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When to go · Vietnam

Vietnam in March

Great month. Best compromise for a north-to-south trip: north warming, centre and south dry.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
Medium
Vietnam
Prices
Medium
Vietnam

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for Vietnam

Best compromise for a north-to-south trip: north warming, centre and south dry.

Is another month better than March?

No other month rates higher than March for Vietnam in this guide.

Weather in March

  • North · Hanoi, Hạ Long, Ninh Bình, Sa Pafine

    Four seasons: cool grey winters (Sa Pa can reach 0 °C (32 °F)), humid hot summers with storms Jul–Sep; Hạ Long cruises cancel on storm warnings.

  • Centre · Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội An, Quy Nhơnbest weather

    Monsoon runs Sep–Feb, the opposite of the south; Hội An's old town floods most Octobers and Novembers.

  • South · Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong, Phú Quốcbest weather

    Hot all year; wet May–Nov means a 1–2 h afternoon downpour, rarely a lost day.

  • Central Coast: Huế to Hội An · Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội Anbest weather

    Dry February–August; typhoons and floods September–December; Huế is wetter than Đà Nẵng.

  • Central Coast: South-central · Quy Nhơn, Nha Trang, Mũi Nébest weather

    Drier than the north of the coast; Mũi Né is one of the driest places in Vietnam.

  • Central Highlands: Đà Lạt plateau · Đà Lạtbest weather

    Mild all year (highs 22–25 °C (72–77 °F)); dry December–March; rainy afternoons May–October.

  • Central Highlands: Dak Lak plateau · Buôn Ma Thuộtbest weather

    Warmer than Đà Lạt; coffee harvest November–January.

  • North Vietnam: Hanoi and the Red River delta · Hanoi, Ninh Bình, Hải Phòngfine

    Grey drizzle Feb–Mar; storms Jul–Sep; October–November clear and dry.

  • North Vietnam: Coast and bays · Hạ Long, Lan Hạ, Cát Bàfine

    Typhoon warnings cancel cruises Jul–Sep; winter haze.

  • North Vietnam: Northern mountains · Sa Pa, Hà Giangfine

    Near freezing in Dec–Jan; rice terraces green May–Jul, golden mid-Sep to early Oct; buckwheat flowers in Hà Giang Oct–Nov.

  • Northern Vietnam: Hanoi and the delta · Red River deltafine

    Oct–Dec is the driest and clearest; Feb–Apr is damp with drizzle; May–Aug is 35 °C (95 °F)+ and humid; Jul–Sep brings typhoons that can cancel bay cruises.

  • Northern Vietnam: Northern mountains · Sa Pa, Ha Giang, Lao Caifine

    Cooler than Hanoi all year; Dec–Feb can drop near freezing at night; Sep–Nov is the clearest for terraces and passes.

  • Northern Vietnam: Coast and islands · Ha Long, Cat Ba, Hai Phongfine

    Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov are the best windows; Jul–Aug storms can ground boats and close beaches.

  • Southern Vietnam: Saigon and the delta · Ho Chi Minh City, Cần Thơ, Châu Đốcbest weather

    Hot all year; wet May–November with afternoon storms; delta floods Sep–Nov raise the rivers.

  • Southern Vietnam: Islands · Phú Quốc, Côn Đảobest weather

    Phú Quốc's west coast is calm November–April; rough in the south-west monsoon.

