The short answer
- Month
- September
- Verdict
- Good
- North (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay)
- Rains easing, warm
- Centre (Hue, Hoi An)
- Rains begin
- South (Saigon, Mekong)
- Showers
September is a turning point. The north begins to dry out and Sapa's terraces turn gold before the harvest, while central Vietnam's rainy season begins.
Where to go in September
- Sapa: Golden rice terraces before the harvest.
- Hanoi and Ha Long Bay: Improving weather, though storms are still possible early in the month.
What to avoid in September
- Leaving no buffer days in Hue and Hoi An late in the month.
Festivals and events in September
- National Day (2 September): Flags and fireworks; domestic travel is busy.
- Mid Autumn Festival: Usually in September or early October, with lanterns and mooncakes.
Weather in September
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with September 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 10 day trip for September
Our suggestion for September: Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates.
Tip: Late September is a great time to book an October or November trip to the north.
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Other months
Thinking about August or October? See Vietnam in August and Vietnam in October, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit Vietnam.
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Frequently asked questions
Is September a good time to visit Vietnam?
Yes for the north, especially Sapa. Central Vietnam's rainy season begins.
Sources we checked
Vietnam month by month
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