The Best Time to Visit Vietnam and Laos

Both Vietnam and Laos have tropical climates, except that North Vietnam is subtropical. Before traveling to the neighboring countries together, consider the suitable time will help you make the trip smoother.

The best time to visit Vietnam and Laos is from November to April, when the weather is pleasant and you can even catch festivals like Vietnamese New Year or Lao New Year. But if you don’t mind a little rain, the rainy season from May to October offers fewer crowds and lower costs.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best time to visit Vietnam and Laos, based on the weather, festivals, and your budget, and then you can start planning the perfect adventure!

November to April is the Best Time to Visit Vietnam and Laos

November to April is the best time to visit both Vietnam and Laos. During this time, the weather in both countries is comfortable, making hiking possible without worrying about extreme heat or rain.

North Vietnam is cold and dry at this season, making it ideal for touring Hanoi and Halong Bay; Central and South Vietnam are sunny and have little rain, making it a fantastic time to explore Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An. In general, November to April is the best time to visit Vietnam.

The dry season lasts from November to March is the best time to visit Laos, which is a little earlier than in South Vietnam. The two countries have similar climates. Most region of Laos has milder temperatures at this time of year than South Vietnam. December and January morning temperatures range from 21°C to 27°C, perfect for taking a boat tour of the Mekong River or trekking in Luang Prabang.

10 Days Classic Vietnam and Laos Highlights Tour

Saigon - Hoi An - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Luang Prabang

Sapa is great for trekking in the Vietnamese dry season.

Visit Vietnam and Laos during the Rainy Season is Cheaper

Although the dry season offers pleasant weather, it is also the most costly period to travel. If you want to visit Vietnam and Laos on a budget, consider going during the wet season, which runs from May to October.

In order to attract travelers, hotels and airlines slashed their rates by up to 40% during this time. Bus and boat companies were also able to offer tickets at a discount, making certain trip packages more reasonably priced. Simply bring waterproof shoes and a jacket!

Rainfall often peaks in August and September, although showers are typically brief and happen in the afternoon, giving you plenty of opportunity to enjoy outdoor sites in the clear mornings.

With its scenic landscapes, verdant vegetation, vibrant waterfalls like Laos’ Kuang Si Waterfalls, and mountains like Vietnam’s Ba Na Hills, the wet season in both countries is at its most stunning.

Additionally, fewer visitors will be present in well-known sites like the Mekong Delta or the Luang Prabang Night Market, enabling you to have a more relaxing and pleasurable holiday away from the masses. In the meantime, reservations for dining restaurants, cafés, spas, cruises, and adventure trips are simpler in Laos and Vietnam, and accommodation alternatives are more plentiful.

Kuang Si Waterfall in Laos looks even more lush and special during the rainy season.

Travel to Vietnam and Laos in February, April, September and November has Festival Surprise

To make your Vietnam tour and Laos tour even more memorable, schedule your trip around these wonderful occasions and festivals, and then you may see and perhaps take part in the many cultural festivities and activities.

Festival surprises in Vietnam and Laos in February

The most important festival in Vietnam is Tet, also known as Lunar New Year. It usually occurs in February and begins on New Year’s Eve and lasts for seven days. It is commemorated with colorful parades, family get-togethers, and large, traditional performances. Peach, kumquat, apricot, and other decorative tree decorations, dragon dances, and fireworks bring Vietnamese cities and villages to life.

On the full moon of the month of February, Laos celebrates Magha Puja, also called Boun Khao Chi, a significant Buddhist holiday. To gain virtue, monks and nuns walk around pagodas, participate in candlelight processions, visit temples, and people will give monks special sticky rice cakes.

Festival surprises in Vietnam and Laos in April

Cold Food Festival, also known as Tết Hàn Thực, is usually held on the third day of the fourth lunar month. Vietnamese families make floating rice dumplings (bánh trôi)and sweet mung bean-filled rice dumplings (bánh chay) to honor their ancestors during the festival.

The Lao New Year, or Boun Pi Mai, is a three-day celebration that is typically observed in Laos from April 14 to April 16. It includes the water festival, which has parades, ceremonies, and merit-making events. During the water festival, people engage in water-related activities to represent washing away bad luck.

Vietnam is celebrating their New Year with local customs.

Festival surprises in Vietnam and Laos in September

Every year on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, which is often in early September, Vietnam celebrates Tet Trung Thu, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival. Mooncakes, light processions, and lion dances are all part of this event, which honors the harvest and the beauty of the full moon.

The Boun Khao Salak, or Ancestor Festival, is celebrated in Laos in September. In honor of ancestors, monks are given baskets containing food and everyday essentials at the Boun Khao Salak. It also features dragon boat racing on the Nam Khan River, especially at Luang Prabang.

Festival surprises in Vietnam and Laos in November

Khmer Oc Bom Boc Festival is the festival of worshipping the moon on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, usually in early November. The highlight is the traditional ‘Ghe Ngo Racing’ in which multiple groups of people participate in the timber boat race, and apart from this, there are ethnic music and dance performances like every Vietnamese festival, exhibitions and workshops on agriculture.

Laos usually holds the Boun That Luang Festival at Pha That Luang in Vientiane in November of the lunar calendar. It is considered the most important Buddhist festival in Laos and lasts for three days and three nights, with monks and locals parading around the golden pagoda, offering candles and incense.

15 Days Essence of Vietnam and Laos Tour

Saigon - Vinh Long - Can Tho - Saigon - Danang - Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi - Vientiane - Luang Prabang

Laos celebrates New Year with local customs.

More Insider Tips for Vietnam and Laos Tours

Following our insider tips can help you plan a smooth and informative journey to Vietnam and Laos.

Plan ahead: It’s necessary to reserve hotels and flights at least three months in advance if you’re going between November and April.

Pack wisely: Vietnam and Laos have cold mornings and warm afternoons, so it will be beneficial to carry a jacket that is simple to put on and take off. Additionally, make sure to pack rain gear, a sun hat, and sunscreen.

Carry cash: It’s useful to have some cash on hand, for there aren’t many ATMs in remote locations. For Vietnam currency, the US dollar and Vietnamese dong are extensively used, but for Laos currency, the Kip is the currency of choice.

Try local food: The Pho, a well-known Vietnamese soup dish, and the laap, a Laotian minced meat salad, are two cheap and delicious must-try food dishes sold from street food stalls.

Local guides: When traveling across Vietnam and Laos, local guides explain the history of each attraction and point out hidden details. Here we provide reliable local travel services for Vietnam and Laos trips, focusing on providing private car travel that suits your budget and interests at the best local prices.

Luang Prabang's lively night market is well worth a visit.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, November to April is the best time to travel to Vietnam and Laos together, as the weather is pleasant and the sky is blue. However, if you want to save money, enjoy the lush scenery, and don’t mind getting wet, traveling to Vietnam and Laos during the rainy season from May to October will have many benefits, as long as you are well prepared!

Plan your trip with our guide to discover the ideal time to visit Vietnam and Laos, and then you will surely create an unforgettable trip! If you have any other questions or information you want to know, just contact us.