Choosing the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City can be tricky regarding unique experiences in each season. Let's find out what period suits you the most!
When you decide to travel to any new destination, after doing some research on what you can enjoy there, you indeed 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 time to visit, regarding climate, holidays, and so on, 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.
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1. An overview of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Ho Chi Minh City, besides Hanoi, is another important Vietnamese cultural, economic, and political hub. It is referred to as the "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 will divide this article 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.
2. Dry Season in Ho Chi Minh City
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 agree that this dry period is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City for a reason. Ho Chi Minh city weather has three hottest months of the year, with average temperatures of 38°C, which 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, and 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 Ho Chi Minh 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, especially for the Tet period: Numerous stores and eateries will be closed, tickets will sell out immediately before it, and lodging will be significantly more expensive. However, aside from that, it is a fantastic and exciting time to travel to this city to experience the Ho Chi Minh City weather and observe how the Vietnamese celebrate the "Tet" holiday.
>> See more Top things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
3. Rainy season 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 even though the dry season is often thought to be the best time to travel to 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.
The rainy season is 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, Vietnam Reunification Day on April 30th, and International Labor Day on May 1st.
The rainy season is the low 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 travel costs are typically lower during this time, which is advantageous for travelers on a tight budget.
4. What is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
The dry season, which lasts from December to April, is unquestionably the most ideal 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. During this time of year, it doesn't rain severely all day long and every day. Before going out, you may need to check the weather forecast to plan for your day trip. 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 to experience the weather in Ho Chi Minh City! When you leave, don't forget to bring along an umbrella or a raincoat. I will not recommend high heels and long dresses for this season's tourist fashion. Instead, shorts and slippers/Crocs (it's magic!) are highly advised.
Talking about holidays, there will be more special days in the dry season than the 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 two days, people will stay inside the city, the traffic will be congested, and restaurants, stores, marketplaces, and shopping malls will all be crowded. Due to increased demand in both situations, tours and travel services to and from Ho Chi Minh City are more costly.
To wrap things up, it really depends on what you prefer 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?
If you need any further assistance, feel free to contact us via email: sm@izitour.com or WhatsApp: +84 382 536 266.
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Hello Lucie! You can consider visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about Vietnam's history and the role these tunnels played during the war. Another great day trip is to the Mekong Delta, where you can explore lush landscapes and experience life on the river. The Vung Tau beach offers a relaxing escape with coastline views, while Ba Den Mountain provides a hiking adventure with panoramic views. We DO HAVE some private and group day trips from Ho Chi Minh City that you can consider taking: Fantastic Ho Chi Minh City Private Tour Full Day / Private Cu Chi Tunnels Tour & Cao Dai Temple Excursion / Private Mekong day trip classic - Cai Be / Half-day The history of Cu Chi tunnels (Group Tour). For more tours and details, please contact us via email: sm@izitour.com or WhatsApp: +84 382 536 266 to receive the most suitable itineraries, best quotes and promotions.
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