As a long narrow country, Vietnam’s climate varies depending on if you are in the north, central areas, or south, which is great for travelers as the weather is always perfect somewhere.
In the north, May to October is hot, humid and wet with temperatures invariably between 25 and 32 °C (77-90°F). Rainfall is usually over 150 mm per month in Hanoi, the nation’s cultural capital, though it peaks in July at almost 250 mm per month. The heat of the north, particularly inland, gets too hot for some and many people chose this time to head for the cooler areas such as the beautiful Halong Bay, a coastal area set among towering limestone cliffs, and also a Unesco world heritage site, which receives an almost constant sea breeze.
The central region of Vietnam experiences a hot and dry ‘winter’ from mid-January to mid-August, with March, April, and May the best times to visit as the central highlands are a lot milder than the much more stifling heat suffered in the south, where it can reach 40°C (104°F). Temperatures in central areas are between 20 and 25 °C (68- 77°F) in January, steadily rising to a peak of around 25 to 35 °C (77-95°F) in June. Unlike the north and south, central areas receive almost no rainfall at this time. It is a fine time to visit ancient capital of Hue, the charming Unesco world heritage site of Hoi An, or the beautiful white sands of Lang Co replete with shady palm trees.
In the south, May to October is monsoon season, and it can be quite humid in the ‘Rice Bowl’ of Vietnam. Temperatures are usually between 24 and 33 °C (75-91°F) , with rainfall of around 100 mm per month, the brief heavy showers rarely disrupting travel – but regions around the Mekong may occasionally flood. September or early October sees Mid-Autumn Festival (full moon between September and October): a harvest festival celebrating that sees dragon and lion dances performed across the country with many wish lanterns being hung and lit.
Travel into the lush Vietnamese countryside and discover hilltribes with fascinating customs and traditions on this 6-day luxury trip. You’ll travel from Hanoi, where you’ll tour the city’s age-old landmarks, to high in the Sapa hills, where you’ll make friends with locals and learn about their unique way of life.
Get off the beaten tourist-trail with an unforgettable journey from colonial Hanoi, along the brand new highway to the beautiful northern regions of Lao Cai and Sapa. Marvel at the scenery and get immersed in local life in the villages nestled into the hills.
Explore Vietnam’s northernmost province and experience the true local culture. Home to endless rocky plateaus and romantically-named mountains dotted with tiny villages, Ha Giang is a less-traveled land of beauty and adventure.
Experience the best that Northern Vietnam has to offer on this exciting 7-day luxury journey. You’ll visit museums and temples in Hanoi, cruise the karsts of Halong Bay on a private junk, take a roadtrip through Ninh Binh, and explore Vietnam’s first national park, while staying at luxury hotels along the way.
Experience Indochina in style and comfort, aboard a luxury private jet. Starting off in Bangkok, you’ll take in some of the city’s most ancient temples, before taking off for the ever-charming Lao city, Luang Prabang. From here, you’ll head to Vietnam, where you’ll take in some of the country’s most...
A glorious loop of discovery and adventure, taking in the sights, sounds, tastes and cultures of northern Vietnam. From the city bustle, through beautiful national parkland and up into the green highlands and back again, this is an unforgettable journey into rarely explored territory.
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