When to Go

The Central Coast has four distinct seasons. The monsoon season that begins in October and ends in January is plagued by some of Vietnam’s worst and most unpredictable weather, and typhoons are not unheard of during this time. The low-lying coastal towns of Hoi An, Danang, Hue, and the mountain valleys of Phong Nha are particularly prone to flooding during October and November, but good warning systems and protocols are in place and, in most instances, this need not affect your trip. The cooler months of spring, which begins in February and ends in April, are generally dry and are a good time to travel if you want to avoid the intense heat and humidity of the summer months from April to July, which are the best months to visit if you are planning a beach holiday. During autumn, from August to September, humidity reaches its peak and thunderstorms roll in off the mountains most evenings, while the days are usually sunny and hot. Like the rest of the country, the area comes alive during Tet, the celebration of the lunar new year, which takes place in January or February. Due to long national holidays, this can be a difficult time of the year to travel. Tet Trung Thu, which takes place in August or September, is a far more tourist-friendly event, celebrated on a huge scale in the central town of Hoi An.