A Travel Guide to Visit Vietnam in October

October is a highly recommended month for your trip to Vietnam with fairly cool weather throughout the country despite the seasonal changes in Central Vietnam. However, there will certainly be many questions appearing before your final decision. We are here for the most accurate and up-to-date answers; being Vietnamese locals, we will share with you our knowledge of Vietnam in October.

1. All information about climate, weather and temperature of Vietnam in October

1.1. North Vietnam

October is one of the best months to visit North Vietnam, these are really mild sunny and dry days, with high blue skies. With an average temperature of about 28°C, it is ideal to participate in several outdoor activities such as walking, kayaking, cycling or even swimming without getting too tired. In October, the rice fields in the Red River Delta area are changing color from deep green to golden. Along the way, you can see the different colors of the rice fields.

Rice field in Mai Chau

1.2. Mountainous North of Vietnam

The climate in the mountains in North Vietnam is very pleasant. At this time, in the Western provinces, the sky is very beautiful and you can enjoy the very beautiful view of the golden terrace rice fields. The weather is also perfect for trekking and cycling.

1.3. Central Vietnam

October is the month that marks the most obvious climate changes in Central Vietnam - from the dry period to the rainy season. This means that it will be changing from some very nice days with pleasant sun to bad ones with alternately heavy rains.

However, if we head southwards to Hoi An and Quy Nhon, the climate is better compared to the provinces to the North of the Hai Van Pass such as Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Binh.

Hai Van pass

1.4. South Vietnam

October is at the end of the rainy season in Vietnam so there are some very good elements for tourism. The frequency and duration of the rains are greatly reduced, but since we are still in the rainy season, the air remains fresh which lowers the strong heat so you can comfortably travel. In addition, after a rainy season, the water level on the rivers is still high; therefore, agricultural activities are very lively.

2. Travel costs to Vietnam and flow of tourists in October

The outstanding climate in the North and comfortable in the South of Vietnam, along with the more-than-favorable prices in the low period of tourism makes October a fairly good month for traveling to Vietnam. If you are on a beach holiday in Vietnam at the end of October to the beginning of November, when the weather does not vary much, you can save about 5-10% of the price of 4-5 star hotels. It's nice to know, isn't it!

In this period, the number of domestic tourists is lowered, while, according to the report in recent years, there is a growing trend of international tourists visiting Vietnam in October; although, it is not as high as other months in the peak season. So if you want a trip not too touristy, you won’t find yourself surrounded by tourists in the most famous attractions during October. Moreover, given the flow of tourists is not very high, we can save on the costs of international and domestic flights. Then October is definitely not a bad idea.

Check in counter in Van Don airport

3. Things to see in Vietnam in October

As expected, although the weather in the Center of Vietnam is not so favorable, the North and South of Vietnam is much more pleasant so we should pay more attention to these regions.

3.1. Places to visit in Vietnam in October

Hanoi

Autumn in the land of the capital has an alluring beauty: street vendors’ bicycles full of flowers in many streets, lively sidewalks carrying a simple but extremely vivid image of urban life. Apart from famous sights such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Cathedral, 36 streets, West Lake, etc. Hanoi is also known for its unique culinary culture; Hanoi's delicious dishes that visitors fall in love with including traditional Pho with beef, Bun Cha-vermicelli with roasted pork, Banh Cuon - steamed rice cakes, Com - premature rice… Don't leave the city without trying some of these specilaties.

Bicycle is full of flowers

Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay

Many tourists prefer to visit the bays of the Gulf of Tonkin in the summer from May to July because of the opportunities to dive into the clear and warm water, enjoying the sunrise and sunset among the limestone islands and islets. But autumn is also an interesting time to visit this wonder and its attractions, taste its delicious seafood, and participate in various beach activities…

>> See more: Top-rated Halong Bay Private Cruise - Small Charter Boat 2023

Ba Be

Favored by nature, Ba Be Lake has a cool climate, with a harmony between rivers and mountains and visitors can come here in any season of the year. The autumn days of October are an interesting time to explore Ba Be Lake. During this time, the lake bears a mysterious beauty and is hidden in the fog. Arriving in Ba Be, you can visit many famous places such as Puong Cave, Hua Ma Cave, Dau Dang Waterfall or Fairy Pond.

Ba Be lake

Mai Chau

Mai Chau is one of the most attractive October tourist destinations in the North-Western region. It doesn’t only conquer tourists by its mountainous landscape, but also impresses them with the hospitality and warmth of the people. Coming to Mai Chau in October, you will discover many beautiful destinations such as: Thung Khe Pass, Lac village, Pom Coong village, Kia Cave, Pa Co... and you will be able to take pleasant bike rides through the golden rice fields.

