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North or South Vietnam in Your Travel Month

With leave dates already set, let the month tell you which end of the country to fly to.

Match my month to an end

Let the month choose. At year-end, the north is cool and the south is dry, so both can work, for different tastes. In the middle of the year, both ends are wet, so choose the one whose rain you can plan around.

What does your month look like in each end?

Your monthNorthSouthLean toward
Year-endCool, layers neededDry or near dryEither, by taste
January to FebruaryCoolest of the yearDrySouth if you want warmth
March to AprilRain approachesDrySouth or north, check dates
May to AugustHot, wet at peakRainySouth, with flexible days
September to OctoberRain easingRainyNorth, if the month fits

What do the sources say?

Northern Vietnam has four seasons and the south has two1. Hanoi’s hottest month is July at a mean of 29.2 C, and its coolest is January at 16.4 C2.

In the north, the rainy season starts April or May, peaks July and August and ends October or November3. In the south, the rainy season starts in May4. Ho Chi Minh City has its rainy season roughly May to November and its dry season December to April5.

For island beaches, Phu Quoc’s rainy season runs roughly April to November and its dry season December to March6. See Best Months for Vietnam Beaches when the beach is the point.

How does Tet change a month?

Tet is a planning month in itself. In 2027 it falls on 6 February7. The public holiday is 7 days, or 9 days if the first day of the lunar year falls Monday to Wednesday8.

During Tet, people return home to be with their families9. Transport is busy and some shops close. A short trip in that week needs early booking and a simple plan.

Which end suits which traveller?

  • Short leave: the end with the simpler arrival and fewer transfers.
  • Cool-air lover: north, in the cooler months.
  • Beach and food: south.
  • Toddlers or elders: whichever end has the gentler weather in your month.

Read North Vietnam travel guide and South Vietnam travel guide for the places. For a general first-trip view, see South or North Vietnam for a First Trip. The route chooser tests your days, and more lives in Seasons and who it suits.

Tell us your fixed leave dates and who is travelling, and we can say which end of Vietnam the month favours.

Check my travel month

Common questions

Which end of Vietnam is better at year-end?

Both can work, for different reasons. The north is cool and suits layers, city walks and mountain views. The south is in or near its dry season, so beaches, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong are comfortable. Choose by whether you want cool air or warm days.

Which end is better in the middle of the year?

Neither is at its easiest, because the north is hot and wet at its peak and the south is in its rains. Pick the end whose rain you can plan around: the south needs flexible afternoons, and the north needs flexible days.

How does Tet affect my choice?

Tet is the main holiday, and some businesses close for days while locals travel home. Tet in 2027 is on 6 February. Pick a base where you can eat and move easily, and expect both busy transport and some closed shops. Book early and keep your plan simple.

Is the south warmer than the north all year?

In general, yes. Hanoi's coolest month, January, averages 16.4 C, while Ho Chi Minh City stays in the tropical range. For Malaysians, the south feels familiar and the north feels like a change of season, which suits some trips and not others.

Can I combine north and south in a short trip?

With a week or less, it is a stretch. The two ends are far apart, and the flight between them uses most of a day. A shorter trip is better spent in one end. Save the other for a return visit, and use the route chooser to test it.

Sources

  1. Northern Vietnam has four seasons; central and southern areas have two, a rainy season and a dry season. Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-16)
  2. Hanoi's hottest month is July (mean 29.2 C) and coolest is January (mean 16.4 C). Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-16)
  3. In the North Delta (Red River Delta) the rainy season starts April to May, peaks July to August and ends October to November. Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-16)
  4. In the South the rainy season starts in May. Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-16)
  5. Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical savanna climate (Koppen Aw), with a rainy season roughly May to November and dry season December to April. Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-16)
  6. Phu Quoc's rainy season runs roughly April to November and its dry season roughly December to March. Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-16)
  7. Tet (Lunar New Year) 2027 falls on 6 February 2027. Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-16). Confirm against Vietnam's official holiday decree when published.
  8. The Tet public holiday is 7 days, or 9 days if the first day of the lunar year falls Monday to Wednesday; 2026's schedule was 14 to 22 February. Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-16). Exact 2027 schedule is set by government each year; check.
  9. During Tet people usually return home to be with their families, and students usually get a one-week break. Wikipedia (accessed 2026-10-16)

Keep planning

Vietnam Seasons and Who It SuitsMatch your travel month, your festival dates and your group to the right part of Vietnam.North Vietnam Travel Guide for MalaysiansThe north packs a capital, limestone scenery, cool mountains and bays into one compact route.South Vietnam Travel Guide for MalaysiansThe south is hot, fast and friendly, so choose the stops that suit your energy.North, Central or South: Pick Your RouteTell us your month and what you love, and see which region suits you.

Tell us your fixed leave dates and who is travelling, and we can say which end of Vietnam the month favours.

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