Visiting Vietnam in April

North Vietnam

If you’re looking for cooler days, northern Vietnam has some of its warmest weather too, plus the area also sees the beginning of the rainy season this month – you can expect late afternoon downpours and thunderstorms as the weeks go on, but you’ll still have some of the best conditions for walking until October. Sapa, Ha Giang and Mu Cang Chai are all still a good pick this month, and you can seize the chance to experience Vietnam’s fascinating mix of cultures first-hand before the wettest weather arrives – spend the night in a Hmong homestay or head into hill country at Mai Chau to meet the White Thai Tribe.

Or cycle and walk among the rice valleys at Pu Luong and Ninh Binh, as well as exploring by bike and kayak in the Ba Be National Park, while the warmer weather makes a cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay even more enjoyable. Hanoi itself is still relatively dry this month too.

Central Vietnam

The beaches in Central Vietnam are at their best, escaping most of the increasingly wet weather to north and south – head to Nha Trang or Palm Island for a laid-back escape, while Hoi An beach and Phu Loc near Hue are good for combining with time in the towns. Peak season crowds are also leaving, so you’ll find you won’t have to share the main sites in Hoi An, Hue and Halong Bay with as many others. There’s also good weather in the Central Highlands, at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Lak Lake and Dalat.

Festivals: The Hung Festival is a national holiday, commemorating the birth of the first kings of Vietnam, on the 8th to the 11th day of the third lunar month, with processions and ceremonies at the Hung Temple in Phu Tho province.

The Hue Festival takes place every two years, usually in April (sometimes May/June) focused on traditions and culture, with a string of events in the city.

Reunification Day is also celebrated on April 30 (or on the following weekday) with a public holiday, marking the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of the country after the conflict.

Best for: Central Vietnam beaches, trekking and hiking, getting outdoors, escaping the crowds.