Weather in Vietnam in September

The weather in Vietnam in September makes for an interesting experience. Picking the best places to visit and adventure activities to indulge in, depends on the weather if you’re travelling to Vietnam in September.

While north and south Vietnam are two places that you can easily cover, central Vietnam proves to be a bit of a challenge. Navigating through this region during the monsoons can be quite complicated. Here’s our guide on travelling to Vietnam in September with a focus on the weather pattern across the country and festivals during that time of the year.

Travelling to Vietnam in September would make for a fun experience as you can easily cover both, Northern and Southern parts of the country.

weather in North Vietnam in September

(Sapa, Ninh Binh, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Cat Ba)

September is a fantastic time to visit the north, and definitely the best time to visit Vietnam, if you plan on restricting your stay to this region. It is the end of summer with light occasional showers and mostly clear skies. The north is particularly popular among trekking enthusiasts. The gorgeous trails, cool weather, and lush green rice fields are best experienced in September.

In fact, September is when the rice, planted generally in June, is harvested. Harvesting lasts from beginning to mid-September in Sapa and the mountains. And from mid-September to the end in Ninh Binh and the flatter areas. Right before the harvest, the rice turns from green to golden. These dreamy rice terraces are a splendid sight to behold, especially for photographers. 

Because the north is farther away from the equator, it is cooler than the rest of the country. It is wise to expect a few light showers if you go there in September, even though its mostly sunny. Rest assured it won’t interfere with the sightseeing at Halong Bay. 

Travelling to Vietnam in September is great idea, especially for those of you attracted to the north.

September is one of the best months to visit North Vietnam. The nature is at its best during this month.

weather in Central Vietnam in September

(Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Nha Trang)

While the monsoon winds exit North Vietnam, they make their entrance in the central regions and last till November. How the rain impacts your travel plan depends entirely on the places you choose to visit. But rest assured, there is something worth seeing in every corner of Vietnam.

Along the coastal areas like Da Nang, Hoi An and Nha Trang, storms and typhoons are frequent, and floods are common in the countryside and hilly regions. You’re better off choosing an alternate month to trek in the central highlands or explore the caves at Phong Nha national park. The rains in September are likely to ruin this experience for you.

However, if you’re keen on only visiting Hue and Hoi An for some sightseeing, you’re good to go. Simply pack an umbrella or a windcheater and appreciate the offbeat places that continue to remain unexplored. Temperatures drop during the monsoon season, so heat is the least of your concerns. Da Lat, a hill station, known as the ‘city of eternal spring’, where the temperature rarely goes over 22° C (71° F) irrespective of the weather.

The monsoon winds enter the Central region of Vietnam in September, making it difficult to explore this region. However, the beautiful hill station of Da Lat can be a great pick, as the temperatures always remain low.

weather in South Vietnam in September

(Phu Quoc, Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City)

Southern Vietnam is similar to northern Vietnam in terms of weather in September, as here too the monsoon recedes, with fewer showers of rain. The sun makes it a bit hotter here than everywhere else, as this region is closest to the equator and experiences the most tropical weather of the country.

The countryside is especially gorgeous this time of the month. It remains consistently warmer than 26° C (79°fahrenheit) in the lowlands, whereas the highlands have cooler temperatures.

Southern Vietnam is very pleasant and looks gorgeous in the month of September.

Festivals in September

September 2nd is the National Independence Day for Vietnam and is celebrated across the country. National flags and pictures of Ho Chi Minh (leader of the revolutionary movement) adorn the streets of the country with colourful parades that march through the main city streets.

There is a particularly large parade in Hanoi, on Ba Dinh Square in front of Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum. Another gorgeous sight to witness are the firework displays in the major cities of Vietnam. However, offices and shops stay shut, so those looking to apply for visa extensions or any other official work must account for this.

The Vietnamese also celebrate Trung Thu, or the Mid-Autumn festival, on a full moon night in September or October. It has been celebrated for more than 400 years, to mark the end of the rice harvest in the Red River Delta. Now this festive holiday is a chance to spend time with families, as parents would be busy during the harvest.

Today the fest is synonymous with Children’s Day. Special rice cakes called mooncakes are made and shared. They are sticky, with different fillings like lotus seeds, nuts, pieces of sausages, or egg yolk. Families gather to watch the full moon rise. There are street puppet shows, live performances, markets and parades, and delicious food around every corner. The date for the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2020 is the 1st of October, and 21st of September for 2021.

A large parade takes place every year in front of the Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum in Hanoi on 2nd September, The National Independence Day for Vietnam.

To sum it all up, you can explore the gorgeous rice terraces of North Vietnam, or take in the stunning views in central Vietnam. You could relax by the beach at Phu Quoc or float through the Mekong Delta, both in southern Vietnam. The overall temperatures in September are ideal for travelling to Vietnam with plenty to do. Be sure to avoid the stormy coasts of central Vietnam and prepared to deal with the sporadic showers.

Overall, the weather in September in Vietnam is good enough to book those tickets. Ticket fares may increase slightly around Independence Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival, but at a very marginal rate.

Travelling to Vietnam in September is definitely something we would recommended, provided you plan the ideal itinerary. Whether you’re a solo traveller or a family, simply hit the Plan Your Trip button. Based on your interests, we’ll help curate the ideal trip to Vietnam. A blend of he best places to visit and activities to indulge in, while keeping in mind the weather pattern and your time constraints.