The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is during the dry season, between November and April. During this time, you can expect high temperatures, sunny days, and low humidity, making this the perfect weather in which to explore this thrilling, fast-paced metropolis.
Ho Chi Minh City, although not the capital of Vietnam, is the country’s most populous city and its commercial heart. It lies on the banks of the Saigon River in the south, close to the delta of the mighty Mekong.
This region has two marked seasons; the dry season, when there’s barely any rain, and the monsoon season, from May to October, which brings heavy rainfall and intense humidity. But even when it’s raining, there’s plenty about Ho Chi Minh City to captivate any visitor.
Visiting Ho Chi Minh City By Season
Summer
Reunification Palace
June, July, and August is the peak of the monsoon season in Ho Chi Minh City. Temperatures are fairly consistent throughout the year, with a daily average of 82.4°F (28°C) in July and August, but the humidity is what makes a difference. In July, for example, the city receives on average 11.6 inches (295mm) of rain over 23 days, with just six hours of sunshine daily.
For tourism, this is the low season. For locals, it’s a time to decamp to the beaches to escape the worst of the heat.
Fall
The rainy season continues into fall; September is actually the wettest month of the year, receiving on average 12.8 inches (325mm) of precipitation. But this tails off rapidly. By November, the city receives just 4.5 inches (115mm), with much lower humidity. You can still expect average daily temperatures of 82.4°F (28°C), with highs of 89.6°F (32°C).
Visitors begin to return to the city as the dry season approaches, especially for the Mid-Autumn Festival, a colorful and exuberant event that takes place in either September or October.
Winter
December, January, and February, the winter season, is the best time to go to Ho Chi Minh City. During this dry season, you can expect average daily temperatures of 80.6°F (27°C). Rainfall drops to practically nothing; February, the driest month of the year, receives just 0.1 inches (5mm) of rain.
Cu Chi Tunnels
The weather is conducive to exploring parts of the city on foot, or taking a day trip out to the Cu Chi Tunnels; low humidity is a bonus if you want to descend into the underground warren where the Viet Cong once hid out. In the countryside, the paddy fields are now a rich emerald green. The Lunar New Year, called Tet in Vietnam, is the biggest holiday of the year, so expect crowds and festivities in January or February, depending on when it falls.
Spring
March, April, and May sees the transition between the hot, dry season and the equally hot, rainy season. March and April are still good months to visit, provided you can cope with the increasingly intense heat. April is a shoulder season month, receiving on average 1.9 inches (50mm) of rain. By May, this has jumped to 8.6 inches (220mm), with daily temperatures of 86°F (30°C) and highs of 95°F (35°C).
April is an important month for the Vietnamese as it’s when the country was reunified in 1975 after the fall of Saigon. This event is celebrated with parades and special commemorative events, with a more somber air in the city as people remember that dark spell in Vietnam’s history.
When Is Rainy Season?
The monsoon season in Ho Chi Minh City lasts from May to October. This is a time of intense heat, high humidity, and heavy rain.
Rain usually falls as short, sharp showers in the late afternoon, which clears the air. It’s worth noting that while Ho Chi Minh City can experience typhoons, these are rarely destructive, as it lies inland from the coast.
If you are visiting during the rainy season, the city is packed with excellent museums in which to take shelter, among them the poignant War Remnants Museum, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum, and the Reunification Palace.
When Is High Season?
Ho Chi Minh City is always busy, but in terms of tourism, the busiest period is the dry season, from November to April. It’s much easier to explore during this time without becoming overwhelmed by the humidity.
Tet celebration in Ho Chi Minh City
There’s a peak in activity during Tet, Vietnam’s New Year holiday, which falls in either January or February and is a time of pageantry, religious rituals, special Vietnamese food, and visiting family and friends.
When Is Shoulder Season?
Shoulder season in Ho Chi Minh City is the months during which the seasons transition. April, before the heat and humidity of the monsoon season intensify, is still a good time to visit. November, when the rainfall and humidity begin to drop off, is another excellent month to make the most of the city’s sights.
When Is Low Season?
Low season in Ho Chi Minh City is the monsoon months, between May and October. Of course, there’s still a great deal to see and do, but if you do visit during monsoon season, you’ll need to prepare for wet weather, pace yourself in the heat, and make the most of some of the indoor activities on offer.
Ho Chi Minh City
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