Taking a cruise on Halong Bay is one of the top things to do in Vietnam. You can visit Halong Bay any time as cruises operate year-round. However, there is the best time to visit Halong Bay for the best weather, for the best deals, and some months to avoid. Let’s look at Halong weather per month in this article.
Like many other cities in North Vietnam, Halong Bay has two main seasons: the hot and rainy season from May to October and cool/cold and dry season from November to March.
If you visit Halong Bay in the rainy season (particularly from June to September), just be mindful that there will be the risk of storms and typhoons. You will still have many good weather days to explore the bay but make sure to regularly check and update the weather forecast to ensure your safety.
When is the best time to visit Halong Bay?
In my experience, March to April and October to November are the best times to visit Halong Bay. These months have been the most pleasant weather with many sunny days and little rain. This weather is perfect for sightseeing, and some outdoor activities such as cave exploring, hiking, and kayaking.
Summer months and early autumn from May to September have hot and humid weather with high levels of rainfall. It is a great time for beach activities such as swimming and kayaking. Severe weather such as typhoons can occur in these months, which lead to cruise cancellations due to bad weather.
Most cruises offer refunds or rescheduling options for you. If you don’t have a flexible travel plan, I recommend avoiding cruising on Halong Bay between June to September. This is because the bay has been prone to heavy rainfall and unpredictable typhoons during these times.
Winter season, which is from December to February, has more stable weather with little rain and cold. There will be many foggy days which can reduce visibility and impact sightseeing. But, these times are overall a great time for a relaxing cruise experience.
Another note is October to April is the high tourist season, the price for cruises can be higher than normal. If you want the best time in Halong Bay for best deals, you can consider visiting the bay from May to September.
Halong Bay in January
January is a good month to visit Halong Bay. It has cold and dry weather with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 20°C. It has a low chance of typhoons, so it’s unlikely that cruises will be canceled due to bad weather.
There will be drizzles, foggy, and cloudy days, which can affect visibility. The mystical fog can also make Halong more beautiful and magical. The water of the sea in January is cold and not ideal for beach activities such as swimming. You can do other outdoor activities such as kayaking and hiking.
If you visit Halong in January, I recommend bringing a warm jacket with you. This month is also a festive season when Vietnamese prepare for Lunar New Year, which lasts for a week in early February. You can enjoy color decoration and explore traditional Vietnamese culture during this period.
Halong Bay in February
Quite similar to January, Halong Bay still has winter-like weather in February. It has cold and dry weather with a low chance of heavy rain and cruise cancellations.
There will be occasional drizzles, a bit chilly and foggy in the morning. Temperatures range from 18°C to 21°C. The temperature can drop at night, so be sure to bring a warm jacket and long pants with you.
February is actually a good time for a relaxing cruise and exploring attractions like caves, cycling, and hiking around islands.
Early February will be time for Tet holiday, which is one of the longest and most important holidays in Vietnam. You can try traditional food and learn more about local culture.
Halong Bay in March
March is one of the best times to visit Halong Bay. The weather is warmer than January and February with temperature ranging from 18°C to 23°C. There will be frequent Drizzles, especially in the late afternoon, but it will not affect cruise and outdoor activities too much.
March is a good month for beach activities such as swimming, especially if you come from cold countries. It can still be chilly in the evening and early morning, so bring warm clothes with you.
Halong Bay in April
April is spring time and one of the best months to explore Halong Bay for the best weather. The weather is stable with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 27°C. Lots of sunny days and blue skies. This is ideal for sightseeing and enjoying outdoor activities such as swimming, kayaking, cycling, and hiking.
Late April and Early May are public holidays, Halong Bay can attract lots of domestic tourists. Be sure to book in advance during this time to have the best deals. If you want to avoid crowds, maybe avoid this holiday period.
Halong Bay in May
May is the start of the rainy season in Halong Bay and North Vietnam, but it is still a good overall month to cruise on Halong Bay. The weather will be hot and humid with the chance of heavy rains.
