March, in my experience, is one of the best times to visit entire Vietnam. In this article I will share with you some information about the weather conditions, top places to see in March, and explain why it is a good month to see Vietnam.
Weather in Vietnam in March
Vietnam usually has three different weather zones: North, Central, and South; but the entire country is in the dry season in March with mid temperature and minimal rainfall. The temperature in each region is generally higher than previous months.
North Vietnam in March is getting warmer (around 19°C) compared to January and February. You will have lots of sunny days, clear skies, and occasional drizzles.
Central Vietnam has great weather (around 28°C) and little rainfall. The sea temperature in Da Nang and Hoi An is also warmer than previous months, which is good for swimming.
South Vietnam still has warm and dry weather (around 29°C). You can enjoy beach activities and sightseeing.
If you are in Vietnam in March be sure to pack both swimwear for swimming in South and Central Vietnam and light jacket for North Vietnam. It can still be chilly, especially at night in North Vietnam.
Is March a good month to visit Vietnam?
Yes, March is one of the best months to go to Vietnam. The whole country is in the dry season with many sunny days, clear skies, and little rain, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
The cool weather in the North is perfect to visit cultural attractions in Hanoi, take a cruise on Halong Bay, or go trekking in Sapa. The warm and dry weather in South and Central Vietnam in March is great for exploring the bustling Ho Chi Minh City, enjoying the beaches of Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, and Nha Trang.
March is the end of the busy Tet periods which usually lasts from January to February. This is a great month for budget-friendly flight tickets, accommodations, and less tourist crowds.
Best Places to Visit in Vietnam in March
1. Hanoi
Hanoi has comfortable temperatures in March, not too hot, not too cold. Even though there will be occasional drizzles and high humidity, it is still a great time for sightseeing and exploring cultural attractions in Hanoi.
Temperature ranges from 17°C to 23°C, but can be chilly at night and early morning, so be sure to bring a long-sleeve or light jacket with you.
You can explore the Old quarter, try local foods and drinks such as bun cha Hanoi, banh cuon, and egg coffee. Major attractions are Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoa Lo Prison, the Train Street, and Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. At night, you can grab a fresh beer at Ta Hien Beer Street and people watch.
You can easily explore the old quarter on foot, by using Grab, or take a guided tour. The best area to stay in Hanoi is the old quarter. This area offers a central location, wide range of accommodations, and authentic atmosphere.
2. Sapa
March is a great time to go trekking and hiking in Sapa. The temperature ranges from 12-23°C, not as cold in peak winter months. It is still recommended to bring a jacket with you to keep you warm especially in the early morning and at night.
This is spring time, so you can admire the colorful flowers blooming, watch farmers working on the rice terraces, chase clouds, and explore majestic waterfalls. You can trek though different ethnic villages to experience the local culture. Cat Cat, Ta Phin, and Lao Chai are well-known villages to explore.
Sapa is easily reachable from Hanoi by train and sleeper bus. It is only around 6 hours away from the capital city. You can consider staying in a homestay in a ethnic village or a hotel in Sapa town.
3. Ha Giang
March is part of the dry season in Ha Giang, so you’ll have comfortable temperatures (around 17°C ), clear skies, and little rain for outdoor activities and sightseeing. The weather can be foggy in the morning, sunny during daytime, and cold at night, so bring a warm jacket with you.
Ha Giang is known for its scenic drive and breathtaking mountainous landscape. It is a 6 hour drive from Hanoi and there are daily sleeper buses between these two cities.
You can take a motorbike tour on the Ha Giang Loop, check out major viewpoints such as Lung Ho ViewPoint, Du Gia Waterfall, Ban An Stream, Tham Lin Cave, Nho Que River, Ma Pi Leng Pass, and Quan Ba heaven Gate.
4. Ha Long
HaLong Bay in March has temperatures ranging from 18°C to 23°C, with frequent drizzles, and some sunny days. It is comfortable weather for most tourists. You can have a chance to experience mystical Halong Bay on cloudy and foggy days.
Like most parts of North Vietnam, it can be chilly in the evening, so bring warm clothes with you. The best way to explore Halong is to take the overnight cruise to see the sun rise, sun set, enjoy the views, and water activities such as swimming and kayaking.
5. Ninh Binh
Ninh Binh is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam in March. Similar to other cities in North Vietnam, it has spring weather which often comes with drizzles and cold temperatures in the evening.
Ninh BInh is a famous tourist destination in North Vietnam, located only 2 hours drive from Hanoi. You can take a boat ride on Trang An Landscape Complex, visit Hang Mua cave, and Bai Dinh pagoda.
