Vietnam Rainy Season: Can I Visit Vietnam in Rainy Season?

The Vietnam rainy season usually lasts from May to October, and you can travel to Vietnam during the rainy season to enjoy different scenery. Traveling in Vietnam during the rainy season requires a good travel strategy in advance, a reasonable arrangement of your travel route, and the need to prepare rain gear. Here we introduce the characteristics of the rainy season in different regions of Vietnam to see which region is more attractive to you.

Can I Visit Vietnam in Rainy Season? Pros and Cons

Yes, you can travel to Vietnam in the rainy season. Before that, you need to know the pros and cons of traveling during the Vietnam rainy season, so that you can better organize our travel plans.

Pros of traveling in Vietnam during the rainy season:

1. Wide Variety of Fruits and Vegetables: 
   When traveling in Vietnam rainy season, first of all, you can taste a variety of fruits and vegetables. The rainy season in Vietnam is also the time when many fruits and vegetables are ripe, so you can taste delicious Vietnamese food when traveling here.
2. Experience the Unique Scenery:
   Traveling to Vietnam in the rainy season, you can experience different beautiful scenery. In the mountainous and coastal areas of Vietnam, the scenery can become more vivid with the touch of rain.
3. Low Cost of Traveling:
   The number of tourists in Vietnam during the rainy season will be relatively less, so the cost of traveling will be much lower, and tourists can experience high-quality travel services at a lower price.

Cons of traveling in Vietnam during the rainy season:

1. Inconvenient Traveling:
   Traveling to Vietnam during the rainy season can be inconvenient. If there is heavy rainfall, the roads will be slippery, and some sections will accumulate water, affecting your outdoor activities.
2. Inconvenient Transportation:
   During the rainy season, transportation in Vietnam can be affected, and traveling by motorcycle can be dangerous. Because of precipitation, trains or flights will be delayed or canceled, making your travel full of uncertainty.
3. Humidity:
   During the rainy season, some tourists may find the high humidity levels uncomfortable, since they might leave them feeling sticky all day.

Quiet ancient streets in Vietnam during the rainy season

Overview of the Climate Features of the Rainy Season in Vietnam

Vietnam's rainy season is generally from May to October, but the time in the north, central, and south of Vietnam is also slightly different due to geographical factors.

Northern Vietnam: The rainy season of northern Vietnam is from May to October. Rainfall is at its highest from June to August. Maximum temperatures during the day are between 25°C and 33°C, and excessive humidity makes it seem more hotter.

Central Vietnam: The rainy season here comes later, usually from September to December. The wettest months, October and November, are also when typhoons are most likely. The average temperature is 20°C.

Southern Vietnam: The rainy season in the southern region is between May and November. Thunderstorms in the afternoon are common but usually pass quickly. Temperatures are warm throughout the year, with an average of 30°C.

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Rainy Season Features in Main Places of Northern Vietnam

In Northern Vietnam, cities like Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh, and Ha Giang showcase unique characteristics during the rainy season:

• Hanoi: The capital of Vietnam, usually has rain showers from a few minutes to several hours in the day. Still, mornings often start clear until clouds move in later.
• Halong Bay: Rain may make it difficult to see on a cruise. But gloomy weather lends the limestone islands in the bay a mysterious quality.
• Sapa: With the terraced rice fields in Vietnam, Sapa is magnificent at this time. Although the terrain is breathtakingly gorgeous, trekking may be muddy and treacherous.
• Ninh Binh: This region is covered in greenery during the rainy months. However, because low-lying places may be affected by flooding, visitors should exercise care.
• Ha Giang: Following rain, mists add to the alpine landscapes' splendor. Despite potential travel delays, this is a fantastic time for photography.

