life by taking part in activities such as bailing water, catching fish and visiting traditional craft villages.
Tickets into a hink usually cost around 20,000 VND
Women making fishnets at Thom Rom craft village
Phu Quoc is the biggest and also the most famous island of Vietnam with thousands of tourists from all kinds of places every year. In the wet season, the humidity here is very high, about 85 to 90%. Meanwhile, in the dry season, the temperature is especially high during April and May.
According to our experience, the best time to visit Phu Quoc is during the dry season which is from October to March, though it can be extended to May depending on the weather. At this time, it barely rains whilst the sea is calm and the air is fresh. However, this is the peak tourist season so we recommend planning your trip in advance to avoid being ripped off.
Phu Quoc island has one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam
Most people avoid the other months of the year because of the rainy weather, but hotel prices and the other services’ cost go down as well. Thus, we suggest going at the start or end of the wet season which is early April or late October. There is not much rain so you can still enjoy the view and save a lot of money at the same time.
An Giang is also a very appealing destination for those who want to escape the busy atmosphere. The weather in An Giang is like other Southwest provinces so it is also convenient to visit this place during the dry season. From May to November, it rains a lot which can affect your activities in An Giang. If you want to visit pagodas or just simply have a look at An Giang, you should choose between December and March. The weather is nice and it is sunny on most days. Remember to avoid April and May since these are the hottest months of the year.
However, the most popular time to travel to An Giang is during the flooding season from September to November each year. The Mekong river is going to fill An Giang with water everywhere and create a very picturesque scene. During this time, don’t forget to include in your plan famous attractions like a boat trip through Tra Su Melaleuca forest. You can also drop by the unique Long Xuyen floated market on Hau river that starts very early in the morning. There are also boat-renting services to look around the market.
The water becomes green during flooding season at Tra Su Melaleuca forest
Long Xuyen floated market is a unique feature of the Southwest
We hope that by now, you would have enough information to prepare for your trip to your favorite places in the beautiful and promising Southern Vietnam.
