THE SEASON AHEAD
As I write, nearly everywhere in Vietnam is experiencing great weather. Dry, sunny conditions make the country’s beaches difficult to resist, while towns and cities are a delight to explore. You can discover ancient citadels and endless rice paddies by bike, enjoying comfortable temperatures that lend themselves to being outdoors. Cruises around Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long allow you to escape to wraparound landscapes of calm emerald waters and limestone karsts that rise dramatically from the sea.
May marks a slight change, as temperatures begin to increase – but there is still dry weather to enjoy in many areas of Vietnam. Even as summer progresses you can still have a wonderful holiday. We will design you an itinerary that focuses on the south of the country where the weather is drier. This is also a wonderful time of year to take a luxury river cruise along the Mekong, as the water levels are higher. You can even cross the Tonlé Sap Lake into Cambodia. This is only possible between August and November, and it delivers an utterly fascinating insight into communities that live their entire lives on the water.
Sam – April 2026
WHERE AND WHEN
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Variations in climate across Vietnam make it a country that can be enjoyed almost year-round. One of the best times to visit is between November and April. This covers the winter and spring seasons in Vietnam, when rainfall and humidity levels are lower. The period between February and May is a particularly good time to visit as most regions are not in their rainy season. This makes Vietnam a great destination for an Easter holiday or for a February half-term escape. The only aspect you need to bear in mind for travel in February is the date of Tet (Vietnamese new year). Though it's a busy time to travel, there is a festive feel across the country with plenty to enjoy – you just need to book as early as possible.
June marks the start of summer in Vietnam. Travel is still perfectly possible, we just recommend you avoid cruises around Lan Ha Bay between July and September due to typhoon season. You can still have a wonderful Vietnam holiday over the summer months, as long as you avoid the south of the country. Summer is also a great time of year to cruise the Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia as, between August and November, it offers the remarkable experience of crossing the Tonle Sap Lake.
Where are the best places to visit in Vietnam?
Vietnam offers great diversity from north to south, and you can easily combine the country’s highlights on a cultural tour with some beach relaxation at the end. Some of the key places to visit on a luxury vacation to Vietnam include:
- Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) – the Vietnamese capital has far more to detain you than ever before. The contrast of old and new remains as fascinating as it ever was – the gleaming modern outskirts encircling an Old Quarter bursting with colonial era treasures such as the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. You can also trace Vietnam War history at the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, and on a trip out of the Cu Chi Tunnels. Saigon nowadays is transforming into a foodie haven where you can enjoy some of the most affordable Michelin-starred dining in the world
- Hanoi – Vietnam’s second city is one of the country’s most atmospheric and beautiful. The scent of sizzling street food and freshly-baked bread drifts through the narrow streets lined with crumbling colonial façades. The Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, offers a glimpse into Confucian heritage, while the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum stands as an imposing symbol of national identity.
- Hoi An – The coastal city of Hoi An is mid-way between Hanoi in the north and Saigon in the south, and is a must-visit destination in its own right. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town is a network of yellow-painted merchant houses, Chinese temples, and tailors preparing garments in fine Vietnamese silk. Exploring Hoi An’s bustling markets is always enjoyable, but particularly atmospheric at night as the Thu Bồn River glows with vibrant lanterns, and the smell of street food fills the air. Nearby Nam Hai beach is a good choice if you are seeking a luxury resort not too far away, but travelling further south to the region around Quy Nhon brings even greater choice if you want to combine Hoi An with some time on the beach.
- Central Coast Beaches – One of the best regions for quiet beach relaxation, the stretch of coastline spanning out from Nha Trang houses some of the country's finest luxury beach resorts. In Ninh Van Bay, the Six Senses is only accessible by boat, and is a haven of spacious villas with private plunge pools and a hillside spa hidden by tropical forest. Further south, in Phu Yen province and the coastline near Quy Nhon you can find pristine jungle-fringed coves and golden sands that feel completely undiscovered. Choosing a resort like Zannier Bai San Ho allows you to completely hide away on a truly unspoilt and idyllic Vietnamese beach.
If you have even longer to linger to spend in Vietnam, the imperial city of Hue is a fascinating place to spend a day or two, exploring the UNESCO-listed Citadel and the remnants of royal tombs dotted along the Perfume River. Another popular addition to a tailor-made tour of Vietnam is a cruise around the picturesque limestone karsts, forested islands, and turquoise lagoons accessible from the Gulf of Tonkin. Avoid Halong Bay in favour of the more peaceful experience to be found in Lan Ha Bay. Alternatively, get fully off-the-beaten track on a recently launched luxury cruise around Bai Tu Long.
If it is off-the-beaten track you seek, there are other places on the mainland we can recommend. We can arrange a stay at a riverside retreat in Tam Coc near Ninh Binh where you can enjoy quintessential Vietnamese experiences such as picnics surrounded by rice paddies and kayaking along rivers dwarfed by towering limestone cliffs – but with only a fraction of the visitors found elsewhere. And if travel by water is particularly appealing, Vietnam is one of the best gateways for a Mekong river cruise. Board a luxury river cruise and drift from My Tho to Siem Reap along the mighty Mekong, observing rural life along the way.
