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Best Time of Year to Visit VietnamExplore > Travel Planning Articles > Best Time of Year to Visit VietnamDate published: 2023-05-07
 Rice paddies near Sapa, northern Vietnam, photo courtesy Angela Hogan.
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IntroductionVietnam has had a tumultuous background, with many different governments from imperial Chinese rule, to independent dynasties, to French Colonial rule then the brutality of the Vietnamese War until 1975 decided the victory of communist governance. Yet, Vietnam has really transformed into the ultimate destination. It has the best of both worlds with a relaxing lush countryside and dynamic cities to rival anywhere else in the world. You won't find any animosity towards Americans, whether you're in the north or the south. It feels like they see what we would call the Vietnam War as their own war between the North and the South, and Americans were just there helping one of the sides.  Fishing boats in the harbor, Danang, Vietnam, photo courtesy Michael Cottam.
The Nam Hai 5 nights from 3,375 per person  Resort guests and residence owners at this award winning property enjoy impeccable service amid lush landscaping and unobstructed views of the sea. The unique and gracious culture of Central Vietnam combines with The Nam Hai's unprecedented splendor to deliver one of the world's foremost luxury experiences. The Nam Hai looks after our guests beginning well in advance of your arrival, by facilitating all aspects of the visa process then welcomes you to treat our seaside retreat as your own home. Some memorable differences would include the Nam Hai's talented Concierge Team, on call around the clock to arrange private tours and excursions around our charm filled neighbouring World Heritage Site of Hoi An, off shore island jaunts and historic tours to My Son, Hue and the mysterious Marble Mountains. 60 one-bedroom villas and 40 pool villas spread over 35 hectares of tropical gardens and along the pristine shoreline of Ha My Beach. Top-notch butlers assigned to each pool villa ensure all guests receive unsurpassed hospitality with expectations exceeded. Sought after contemporary Vietnamese artwork hangs in high ceilinged living spaces among delicate, hand spun silks and polished local woods. In all our villas, whether one, two or five bedrooms in total, each bedroom pavilion centres around an elevated platform inspired by traditional Vietnamese garden houses encompasses the king-sized bed, a sunken writing desk, padded divan and our unique lacquered eggshell bath. In each, the lavish bathroom opens out onto a private tropical garden with an outdoor rain shower. Pool villas add a private courtyard entrance leading to the temperature controlled swimming pool that makes plunging possible anytime of year, and beyond that a separate fully equipped kitchen and your butler's quarters. Open kitchen or the endless horizon? Soak up both and more sensory pleasures among The Nam Hai's three unique dining venues. Cool mornings call for Eastern and Western breakfast favourites on the outdoor deck of The Restaurant. Come back in the evening for fusion fare in the sleek lowlit dining room. Refuel midday with comfort foods and the day's freshest catch at The Beach Restaurant, which transforms after nightfall with an extensive menu of Vietnamese delicacies. Before and after, The Bar makes a memorable impression as much for its serene setting high above the water gardens as its creative cocktails and live entertainment. Explore the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hoi An, My Son and Hue with its Buddhist pagodas, royal tombs and historic citadels. Return to our calm, tropical shore on Ha My Beach to relax around three expansive swimming pools, in the spa on a lotus pond, over gourmet Eastern and Western cuisine or in the privacy of one of our 100 private retreats, elegantly finished with Vietnamese lacquer and diaphanous silk, some of which are served by a most attentive butler. Weather in VietnamThe weather in Vietnam is very dependent on the region, as the southern coast may be very warm while the northern region is freezing. The best time to visit Vietnam really depends on the destination. In Northern Vietnam (Hanoi and beyond), most people prefer November to April when it is dry and cool in the low 60-70's Fahrenheit. Central Vietnam can be very hot and rainy so spring and autumn are the best times to go before temperatures frequent the mid 90's and there is constant rainfall. Azerai La Residence, Hue 5 nights from 910 per person  Set on a two and a half-hectare site with 200 metres of frontage on the fabled Perfume River, Azerai La Residence, Hue has 122 rooms & suites. The colonial mansion at the heart of the resort was built in 1930s as part of the residence of the French Resident Superieure. Learn more about Azerai La Residence, Hue Riverfront hotel in Hue City Centre with spa and outdoor pool 
Summer thunderstorm on the Mekong Delta, southern Vietnam, photo courtesy Michael Cottam.
