Traveling To Vietnam In September: Pros And Cons

September is a perfect time to discover northern Vietnam! During this period, Vietnam showcases its most beautiful landscapes. The rice fields in the north, in their prime, display the orange and golden tones that the country is famous for. As for central and southern Vietnam, the news is less favorable. This part of the country is marked by intermittent rains that may dampen your experience depending on your expectations.

Before going into detail about the weather conditions and the Vietnamese festival calendar, consider departing at the beginning of the month. The harvest season in Vietnam begins in mid-September (according to sources). Leaving in early September ensures you can fully enjoy what northern Vietnam has to offer!

Traveling to Vietnam in September

Traveling to Vietnam in September means embracing the autumn breezes and enjoying the economic advantages of the off-season. To be honest, it also means accepting the rain as part of the journey, not as a hindrance. Here's a scenario: “- So how was your vacation in Vietnam? - Incredible! I had an amazing hike in the rice fields. And I won’t even tell you about my two days in Ha Long Bay, it’s paradise on Earth. And you’ll never guess, when we visited Hue, there was no one in the streets, not a soul, no scooters. The Imperial City, just us and the rain. Fabulous! - Lucky you!”

As you can see, before listing the pros and cons, if beach trips are a must-have for you, it’s better to choose another month. However, if the mountain air and the joy of experiencing more intimate moments with the destinations call to you, then don’t hesitate. Your discovery of Vietnam will be unforgettable.

The advantages of traveling to Vietnam in September

• The best time to enjoy the stunning landscapes of Northern Vietnam
• Pleasant temperatures ideal for outdoor activities
• A great time for a cruise in Ha Long Bay
• Take advantage of off-season prices (hotels, flights, etc.)
• Moderate tourist crowd
• Celebrate Vietnam's National Day on September 2nd
• Join the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, which last through the second half of the month, culminating on September 29th.

The disadvantages of traveling to Vietnam in September

• Intermittent rain across the country, especially in the center and south
• Less favorable period for enjoying the coastline and beaches
• Less favorable period for visiting central and southern Vietnam

Understanding the weather in Vietnam

We know our climate can be puzzling—even for the Vietnamese! Seriously, the weather is an important factor to consider when planning your itinerary. To help guide your choices, we will discuss the year as a whole, and then focus on September.

To start, there's no perfect recipe. The north, south, and central Vietnam each have their own characteristics! Vietnam’s climate is subtropical in the north and tropical in the south. In other words, it’s hot and humid for much of the year. Here's a look back at our annual weather to help you understand it better.

The different seasons in Vietnam

The dry seasons in Vietnam

• In the south: September to March
• In the center: April, May, June, July, August (except for the highlands region where it still rains, the best season being from November to March)
• In the north: October, November, December

The rainy season in Vietnam

• In the south: Late April to August
• In the center: October, November, December
• October-November: Typhoon season
• In the north: June, July, August

Additional feature! In the north and center of Vietnam, between January and March, humidity and light rain combine! This year, it lasted until April. In other words, we advise all of our travelers to bring a good poncho, no matter the season.

The weather in Vietnam in September

As we have seen, September is undoubtedly the best time to visit northern Vietnam. However, if you are concerned about rain, this month is not the most suitable for visiting the central and southern regions of Vietnam, despite the pleasant temperatures.

From experience, we can at least reassure you. The rains are intermittent and can sometimes even be refreshing, especially in the south. In fact, some of our regular clients visit us during this period every year. It seems that the off-season has advantages that the rain doesn't affect.

Vietnamese festivals in September

Vietnam national day on September 2, 2023

A festive and historic moment to experience! In September, we celebrate the anniversary of Vietnam’s independence proclamation. Fireworks, parades, and flags are raised—on this day, Vietnam is a celebration. You will feel the general excitement wherever you are, as this is a public holiday.

Mid-Autumn festival 2023 on September 29, 2023

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Children’s Festival, is celebrated across all Asian countries that follow the lunar calendar (China, Japan, etc.). While the celebration takes place on September 29, you can start experiencing its early festivities in mid-month, especially in major cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hue. Mooncake stalls line the streets, lanterns light up the city, children wander from stall to stall, carefully selecting their future toys, and parents chase after them. In short, the overall atmosphere is leisurely! If you are in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City on the big night, don’t hesitate to blend in with the crowd.

What places to visit in Vietnam in September?

Here, we won’t list specific places, but rather focus on the overall itinerary. Based on our experience, September has never led to complaints from our clients—who were previously informed about the possible weather challenges. However, we suggest placing an emphasis on the north when planning your trip to Vietnam. Here are a few scenarios that we hope will help guide your choices.

Rain? I’ll skip it…. Well, just postponing it for now

Let’s be honest! If you’re hoping to enjoy Vietnam’s coastline, it’s better to skip September. For a mix of the enjoyable and practical, consider visiting from March to June to take advantage of the off-season benefits. Also, these months are great for exploring the north.

I like to take my time

The idea of exploring only northern Vietnam in September (depending on how much time you have) isn’t off the table—in fact, it’s a great option! Planning an itinerary in Vietnam is no small task. While its long, narrow shape offers many advantages, it also requires significant travel time—especially if you’re unfamiliar with the terrain. For example, if you’re planning to travel from north to south in 15 days, expect your travel pace to be intense. To succeed with such an itinerary, careful planning is essential!

By focusing on one part of Vietnam, you’ll be able to enjoy the experience more deeply. In this case, September is the perfect month for a comprehensive itinerary in northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa, Meo Vac, Cao Bang, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang, Ba Be, Ninh Binh, Bao Lac... We guarantee it will be an unforgettable journey.

I never leave without my poncho!

Welcome to the country! September invites you to discover northern Vietnam in its most beautiful setting and offers the privilege of avoiding the summer crowds. It’s also a chance to experience two of the country’s most important cultural festivals with us.

Our teams are here to assist you in creating and organizing an itinerary tailored to your desires and our on-the-ground knowledge: contact@vietnaminsolite.com