Ho Chi Minh City weather by month

When to go to Ho Chi Minh City

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. September is the wettest month (305 mm, about 29 rainy days) and February the driest (10 mm).

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN, 2 km from Ho Chi Minh City) takes roughly 13 h 30 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: Asia/Ho Chi_Minh.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Ho Chi Minh City between 1991 and 2020 reached 38.8°C on 5 April 2020; the coldest fell to 15.9°C on 26 December 1999. In March one day in ten tops 35.6°C and about 99% of days pass 30°C; in October one night in ten drops to 23.1°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was October 2016 with 412 mm, against a October average of 262 mm.

December to February: the easiest weather for outdoor plans

This is the most practical period if you want to spend plenty of time outdoors without frequently rearranging plans around rain. December is the wetter compromise, averaging 9 rainy days and 3 hours of sunshine, so keep some flexibility rather than expecting consistently sunny weather. January brings drier conditions and nights of 22°C, offering more relief after the daytime heat. February is the strongest choice for dry, sunny weather, with just 2 rainy days and 6 hours of sunshine. The catch is that afternoons are hotter than in December or January. Pack light clothing and sun protection, and leave room for shaded breaks at midday.

March and April: heat becomes the main drawback

March still suits travellers who prioritise relatively dry weather, but it is less forgiving for long periods outdoors. Both March and April average daytime highs of 34°C, so plan more demanding outings for earlier in the day and take breaks from the midday heat. March offers 6 hours of sunshine and relatively few rainy days, making sun protection particularly important. April is a more awkward compromise: rain becomes more frequent, with 12 rainy days, while nights average 26°C. That leaves less relief in the evening. Choose this period if you handle heat well; otherwise, January or December offers a gentler balance.

May to November: frequent rain, then a gradual easing

May marks a clear shift towards wetter weather without much relief from the heat: daytime temperatures average 33°C and rain occurs on 25 days. June, July and August are slightly less hot, but frequent rain makes flexible outdoor plans essential. September remains very wet, while October offers only a modest easing despite its cooler daytime average of 30°C. Sunshine is limited to 2 hours daily from June through October, so this period is a poor fit if bright skies are your priority. November is a transition towards drier conditions, though 17 rainy days still warrant waterproofs. This stretch suits travellers willing to organise each day around the weather rather than a fixed outdoor schedule.