While you can take day trips from Hanoi, it is best to stay a night or two here to enjoy the nightlife and explore the local culture. You can try local food such as goat meals and drinks at many restaurants and bars in Tam Coc. You can rent a motorbike or bicycle to explore the countryside and rice fields.
6. Hue
Hue has warm and dry weather in March with temperatures ranging from 21°C to 28°C. You can explore the city with some drizzles but without being affected by heavy rains.
Hue is the ancient capital of Vietnam, located in the central part of the country, a 3 hour train ride from Da Nang. Hue has an airport and a train station, so you can easily reach it by air and by train.
You can visit the Imperial Palace of Hue, Thien Mu pagoda, and the royal tombs. The city is also known for its special food and drinks such as Bun Bo Hue, Salt coffee, and Hue Cake. You can consider taking a boat ride along Huong River, and enjoy the nightlife at walking streets in Phu Hoi Wards.
7. Da Nang
Da Nang has pleasant weather in March, ideal for sightseeing and beach activities. The temperature is from 24°C to 30°C. The rainfall is minimal and there is lots of sunshine.
You can explore the city center with attractions such as Han River, Dragon Bridge, and Han Market. My Khe Beach is a great place to go for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing.
You can use Grab or hire a private driver to go to further attractions like Marbles Mountains, Ba Na Hill, and Linh Ung pagoda. The city also has delicious dishes to try such as Banh Cuon Thit Heo and My Quang.
8. Hoi An
Similar to Da Nang, Hoi An is in the dry season in March. It has lots of sunny days, comfortable temperature, and minimal rainfall. You can explore the ancient town, have your custom clothes made, take a lantern boat ride on Hoai River, or go shopping at the central market.
You can rent a bike to explore the countryside and the beaches. An Bang Beach and Cua Dai Beach are located only 10 minutes drive from the ancient town. This month is great for swimming, especially during daytime when the sea temperature is warm.
9. Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a beach city located in the south central coast of Vietnam. It has a higher temperature compared to Da Nang and Hoi An, making it ideal for beaches. This is also the dry season in Nha Trang, so you can enjoy outdoor activities without worrying about the rain.
Nha Trang has an airport and a train station, making it easily reachable from other cities in Vietnam. You can go swimming at the beaches in the city center such as Tran Phu Beach and Hon Chong Beach.
Additionally, this city also has some cultural attractions to see like Dam market, Long Son pagoda, Nha Trang Cathedral, and Ponagar Temple. You can try fresh seafood, take a cable car ride to Hon Tre island, explore Monkey island, and relax at a healing mud bath.
10. Da Lat
In March, Da Lat has mild and dry weather with temperature ranging from 15°C to 27°C. This is a great month for exploring cultural attractions, enjoying the night market, and outdoor activities.
You can reach Da Lat by airplane and by sleeper bus. Once in the city, you can explore on foot, by Grab, and by guided tour. In the city, you can check out the Xuan Huong Lake, Crazy House, Linh Phuoc pagoda, Dalat cable car, and Datanla waterfall.
You can explore the countryside of Dalat with more beautiful waterfalls, and coffee plantations by riding a motorbike or taking a guided tour. I recommend having a look at Pongour Waterfall, Elephant Waterfall, Linh An pagoda, and Linh Coffee Plantation.
11. Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City in March has great weather conditions for sightseeing. It always has warm weather but it is not as hot as the peak summer months which are from May to August.
You can spend a day or two in the city exploring attractions such as the war museum, the independence palace, Ben Thanh market, and Bui Vien walking street. You can check out many nice bars, nightclubs, and rooftop terraces at night.
From Ho Chi Minh City, you can take day trips to nearby attractions such as Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta.
12. Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is one of the best places to go in Vietnam in March. It has great weather with lots of sunshine and little rain, ideal for swimming and exploring historical and cultural attractions.
You can check out the beautiful beaches such as Long Beach and Star Beach. Long Beach is a great place to watch the sunset, while Star Beach is white sandy stretch, ideal for swimming and water sport activities.
Don’t miss out on taking a cable car ride to Hon Thom island. It is the world’s largest 3-wired car in the world running through the ocean. And visit some cultural attractions like Coconut prison, Ho Quoc pagoda, and Pearl Farm.
See more:
- Vietnam in January
- Vietnam in February
- Vietnam in October
- Vietnam in November
- Vietnam in December
- One month in Vietnam Itinerary
- Best Time to Visit Vietnam
So, Where to visit in Vietnam in March?
March is generally a great month to explore entire Vietnam from South to North. This is the dry season in all regions of Vietnam, so you enjoy sightseeing and outdoor activities with minimal rainfalls. The South and Central are the best spots for beaches while The North is best for trekking.
The weather is chilly in the north especially in the evening and warm in the South, so be sure to pack both winter and summer clothes with you.