A rainy day in Halong Bay, shrouded in mist

Rainy Season Features in Main Places of Central Vietnam

Central Vietnam's rainy season presents distinct challenges and experiences:

• Da Nang: It starts to rain in this seaside city in October. Additionally, bright spells are frequent despite the occasional downpour.
• Hoi An: Famous for its ancient town and lantern-lit streets, Hoi An becomes even more enchanting under rain.
• Hue: Hue is home to many Vietnam’s ancient treasures, including the renowned Imperial City and many more, but it often experiences torrential rains that cause temporary closures.
• Nha Trang: Rain is unavoidable in this beach location, yet there are still plenty of sunny days interspersed with the rain.
• DaLat: This township, which is famous for its cool weather in Vietnam, is a haven for everyone to escape the sun's rays. Rain offers colder temperatures that are perfect for cozy inside activities.

Nha Trang Beach in the rainy season is covered by dark clouds

Rainy Season Features in Main Places of Southern Vietnam

Southern Vietnam's rainy season offers a different experience:

• Ho Chi Minh City: The city is known for its unexpected, intense downpours, which often occur in the afternoon. These storms are usually brief and localized, with dry, bright mornings.
• Mekong Delta: The delta region is also thriving due to its stunning, verdant surroundings. Even with the floods, there are still chances to take unusual Vietnam boat trips in submerged areas.
• Phu Quoc: While there is a lot of rain on the island, there is also some sunlight. If you don't mind weaving in the rain, this is a great time to lie on beaches.

Tourists taking a cruise on the Mekong River on a rainy day

Hue, Hoi An and Da Lat are the Hidden Charms of Vietnam in Rainy Season

These cities come alive during the rainy months:

• Hue: The location includes charming structures, and strolling through the streets during the rainy season lets you take in the breathtaking views.
• Hoi An: During the day, this city is vibrant and lively; at night, the streets are illuminated by multicolored lanterns in Vietnam that create a fairy-tale glow on the rain-soaked streets. A romantic stroll or a picture shoot would be perfect there.
• Dalat: Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” has a milder climate than southern Vietnam, which is pleasant for touring local cafés and flower gardens.

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What to Pack for a Rainy Season Trip to Vietnam?

Rain Gear:
You must bring rain gear when traveling during the rainy season in Vietnam. You can bring raincoats and umbrellas to block the rain in time when it rains.

Waterproof Clothing:
If you want to travel to Vietnam during the rainy season, it is recommended to bring waterproof clothing and shoes, which will make your trip safer.

Mosquito Repellent Products:
There are more mosquitoes in Vietnam’s rainy season, so you also need to bring mosquito repellent products to avoid mosquito bites and infectious diseases.

Sunscreen Items:
The temperature in Vietnam is relatively high in the rainy season, so you need to do a good job of sun protection, so you must bring sunscreen, sunscreen spray, hats, sunglasses, etc.

Tourists wearing raincoats on a boat ride during the rainy season

Tips for Avoiding the Rainy Season

Traveling in Vietnam’s rainy season is inconvenient, and there will be many uncertainties in your trip. If you want to avoid the rainy season and travel to Vietnam, you can plan your trip time to Vietnam between November and April, so that you can get a better travel experience.

A sunny street in Hoi An on a July afternoon

Local Advice for Making the Most of the Rainy Season

Pay attention to travel safety:
To travel in the rainy season of Vietnam, you should first pay attention to Vietnam travel safety tips. Try to avoid being outside on rainy days because many modes of transportation are affected by rain.

Do a good job of insect repellent and sun protection:
There are more mosquitoes in the rainy season of Vietnam, and the temperature is very high when the weather is sunny, so you need to do a good job of sun protection and mosquito protection, and carry sunscreen and mosquito repellent items, so that you can also keep your body healthy.

Pay attention to food hygiene:
When you go to Vietnam in the rainy season, you also need to pay attention to food hygiene, buy bottled water, go to larger restaurants to avoid gastrointestinal problems, and carry anti-inflammatory drugs.

Conclusion

You can travel to Vietnam in rainy season and experience different scenery here. When traveling to Vietnam during the rainy season, you must make preparations in advance so that you can travel with more peace of mind. Your Vietnam trip may be just as meaningful as it would be at any other time of year, if not more so!