Visiting Vietnam in March

South Vietnam

It’s getting hotter in the south too, with temperatures reaching around 30C in Con Dao and Mui Ne, although it’s slightly cooler (while still deliciously sunny) in Phu Quoc. If you’re planning some sight-seeing in Ho Chi Minh City, it’s even hotter this month, one of the warmest months of the year, although breezes on the Mekong Delta help a little with the heat here. Cat Tien National Park is hot too, although this is the driest month until December, so it’s worth making the most of the chance to see the wildlife, including golden-cheeked gibbons, bears and wildcats.

Central Vietnam

If you want some beach time without the high temperatures, Central Vietnam is a great bet this month. Temperatures are hovering between 25-28C in Hue, Hoi An and Danang and there are plenty of places to get outdoors – relax on the beach at Nha Trang, laid-back Palm Island, Hoi An beach and Phu Loc. Or discover a slice of Vietnam’s magical countryside at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the Central Highlands where you can spy caves, float down the river and eye up the oldest karst mountains in Asia, as well as Lak Lake and Dalat.

North Vietnam

Further north, this month sees some of the best conditions for hiking and trekking in the mountains. By this month, the temperature is around 20C in Sapa, ideal for wandering through the rice valleys here or at Mu Cang Chai. There’s wonderful walking in the mountains at Ha Giang, where you could spend the night in a Hmong homestay or learn more about life with the hill tribes at Mai Chau.

Find lakes and waterfalls in Ba Be National Park, rivers and rice paddies at Pu Luong and Ninh Binh, or drift between the limestone peaks at Bai Tu Long Bay, less famous than Halong Bay but quieter and with its own spectacular scenery. In Hanoi itself, it’s now pleasantly warm, at around 25C as you soak up the sounds, smells and sensory overload in this enticing city.

Festivals: Love coffee? This month sees the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival in Dak Lak province, with a festival in the Central Highlands around the middle of March. As part of the event to promote and celebrate the drink in Vietnam’s coffee capital, there are special tours to plantations and plenty of tastings.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, Ha Long Bay, Central and South Vietnam beaches, trekking and hiking, national parks