Vietnam is 1,650 km long, and the north, the centre and the south have different seasons. That's why "when should I go?" is the question I answer most. For a trader there's a second layer: the session times move twice a year in Vietnam time because Europe and the US change their clocks and Vietnam doesn't. This guide puts both on one page.
What is the best time of year to visit Vietnam?
March and April are the best all-round months, when the north, the centre and the south are all mostly dry and warm. If you're only visiting one region, pick its own season: north October to April, centre February to August, south December to April.
| Region | Best months | Hardest months | Our route there |
|---|---|---|---|
| North: Hanoi, Ha Long, Ninh Binh, Sapa | Oct–Apr | Jul–Sep (heat, storms) | All-Time High |
| Centre: Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue | Feb–Aug | Oct–Nov (floods) | Golden Pocket |
| South: Saigon, Mekong, Phu Quoc | Dec–Apr | Jun–Oct (rain, rough west coast) | Deep Liquidity |
| Highlands: Da Lat | Dec–Apr | Sep–Nov (wettest) | The Full Swing |
Which month suits which region, and what time do the sessions open?
Here is the whole year. The session columns are in Vietnam time (UTC+7). Vietnam never changes its clocks, so London and New York move by an hour when the UK and the US do.
| Month (2027) | Go to | London / New York open | Trader note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | South, Da Lat, Phu Quoc | 15:00 / 20:00 | Hanoi is cold and grey; the south is at its best |
| Feb | South, Centre from mid-month | 15:00 / 20:00 | Tet 6 Feb: book early, many places shut for days |
| Mar | Everywhere | 15:00 / 20:00, then 19:00 from 15 Mar, London 14:00 from 29 Mar | Two clock-change weeks; re-check your alarms |
| Apr | Everywhere; south is hot | 14:00 / 19:00 | 30 Apr holiday: domestic travel peaks |
| May | Centre, North early | 14:00 / 19:00 | 1 May holiday; rains start in the south |
| Jun | Centre | 14:00 / 19:00 | Da Nang and Hoi An dry, hot, busy with families |
| Jul | Centre | 14:00 / 19:00 | Storm risk in the north; keep a backup route |
| Aug | Centre | 14:00 / 19:00 | Thin August markets: a good month for a lighter trading trip |
| Sep | North late in the month | 14:00 / 19:00 | 2 Sep National Day; central rains begin |
| Oct | North | 14:00 / 19:00, London 15:00 from 1 Nov | Central coast floods; base yourself in Hanoi |
| Nov | North, South from late month | 15:00 / 19:00, New York 20:00 from 8 Nov | Central floods peak; Thanksgiving 25 Nov thins US markets |
| Dec | South, Da Lat, Phu Quoc | 15:00 / 20:00 | Late-December holiday markets: the best weeks to switch off |
Weather is a pattern, not a promise. Clock changes for 2027: US starts daylight saving 14 March and ends 7 November; the UK starts 28 March and ends 31 October.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam for trading?
November to mid-March. London opens at 15:00 and New York at 20:00 Vietnam time, so you get a full free morning and the overlap ends at midnight. From mid-March to early November everything is an hour earlier, which suits early sleepers but cuts into the afternoon.
Neither half of the year is bad. Winter time gives longer mornings; summer time gets you to bed an hour sooner after the New York session. What actually catches traders out are the two short windows when only one side has changed its clocks, in March and in late October to early November. Our forex hours in Vietnam guide explains those weeks, and the US clock change post covers this autumn's shift.
When should traders avoid travelling to Vietnam?
Avoid the week around Tet (6 February 2027), when transport is full and many businesses close. Don't fly on the first Friday of the month if you trade NFP. And skip the central coast in October and November, when floods can cut roads and power.
- Tet: prices rise, trains and flights sell out, and plenty of restaurants close for several days. It's lovely if you just want to watch; it's hard if you need things to work. Full 2027 dates and closures: Tet 2027 in Vietnam.
- Public holidays: 30 April, 1 May and 2 September bring domestic crowds to beaches and Da Lat.
- Travel days: keep flights off NFP, CPI and FOMC days. The NFP dates for Asia are listed through April 2027.
- Storm season: in the wet months, keep a hotspot on a second network. Our eSIM guide shows how.
When is the best time for a screens-off trip?
The last two weeks of December. Liquidity thins out over Christmas and New Year, many traders stop anyway, and the south, Da Lat and Phu Quoc are dry and sunny. August is a second good window, when markets are slow and central Vietnam is at its best.
If you're planning a proper break, read how to take a week off trading first, then pick Da Lat or Phu Quoc.
FAQ
What is the best month to visit Vietnam?
March and April are the best all-round months, when the north, centre and south are mostly dry. For one region, go north October to April, centre February to August, and south December to April.
What is the rainy season in Vietnam?
It depends on the region. The south is wet from about May to November, the north from about May to September, and the central coast from September to December, with the heaviest rain and floods in October and November.
What time does the London session open in Vietnam?
15:00 Vietnam time from late October to late March, and 14:00 from late March to late October. In 2027, London moves to 14:00 on 29 March and back to 15:00 on 1 November.
What time does the New York session open in Vietnam?
20:00 Vietnam time from early November to mid-March, and 19:00 from mid-March to early November. In 2027, New York moves to 19:00 on 15 March and back to 20:00 on 8 November.
Is Tet a good time to visit Vietnam?
Only if you want to see the holiday rather than get things done. Tet falls on 6 February 2027; flights and trains sell out, prices rise, and many shops and restaurants close for several days around it.
The bottom line
Choose the region by the month: south and Da Lat in winter, the centre in spring and summer, the north in autumn and spring. For trading, November to mid-March gives you the longest free mornings; late December is the best time to leave the charts behind.
Next: how to keep your setup live, and the visa you'll need.