The best time to visit Southeast Asia is between November and April, when the weather is settled and the humidity is manageable. This is when you should enjoy blue skies over the beaches of Thailand and Malaysia, and perfect conditions for exploring Vietnam.
Southeast Asia is a big region, with different climate patterns according to where you are. Singapore, for example, has an equatorial climate with two monsoon seasons, while Thailand and Vietnam, which are further north, have a tropical climate.
Bali, which also has a tropical climate and lies very close to the equator, enjoys a dry season through the summer months, from April to October, in contrast to the rest of the region, with its monsoon season coming between November and March.
Essentially, you can visit Southeast Asia at any time of year; when to go depends on the region you want to explore and what you want to do there.
Visiting Southeast Asia by Season
Summer
Bali, Indonesia
June, July, and August is the rainy season in much of Southeast Asia. Monsoon rains relieve the humidity, and average temperatures are in the 80s. In Singapore, expect the mercury in July and August to hover around 83°F (28.4°C). Late afternoons tend to bring thundery showers, which clear the air a little.
In Indonesia, the weather is different. Summer is considered the dry season in Bali and possibly the best time to travel there. August is the driest month, with just 0.6 inches (16mm) of rain. For this reason, Bali is a popular destination with North Americans and Europeans, who take their main summer vacation in July and August.
Fall
September and October continue to see rain in much of Southeast Asia. November, however, is a good time to visit as the rainy season is ending, to be replaced by more settled weather. Better still, the crowds of the winter high season are yet to arrive.
There are regional variations in weather, of course. In Bangkok, September and October are still subject to heavy rain, while November is much drier, receiving just two inches (50mm) of rain on average, with temperatures averaging 84°F (28.9°C).
The west coast of Malaysia sees rainfall tailing off as fall progresses, with November in Langkawi basking in daily averages of 82.9°F (28.3°C) and toward the end of the month, clearer skies.
In contrast, September is one of the least rainy months in Singapore, with an average of 4.9 inches (125mm) of precipitation.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Winter
Winter is, on the whole, the best time to go to Southeast Asia. Although Singapore remains wet in December, other areas such as Thailand and Vietnam, which lie further north, are enjoying fine, dry weather. December, January, and February are the best months to visit Thailand and Vietnam for the beaches and for sightseeing, while by February, Singapore is enjoying drier weather.
December to February is also a good time to visit the west coast of Malaysia, with January the driest month of the year in Langkawi, which receives just one inch (25mm) of rain.
Either January or February is also the month of Chinese New Year, a time of great festivity throughout the region. And although Christmas is not widely celebrated as a religious holiday, it’s nonetheless a time of celebration.
Spring
March and April are still wonderful months to visit Southeast Asia, before the monsoon rains begin to set in from May. You will still be able to enjoy beach time in Phuket, Thailand, and Da Nang, Vietnam.
Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand
But as May approaches, the heat and humidity increase. In Bangkok, May is one of the hottest months of the year, with a daily average of 87.8°F (31°C) and frequent rain showers. Bali, in contrast, is by now entering its dry season.
When Is Rainy Season?
The rainy season in much of Southeast Asia is from May to October, when there are frequent heavy showers and high humidity. But Southeast Asia is a big region and the rains come at different times, depending on where you are. Singapore, for example, experiences the most rain between November and January, when the northwest monsoon arrives. December here is the wettest month of the year, with an average of 13.1 inches (332mm) of rainfall.
Bangkok, on the other hand, experiences the most rainfall in August, September, and October. When it’s raining in Singapore in December, Bangkok is experiencing one of the driest months of the year, with just 0.2 inches (6mm) of rain, as is Ho Chi Minh City.
Rainy season can be a beautiful time to travel, too. The countryside is green and lush and temples are slick with rain. There are fewer crowds, which makes sightseeing and photography more pleasant. If the humidity becomes too much, museums and malls always have efficient air conditioning.
When Is High Season?
Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand
Generally speaking, high season in Southeast Asia is the winter and spring months, from December to April, although there are regional variations. But for most areas, this time of year brings clear skies, long periods of sunshine, and lower humidity. This is the best time for sightseeing and enjoying the beaches of Southeast Asia.
Chinese New Year, or Tet in Vietnam, usually falls in January or February and extends for at least a week. The lunar new year falls on a different date every year, so check before you travel if you want to be part of the celebrations.
When Is Shoulder Season?
April is shoulder season in much of Southeast Asia, as the dry weather transitions into the intense humidity of the pre-monsoon season. November is another shoulder season month in destinations including Langkawi island and Ho Chi Minh City, with the monsoon rains decreasing and the more settled weather of winter being ushered in.
When Is Low Season?
Low season in much of Southeast Asia is the summer and fall months, from May to October, when the monsoons pass through. On the island of Bali, it’s the reverse, with low season falling between December and February. If you happen to be a surfer, however, the conditions in winter are ideal.
Read: Best Places to Visit in Southeast Asia
Singapore
Experience the colors and culture of the east on one of Celebrity’s cruises to Southeast Asia and discover this fascinating region in comfort and style.
