When you decide to travel to any new destination, after doing some research on what you can enjoy there, you surely have this question in your mind: In what time/season should I kick off? Well, there is no doubt Ho Chi Minh City is a worth-experiencing city for tourists with millions of leisure activities but getting to know the timing to visit regarding climate, holidays,... is also important. You want to find out the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City that suits your liking? Read on until the end of this article.
Ho Chi Minh City, beside Hanoi, is another important Vietnamese cultural, economic, and political hub. It is referred to as a "Pearl of the Orient" and has numerous traditional old structures with contemporary, lively, and highly young beauty. Ho Chi Minh City has an equatorial climate, which means that the temperature is generally high and consistent throughout the year. The monthly average for sunlight varies from 160 to 270 hours, while the monthly average for air humidity is 79.5%. To discover the best time of the year to visit Ho Chi Minh City, I divide based on two seasons that exist in this tropical region: dry versus rainy season - a result of its location in the South East and proximity to the Mekong Delta.
The dry season, which runs from December to April, is noted for being the warmest. During this time, temperatures can drop as low as 17°C (62°F) in the mornings before rising to an average of 24–26°C (75–78°F) in the afternoons and nights.
In December, the humidity is moderate, and from January through April, the humidity starts to decline. Many people agreed that this dry period is the best time of year to visit Ho Chi Minh City for a reason. The three hottest months of the year, with average temperatures of 38°C, are March, April, and May. However, the low humidity, excellent morning temperatures, and chilly, breezy evenings make it much more refreshing at this time of year. And of course, air conditioners are always normally available in hotels, cars, malls in case you need to swipe off the heat. December is the coolest month, with lows of 16°C in the morning and moderate weather. There is minimal cloud cover in the evening, giving visitors a sensation of coolness.
If you visit this city in the dry season, you will have a chance to experience significant festivals and public holidays that fall throughout the months of December, January, and February such as Christmas, New Year's, and the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (also locally known as Tet Holiday). With the abundance of dazzling lights and holiday decorations, the bustling metropolis will look even more lovely at this time.
Additional small note for specially Tet period: Numerous stores and eateries will be closed, tickets will sell out immediately before it, and lodging will be significantly more expensive. But aside from that, it is a fantastic and exciting time to travel to Ho Chi Minh City and observe how the Vietnamese celebrate the "Tet" holiday.
>> See more Top things to do in Ho Chi Minh city
While it's hot and dry in the North from May to November, it's humid and rainy a lot in the South. The rainy season still provides benefits despite the fact that the dry season is often thought to be the ideal time to visit Ho Chi Minh City. It will have a few short rains that end as soon as they begin, more sun will be available, everything will have been somewhat cleaned up, and it will chill down.
Rainy season means highly humid and wet from May to November. For visitors who want to enjoy Vietnamese national holidays, there are a few days off during these months, including Vietnam National Day on September 2nd and Vietnam Reunification Day on April 30th.
The rainy season is the off-season, notably from July to November, when locals choose to stay at home or work and teenagers are still at school. As a result, hotel and travelling costs are typically lower during this time, which is advantageous for travelers on a tight budget.
The dry season, which lasts from December to April, is unquestionably the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City. You don't stress about the rain delaying your travel. However, as it is in hot weather, bring along sun protection items, an umbrella, a hat, and/or a cap in your luggage. In Saigon, you will see many locals wear thin cotton jackets rather than bulky ones to avoid the sunlight. You can bring one also, or can easily buy it from the local clothing shop.
I’m telling you that doesn't mean it is bad to travel to Ho Chi Minh during the wet season. I, personally, love rain and prefer less crowds when I travel. During this time of year, it doesn't rain severely all day long and every day. Before going out, you may check the weather forecast to plan for your daytrip. In the late afternoon and evening, it generally rains so try to schedule outside activities early in the day. Later when it rains hard, you can stop by a local restaurant or cafe and enjoy some food and watch the rain, it is really a relaxing moment! Remember when you leave, get an umbrella or a raincoat ready with you. I don't recommend high heels and long dresses for this season's tourist fashion. Instead, shorts and slippers/Crocs (it's magic!) is highly advised.
Talking about holidays, there will be more special days in the dry season than rainy season: Christmas, New Year, Tet, Reunification Day… Depending on how many national days off for each, traffic on certain days can be heavy or light. Many residents of Ho Chi Minh City may depart for their hometown, which is mostly in the countryside, or go to other provinces in Vietnam or other nearby countries if the holiday is three days or longer. Some restaurants and attraction sites are closed (especially Tet). Air, bus, and train stations are all busy. If the holiday is shorter than 2 days, people will stay inside the city, the traffic is congested, restaurants, stores, marketplaces, and shopping malls are all crowded. Due to increased demand in both situations, tours and travel services to and from Ho Chi Minh City are more costly.
>> See more Ho Chi Minh city excursions
To wrap things up, it really depends on your preference to decide when the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is. Or maybe explore this magnificent city during both periods if you have the chance, why not?
