Northern Vietnam is the paradise of stunning and spectacular landscapes. If you are a travel enthusiast, you may have heard of such famous tourist attractions as Sapa, Mai Chau, Halong Bay, Hanoi, and Ninh Binh. It is true that these are all charming destination, yet you have to travel at the right time to enjoy their utmost beauty. In this article, we will give you some advice on planning time for your trip to Northern Vietnam.
Hanoi – The Thousand-year-old Capital
Speaking of Hanoi, we are pleased to say that the city welcomes tourist all year round. No matter which season you choose to visit, Hanoi always have distinctive features to offer. Generally, the weather in Vietnam is divided into the rainy season and dry season, but in Hanoi, you can experience all four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
Amongst the four seasons, the Spring and the Autumn are the utmost pleasant times to walk along quaint streets and breathe the air of a thousand-year-old capital city. If you come here in the Spring (from February to April), you can see the nature wearing a new, green coast with buds and blossoms bursting on tree branches.
The Autumn (from mid-September until the end of November) is regarded as the most charming and romantic time for a visit to Hanoi. Tourists setting foot in Hanoi city in autumn would be rewarded with cool breezes, comforting sunlight and incredibly enchanting views of nature. Actually, there is no bad time to visit Hanoi, but if you do not like the heat and high level of humidity, then the summer might not be the time for you.
Sapa – The Misty Town
Located amongst the magnificent mountain ranges in the northern region of Vietnam, every year, Sapa draw thousands of tourists to this misty mountainous town thanks to the spectacular and breath-taking sceneries favorably granted by nature. Those who wish to contemplate the natural beauty of Sapa are highly recommended to book your Sapa Tours in the time between March and June. During these months, the Spring bestows a lifeful breath upon every single plant in the area. Here and there, colorful fields of blooming flowers and blossoms along with verdant slopes would bind the footsteps of tourists. The temperatures during these months are also very cool and pleasant. Besides, the shimmering rice fields in the harvest season during August and September would charm every traveler who once saw this appealing image. Together with azure sky and soothing sunshine, a picturesque panorama is sketched out in front of the stunned eyes of tourists.
Mai Chau – A Gem Amidst Mountain Ranges
Lying on the altitude of only 150 meters, Mai Chau, a famous ecotourism and trekking destination in Vietnam, has relatively pleasing weather around the year with the average temperature of 18oC. For this reason, you can book your Mai Chau Tour at any time of the year without worrying about unfavorable weather factors. Still, the best time for your trip to Mai Chau is in late September and October, which is the harvesting season. During this time, the rice fields are ‘dyed’ in different shades of color, from greenish yellow to golden hue.
Halong Bay – A Wonder of Nature
Halong Bay, situated in the Gulf of Tonkin, is one of the ideal destinations for holiday vacations, particularly cruising trips, in Northern Vietnam. For enjoying an unforgettable cruise on the bay, ten out of ten travel consultants would advise you to visit during the Spring (from March to May) and the Autumn (from late August to October). During these months, the weather conditions, with warm sunshine, cool air, and no mist, are most favorable for an exciting journey exploring the beauty of the Bay. Still, you can visit Halong Bay in June and July if you cannot arrange your trip at another time. These are months when monsoon prevails and the weather is not very favorable for cruising, your cruise may be canceled in the worst circumstance – typhoon. But based on our experiences, there are only 2 or 3 days each year which Halong Bay Cruise need to be canceled.
Ninh Binh – Ideal Place for Photography Enthusiasts
Only two hours of driving from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is a destination that you should not miss out on the itinerary of your trip discovering Vietnam. If you love contemplating the shimmering ripen rice fields along the poetic streams of Tam Coc Bich Dong - Hoa Lu and Trang An, you should go there in the two harvesting seasons of the year from April to May and from September to October. For flower lovers, June is the ideal time as lotus and waterlily bloom massively during the month, so you can capture many impressive pictures of nature here.
It is highly recommended that the time from December to February (of the next year) should be cross out from your traveling plan because the weather many induce a lot of hindrance for your trip in Ninh Binh.
In a nutshell, traveling to the right place at the right time would definitely make your experience there much more memorable. Hence, it is always necessary to choose the time carefully before each journey. In order to prepare better for your trip to Vietnam, you may refer to other articles in our series of the best time to visit Central Vietnam and the best time to visit Southern Vietnam.