Vietnam is an exciting country with cultural and natural attractions that attract millions of tourists each year. The country offers all you need for a unique and memorable adventure. It is a year-round destination so the best time to visit Vietnam could be any time of the year. If you are planning to travel this October, you might wonder Is October a good time to visit Vietnam? Our article below will show you what to do, what to bring, the weather and where to visit in Vietnam in October.
In general, the weather in Vietnam is typically humid and warm but it varies differently in each region over the country. In one month, you may experience the cold weather (and even snow) in the far north mountain and the sunshine on the beaches in the south. Therefore, it is necessary to research the weather before your visit to make sure you don’t have to suffer any inconvenience. To answer the question "Is October a good time to visit Vietnam?" we will see the weather in each region.
October marks the end of the west season in Northern Vietnam and the average temperatures tend to drop quickly. In October, there are more rainfalls than previous months and the second half of the month is cooler and dry. In the mountainous area like Sapa and Ha Giang , the weather is even cooler and dryer. However, it’s also considered the best time for trekking through the mountains when you can see the endless golden rice fields ready to harvest.
Rice field in Sapa
During October, the central of Vietnam has more rainfalls and the heavy storms occur more often. Because of heavy rains, some regions may suffer the flooding in October but it can’t dilute the charm of the region. In fact, the rain may become a romantic inspiration for many poets and artists in Hue and Hoi An. Be aware that the heavy rainfalls could block some sightseeing activities such as visiting Phong Nha Cave. Overall, the temperatures of central Vietnam are quite pleasant in October which vary slightly between 24 – 27oC.
Hoi An Ancient Town
In the south of Vietnam, October is the month of change in the weather with the decrease of rainfall. Towards the end of the month, these regions become dry and hot with an average temperature at 27oC.
If you want to visit the beaches and islands, Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, Phu Quoc, and Con Dao are starting to recover from the winter months and there will be more sunshine. It is best to visit these destinations by the end of October because the weather will be warmer.
Phu Quoc Beach
Packing the right clothes is very important when traveling abroad which helps you save space in your luggage and avoid being too hot or too cold in the country. Therefore, we will help you answer the question “Is October a good time to visit Vietnam?” by letting you know what to bring to each region when traveling.
The weather of Northern is not too cold in October so you can dress as normal in your country but a little more conservative. Tourists should pack lightweight clothes or linen trousers. You don’t even to bring too many clothes because in Vietnam they are very cheap. You can also buy accessories such as hats, flip-flops, or sunglasses at the markets or shops in Hanoi Old Quarter.
However, the mountainous area of the North such as Sapa or Ha Giang becomes colder at night so a light jacket is a good choice to keep you warm. If you love trekking, it is important to bring good walking shoes to avoid footsore. Besides, because it is the beginning month of the rainy season, packing a lightweight raincoat is also recommendable.
Trekking in Sapa
The weather in October in Central Vietnam is still hot so you can bring bikini, swimsuits or shorts to go swimming. It’s also necessary to bring sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen to protect from the UV. If you visit Hoi An Ancient Town, you should bring sandals with good quality for walking around the town. Also, a light raincoat is a must to bring during this rainy weather.
Take a stroll around Hoi An Ancient Town
To the South of Vietnam, you don’t worry too much about what to bring for traveling because people here are more open to Western culture. Tourists can dress in freestyle as in their hometown. For morning and afternoon visiting, you can bring a light jacket because the weather is cool. A pair of sandals and a raincoat is more recommendable than a pair of shoes because it may rain suddenly at any time of the day.
If you also visit the Mekong Delta, you should bring sleeveless tops and long pants because the weather is pretty hot. Plastic bags against water is a must to protect your camera and phone while sitting on the boat. In general, bringing quick-dry clothes is the best.
Floating Market in Mekong Delta
October is when the heat, humidity, and heavy rains disappeared and replaced by the cool dry days. It’s also the beginning month of autumn so it’s one of the best months to visit Hanoi and its colonial building.
There are no better activities than taking a cyclo to go around Hanoi Old Quarter and enjoy the cooling wind blow frequently. Or else, any walking tour or street food tour is suitable in this month because the sunlight and the heat are not too strong. At night, you can walk around the streets of Hanoi and sense the sweet fragrance of milk flowers – the symbol of autumn in Hanoi.
Coming to Hanoi in October, you will also have a chance to see the city changes, enjoy Com and the warm sunlight, cool atmosphere. Also, there are a few important celebrations in this month. October 10th is the day to memorize the change of capital to Hanoi. Moreover, there are Vietnamese Women’s day and the Halloween festival.
"Com" - Green Rice Hanoi
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For those who love adventures, visiting Ha Giang is a must during your trip to Vietnam because October is the best time for traveling to this province. October marks the end of the wet season in Vietnam so the temperature falls rapidly making the weather quite relaxing and comfortable for tourists.
Especially, from the beginning of October, Ha Giang Mountains turn to the most beautiful colors. The province is covered in the triangle buckwheat flowers – the flowers that can only be found in the mountainous provinces so you shouldn’t miss the chance of taking amazing photos here. Besides, some other places you shouldn’t miss are Dong Van town, Meo Vac town, Hoang Su Phi, Khau Vai market, etc. Enjoy the unique cuisine of Ha Giang with Meo chicken, pigs (lon cap nach), five-colored rice or horse meat.
Triangle buckwheat flowers
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Halong Bay is the destination that needs to be on your travel bucket list. Unlike previous months, Halong Bay weather in October is favorable with better chances of clear skies.
One of the best things to do in Halong Bay is to take a cruise ship. It will take you to the fishing village where you can see the life of local people here. The villagers will use the bamboo boat to take you around, show you the magical scenery of their home. You can also use a kayak to enter the amazing caves with beautiful stalactites. It is a life experience that you should do at least one time in your life.
A luxury Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay Cruise
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Hue – recognized as a World Heritage Site used to be the capital of Nguyen Dynasty. It is not only impressive with unique architecture but also the attractive destinations and beautiful beaches. The city is located by the bank of Perfume River – a romantic river in Vietnam so tourists coming here can feel the romance in every corner of the city. For those who love discovering the culture and history, Hue offers the visit to royal tombs, museums and ruins which tell you a part of great history. The Imperial City, Forbidden Purple City and the Inner City are on the top list of must-visit destinations in Hue.
Taking a cruise along Perfume River, you can also visit the Tombs of Emperors, contemplate the magical landscape and enjoy art performance onboard. Furthermore, tourists should visit Thien Mu Pagoda – one of the most beautiful pagodas in Hue or relax on Thuan An beach and Lang Co beach.
Imperial City of Hue
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The province of Can Tho is famous for the interesting floating markets, special local cuisine, beautiful pagodas as well as friendly people. There is a famous saying about this biggest city on the Mekong River Delta: “Can Tho, ivory rice and clear water”. Some of the most beautiful and recommended places for tourists are Cai Rang Floating Market, Ninh Kieu Wharf and Bang Lang Stork Garden
.
October is a good month to visit Can Tho because you will have the opportunity to sail through the small canals, see the verdant farms of locals on the river bank, buy exotic and qualified products on the boat.
Floating market
In conclusions, “Is October a good time to visit Vietnam?” – yes, it is. This month has all the favorable conditions for a long trip throughout this beautiful country. If you have any questions about the plan, contact us right away!
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