When travelling to Vietnam, understanding the weather in advance can be of great help. Vietnam can be geographically divided into a north and south region. The southern region of Vietnam mainly has only dry and wet seasons. The northern region is characterized by the general 4 seasons that we have around the world. In this article, we will talk about the clothes and items that you should pack according to the season you are visiting Vietnam in. Read on to find out -
The 4 seasons categorized in Vietnam are summer, winter, spring, and autumn. These seasons last from -- The winter season lasts from the month of December to March
- The spring season lasts from the month of March to June
- The summer season lasts from the month of June to September
- The autumn season lasts from September to the month of December
What Should You Wear for Winter in Vietnam?
Winter is one of the best times to visit Vietnam. As the temperature in the winter season isn’t too low or too high it serves as a good spot for exploration. This season that lasts from December to March, sees a lot of festivities relative to the Vietnamese people. Celebrations like Christmas, Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar year all give an amazing insight into the cultural lives of the local folk. For this weather, it will be advised to carry lots of warm clothing with yourself. Sweaters, socks, and hand gloves are necessary.
During this time, mountainous regions like Sa Pa and Ha Giang give an incredible trekking experience. Therefore, make sure you pack a good pair of shoes. Parts of Sa Pa and others have also been known to be drizzly during this time. Just to be safe, carry a torchlight, a jacket, and an umbrella wherever you go.
What to Wear for Spring in Vietnam?
The spring in Vietnam is a short season that lasts from the month of March to June. It is a better time to visit the country before the summer strikes as parts of the country become unbearably hot during summers. While temperatures in these times go up to 25 degrees, you need a separate plethora of time to pack for this tropical holiday. As the temperatures are ideally favourable for exploration, this time of the year is said to be the best for hanging out at the beach.
This ultimate beach time calls for a bathing suit and beach clothes but makes sure it isn’t too revealing. As the weather is sunny and warm make sure to pack breezy, loose-fitting shirts and dresses that can dry up quickly. The dresses should cover your knees, otherwise, you can pair up the tops with skirts. Make sure to pack light clothes, sunscreen, and a pair of sunglasses.
What to Wear for Summer in Vietnam?
The temperature in Vietnam for summers soars up to 30 degrees Celcius, although the weather can still be a little humid. Do not take clothes with fabrics that take a lot of time to dry, you don’t want to roam around the city in a sweaty t-shirt! You can pack a bunch of linen clothes with a colourful palette. Athletic wear to stay and absorb sweat can particularly be handy when you go for activities such as trekking. In such cases, though denim seems a good option, it will weigh you down when hiking.
Make sure to pack some lightweight trousers. For beach enthusiasts, it would help to keep a pair of flip flops in your backpack but also pack good shoes to help you in laborious activities like hiking or just roaming around the entire city. Another thing to remember is that the summer season marks the onset of the rains. Make sure to carry a poncho or umbrella wherever you go.
What to Wear for Autumn in Vietnam?
Weather changes substantially from one place in Vietnam to the other. The rainy season lasts till November or December in some places. Be aware of all the places you will be staying while your visit to Vietnam and pack all your belongings accordingly. Pack up t-shirts and light cotton or linen trousers along with good trainers (shoes). But it will be difficult for your shoes to dry quickly so keep a pair of flip flops or sandals handy. Do not use the flip flops when going to a hike or in extreme rain as it can be slippery and unsafe. As this season lasts till November, take some layered clothes, jacket, socks, and scarf as the temperatures start dropping by the end of October.
Some Tips On What to Wear in Vietnam
- It is important to study where you are going to stay while you visit. As most of the tourist spots are located in areas where locals and the tribal people reside, it will be good to understand what dress code they follow in their locality.
- Vietnam as a country is conservative, though this might vary from region to region, it is always good to dress in accordance with their culture and tradition to not hurt their sentiments. When travelling to cultural places or local markets women are advised not to dress in short skirts, pants, or low cut tops or dresses.
- For men, casual jeans and shirts are the normal dress code, but they are advised not to take off their shirts in public places if it gets too hot. Especially in cities like Ho Chi Minh can be very hot in summer.
- You should be properly covered up and wear appropriate clothes. This is applicable to both women and men. In places like pagodas, temples, mosques, or churches you can be denied entry based on your inappropriate dressing.
- Vietnam has a lot of beaches, but even if you dress up for hitting a beach you are advised to not go fully or half-naked. This is just to ensure that the sanctity of the Vietnamese culture and to not make anyone uncomfortable.
- There is a tradition in Vietnam where you take off your shoes when you visit holy places like pagodas or even before you enter any local house.
If you have missed out on packing the appropriate clothing items for your stay, it's better to shop at local markets. You can get good deals at markets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Let us know if the Vietnamese fashion sense suits your tastes!