Vietnam stretches over 1,800 km from north to south and its topography varies from coastal plain to mountain ranges; therefore weather patterns in the principle cities are very different.

North
Winter lasts from November to April, with temperatures averaging 10°C – 16°C, and during January to March you will experience fog and drizzle. Summer begins in May and lasts until October, with an average temperature of 30°C, heavy rainfall and the occasional violent typhoon.

Centre
Central Vietnam experiences a transitional climate, with heavy rain falls between November and December and dry, hot summer months.

South
Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year; 25°C – 30°C. Seasons are determined by the rains – the dry season runs from November to April and the wet season from May to October. The hottest period is March and April. Typhoons are quite common in coastal areas between July and November.

Highland Areas
In the hill resorts of Dalat (1,500 m), Buon Ma Thuot and Sapa, nights are cool throughout the year, and in the winter months, during October to March, it can be distinctly chilly with temperatures falling to 0°C, and even during the hottest months of March and April the temperature rarely exceeds 26°C.