In southern Vietnam, the climate is split into a wet (May-November) and dry season (October-April). The temperature usually remains in the 77-95F year round. Also relevant: the rains tend to be intense but short, making travel possible in the wet season if one does not mind short afternoon rainstorms. Park Hyatt Saigon 5 nights from 2,045 per person  Enjoy an extensive range of guest services at Park Hyatt Saigon. Our Ho Chi Minh 5-star hotel in District 1 is dedicated to providing world-class service for our business and leisure guests. Along with beautifully appointed guestrooms, the exquisite Xuan Spa, and the warm hospitality of our multilingual staff, guests of our Saigon 5-star hotel can enjoy complimentary butler service, high-speed Internet access, and our Mercedes Limousine Service, an especially attractive perk in a city known for its bustling streets.Additional thoughtful touches such as shoe shining services, a 24-hour Business Centre and round-the-clock in-room dining will lend a further measure of comfort to your stay in Ho Chi Minh. Take pleasure in an exceptional range of leisure activities at Park Hyatt Saigon. Our luxury spa hotel in Saigon offers 5-star amenities, including our exquisite Xuan Spa, a refreshing 20-metre outdoor swimming pool and deck, indoor whirlpool, steam room and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. Take a soothing dip, enjoy a workout, or pamper yourself with a rejuvenating massage or body treatment in our Ho Chi Minh spa. Care to sample a little local flavour? Try a cooking class, where you can socialize with fellow guests while learning the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine from skilled Hyatt culinary specialists. If you're feeling adventurous, our signature Hyatt Concierge is at your service, whether you wish to tour Saigon in our luxury S-Class Mercedes, play a round of golf in Ho Chi Minh City, visit the Cu Chi tunnel or do a little shopping on Dong Khoi Street. Whether you're visiting Saigon on business or holiday, the award-winning staff at our District 1 hotel is dedicated to delivering an extraordinary travel experience.  Imperial City, Hue, Vietnam, Vietnam, photo courtesy Michael Cottam.
Things to See and DoVietnam has gorgeous natural landscapes to enjoy for the outdoor adventurer. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is a UNESCO heritage site in central Vietnam, and is renowned for large caves and limestone grottos, including the the largest known cave in the world.  Sapa village square, northern Vietnam, from Hotel le Coupole, photo courtesy Michael Cottam.
In the northwestern corner of the country, you'll find the charming town of Sapa, with incredible views, rice paddies, markets, and great hiking. Unlike Thailand (where people drive on the left side of the road), in Vietnam you'll drive on the right hand side of the road. If you plan to rent a car or motorcycle, and you're American, you won't have to make a mental adjustment--if you're from Australia, New Zealand, or the UK you'll probably find that you adapt pretty quickly. Having said that, traffic in Hanoi and in Saigon is insane by North American standards. There's no such thing as a left turn lane--oncoming traffic that wants to turn left simply weaves in between the oncoming traffic. And, 90% or more of the vehicles on the road (and on the sidewalk, by the way!) are scooters.  Thien Duong Cave, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam, photo courtesy Tinker & Rove on Flickr.
Ecotourism tours, extreme rock climbing, and hiking are all tourist activities offered by the park.  Halong Bay, Vietnam, from Heritage cruise ship Binh Chuan, photo courtesy Michael Cottam.
Another UNESCO heritage site to visit in northern Vietnam is Halong Bay. It is a beautiful place to rent a kayak or junk boat to explore the over 700 islets and limestone cliffs. A fabulous way to explore Halong Bay is by luxury small cruise ship. Most of these boats have only 15-20 staterooms, with restaurants onboard, some with a pool, spa, cooking classes, etc. These boats will work their way through the bay's some 1,600 islands, stopping for kayaking, exploring caves, or visiting Viet Hai Village on one of the only occupied islands. To compare all resorts in Vietnam, click here. Typical airfares from LAX to Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamAirfares vary by season, but also day of week, and are definitely affected by holidays.
The chart above shows the typical average fares for a economy class ticket from Los Angeles (LAX) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), by month.
 Market, Hoi An, photo courtesy Michael Cottam.
CultureOne of the top places to visit in Vietnam is Hoi An, a well-preserved 15th century port city still inhabited today.
It has lovely architecture and four museums to explore the history of the region.
It is also a great place to explore regional cuisine while enjoying the vista of the canals or the Thu Bon River.
Vietnam also has huge ultra modern cities--the largest are Hanoi in the North, and Ho Chi Minh City (sometimes called Saigon) in the South.
Outdoor dining in the old quarter of Hanoi, photo courtesy Michael Cottam.
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and sometimes called Paris of the East with its picturesque tree-lined roads and colonial architecture. Hanoi is also known for its many shopping centers, and as a foodie destination, with many traditional Vietnamese dishes believed to have originated in Hanoi, perhaps most famously Pho. Capella Hanoi 5 nights from 2,330 per person  Nestled on a peaceful boulevard along Hoàn Kim Lake, the art nouveau masterpiece is an ode to the opera artists, designers and composers. Uncover unexpected moments of delightful retrospection in this palace of artistry highlighted by resplendent suites, enthralling dining experiences and the award-winning Auriga Spa.  Vinh Trang Pagoda, near Mỹ Tho city, southern Vietnam, photo courtesy Michael Cottam.
Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam with many amusements for tourists. It is well known for hundreds of cinemas and theaters, museums, art, football clubs among other activities. 
Water temperature and SCUBA diving in VietnamYou can dive year-round in Vietnam, but the primary diving season is March through October for the southwest coast (before the monsoon season), or November through March for Phu Quoc Island and the Con Dao archipelago. Water temperature is typically around 82F. It's a relatively new destination for divers, but it's growing in popularity with both new and seasoned divers. Undersea life you might see includes black frogfish, sting rays, eagle rays, manta rays, bamboo sharks, barracuda, and dugongs. For a list of the top dive sites in Vietnam, check out PADI's page. How we work with you to plan the perfect trip:
Map of our favorite resorts in Vietnam |
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