  • Da Nang28 °C (82 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 5 rain days
  • Hanoi23 °C (73 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 15 rain days
  • Ho Chi Minh City34 °C (93 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 2 rain days
  • Hoi An29 °C (84 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 4 rain days
  • Hue28 °C (82 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 8 rain days
  • Bac Ha14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 6 rain days
  • Bao Loc30 °C (86 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 5 rain days
  • Ben Tre34 °C (93 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days
  • Ca Mau32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days
  • Ca Na32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days
  • Cai Be33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days
  • Cai Rong24 °C (75 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 6 rain days
  • Cam Pha23 °C (73 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 12 rain days
  • Cao Bang22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Cat Ba24 °C (75 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 12 rain days
  • Co Loa22 °C (72 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 10 rain days
  • Co To Island22 °C (72 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 12 rain days
  • Cu Chi33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 0 rain days
  • Cua Ong23 °C (73 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 12 rain days
  • Dien Bien Phu29 °C (84 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 4 rain days
  • Dong Dang23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 15 rain days
  • Dong Ha26 °C (79 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 8 rain days
  • Gia Nghia32 °C (90 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 5 rain days
  • Giao Xuân24 °C (75 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Ha Tien30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days
  • Khâm Đức30 °C (86 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 4 rain days
  • Khe Sanh29 °C (84 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 6 rain days
  • Kon Tum27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 9 rain days
  • Lăng Cô28 °C (82 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 7 rain days
  • Lao Cai22 °C (72 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 6 rain days
  • Long Xuyen33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days
  • Lý Sơn28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days
  • Mong Cai23 °C (73 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 14 rain days
  • My Tho33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 8 rain days
  • Na Meo25 °C (77 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 7 rain days
  • Ngoc Hoi32 °C (90 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 4 rain days
  • Phan Rang–Tháp Chàm30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 3 rain days
  • Phan Thiet33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 4 rain days
  • Pleiku27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 14 rain days
  • Quan Lạn22 °C (72 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Quảng Ngãi28 °C (82 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 4 rain days
  • Rach Gia33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 6 rain days
  • Soc Trang32 °C (90 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 4 rain days
  • Tam Dao19 °C (66 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 13 rain days
  • Tam Kỳ27 °C (81 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 6 rain days
  • Tây Ninh29 °C (84 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 6 rain days
  • Thac Mo28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 6 rain days
  • Thái Nguyên25 °C (77 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 7 rain days
  • Thanh Hoa27 °C (81 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 8 rain days
  • Tra Vinh33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 3 rain days
  • Tuan Chau Island23 °C (73 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 16 rain days
  • Vinh Long33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days
  • Vinh25 °C (77 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 5 rain days
  • Y Ty20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days
  • Nha Trang29 °C (84 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Da Lat25 °C (77 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days
  • Sa Pa19 °C (66 °F) / 11 °C (52 °F), 13 rain days
  • Ha Giang25 °C (77 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 11 rain days
  • Hai Phong22 °C (72 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 14 rain days
  • Ha Long City22 °C (72 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 13 rain days
  • Can Tho33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 2 rain days
  • Phu Quoc32 °C (90 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 4 rain days
  • Quy Nhon28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 4 rain days
  • Mui Ne32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 1 rain days
  • Vung Tau31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 1 rain days
  • Dong Hoi25 °C (77 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 10 rain days
  • Ninh Binh City23 °C (73 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 14 rain days
  • Buon Ma Thuot32 °C (90 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 3 rain days
  • Chau Doc34 °C (93 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 2 rain days
  • Con Dao30 °C (86 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 2 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Cầu Ngư (whale-worship) festivals check

    Early in the lunar year, dates by village · Da Nang

    Processions, boat races and offerings for a safe season at sea.

  • Quán Thế Âm festival check

    Around the 19th of the 2nd lunar month · Da Nang

    Large Buddhist festival with processions and pilgrims; the hill is packed for three days.

  • Liberation of Đà Nẵng day

    29 March · Da Nang

    Flags and events; not a public holiday.

  • Lantern full moon (Rằm tháng Giêng) check

    15th of the 1st lunar month · Hanoi

    The busiest pagoda day of the year: Trấn Quốc and Quán Sứ are packed; go on a different day to look around.

  • Perfume Pagoda pilgrimage season check

    From the 6th of the 1st lunar month to about the 3rd month · Hanoi

    Tens of thousands a day on the boats and cable car; do the trip outside the season or on a weekday.

  • Gióng festival check

    Early 1st lunar month (Sóc temple) and 9th of the 4th month (Phù Đổng) · Hanoi

    UNESCO-listed procession and mock battles; a half-day out by car.

  • Full-moon lantern night check

    14th of each lunar month · Hoi An

    Streetlights off and lanterns on from about 18:00, candles on the river, folk music and games; motorbikes kept out. The most crowded evening of the month.

  • Nguyên Tiêu (first full moon) check

    15th of the 1st lunar month · Hoi An

    Ceremonies and offerings at the Fujian, Cantonese and Chaozhou halls; the biggest lantern night of the year.

  • Quan Công temple festival check

    13th of the 1st lunar month (also the 24th of the 6th month) · Hoi An

    Incense, offerings and lion dances; the temple is crowded.

  • Fishermen's festivals (Cầu Ngư) check

    1st–3rd lunar months, by village · Hoi An

    Whale-worship rites and boat races before the fishing season.

  • Cù Lao Chàm island season check

    About March to September · Hoi An

    Speedboats run in calm seas; daily visitor caps apply (check).

  • Điện Hòn Chén spring festival check

    3rd lunar month · Hue

    Boat processions to the goddess temple; spirit-medium rituals. The river is busy.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Vietnam
Medium
Prices · Vietnam
Medium

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Vietnam, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Mar: Great

    Apr: Great

  • Crowds

    Mar: Medium

    Apr: Medium

  • Prices

    Mar: Medium

    Apr: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Mar: 12

    Apr: 13

March: Best compromise for a north-to-south trip: north warming, centre and south dry.

April: Warm and dry in most places; the 30 Apr – 1 May long weekend fills beaches and flights.

Vietnam: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in March

Rated best or good this month

  • Centre

    Best weather of the year (Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội An, Quy Nhơn)

  • South

    Best weather of the year (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong, Phú Quốc)

  • Da Nang

    Dry, mild; sea calming.

  • Hanoi

    Mild, drizzle.

  • Ho Chi Minh City

    Dry; hot afternoons.

  • Hoi An

    Mild and dry: the best month.

  • Hue

    Dry and mild; best month.

  • Bac Ha

    Best months: Oct–Apr (dry season)

  • Bao Loc

    Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season)

  • Ben Tre

    Best months: Dec–Apr

  • Ca Mau

    Best months: Dec–Apr

  • Ca Na

    Best months: Jan–Aug