The short answer
- Month
- October
- Verdict
- Very good
- North (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay)
- Dry, clear, around 29°C
- Centre (Hue, Hoi An)
- Floods likely
- South (Saigon, Mekong)
- Showers easing
October is one of the best months for the north, with clear skies and comfortable temperatures. It is, however, one of the wettest months in Hue and Hoi An, which flood in most years.
Where to go in October
- Ha Long Bay: Calm water and clear views.
- Sapa and Ha Giang: Dry trekking weather and, in Ha Giang, buckwheat flowers.
- The south: Rains easing.
What to avoid in October
- Hoi An and Hue without buffer days. See our typhoon and flood guide.
Festivals and events in October
- Mid Autumn Festival: Falls in early October in some years.
Weather in October
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with October highlighted. Compare it with the months either side if your dates are flexible.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | HanoiHa Long is similar | Sapamountains, 1,500 m | Hue | Hoi AnDa Nang is similar | Ho Chi Minh CityMekong is similar | Phu Quoc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20° / 14°18 mm | 12° / 5°60 mm | 24° / 18°160 mm | 25° / 19°95 mm | 32° / 22°14 mm | 30° / 23°30 mm |
| Feb | 21° / 15°26 mm | 14° / 7°70 mm | 25° / 19°60 mm | 26° / 20°30 mm | 33° / 23°4 mm | 31° / 24°20 mm |
| Mar | 23° / 18°44 mm | 18° / 10°110 mm | 28° / 21°50 mm | 28° / 22°20 mm | 34° / 24°12 mm | 32° / 25°60 mm |
| Apr | 28° / 22°90 mm | 21° / 13°190 mm | 31° / 23°50 mm | 31° / 24°25 mm | 35° / 25°42 mm | 33° / 26°100 mm |
| May | 32° / 25°188 mm | 23° / 16°270 mm | 33° / 25°90 mm | 33° / 25°60 mm | 34° / 25°220 mm | 32° / 26°250 mm |
| Jun | 33° / 27°240 mm | 24° / 17°350 mm | 34° / 25°90 mm | 34° / 26°80 mm | 33° / 25°330 mm | 31° / 26°350 mm |
| Jul | 33° / 27°288 mm | 24° / 18°420 mm | 34° / 25°70 mm | 34° / 26°85 mm | 32° / 25°315 mm | 30° / 25°400 mm |
| Aug | 32° / 27°318 mm | 24° / 17°450 mm | 34° / 25°140 mm | 34° / 26°105 mm | 32° / 24°270 mm | 30° / 25°450 mm |
| Sep | 31° / 26°265 mm | 22° / 16°300 mm | 31° / 24°430 mm | 32° / 24°350 mm | 32° / 24°330 mm | 30° / 25°350 mm |
| Oct | 29° / 23°130 mm | 20° / 13°170 mm | 29° / 23°800 mm | 30° / 23°610 mm | 31° / 24°270 mm | 30° / 24°250 mm |
| Nov | 26° / 19°43 mm | 17° / 10°80 mm | 26° / 21°590 mm | 27° / 22°370 mm | 31° / 23°110 mm | 30° / 24°130 mm |
| Dec | 22° / 15°23 mm | 13° / 6°50 mm | 24° / 19°300 mm | 25° / 20°200 mm | 31° / 22°50 mm | 30° / 23°50 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
A 12 day trip for October
Our suggestion for October: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa, then Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates.
Tip: Reverse the usual route: spend more time in the north and the south, and keep central Vietnam short.
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Other months
Thinking about September or November? See Vietnam in September and Vietnam in November, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit Vietnam.
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Frequently asked questions
Is October a good time to visit Vietnam?
It is excellent for the north and improving in the south, but central Vietnam often floods.
Sources we checked
Vietnam month by month
More Vietnam guides
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