Summer Travel Tips in Vietnam – Where to go And What to pack

Vietnam’s long coastline stretching from China border to the gulf of Thai Lan makes the country’s weather and climate incredibly diverse, from the familiar four-season system in the north to eternal summer in the south. Which is to say, no matter when you travel to Vietnam, there are always pleasant places to visit. In fact, summer is one of the best time to visit Vietnam, with cool weather in the breathtaking mountainous areas in the north half, and a heap of stunning beaches in the half south of the country. Below we will share several places to spend your summer break in Vietnam tour package along with a comprehensive packing list for your hassle-free journey.

1.    What is summer like in Vietnam?
It’s a bit complicated to talk about when the summer starts in Vietnam, because generally the summer in most parts of Vietnam is hot and humid. As Vietnam is such a long country with different types of landscape and climate, we tend to divide the country into 3 parts when it comes to discuss about the weather: Northern Vietnam, Central Vietnam, and Southern Vietnam.

Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam refers mainly to the popular destinations of Ha Long Bay; the mountainous areas including Sapa, Mai Chau, Pu Luong, and the Red River Delta comprised of the capital city of Hanoi. Summer here is likely to last from April to September with high heat and humidity. While the most humid time falls in May and July, tropical climate with intermitten rain occurs on June, August, and September. Sunny time also lasts till October and November but the but with pleasant weather with no rain, just exactly like the start of the summer – April. However the weather is a bit different in the moutains of Sapa, Mai Chau, or Pu Luong, it’s sunny yet cool during the day and can be cold after dusk. 

Central Vietnam
Central Vietnam is kind of transitionary area of climate between the north and the south. The region includes many world-known destinations such as the imperial city of Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, some famous coastal cities namely Nha Trang and Mui Ne. The period between March and August is known as summer time here, and is also the best time to visit the central part of Vietnam. In the beginning like March and April the weather is the most pleasant with sun and no rain, but when it moves to the next months it’s going to be high heat with humidity. 

Southern Vietnam
Unlike other regions, the Southern Vietnam just has two seasons: the dry one and the rainy one, and is the paradise for sun lovers as there is eternal summer here. If you are up for beach retreat, or just simply hot weather, you can visit the southern part any time in the year, but ideally avoid August, September, and October as it’s the peak of rainy season. From November to April, the it is very nice weather with sun but not much humidity and (highly likely) no rain. It is from May to July that the weather gets annoyingly humid.

2.    Where to go during summer in Vietnam? 
Summer in Vietnam is mostly about sun, sea, and sand due to a variety of heavenly stunning across the southern half of the country. Below we would love to introduce some of the best beaches for your summer Vietnam holiday.

My Khe Beach, Da Nang
Da Nang is well-known as one of the best coastal cities in Vietnam, with the My Khe beach making history when it was titled as “one of the most attractive beaches on the planet” by Forbes Magazine. Stretching for 10km from the base of Son Tra Peninsula to the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), My Khe attacts millions of tourists every year due to its central location (5km from city center), white sand and coconut-fringed beach, and clear warm water all year round. Certain weather factors such as breaking waves, coast direction and strong win makes the beach a world-renowned favorite for surfing, snorkelling and jet-skiing. 

An Bang Beach, Hoi An
This is one of the few stretches of beach in Hoi An that is relatively unspoiled by development. As it only takes a short drive from the cultural attactions of Hoi An and the waves are small, An Bang beach is a popular option for either those who want to soak up the sun or family with kids. Why not spending the day with the kids on the sea and heading back to the Hoi An Ancient Town in the late afternoon for a leisurely stroll across the winding lantern-lit streets. 

Vinpearl Land, Nha Trang
Vinpearl Land Nha Trang is undoubtedly a perfect family retreat for parents and kids who seek the solace by the sea and at the same time the ease accessibility to the thrilling urban life. Just a cable car ride away from the city center, Vinpearl Land is the vibrant island with the giant theme park, entertainment centers, massive shopping malls, and beautiful beach that will keep your family busy all day. The gentle currents makes it perfect for swimming and safe for kids, and the sand is one of the most softest that you will ever find in Vietnam.

Mui Ne Beach, Mui Ne
Just like My Khe, Mui Ne is the ideal places for both water sports enthusiasts and more relaxed beach-goers. With great white-crested waves and strong wind, Mui Ne is heaven for those who are into surfing or kite surfing, while others can watch from a safe distance on the dry and sun-drenched land. In fact, Mui Ne’s unique microclimate makes it receive less rainfall than the surrounding areas, which means more sun time, and more fun time! If you are on your family vacation, there is a plenty of family-friendly resorts and restaurants to explore. If you are with your partner or friends, pubs, bars and romantic beach-side cafes are just steps away. 

