Ho Chi Minh City Weather

The largest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, once named Saigon, is situated only around 1,200 km (745 mi) north of the equator; thus it is featured by hot weather throughout the year and there is no chilly days. Its average temperature varies between 27-30°C (82-86℉) yearly. The temperature hardly drops below 20°C (68℉) even in coldest days and in the scorching days, it can soar up to 35°C (95℉). The tropical climate of Ho Chi Minh City endows the city with two obvious seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. There is little temperature variance between the two seasons. Its rainfall mainly comes in the rainy season between May and October and the annual precipitation is around 1,290mm.           
 

The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is from December to March in dry season, as there is too much rainfall during the rainy season from May to October, when the weather is sultry and sometimes typhoons may land.

Located in southern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is characterized by two distinctive seasons: the dry season from November to April and the rainy season from May to October. The temperature difference between the two seasons is not obvious. However, the precipitation and humidity differ a lot. Apart from that, visitors should notice that typhoon season in Ho Chi Minh City occurs between June and November.  

From November to the next April, it is the dry season of Ho Chi Minh City, when the weather is warm and dry, with the average temperature of 21-35℃ (70-95℉). This is also the season when Ho Chi Minh City is crammed with sightseers. During this period, the rainy days are generally less than 10 days every month and the average precipitation is mostly lower than 50mm per month. In a word, the sunny hot weather is the main tune. In the dry season, the coldest month is generally December or January, with the temperature ranging from 21-31℃(70-88℉) while the hottest month is always April when the temperature hovers between 26-35℃(79-95℉). In fact, there is no winter in Ho Chi Minh City and even in December, there is no problem for travelers to wear light summer clothing. December to March is generally considered the best time to visit the city and the Tet Festival, aka the Vietnamese New Year, taking place in late January or February is unmissable. 

From May to October, the climate in Ho Chi Minh City is rainy and hot with the average temperature hovering between 24-33℃(75-91℉). During this period, the humidity and rainfall reach their highest level. Most of the time, the precipitation keeps between 200-300 mm per month. The humidity keeps a level of around 85% in the wettest month, September or October. Visiting in the rainy season is the option for those who want to avoid peak travel season or decrease their travel budget. However, do prepare rain gear when going outdoors as the downpours are frequent on most days. The clothes you need to pack are nearly the same as those in the dry season, but preparing some quick-drying clothes is recommended. 

Ho Chi Minh City sometimes may suffer typhoons and tropical storms from the Pacific Ocean between June and November. Travelers should notice if there is any typhoon warning from the government which is issued 24 or 48 hours in advance and check the real-time weather forecast before departing. If happen to meet any typhoon days, try to stay indoors for safety.