Vietnam Rainy Season: When and Where It Rains

Vietnam has three weather zones, so there is always somewhere dry. Here is when each region gets its rain, typhoons and floods, and how to plan around them.

Published Oct 2026 • Updated Oct 2026 • By the Vietnam Private Tours planning team, reviewed by Van Anh (Founder & Chief Executive Officer)

Quick answer

Vietnam's rainy season is different in each region. The north is wet from May to September, the central coast from September to December (heaviest rain, typhoons and floods in October and November), and the south from May to November, mostly as short afternoon showers. Only the central coast in October–November really calls for a change of plan.

Want this planned around your dates? A local specialist replies within 24 hours with a day-by-day plan and an itemized price — free, no obligation.

Get a free itinerary WhatsApp us

Rainy season by region

Region	Rainy season	Wettest months	What the rain is like
North: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa, Ha Giang	May – September	July – August	Hot, humid, heavy showers and storms; typhoons can reach the coast July–September
Central: Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An	September – December	October – November	Long spells of heavy rain, typhoons and river floods
South central: Nha Trang, Quy Nhon	October – December	November	Rough sea, gray days
South: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc	May – November	August – October	Short, heavy afternoon downpours, then sun

Because the seasons do not overlap, there is no month when the whole country is wet. In October and November, for example, the north is dry and pleasant and the south is drying out, while the central coast has its worst weather.

Typhoons and floods

Typhoon season runs roughly from June to December, moving south as the year goes on. Between 1991 and 2020, about six storms and tropical depressions formed over the East Sea each year between August and October, and three or four affected Vietnam. The central coast takes the most, and its short, steep rivers flood quickly after days of rain.

Hoi An's Old Town sits beside the Thu Bon River and floods in most years, usually for a day or two in October or November. The flood of late October 2025 was severe: the Old Town was under water, about 40,000 tourists were moved to other hotels, and the town reopened in early November.

The 2026 outlook

Vietnam's national forecasting center expects a quieter end to 2026 than usual: three to five more storms over the East Sea by the end of the year, of which one or two may affect the mainland. With a strong El Niño, rainfall in central and southern Vietnam from October to December may be 10–50% below normal. That does not rule out short, intense rain: early October 2026 brought more than 600 mm in places on the central coast. Check forecasts in the days before you travel.

How to plan a trip in the rainy season

October–November: spend more time in the north (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Sapa) and the south (Saigon, Mekong, Phu Quoc), and keep Hue and Hoi An short or flexible.
July–September: the central coast is at its best for beaches; in the north, keep a spare day around your Halong Bay cruise.
May–October in the south: plan sightseeing for the morning and leave the afternoon free.
Always: take travel insurance that covers weather delays, and pack a light rain jacket and quick-drying shoes.

On our private trips your guide and driver watch the forecast and change the order of days when a storm is coming. Tell us your dates and we will plan around the weather.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is the rainy season in Vietnam?

It depends on the region. The north (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa) is wet from May to September. The central coast (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang) is wet from September to December, with the heaviest rain and floods in October and November. The south (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc) is wet from May to November, usually as short afternoon downpours.

When is typhoon season in Vietnam?

Roughly June to December. Storms reach the north coast mostly from July to September and the central coast from September to November. On average about six storms and tropical depressions form over the East Sea between August and October, and three or four of them affect Vietnam.

Is it worth visiting Vietnam in the rainy season?

Often, yes. Rain in the south is usually a one- or two-hour afternoon shower, the countryside is green, and hotels are quieter and cheaper. The time to be careful is October and November on the central coast, when Hoi An and Hue can flood; plan flexible days there or swap them for the north and south.

Does Hoi An flood every year?

Parts of the Old Town along the Thu Bon River flood in most years, usually in October or November, often for a day or two. In late October 2025 a severe flood submerged the Old Town and about 40,000 tourists were moved to other hotels; it reopened in early November.

Are Halong Bay cruises canceled in bad weather?

Yes. When a storm warning is issued, the authorities suspend cruises, usually for a day or two, and cruise companies move guests to another date or refund them. This is most likely between July and September. Book with a flexible plan and travel insurance.

Plan your private Vietnam trip with a local specialist

Tell us your dates, who is traveling and what you want to see. We reply within 24 hours with a day-by-day itinerary and an itemized quote. Nothing is booked until you approve it.

Start planning WhatsApp +84 902 011 200