Located in Northern Vietnam, Halong Bay weather features a tropical climate with 4 distinctive seasons throughout the year. This comprehensive guide will give you an overview of Halong Bay weather and suggest the most favorite activities to enjoy your trip.
Halong Bay, a natural complex of over 1600 limestone islands and islets, is well-known for its aesthetic and geomorphological value that everyone should never miss while traveling to Vietnam. Lying in a diverse climate region, Halong Bay has its own pros and cons of weather conditions, which offer different things to do in each season.
Normally, the best time to visit Halong Bay occurs from March to May and from September to November. Nevertheless, it’s ideal to plan ahead for your trip, find out the best time to visit Halong Bay and how to deal with bad weather.
1. Springtime in Halong Bay (Feb – Apr)
The lowest temperature: 15°C
The highest temperature: 36°C
Humidity level: 68 – 75%
Marked as a new beginning of the year, springtime has average temperature rising from 18 to 27°C, and the average humidity fluctuates from 68% to 75% during these months. As a result, the rainfall level increases gradually from 28mm in February to 84mm in April. Notably, it’s occasional to appear the northeast monsoons in March. Overall, the spring Halong Bay's climate is completely pleasant, since it’s not as harshly hot as in summer and not as bitterly cold as in winter.
Spring is the second-best time to visit Halong Bay thanks to the pleasant weather. However, you have to afford a higher price than usual due to the peak season and surcharge for Tet Holiday. Additionally, you should keep in mind that the warmer weather goes along with a high level of humidity, which means the high chance of cloudy day will affect your outdoor activities.
What are the best things to do in Halong bay in Spring?
April is such one of the most wonderful times of the year that you can jump and have a swim in the sea. Besides, you can enjoy amusing outdoor activities such as kayaking, biking or taking a cruise to behold the breathtaking view of Halong Bay in a clear sky day.
What if you’re in Halong Bay on a cloudy and foggy day? Take it easy because Halong Bay looks like more charming and picturesque in fog. You’d better explore the majestic caves reborn in spring and marvel at the impressive rock formations in the misty outfits. Somehow Halong Bay is so mysterious and elegant that you can feel the calm of the ocean and refreshing air in spring.
Tips
– Remember to pack a light sweater and cardigan in case of any possible cold.
– The most significant holiday of Vietnam, the Lunar New Year, usually happens in February when you’ll have chances to engage in many great traditional festivals which bring you closer to the insight of Vietnamese customs and culture. As a result, it may lead to unavailable services in some travel companies.
– At the end of April, there might be little crowded on the holiday of Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day and Vietnamese Reunification Day.
2. Summertime in Halong Bay (May – Aug)
The lowest temperature: 26°C
The highest temperature: 40°C
Humidity level: 75 – 78%
Summer comes with an overheat temperature of 30 – 35°C and the highest chance of storms and typhoon. However, the night temperature will drop by 3 – 4°C in comparison to the day time. With rising humidity level, the rainfall rises rapidly and tends to reach the monthly precipitation around 1000mm. In summer, Halong Bay weather might be harsh but the wonderful beaches are worthwhile to see. The typical sweltering months include June and July; whilst August is replaced by the cooler weather and more frequent wind blow for the upcoming autumn.
It’s hard to predict Halong Bay weather in summer, then follow the weather forecast in 2 weeks ahead booking day. Note that summer’s both sunny and rainy with the highest intensity over the year. Try to keep the weather not to discomfort you easily.
Halong Bay must be apparently charming with crystal clear sky and turquoise water on beautiful summer days. Meanwhile, it also could be turned into thundering storms and typhoons on stormy days. If you don’t rush in time, keep calm and wait for a few days because these storms don’t last more than 3 – 4 days.
Is it the best time to do Halong Bay Cruise in Summer?
