Visiting Vietnam in AprilDecember

North Vietnam

In northern Vietnam, it’s one of the driest months of the year, although temperatures do start to drop at night, so be prepared for chilly mornings and evenings out in the hills – Hanoi is pleasantly warm at around 22C. You’ll need to wrap up warm if you take on the Ha Giang loop or head out into the mountains at Sapa, Pan Hou and Mai Hich, although a visit is well worth it. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to getting outdoors this month, including the remote hill villages at Mu Cang Chai and the rice fields of Pu Luong and Ninh Binh. It’s a fantastic time to see the karst mountains from the water too, including a cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay and Halong Bay, or a visit to Ba Be National Park.

Central Vietnam

It can be cool in the Central Highlands as well, but the dry sunny days make it a great option for exploring around Dalat and Lak Lake. There’s still a chance of storms in the rest of the centre, especially in Hue, although conditions improve throughout the month, and you’ll see Christmas celebrations starting early in towns like Hoi An.

Beaches

Beach season is well underway in the south with sun, sun and more sun along the coast, low humidity, and temperatures hovering around 26C – the perfect time to relax at Phu Quoc, Con Dao or Mui Ne. Towards the end of the month, Nha Trang, at the southern edge of central Vietnam, is a good option once more. The drier, less humid weather is good for exploring Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the Mekong Delta – including a Mekong river cruise – and spotting the wildlife of the Cat Tien National Park.

Festivals: The Ooc Om Bok festival takes place in early December (or late November), celebrated by the Khmer people living around the Mekong Delta, in particular in Vietnam’s Soc Trang province. The highlight is a boat race, although you’ll find singing, dancing, feasting and thanks to the moon god for the year’s harvest.

While Vietnam isn’t a Christian country, Christmas is celebrated enthusiastically in the cities, and you’ll also see firework displays on New Year’s Eve.

Best for: Trekking and hiking in northern Vietnam, Central Highlands, cruising in the bays, southern Vietnam beaches, Mekong cruise, Ho Chi Minh city