Pu Luong

In recent years, Pu Luong has been a very popular destination for travel lovers because of the fascinating and wild landscapes. In Pu Luong, we can admire the tranquility of the houses on stilts between the terraces of rice and water wheels, like a completely opposite world compared to urban life. October is the time when Pu Luong enters the harvesting rice season, all the terraced fields on the hill will turn bright gold. We highly recommend it.

Pu Luong field in October

Ha Giang

The next northern tourist destination on October's list is Ha Giang. There are many breath-taking photography spots when you get to Ha Giang, such as: Thien Huong village, Quan Ba, Lo Lo ethnic village, Dong Van plateau, Ma Pi Leng pass - “Happiness road”... In the last months of the year such as October, November and December, this is the season of gorgeous buckwheat flowers and mustard flower fields.

Girls with mustard flowers

Mu Cang Chai

The period from September to October is the golden season of Mu Cang Chai, which attracts many photographers and tourists to see the “colorful paintings” of the rice terraces. With the gentle autumn sun, the fields are to be seen as a painting of golden rice fields among mountains and forests.

La Pan Tan

An Giang

October is the perfect time to visit the Tra Su melaleuca forest, the Cam and the Sam mountains while tasting the Chau Doc cuisine. The Melaleuca Forest is about 30 km from the center of Chau Doc. In the central area, with the rowing boat, you will cruise in silence to enter the "house" of birds and storks. 

Tra Su forest   

Ben Tre

Ben Tre is an island in between the four rivers of Tien, Ham Luong, Ba Lai and Co Chien in the southwest of Vietnam. The soil is very soft and fertile, suitable for growing many types of fruit trees, the most famous of which is coconut. Ben Tre is also famous for a system of small canals by means of water palm trees. 

Coconut trees in Ben Tre

3.2. Beaches in Vietnam in October

Mui Ne

October is the returning month of the tourist season to Mui Ne when the weather is very mild, sunny and cool, very suitable for tourists to plan swimming and visit the tourist attractions of Mui Ne.

Bai Rang beach in October

Phu Quoc

If your beach holiday starts at the end of October, then Phu Quoc is a very nice choice with pleasant weather and less rain. There are so many activities you can do in Phu Quoc beyond spending time at the beach, such as visiting the night market, visiting the island or going to the sea and squid-fishing in one of those round boats.

Phu Quoc beach

4. Vietnam holidays in October 2024

Travelling to Vietnam in October, you may meet some of the most interesting festivals and holidays held annually.

Donta's Festival (Ancestor’s Day) (An Giang)

The Donta festival is the largest traditional festival of the year for the Khmer people, also known as the ancestor memorial ceremony that takes place from 29/08 to 1/9 of the lunar calendar (from 13 to 15 October 2023). The most important part is the bull run held in the Bay Nui area of An Giang province.

Capital Liberation Day - Hanoi

On October 10, 1954, the People's Army of Vietnam liberated the capital from the ruling of the colonial empires. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of our nation against foreign invaders. Since then, October 10 has been considered the Liberation Day of the Capital to celebrate this glorious victory.

Vietnamese Women's Day - October 20

5. Recommended itineraries for the trip to Vietnam in October

With the climatic advantages in the North and South of Vietnam, we can certainly take advantage of the time of our trip to these areas

>> Detailed itinerary: Explore Mekong and Red River Delta | Vietnam Classic Tour - 10 Days

Certainly, we can include a few days at sea in the program. In this case, we recommend Phu Quoc or Mui Ne. To go to Phu Quoc, we can combine with the Mekong Delta and Can Tho tour, then, take a flight or speed boat to Phu Quoc. On the other hand, we can safely depart from Saigon by bus or private car to go to Mui Ne.

>> See details: Mekong & Phu Quoc Beach | Most popular package - 08 Days

If you want to use all your travel time dedicated to just one area, the North is an ideal place for you with many options and routes to combine. Here, we will give you the opportunity to see a selection of itineraries for the North that includes all the most beautiful provinces/cities: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Pu Luong, Mu Cang Chai, Sapa - Bac Ha, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Ba Be, Halong Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay

>> See suggestions: Northern Vietnam Itineraries

With our sharing of the climate, tourist situation along with the best itineraries of Vietnam in October, we hope that you will choose a program that best suits your desire. You can also contact us to have personalized programs, privately for you.