Ho Chi Minh city, formerly known as Saigon, is the largest economic center and a well-known tourist destination in Vietnam. Saigon's weather and the best time to visit Saigon are a concern of many travelers. Don’t hesitate to read this article and be well-prepared for your trip to Saigon, Vietnam!
1. About Saigon's weather
Located in a tropical monsoon region, Saigon’s climate is divided into 2 seasons: the wet season from May to November and the dry season from December to April. Saigon's weather is described as hot and humid all year around with long sunshine hours and much rainfall. The average annual temperature in Ho Chi Minh city is about 27.55°C with the highest temperature reaching 40°C in April.
1.1. Ho Chi Minh city weather in the dry season (December – April)
The dry season takes place from December to April. This is also the best time to visit Saigon, as Saigon's weather is quite dry with little rain during this period, making it convenient to get to different destinations. The hottest month of the year is April, while December is the coolest month with the temperature even falling to 16-18°C on some days.
1.2. The weather in Saigon in the wet season (May – November)
The wet season starts in May and ends in November with much rainfall and high humidity. The rain usually comes and goes in a short time, then it is dry and sunny for the rest of the day. The highest precipitation occurs in September and October when there are massive storms and floods in Ho Chi Minh city.
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2. The weather in Saigon – When is the most ideal time for your trip?
Saigon has a unique beauty in every season, thus visitors can decide when to visit Saigon depending on their plan and personal preferences.
2.1. In the dry season
The dry season is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh city, since less rain and long sunshine of hours make it convenient for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Tourists can visit as many famous destinations as they wish such as Bui Vien street, Saigon river, Cu Chi Tunnels, Independence Palace, etc. This is also the peak tourism season of Saigon.
2.2. In the wet season
Saigon in the wet season will give you a different feel. As Saigon's weather is rainy during this period, it is the ideal time to discover many tourist attractions with cultural and historical value such as Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, Landmark 81 Vietnam, Tan Dinh Church, etc. The number of tourists will decline during this period, thus you can explore Saigon with more time and comfort. Besides, the prices of airplane tickets, hotel and restaurant services also decrease in the off-peak season.
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2.3. Special occasions to visit Saigon
- Vietnam’s Lunar New Year in January – February
Vietnam’s Lunar New Year often takes place at the end of January or at the beginning of February. Saigon will become the land of colorful flowers during the Tet holiday, and tourists will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant and joyful atmosphere of the Tet celebration.
- Reunification Day on April 30th
The Reunification Day on April 30th is a Vietnamese public holiday to celebrate the unification of North and South Vietnam in 1975 following the Liberation of Saigon. During this holiday, public performances, parades, and flag displays will take place in Saigon.
- Southern Fruit Festival in June
The Southern Fruit Festival is held annually in June at Suoi Tien Theme Park, District 9, Ho Chi Minh city to introduce the diversity of Vietnamese fruits and appreciate the hard work of local farmers. Visiting Saigon during this month, you can try a lot of fruits such as durian, mango, avocado, milky plum, etc.
- Hungry Ghost Festival (Tet Trung Nguyen) in August or September
The Hungry Ghost Festival takes place annually on July 15th of the lunar calendar. In Vietnamese culture, it is an important day for families to express respect and gratitude to their ancestors. Besides, it is believed that “lost souls” would wander and bring bad luck for strangers during this month. Therefore, food and prayers are given for those “lost souls” to maintain the health and happiness of the living.
- National Day on September 2nd
To celebrate Vietnamese National Day, national flags are displayed everywhere as an expression of patriotism and pride. There will be fireworks, parades and awesome festivities in Saigon, thus visitors will have a chance to engage in the festive atmosphere here.
- Mid-Autumn Festival (Mooncake Festival) in September or October
The Mid-Autumn Festival is held annually on August 15th of the lunar calendar. Every Vietnamese child looks forward to this festival because they can buy their own bright lantern and eat a lot of delicious mooncakes.
- Christmas in December
Saigon's weather is very pleasant and cool in December, thus it is perfect for walking around the streets and contemplating a different Saigon with splendid pine trees and festive decorations.
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Saigon, Vietnam attracts a large number of foreign and domestic visitors thanks to its prosperity, cultural diversity, and famous destinations. If you are making plans for a trip to Saigon, hopefully this article will provide useful information about Saigon's weather and help you make the best preparations for your upcoming trip!
