The temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City do not vary significantly during the year. It is slightly cooler in the winter between the months of November and April. But more importantly, this is the dry season so there is far less rain than during the wet season. The rainy season runs from May to October but this is not a bad time to visit. Mornings often start out with blue skies and if it rains, relax in a cafe or browse in some shops. Visiting Ho Chi Minh City during Tet, or the Chinese New Year, can be a fun time with all of the festivities and fireworks. November to April is the best times to visit Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Scroll to see the full list with photos or jump to the table of contents.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Weather & Temperature by Month
Ho Chi Minh City Weather in January: The weather is quite dry in January with just 10 mm of expected rainfall for Ho Chi Minh City. Dry weather coincides with hot weather as the average high temperature reaches 90°F (32°C). The average low temperature peaks at 72°F (22°C).
February sees a very small increase in temperature averages. The low temperature average rises by a single degree to 73°F (23°C) while the high temperature average increases at the same rate to 91°F (33°C).
In March, the climate heats up even more as the average high temperature increases by another 2 degrees to 93°F (34°C). Likewise, the average low temperature rises to 75°F (24°C).
April is the year’s warmest month for Ho Chi Minh City as well as the sunniest. While the high temperature average remains the same at 93°F (34°C), the low temperature average increases to 79°F (26°C). The city sees 6 hours of daily average sunshine.
Ho Chi Minh City Weather in May: The city’s rainy season picks up in May with precipitation averages reaching 140 mm. Both the average low and average high temperature remain the same at 79°F (26°C) and 93°F (34°C) respectively.
In June, the temperatures begin a downward trend with the low temperature average decreasing to 77°F (25°C) and the high temperature average falling to 90°F (32°C).
July is the wettest month of the year at Ho Chi Minh with a deluge of rainfall averaging at 190 mm. The average high temperature remains the same at 90°F (32°C) but the average low temperature decreases to 75°F (24°C).
In August, the rainfall remains high but decreases slightly to 170 mm. The average high temperature remains the same at 90°F (32°C) for the third month running. On the other hand, the average low temperature returns to 77°F (25°C).
Ho Chi Minh City Weather in September: The climate cools further in September with decreases in both low and high temperatures. The low temperature average and high temperature average range between 77°F (25°C) and 88°F (31°C).
October sees the average high temperature hold steady at 88°F (31°C). Meanwhile, the average low temperature decreases to 75°F (24°C). Precipitation averages remain relatively high at 160 mm.
In November, days seem shorter with just 4 hours of daily average sunshine. Despite the decreases in sunshine, the average high temperature stays quite warm at 88°F (31°C). In contrast, the average low temperature decreases further to 73°F (23°C).
December is the coldest month of the year at Ho Chi Minh with the low temperature average sinking to 72°F (22°C). High temperatures remain at 88°F (31°C).
When it comes to Ho Chi Minh City, and Vietnam as a whole, there are two seasons that you need to remember – wet and dry. The prime time to visit Ho Chi Minh City and explore its sights and sounds is during the dry season, which starts in December and ends in April. Within this season, April is the best time to visit for travelers who are sensitive to humidity. To experience the explosive tradition and culture of Ho Chi Minh City, travelers should plan to visit between late-January to mid-February when the Lunar New Year atmosphere descends upon the city.
Getting to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Between Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City, the second is the larger of the two, so that it sees significant air traffic at its airport called Tan Son Nhat Airport. Many of the Asian airlines fly in and out of this airport. If you want to arrive by train, Ho Chi Minh City is the southern terminus of the Reunification Express: its station is called the Ga Saigon, or Saigon Station. There are several bus stations in Ho Chi Minh City and buses connect this city with places all over the country. Driving a car is not recommended because of the local style of driving in the city as well as unreliable insurance.
Getting From the Airport
There are several ways to get from the Tan Son Nhat Airport into Ho Chi Minh City. There are plenty of taxis at the airport but you must be careful about scams. It’s best to book a taxi at the airport taxi booth just beyond the baggage claim area. Sedans, SUVs, and van taxis are all available. You can either exchange money at the airport or pay your taxi driver in U.S. dollars: they will accept both. One of the easiest and hassle-free ways to get into the city is by pre-arranging transportation with your hotel before you arrive.
Getting Around Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City offers several ways to explore its attractions. The cyclo is the favorite way for many tourists to get around the city. The cyclo is a three wheeled form of transportation pedaled by a driver. There are also motorcycle taxis which weave in and out of traffic jams. Taxis are usually easy to find: they are often parked in front of landmarks, hotels, and restaurants. These are better for visitors who are not used to riding on motorcycle taxis. There is a bus system with more than 100 routes around Ho Chi Minh City. Buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, and easily recognized by their white and green exteriors.
Restaurants
Ho Chi Minh City offers a wide variety of restaurants and other eateries. There are expensive fine dining restaurants; food stalls along the streets; and everything in between. There are many places to enjoy spring rolls, summer rolls, pho noodles, and tasty rice-flour crepes. In addition to traditional Vietnamese fare, you can also find many different kinds of restaurants serving ethnic cuisine: there are Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Thai, and other cuisines. For French food try Trois Gourmands; for Thai, the Racha Room; for Vietnamese, Tib, Quan Bui, Pho Hoa, and Propaganda; and for Indian, try Baba’s Kitchen.
Shopping
Although you can find boutiques and shopping malls, the real fun of shopping in Ho Chi Minh City is exploring local culture in the street markets that can be found in many places around the city. The three main markets are Ben Thanh Market, Cholon, and An Dong Market. Ben Thanh Market is by far the most well-known and it is centrally located. At local markets you can find fresh produce, Vietnamese coffee beans, and very affordable and delicious street food. There are also small markets that specialize in certain items such as ceramics, lacquerware, handwoven fabrics, silk, war memorabilia, and woodwork.
Neighborhood Guide
Ho Chi Minh City is made up of 19 districts each one unique and each one offering visitors a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. District 1 is the city center and is sometimes referred to as the Saigon District. Here are the most famous landmarks like the Saigon Opera House, also known as the Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater; the Central Post Office; the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral; and more. District 5 is home to the city’s Chinatown or Cholon. Here is the biggest Chinese community in the country and the Binh Tay Market is one of this district’s main attractions.
Getting Married in Ho Chi Minh City
Because of the unique venues, Ho Chi Minh City is a popular place to hold a wedding. One of you must be a resident of Vietnam for a legal marriage to be recognized, but some people opt for a blessing instead of a wedding. If one of you is a resident in Vietnam, then you must obtain a marriage license at the Principal Registrar’s Office in Ho Chi Minh City. Some of the most popular wedding or blessing venues include hotels like the First Hotel Ho Chi Minh, the Rex Hotel, La Felix Hotel, Les Hameaux de l’Orient, and many more.
Where to Stay
Accommodations in Ho Chi Minh City range from simple hostels and budget hotels to five star luxury properties and everything in between. The top luxury properties include the Lotte Legend Hotel Saigon, the Park Hyatt Saigon, the An Lam Saigon River, the Reverie Saigon, the Sofitel Saigon Plaza, and many others. Many people choose accommodations in District 1 so that they can easily walk to see the main attractions in this area. Some of this district’s hotels include the Hotel Nikko Saigon, the InterContinental Asiana Saigon, and the Alagon d’Antique Hotel and Spa which is conveniently located near the popular Ben Thanh Market.
