Halong Bay: Weather And When To Visit

Halong Bay, famous for its stunning vistas and breathtaking natural beauty, offers various opportunities for tourists visiting the bay during different seasons. Halong Bay is widely regarded as the number one must-see destination in Vietnam, giving visitors the chance to see for themselves an area of UNESCO certified world heritage. In short, Halong Bay presents visitors with some of the best small islands and beaches in Vietnam, where the coastline may be glimpsed in its most dramatic form, as limestone towers preside over crystalline turquoise waters.

Deciding when to visit Halong Bay largely comes down to the specific preferences of the trip (e.g, cruise, or water activities etc.) and the all-important weather outlook. Broadly speaking, the weather at Halong Bay can be divided into two periods; the first,  from November – April is drier and colder, and the second, from May – October, is warmer but more humid.

January –

Season; off-peak

Weather;  risk of drizzle and fog, some sunshine. The coldest month on average, perhaps slightly less pleasant for swimming and water activities.

Average temperature; 16°C

Notes; depending on when Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) falls, you might witness some spectacularly colourful festival celebrations. Be sure to bring several layers of clothing.

February –

Season; off-peak

Weather; still foggy with some rain, but with sunny spells.

Average temperature; 18°C

Notes; depending on when Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) falls, you may witness some spectacularly colourful festival celebrations, with cruises offering special on-board entertainment for the occasion.

March –

Season; off-peak

Weather; chance of fog reduces throughout the month, beginning of more pleasant weather with more sunshine.

Average temperature; 20°C

Notes; in general there are few domestic tourists at this time of year. Festivals occurring during this part of the year may include; Long Tien Temple festival (the largest temple in the area), Cua Ong Temple festival (Bai Tu Long Bay and surrounding area) and Yen Tu Buddhist festival depending on the dates of the lunar calendar. This allows visitors to combine two of the most famous elements of Vietnam in a single excursion, experiencing ancient temples set against the backdrop of unparalleled natural splendour.

April –

Season; off-peak

Weather; one of the best months for water sports and activities. Humidity increases, though it is nowhere near as hot and sticky as May and June will be!

Average temperature; 28°C

Notes; a good month to visit for avoiding the crowds of domestic tourists, although Hung Kings Festival/ commemoration day occurs during this month (dates vary according to the lunar calendar, so check this in advance). Liberation Day is the 30th of April, and this is another red-letter day in terms of hordes of domestic tourists.

May –

Season; off-peak

Weather; a good month for water sports and activities, due to clear views of the bay.

Average temperature; 28°C

Notes; avoid Labour Day (1st May), which is another major public Vietnamese holiday, during which time the Bay is likely to be packed with domestic tourists!

June –

Season; off-peak

Weather; also a good month for swimming and kayaking in the bay. Still a chance of storms, though not as likely as in the following couple of months.

Average temperature; 29°C

Notes; from June – August jellyfish are active in the Bay, take care when swimming, especially immediately after a storm.

July –  

Season; off-peak

Weather; storm/ typhoon season continues with more rain.

Average temperature; 29°C

Notes; although technically off-peak due to the high chance of unpredictable weather, there are likely to be many domestic tourists as this season coincides with Vietnamese summer holidays.

August –

Season; off-peak

Weather; chance of storms and typhoons

Average temperature; 28°C

Notes; although technically off-peak due to the high chance of unpredictable weather, there are likely to be many domestic tourists as this season coincides with Vietnamese summer holidays.

September –

Season; off-peak

Weather; chance of storms and typhoons, or at least, a gentle wind.

Average temperature; 27°C

Notes; avoid National Day (2nd of September), which is a national holiday, meaning that the Bay is likely to be crowded with domestic tourists.

Peak Season

October –

Season; peak season begins

Weather; less humidity, a good chance of clear skies and waters now that storm season is over.

Average temperature; 25°C

November –

Season; peak season continues

Weather; reduced levels of precipitation. Lower average temperature, and humidity, than previous months.  

Average temperature; 23°C

December –

Season; peak season ends

Weather; sunshine, but without the heat of the summer months. Colder for swimming and water activities.

Notes; if visiting during December be sure to pack some warm clothing, and definitely bring a jacket for mornings and evenings.

Average temperature; 17°C

 

Another consideration is the duration of a proposed trip. The most popular options here are cruises, for either one night and two days (spending the night on the bay itself) or the more leisurely two nights and three days.

All things considered, April – May and September – October/ November are probably the best months in which to visit Halong Bay. Opt for May, October and November for the best chance of avoiding public holidays, and either October or April for more bearable humidity.