Halong Bay Weather: Month by Month
Temperatures, rain and what each month is like on deck, from the misty winter to the stormy summer, with the best months to book a cruise.
Quick answer
The best months for Halong Bay are October, November and April: warm, dry and clear. December to March is cool (highs around 19–22°C) and often misty. May to September is hot and wet, with typhoons most likely from July to September; when a storm approaches, cruises are suspended for a day or two.
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| Month | High | Low | Rain | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C (66°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 28 mm | Cool, often misty; driest season |
| February | 20°C (68°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 25 mm | Cool, drizzle and fog are common |
| March | 22°C (72°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 43 mm | Mild, humid, misty mornings |
| April | 26°C (79°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 86 mm | Warm, clearing; a good month |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm | Hot, sunny spells, first storms possible |
| June | 32°C (90°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 297 mm | Hot, humid, afternoon storms |
| July | 32°C (90°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 364 mm | Hot, wet; typhoon season |
| August | 31°C (88°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 431 mm | Wettest month; highest storm risk |
| September | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 276 mm | Hot, storms still possible |
| October | 29°C (84°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 143 mm | Warm, drier, clear: one of the best |
| November | 26°C (79°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 39 mm | Pleasant, dry, sunny: one of the best |
| December | 22°C (72°F) | 15°C (59°F) | 18 mm | Cool and dry; bring a jacket on deck |
Long-term averages for the Bai Chay weather station on the bay. The bay gets about 1,900 mm of rain a year, most of it from May to September; November to February are the driest months.
The seasons on a cruise
- Winter (December – February): cool, dry and often gray or misty. The karst islands look dramatic in the haze, cabins are quieter, and you will want a jacket on the sundeck.
- Spring (March – April): mild and humid, with morning fog that lifts by midday. April is one of the best months.
- Summer (May – September): hot (highs of 30–32°C), humid and wet, but also the best time to swim and kayak. Storms are most likely from July to September.
- Autumn (October – November): warm, dry, clear skies and calm water. The most reliable weather of the year.
Storms and canceled cruises
When a tropical storm is forecast to affect the Gulf of Tonkin, Quang Ninh's inland waterway port authority suspends departure permits for cruise and passenger boats, and boats already on the bay head back to port. It happened for the first storm of 2026 and several times in 2025. Suspensions usually last one to three days.
If you travel between July and September, keep a free day in Hanoi or Ninh Binh next to your cruise so it can move, and choose a cruise company with a clear rebooking policy. On our private trips we watch the forecast and switch the order of days when we need to.
Tell us your dates and we will suggest the right cruise for the season.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Halong Bay?
When is the rainy season in Halong Bay?
Are Halong Bay cruises canceled because of weather?
Is Halong Bay cold in winter?
Can you swim in Halong Bay?
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