Seasonal travelBy Clever Tourists · Published
March is one of the best months to cover Vietnam from south to north: Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City are dry and warm, and Hanoi is mild but grey and drizzly. Hanoi averages about 21 to 26°C (69 to 79°F) with 16 rain days and only about 47 hours of sun, while Ho Chi Minh City reaches 25 to 34°C (77 to 92°F) with around 1 rain day and 272 hours of sun. Tet in 2027 is on 6 February, so March has normal prices and no holiday shutdown. We were in Vietnam from 20 April to 19 May 2023, so we have no March experience; the figures are 1991 to 2020 climate normals as listed on Wikipedia.
• Best weather: central and southern Vietnam. Da Nang and Hoi An are dry and not yet at peak heat, and the south is hot and sunny.
• Worst weather: Hanoi and the north, which are cool and overcast with drizzle.
• Fewest crowds: March is a calmer month than the Tet period and the summer holidays.
• Cheapest: moderate; prices are normal, not peak. Compare with Vietnam in December.
• Avoid: nothing major. Plan for heat in Ho Chi Minh City and overcast skies in Hanoi.
Typical March figures from 1991 to 2020 climate normals:
• Hanoi: about 21 to 26°C (69 to 79°F), around 36 mm of rain but 16 rain days, humidity about 88% and only 47 hours of sunshine. It is damp, cloudy and drizzly rather than wet.
• Da Nang and Hoi An: about 22 to 28°C (71 to 83°F), around 25 mm of rain over 5 rain days. This is the dry, comfortable stretch before the summer heat.
• Da Lat: about 13 to 25°C (55 to 77°F), around 64 mm of rain over 6 rain days. Cool evenings and warm sun.
• Ho Chi Minh City: about 25 to 34°C (77 to 92°F), around 18 mm of rain over 1 rain day, humidity about 70% and 272 hours of sun. Hot, dry and bright.
These are averages, not forecasts. Our what to pack for Vietnam and the regional packing pages for Hanoi and Sapa, Hoi An and central Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City are better guides to what to bring.
In March the best order is usually south to north or a split route. Start in Ho Chi Minh City before it gets too hot, spend the middle of the trip in Hoi An and Da Lat, and finish in Hanoi. The north is grey regardless of order, but you will notice it less if you leave it for last and plan indoor stops.
Ha Long Bay cruise operators describe March as settled with light drizzle and less fog than December, though these are tour companies rather than official forecasters. Check the forecast before booking an overnight cruise; see our Ha Long Bay cruise guide.
Tet 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February, so the holiday closures and travel rush are over by March. See Tet 2027 if you travel earlier. The next big domestic travel dates are 30 April and 1 May.
We did not find a major festival that is useful to plan a trip around in March, so use it for the weather split instead. For the other season, see Vietnam in January.
We spent 20 to 23 April 2023 in Hanoi, 23 to 27 April in Ninh Binh, then Hue, Hoi An (29 April to 5 May), Da Lat, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City. For March, Hoi An and Da Lat are the stronger stops; see how many days in Hoi An, how many days in Da Lat and Hoi An Ancient Town ticket price.
Hanoi and Ninh Binh still work in drizzle. See how many days in Hanoi, what to eat in Hanoi and Hanoi to Ninh Binh. Our 4-week Vietnam route shows the full sequence.
March is not a peak month, though the good weather in Hoi An and Da Lat draws domestic and foreign visitors, and weekends in Hoi An's old town are busy. Book rooms near the old town a few weeks ahead rather than months.
Hoi An tailoring is cheaper if you order early in your stay; see the Hoi An tailor guide. For overall costs, see how much does a trip to Vietnam cost.
If you want sun in Hanoi, go later; the north is grey in March. See best time to visit Hanoi.
If you hate heat, Ho Chi Minh City reaches an average high of 34°C. See best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City.
If you want the Tet atmosphere, go in February, but expect closures and higher prices.
Yes for the centre and south, which are dry and warm. Hanoi is cool and drizzly with few sunny hours.
About 21 to 26°C with around 16 rain days, high humidity and only about 47 hours of sun in the month.
Yes: Da Nang's normals show about 25 mm of rain over 5 rain days, with highs near 28°C.
Not in 2027. Tet falls on 6 February 2027, so March is back to normal prices and opening hours.
Get our new Vietnam guides and practical tips by email: where to stay, what to eat, what things cost and the rules that catch travelers out.
Free. No spam, only new guides and tips.
Search verified local fleets with low security deposits and exact model delivery on Localrent.
Looking for the best deals on Vietnam hotels? Check Booking.com.