Not really, due to the peak season for domestic tourists, Halong Bay is bustle with a wide range of water activities like swimming, diving, kayaking, sunbathing and other more. If you’re lucky to visit Halong Bay on nice weather days, take your time to feel the sunlight in breaking dawn or dusk time.
In summer, the possibility of storms and typhoons is much more frequent with heavy rains and strong wind. The fierce sea surface affects negatively outdoor activities and cruise itinerary, which causes postponed and even canceled tour in case of extremely bad weather. During this period, it’s essential to prepare a plan B for alternative amusing activities.
Tips:
– Bring sunscreen and sunglasses along because of the high UV index.
– Prepare a raincoat or an umbrella on hand to avoid getting cold from sudden rain.
– In case you don’t know how to deal with an interruption due to bad weather in Halong Bay, check this out.
3. Autumn time in Halong Bay (Sep – Nov)
The lowest temperature: 19°C
The highest temperature: 36°C
Humidity level: 70 – 72%
Autumn is the most enjoyable time to soak up the comfortable climate in Halong Bay. The average temperature varies from 23 – 27°C so you can enjoy the sunshine which is not as extreme as in the summer. There might be light rain in September but the amount of rainfall will decrease significantly due to low humidity level in October and November. In the last days of October, the northeastern monsoon may occur.
Apparently, the best time to visit Halong Bay is in autumn, when you can minimize the risk of extreme weather and immerse in beautiful sunshine, clear crystal sky, and breezy weather. It’s such a magical time in the middle and late autumn that everyone will fall in love with the perfect harmony of a natural masterpiece.
Nothing’s better than admiring the beauty of Halong Bay when the rainy season is over. You will be welcomed to all outdoor activities including swimming, kayaking, cycling, and rock climbing. Besides, there is a hiking place in Cat Ba National Park for hikers. Sometimes the cool weather in late fall isn’t perfect for swimming and other water activities. Instead, booking an overnight cruise will feast your eyes at awe-inspiring scenery of the bay.
Let’s put your feet up and enjoy on-deck activities. In the daytime, you should be once an early bird, then wake up in the mesmerizing sound of the ocean and catch the stunning sunset moment. A starry night, you can make an arrangement with cruise lines to experience squid fishing on board. By the way, Halong is famous for grilled chopped squids, so why don’t you sip a cup of beer and chew hot grilled squids on your trip?
Tips:
– This guideline may help first-time travelers in choosing the most suitable cruise in Halong Bay.
– Bring your camera and autumn outfits such as cardigan or silk scarf for your amazing trip.
4. Wintertime in Halong Bay (Dec – Jan)
The lowest temperature: 14°C
The highest temperature: 23°C
Humidity level: 65 – 69%
Contrast to high temperature in summer, wintertime in Halong Bay is quite cold with an average temperature around 16 – 18°C. Without sunlight in most of the winter days, you’ll see fog and drizzle in the morning and late afternoon.
December, the second driest month, is a fresh start described as mild and dry with only 29mm precipitation per month. Coming to January, the true winter month, the temperature declines by a few degrees and the amount of sunshine time falls to 4 hours.
The weather is so easing and humble that it’s regretted to ignore the tranquil creature of Halong Bay in winter, the most fantastic time for leisure travel. From the top view, you’ll have an opportunity to behold a mystical Halong Bay, where limestone cliffs nestled under meek fog and the boats go back and forth endlessly.
Of course, swimming, kayaking, and activities on the beach are undesirable; especially weather conditions in January don’t allow tourists to take part in water activities. It’s time to join inland activities like hiking, having a barbecue, visiting local villages, shopping at local markets and tasting Halong specialties. Outstandingly, come and indulge yourself in a hot tub on Halong Bay cruise for wintertime.
Tips:
– Prepare warm jackets or sweaters in January, it might be super cold.
– This time is peak season amongst foreign visitors, which may produce results of overpriced costs and the crowds.
– Winter is also time for Christmas and New Year Eve. Hence, there’ll be more special deals and programs for this occasion.