VIETNAM TRAVEL BY SEASON: DISCOVERING ATTRACTIVE DESTINATIONS IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF THE YEAR
Traveling in Vietnam is an experience worth exploring, blending stunning natural landscapes, rich culture, and diverse cuisine. From vibrant cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to beautiful beaches like Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, visitors will discover historical sites, majestic mountain and sea views, along with unique cultural experiences of ethnic minorities.
January
Ha Giang
January is a special time in Ha Giang with its magnificent and diverse natural scenery. Plum and peach blossoms start to bloom, creating vibrant colors across terraced fields and winding roads that become more sparkling and poetic than ever.
Additionally, temperatures in Ha Giang in January often drop very low, sometimes below 0°C, allowing visitors to enjoy both flower viewing and snowfall at the same time. This makes Ha Giang an ideal destination for those who love uniqueness and want to explore the wild, captivating beauty of northern Vietnam’s mountainous region.
Thai Binh
Thai Binh is an interesting destination in January with its rice harvest season. The vast golden rice fields create a characteristic beauty of this land. This is an ideal time to explore and experience the simple life of the locals, as well as join activities like camping and motorbike tours to enjoy the poetic countryside scenery.
Thai Binh attracts visitors not only with its natural beauty but also its rich culture, history, and unique culinary specialties. Coming to Thai Binh, travelers have the chance to discover new things and make unforgettable memories in this land.
February
Ninh Binh
Visiting Ninh Binh in February, travelers will be enchanted not only by the majestic natural beauty but also by the diverse cuisine of the ancient capital Hoa Lu region. Especially in early spring, Ninh Binh holds many lively festivals, providing wonderful opportunities for visitors to participate and experience local culture. Visiting temples to pray for good fortune and peace is a cherished Vietnamese tradition. In Ninh Binh, tourists can visit Bai Dinh Pagoda – home to the largest gold-plated bronze Buddha statue in Asia and a sacred temple complex holding many Asian records.
Ha Long Bay
Traveling to Ha Long in February always attracts many domestic and international tourists. Ha Long is a “heart-melting” destination with many famous scenic spots, delicious food, and exciting experiences.
Ha Long Bay boasts majestic and poetic natural beauty with thousands of large and small islands and many unique caves. UNESCO recognizes Ha Long Bay as one of the world’s natural wonders, attracting many visitors each year to explore beautiful spots like Dragon Eye Island, Titop Island, Con Coc Island, Ngoc Vung Island, and Sung Sot Cave.
Hanoi
When visiting Hanoi in February, travelers will experience the crisp and fresh early spring air. The capital becomes pure and fresh with hundreds of peach blossoms blooming along the streets, creating a new and hopeful atmosphere. You can leisurely stroll in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, explore historical and cultural sites such as the Temple of Literature, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and many other beautiful places to better understand the city’s history and culture.
March
Moc Chau
While Sapa captivates with its red rhododendron forests, visiting Moc Chau in March will impress visitors with white ban flowers blooming everywhere. According to the Thai ethnic group, the ban flower symbolizes romantic love and filial piety. So when visiting, consider giving ban flowers to your parents or your loved one!
Besides the stunning natural scenery with blooming ban flowers, March is also the time when the Thai people hold traditional festivals like the stick-throwing game, firing flower guns, and cultural performances such as bamboo dancing, gongs, and drums.
Da Nang
Da Nang is a favorite destination in spring, especially around March. The weather here blends northern and southern climates, making it warmer than the north but not as hot as the south—perfect for families to enjoy the beach, visit popular spots like Asia Park, Ba Na Hills, Dragon Bridge, and capture unique photos. Visitors can also take a bus to Hoi An to enjoy the ancient town and traditional dishes. As a famous tourist city, Da Nang offers a wide range of professional services.
Nha Trang
Nha Trang is beautiful all year round, but the best time to visit is from March to August. In March, the weather is still favorable, cool, and pleasant in the dry season. Nha Trang is famous for its sheltered bay surrounded by many large and small islands. These islands have fine sandy beaches and offer stunning natural scenery.
Famous islands like Hon Tre, Hon Tam, and Diep Son each have unique features, creating a distinctive experience. Visiting Nha Trang in March, you can enjoy blue seas, white sands, and golden sunshine, as well as explore spiritual cultural sites such as Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, and many other destinations.
April
Da Lat
Escape the summer heat with a trip to Da Lat in April. This city of a thousand flowers always knows how to enchant visitors with its beautiful natural scenery, cool climate, and countless interesting activities. In April, you can admire the dreamy beauty of purple flamboyant flowers, hydrangea blooms, and sunflowers blossoming everywhere.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is also a memorable travel destination for your April trip. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in the bustling life of Saigon and visit historic sites like the Presidential Palace, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Don’t forget to enjoy the city’s amazing cuisine too!
May
Ba Ria - Vung Tau
Vung Tau is a wonderful coastal resort city in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, about a 2-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City. In May, Vung Tau is an ideal travel destination with cool weather, fresh air, and beautiful scenery.
When visiting, you should check out famous spots like Back Beach, Front Beach, Pineapple Beach, Thuy Van Beach, and especially Hon Ba, the most beautiful island in Vung Tau. Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, boating, fishing, or simply relaxing and sunbathing on the beach. If short on time, a day trip to Vung Tau is a great choice to experience this lovely seaside city and enjoy the local cuisine.
Pleiku
In May, don’t miss Pleiku with its pure and wild beauty. The red basalt land of the Central Highlands seems to wear a new coat, highlighted by green tea hills at Bien Ho Che, the pristine and poetic “eyes of Pleiku” – T’nung Lake, and the majestic yet peaceful Chu Dang Ya volcano.
Especially, it would be a pity to visit Pleiku without trying local specialties with rich Central Highlands flavors like two-bowl pho, crab noodle soup, fermented fish noodle soup, grilled chicken with bamboo rice, and forest leaf salad.
June
Phu Yen
June is truly a wonderful time to explore Phu Yen, a beautiful coastal province in central Vietnam. This period is usually sunny with warm, dry weather, ideal for traveling and discovering famous sites.
Attractions like Mui Dien Cape, Tra Kieu Beach, Ganh Da Dia (Clam Rocks), and O Loan Beach can be comfortably explored now. Phu Yen is characterized by white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and small islands, offering visitors vivid and memorable scenes.
Phu Quy
Phu Quy Island, located in the South Central Coast sea area, is a great destination around June. At this time, the weather is usually mild and sunny, with calm, clear seas, perfect for safe and enjoyable sea activities.
Known as the “raw pearl” of Binh Thuan province, Phu Quy has beautiful beaches, fine white sand, and clear blue waters. Visitors can engage in swimming, diving, fishing, explore pristine beaches, and enjoy fresh seafood specialties of the island.