The temperature ranges from 24°C to 32°C with clear blue sky. This time is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and explorations.
This is also the start of the low season on the bay, so you can find a good deal of cruises. Just avoid public holidays around the 1st of May. This is the start of the school holiday season in Vietnam, so it will attract lots of domestic travelers.
Halong Bay in June
June is a good month to visit Halong Bay for good deals on cruises. This is a part of the summer month, characterized with hot and humid weather and a high chance of heavy rain. Unpredictable typhoons can occur during this rainy month and cruises can be canceled due to bad weather.
June is the low season for international tourists and the high season for domestic travelers as this is the school summer holiday in Vietnam.
The hot weather (25°C to 36°C ) in June is ideal for a beach vacation. You can enjoy swimming and kayaking. Be sure to pack summer items such as a hat, swimsuits, and suncream with you.
Halong Bay in July
July is one of the hottest months of the year in Halong Bay. Temperature can sometimes reach 40°C. It is hot and humid which is good for beach vacation. However, be aware of the risk of typhoons and cruise cancellation if you are visiting Halong in July.
Similar to June, July is the high season for domestic travelers and low season for international travelers. It is still a good month to visit for budget-conscious visitors. Domestic tourists often opt for day cruises while international tourists like overnight cruises.
Halong Bay in August
August is the final summer month with hot and humid weather, and high risk of storms and heavy storms. Of course, you can still have many sunny days for cruising. Just regularly check the weather forecast for updated weather conditions.
Like June and July, you can find good deals for cruises in August. It is still summer vacation for Vietnamese, so the bay has a high volume of domestic tourists.
Halong Bay in September
September is the first month of Autumn, and students have started going back to school. It is still hot but less than the peak of the summer months.
There is still the chance of heavy rains and typhoons especially in early september. You can consider booking your trip from mid September onward for better weather conditions..
For example, in early September 2024, North Vietnam including Halong was heavily affected by the Yagi typhoon. All cruises were canceled for a few days during the storms and rescheduled.
September is the low season, you can enjoy the bay with fewer tourists and better prices and services. The period around September 2, which is Independence Day, can be packed with domestic travelers.
Halong Bay in October
October is autumn in North Vietnam and is one of the best months to cruise on Halong Bay. The weather is getting more stable with a more pleasant temperature and little rain. The sky is clear which is perfect for outdoor activities.
Temperatures in October range from 20°C to 27°. This is the perfect time for water activities. It is also the start of the high season, so you can still find good deals for cruises and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere.
Halong Bay in November
November is one of the best times to explore Halong Bay. This month offers favorable weather with cool and dry conditions. It can be chilly at night and early morning, so bring warm clothes with you.
Halong Bay in December
December is a great month to spend your Chrismast and New Year in Halong Bay. It has cold and dry weather, which is good for exploration. There will be a mix of lovely sunny days and cloudy days.
December is part of the peak season in Halong Bay, attracting lots of international tourists. Be sure to book your cruise well in advance to secure the deals.
See more:
- The Best 3 Days 2 nights Halong Bay Cruise Itinerary
- Best 2 Days 1 nights Halong Bay Cruise Itinerary
- Halong Bay vs Lan Ha Bay vs Bai Tu Long Bay
- How Many Days in Halong Bay is Enough?
- Where to Stay in Halong Bay
- Halong Bay Day Cruise Vs Overnight Cruise
Overall, Halong Bay is a year-round destination with cruises operating throughout the entire year. You can enjoy a visit to Halong Bay at any time of year, as long as there are no severe weather conditions like typhoons or heavy fog.
The best time to visit Halong for stable weather is from October to April, with Mach, April, October, and November being the best ones. During these months, the bay has little to no rain, which is perfect for explorations.
I would only avoid Halong Bay during storm periods, which can occur from June to September. If you are visiting the bay during these months, regularly update the weather forecast for storms and follow any guidance from local authorities to ensure your safety.