Best Time To Visit Halong Bay

The Months from June to August are considered to be a time not suitable to visit Halong Bay. While it is not outright considered the offseason, the unpredictable storms and typhoons coupled with extremely hot days make it an undesirable time. The tourism in Halong Bay in this period is majorly composed of domestic tourists, who enjoy the low prices.

Winter provides tourists with the opportunity to discover a much tranquil Ha Long Bay. The winter months are less touristy and have fewer crowds. The city is usually engulfed in a thick layer of fog, which only adds to its otherworldly beauty. November sees a transition into winter, whereas December is the coldest and driest month of the year in Ha Long Bay. The duration of the nights tends to be longer than the days. The weather conditions are not suitable for daytime swimming or kayaking. Tourists usually prefer to take a hike. Despite the unusual weather conditions, the winter months are a peak season for tourism in Ha Long Bay.

Events and Activities

Winter is an excellent time to hike in Ha Long Bay. Travellers can also watch the bay from a seaplane or admire its beauty from a boat. An important Vietnamese festival, Tet Holiday or the Vietnam Lunar New Year is usually celebrated in the last part of January or early February. It is a national holiday and often sees a surge in local tourists. One of the most significant professional sports event of Vietnam, the Ha Long Bay Heritage Marathon is held in November. It witnesses participation from amateurs and professionals from across the world.

Spring provides pleasant temperatures with optimal sunlight for outdoor activities like swimming and kayaking. The average temperatures usually fall in the range of 19 to 25 degrees Celsius. However, you can expect slight drizzles and early morning mist. The days are sunny, and the weather becomes warmer and towards April, making it an ideal month to cruise in Ha Long Bay. Beginning in April, the prices tend to fall, making it suitable for those who are travelling on a budget. Despite being counted as a Spring month, May sees temperatures similar to the summer season. The exact weather conditions, however, cannot be predicted due to the possibility of tropical depressions. The latter half of the month sees a steady increase in temperatures as well as humidity.

Events and Activities

There are lots of promotions offered in May, so you can expect to get a good deal on the accommodation and activities. Outdoor activities like rock climbing, biking, cruising and kayaking are ideal in the spring season. The Ha Long Tourism week takes place in late April. It is a tourism promotional event that features varied cultural activities such as Halong Bay Photo Exhibition, Classical Musical Concert and Halong Cuisine Festival. There are diverse sports activities Football Tournament, and Beach Volleyball Tournament also held during this week. The biggest annual festival in Ha Long, the Ha Long Carnival is also held in the Ha Long Tourism Week. This carnival festival attracts thousands of tourists with its bustling and colourful atmosphere and enthusiastic performances.

June marks the beginning of the domestic tourist season in Vietnam, owing to the summer vacation in academic institutions. This is a busy month for Ha Long Bay. The weather conditions remain surprisingly pleasant as the blowing wind helps in reducing the effects of the scorching heat. The average temperatures range from 31 to 38 degrees Celsius. Sultry weather conditions dominate the month of July. It is also a very rainy and stormy month, so travellers are advised to check the forecast carefully before booking a cruise. The weather conditions begin to slightly gentler and milder in August. However, summer is also typhoon season in Ha Long Bay. The infrequent and unpredictable storms can occur unexpectedly and ruin your plans.

Events and Activities

Outdoor activities have a chance of getting postponed or cancelled due to heavy rain or windstorms. Travellers can stroll to local markets, join cooking classes or buy souvenirs. The beaches are usually crowded on the non-rainy days. The Quan Lan Festival is celebrated in July. It is an annual festival of the locals and the festivities last ten days.

September marks the end to the rainy season and the beginning of beautiful autumn days. The weather conditions are much cooler and milder when compared to the preceding months. The heat is not as severe, and the humidity also decreases. October brings frequent cool and fresh breezes that make the weather conditions more pleasant. Ha Long Bay is considered the most stunning in October. The pleasant sea breeze combined with the pleasant sunshine make autumn an ideal season for a cruise. It is also a perfect time to indulge in water-related activities, such as swimming and kayaking. The weather may begin to get chilly towards the latter part of October, owing to the Northeastern monsoon.

Events and Activities

Outdoor activities like kayaking, mountain climbing and seaplane rides are popular during the Fall season. Trung Thu or Mid-Autumn festival is celebrated in September. It is also the day when the moon shines the brightest in the year and is one of the biggest festivals in Vietnam. The streets are filled with lanterns and decorations. Another speciality of this festival is the traditional Vietnamese treat - mooncake.