Best Time to Visit Vietnam and Laos Together

Vietnam and Laos in Indochina are diverse nations popular among travelers of all kinds. Nature enthusiasts, history buffs, backpackers, foodies, and explorers have a lot to discover in this part of Southeast Asia.

Traveling these nations may largely depend on weather conditions. In this article, we elaborate on when is the best time to visit Vietnam and Laos, either separately or combined.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam

Generally speaking, the best time to tour Vietnam is during winter and most of the spring. However, this period varies from one region to another because of the north-south orientation of the country.

Take Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, in the north and Nha Trang, a seaside destination in the south, as examples. Regarding weather conditions, visiting Hanoi is OK by the end of the year.

On the other hand, being in Nha Trang during this period is anything but that if you aren't a big fan of rain.

When to go to northern Vietnam?

To enjoy the best weather in northern regions of the republic (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay), travel there between February and May. In the Vietnamese capital and at the seaside, air temperatures are comfortable, and precipitation is low.

The sea temperatures in Halong Bay are pleasant for activities in the water.

The best weather in northern Vietnam like Halong Bay is between February to May.

Around Hanoi, the overall amount of rainfall is around 350mm/14in from late winter to late spring. That is approximately 20% of the annual rainfall in this part of Vietnam. As for average temperatures, these mostly remain between 20°C/68°F and 30°C/86°F during this period.

In Sapa Region, which abounds with scenic spots, temperatures are lower than in Hanoi. However, daily averages are just right for outdoor activities, neither too warm nor too cold. Have a raincoat at hand, though, since Sa Pa typically features a higher rainfall than the capital city this time of year.

Visiting Central Regions

Da Nang in the north and Nha Trang in the south are some top tourist destinations of Central Vietnam. As you advance south, the best time for a trip extends, encompassing more months.

From the climate standpoint, enjoying the seaside around Da Nang is best from February to May. Average air temperatures are comfortably above 20°C/68°F, and the rainfall is low, below 150mm/6in for the entire period. The sea is warmer than in Halong Bay.

The best time to tour Da Nang in central Vietnam is from February to May.

Qui Nhon, in the central part of the region, and Nha Trang feature a similar climate throughout the year. To benefit from favorable weather, plan your visit to these seaside cities from January to August.

It rains a few days per month this time of year in Nha Trang and Qui Nhon. Air temperatures fluctuate between 20°C/68°F and 30°C/86°F until April, increasing to 35°C/95°F during the rest of the interval.

Note that the best time to visit inland areas of Central Vietnam, to the border with Laos, is from January to April. Temperatures are usually comfortable and precipitation low during this time.

When is the weather best in south Vietnam?

Around Ho Chi Minh City (ex-Saigon) and the Mekong Delta, air temperatures vary from 20°C/68°F and 35°C/95°F year-round. These tend to be a little higher in the first half of the year, but not much.

Precipitation is the lowest from December to April, though, which makes the winter and early spring best times to visit South Vietnam.

Best Time to Visit Laos

Unlike Vietnam, Laos typically features a similar climate countrywide. For pleasant and predictable weather, arrange your Lao tour anywhere between November and April. If nothing but the best is good enough for you, visit Laos between December and February.

For pleasant and predictable weather, visit Laos Luang Prabang between December to February.

In Luang Prabang, the Heart of Laos, air temperatures vary roughly from 15°C/59°F to 30°C/86°F during winter. In November and spring, daily averages increase up to 35°C/95°F. Between December and February, rainfall is negligible, being very low the rest of the interval.

We can say virtually the same for Vientiane, the Laotian capital city. The only difference considering weather conditions is a little higher average daily temperature. In Luang Prabang in the north, average lows tend to drop below 15°C/59°F, while they typically remain a bit over in Vientiane.

In southern Laos, the lows are even higher, remaining just below 20°C/68°F in December and January. During November, February, March, and April, they fluctuate between 20°C/68°F and 25°C/77°F. Typically, maximum air temperatures increase to 35°C/95°F.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam and Laos Together

Dry and wet seasons are the main factors in deciding when the best time for a Indochina tour is. With everything putting together, you should plan your combined trip to Laos and Vietnam between December and February. In some cases, the period from February to May can be equally good, if not better.

December to February

To enjoy good weather in both republics, plan your Indochina trip between December and February. Laos benefits from the ideal climate during this time. Air temperatures are warm, even hot, while precipitation is insignificant.

Laos Vientiane in December offers blue sky and dry weather.

In Vietnam, you will have different weather conditions depending on the region you are visiting. It will be comfortable, even chilly, in the north, while you would look for a refreshment in the south. Nonetheless, the month of February is generally the best time of year to be anywhere in Vietnam.

February to May

Do you intend to spend less time in eco-friendly Laos and more time in scenic Vietnam? If yes, start your Southeast Asian tour in February in Laos and continue to its eastern neighbor afterward.

Travelers enjoy decent weather in Lao People's Democratic Republic during spring, albeit air temperatures and rainfall are on the rise. As for Vietnamese destinations in the north (Hanoi and Sapa), this time of year is best for tripping.

Spring is excellent for visiting central regions of the easternmost mainland nation of Indochina. To avoid high rainfall while vacationing around the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City in the south, conclude your visit in April.

How to Plan a Combined Tour to Vietnam and Laos?

For the classic tour of Vietnam and Laos , you should plan at least two weeks. During this time, you will visit the top tourist destinations of both countries and some surprising sites.

The suggested itinerary takes you from the warm south of Vietnam to more temperate regions to the north. Upon concluding your visit to Hanoi and Halong Bay, the route takes you to Laos. There, you won't need to adapt to weather conditions, which are quite similar to northern Vietnam.

No tour of the socialist republic is complete without a visit to the Mekong River Delta, ex-Saigon, Hoi An, Hue, Halong Bay, and Hanoi. When you get to the democratic republic, Vientiane, its capital, and Luang Prabang are major stops of any trip to this eco-friendly paradise.

Summary

Many holidaymakers decide to pay a visit to these nations of Southeast Asia during some other time of the year. Lower prices and fewer vacationers are obvious benefits they enjoy. Furthermore, the countryside is at its best due to high precipitation, making for exceptional photo opportunities.

Before you decide to follow their example, note that the rain tends to prolong travel times and cause delays and floods. Moreover, it tends to cause cancellations of boat tours along the Vietnamese coastline.

So, if a Halong Bay cruise is among the main goals of your trip to Indochina, consider organizing your trip during the dry season. That is if you don't plan to stay longer than a few days in or around Hanoi.