Ong Lang Beach, Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc, 1-hour flight from the bustling Ho Chi Minh City, is worldwidely known as one of the most beautiful islands of Vietnam with spectacular beaches. Located in the west coast of Phu Quoc, this serene sandy Ong Lang Beach is a quiet and peaceful corner while rapid development of the island is on the way. Spending the day under the tropical sun soaking yourself in the crystal clear water or lying comfortably on land and reading your favorite book, is the idea of bliss that this beach has to offer.  
Threeland Travel offers numerous Vietnam Beach Package Holidays for your Vietnam travel in summer. From the most isolated prinstine beaches in Phu Quoc to the vibrant island of Vinpearl Land Nha Trang with ease accessibility to thrilling urban life, from family friendly style to romance retreat, Threeland has you all covered. 

If you want to do something different and more adventurous rather than the beach, you might want to spend time exploring the moutains in the north Vietnam due to the magnificent nature and very nicely cool weather. Here after is our list of northern mountainous destinations for your summer holiday in Vietnam.

Sapa
This is the homeplace of dramatic landscape and colorful hillstribes in the Northwestern mountainous area. Trekk through one of the most rugged routes and admire the endlessly green fields and meandering rivers that pictures can’t do the vista justice. Sapa is also the home to Fansipan – the highest peak of Indochina’s region, which used to be one of bucketlists of extreme adventurers, but now can be “conquered” by many thanks to the cable cab. Besides challenging yourself with the moutains, Sapa invites you to explore the unique and fascinating cultures of its indigenous people by visiting the local villages where not only for trading activities but also for local couples to meet their future spouses. For anyone who prefers arranged package holiday with a mountain twist in Sapa, Threeland travel offers Essental Vietnam with Sapa Tour if you arrive Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City or The Hidden Charm of Sapa if you arrive in Hanoi, for you to discover Sapa and other unmissable destinations during the epic summer of Vietnam.

Pu Luong 
A peaceful and little-known place for a perfect retreat where you will see no interuption of urbanization and mass tourism. The cascading rice fields, charming hidden villages, good-natured people, and adorably naive local puppies will make you happily lost. Pu Luong is highly recommended as an alternative for the famous Sapa if you want to escape from tourist crowds and industrialization but to explore no less dramatic landscape and nature. We highly recommend Pu Luong Retreat for your perfect stay with the panoramic view and the tranquil setting. The local guide at Pu Luong Retreat will lead you to discover the trails through Don or Hieu Village up to the hilly walkways. Reward yourself after the hard trek with a mouth-watering meal at Pu Luong Retreat. The chef here is the best in town and he will undoubtedly make sure your food is second to none. Or if you want to include Puluong in your Vietnam travel package, Threeland’s Vietnam Authentic Journey with Pu Luong allows you to explore this peaceful and tranquil nature reserve in the middle of your exciting Vietnam tours. 

3.    What to pack
•    Sunglasses and suncream are indispensable for summer holiday in Vietnam. However if you plan to visit the beach, please be mindful of your chosen suncream to protect the coral reef. Let’s be an eco-conscious beach-goers and have a look at this list of 10 best suncreams that reflect the sun off your skin and also protect the ocean. 
•    A sarong, bathing suit, bikini, shorts, and flip flops as they are always useful for beach and pool time.
•    Nice casual outfits for fun (and fashionable) for day city break and night out, also some shoulders and knees covered clothes if you plan to visit temples, pagodas and other sacred places.  
•    Mosquito repellents anywhere you go in Vietnam.
•    Though the weather is hot, it is still recommended to have a close-toed sandals or sneakers as it will be convenient, and safe to walk on some broken streets in the city center.
•    If you plan to visit the northern moutains, do not forget to bring good hiking shoes and wind-breakers as the weather can be cool and breezing up there.
•    A handy umbrella and a poncho just in case of sudden rain. 
•    Your refillable water to save the environment and to save your budget! You may want to download the app Refill My Bottle where you can find free or slightly charged water refill stations in almost all Vietnam’s destinations.  
•    For all locations, you should definitely bring a valid passport, travel insurance and a good camera to capture the unforgettable moments.

With nearly 20 years of experience, Threeland Travel prides ourselves as a leading local DMC in Indochina and in Vietnam particularly providing clients will best tailored options for their once-in-a-lifetime experience in our home destinations. We offer a wide range of Vietnam Travel Package that fits every taste and budget. No matter when you plan to travel to Vietnam, our tours are filled with breathtaking landscape, fascinating culture and history, and meaningful connection with local community that leaves travelers life-long memories of Vietnam’s  timeless charm. Fancy something more personalized to satiate your timing and budget request? Do not hesitate to email us right away at [email protected] and our travel guru will be in touch immediately to give you best available advice on town and turn your whatever inquiry into a dream-like Vietnam summer holiday.