Year round Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam remains a popular tourist attraction, despite its hot, humid weather. The biggest differences in climate are notable during a dry and wet season, so choose your visit carefully.
Plan for heat and humidity in Vietnam’s largest city no matter when you visit. Though winter brings slightly cooler temperatures and relatively dry weather. It’s probably wisest to visit the south from late fall through the winter, however, travel to Ho Chi Minh is still very popular in the height of the summer months.
Climate Averages in Ho Chi Minh by Month
Hoi Chi Minh City is known for its more pleasant and stable temperatures compared to Northern Vietnam. The city features a tropical savanna climate typical of Southern Vietnam, characterized by year-round hot temperatures with two distinct seasons: the wet season (May to November) and the dry season (December to April).
Temperatures fluctuate very little throughout the year, ranging from as low as 72°F (22.2°C) in January and December to as high as 93°F (33.9°C) in April. Hoi Chi Minh City receives between 11.5 to 12.8 hours of daylight with intense sunshine throughout the year.
The average humidity is high in Hoi Chi Minh City, ranging from as low as 70% in February and March to as high as 85% in September. Hoi Chi Minh City receives an annual rainfall average of 1938 mm over approximately 156 rainfall days, 90% of which occurs during the city’s wet season.
| Temp | Prec | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 72-88°F (22.2-31.1°C) | 15.2mm (0.60 in) |
| Feb | 73-90°F (22.8-32.2°C) | 2.5 mm (0.10 in) |
| Mar | 76-92°F (24.4-33.3°C) | 10.2 mm (0.40 in) |
| Apr | 79-93°F (26.1-33.9°C) | 50.8 mm (2 in) |
| May | 79-92°F (26.1-33.3°C) | 213.4 mm (8.40 in) |
| Jun | 77-89°F (25-31.7°C) | 309.9 mm (12.20 in) |
| Jul | 77-89°F (25-31.7°C) | 294.6 mm (11.60 in) ) |
| Aug | 77-88°F (25-31.1°C) | 271.8 mm (10.70 in) |
| Sep | 76-88°F (24.4-31.1°C) | 343 mm (13.50 in) |
| Oct | 76-87°F (24.4-30.6°C) | 261.6 mm (10.30 in) |
| Nov | 74-87°F (23.3-30.6°C) | 119.4 mm (4.70 in) |
| Dec | 72-87°F (22.2-30.6°C) | 45.7 mm (1.80 in) |
Seasons in Ho Chi Minh
Unlike Hanoi’s weather, which may be too cold that it’s off-putting in the winter, Saigon remains hot. There isn’t a traditional four seasons here, as spring and fall aren’t very noticeable. It’s either hot and rainy, or slightly less hot and not rainy.
Wet season (May to November)
Hoi Chi Minh City’s wet season experiences hot temperatures, ranging from as low as 74°F (23.3°C) in November to as high as 92°F (33.3°C) in May. Combined with the city’s average 82% humidity, Hoi Chi Minh City receives a substantial amount of rainfall throughout the season. On average, this season welcomes approximately 1814 mm of rainfall, which represents about 90% of the rainfall received over the entire year. Street flooding and typhoons are common during this time, and tropical cyclones are frequent between June and October.
Hoi Chi Minh City has some of the longest days of the year during the wet season. On average, the city receives approximately 12.3 hours of daylight each day. Due to the rainy weather, however, this season also welcomes the least amount of sunshine, averaging only around 5.9 hours per day.
Dry season (December to April)
The dry season in Hoi Chi Minh City is far more comfortable and pleasant compared to the city’s wet season. In December, temperatures begin to slightly decrease to an average of 80°F (26.7 °C), which will increase to 81.5°F (27.5°C) in February and peak at 85°F (29.4°C) in April.
Thanks to the temperature decreases and the average 72% humidity, Hoi Chi Minh City only receives an average of 21.3 mm of rainfall throughout these months.
Although the dry season is partly cloudy, the city receives the most amount of direct sunlight during this time. On average, Hoi Chi Minh City receives approximately 8.2 hours of direct sunlight during the wet season, representing about 70% of the average 11.8 hour days.
Best Time to Visit Hoi Chi Minh
Although Hoi Chi Minh City is a renowned year-round vacation destination due to its pleasant temperatures, it is best to avoid the city during the wet season (May to November). Instead, the best time to visit Hoi Chi Minh City is during the dry season from December to April when temperatures are much drier and comfortable.
During this time, you can explore the city’s outdoor attractions or spend a day at one of the nearby beaches without worrying about unexpected torrential downpours or scorching heatwaves.
The tourist season is from December to January, likely due to preparations for the Tet holiday (Vietnamese New Year), which takes place in late-January or early/mid-February. This is a great time to visit Hoi Chi Minh City to experience the culture and vibrancy of the city. However, if you’re opposed to large crowds, it may be best to avoid the city during this time and instead wait to visit between March and April.
Is Vietnam an island nation?
