Good tips for going to Vietnam in October and November

October and November are two excellent months to visit Vietnam, except for the Central region which is hit by bad weather. Hanoi and the upper Tonkin mountains are never more beautiful than in this season. The other side of the coin is that it is also high season. Increased tourist numbers and sometimes higher prices. But this will in no way spoil your trip to Vietnam which will undoubtedly be marked by discovery, encounters and surprises!

What to see in Northern Vietnam in October and November?

The months of October and November are certainly the most pleasant months to discover Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital. The days are beautiful, the temperatures are very pleasant, we enjoy a light breeze and the colors of the trees change giving the capital a charm and delicate romanticism. An ideal time to stroll on foot in the picturesque old quarter of the city. Don't miss this season by strolling along Phan Dinh Phung Street, one of the most beautiful streets in Hanoi, where a pretty carpet of bright yellow leaves spreads out on the sidewalks of the superb villas of colonial architecture. It’s also the season for white daisies which flood the city’s markets.

At the beginning of October, in the majestic mountains of Northern Vietnam, it is the start of the harvest, the rice terraces are never as beautiful as in this season. It is at this time that we taste Com, an autumn specialty, young sticky rice wrapped in a lotus leaf. Early October is a perfect time to go hiking in the mountain ranges of upper Tonkin, the colors are sublime, the temperatures pleasant and it is bustling with activity in the rice fields.

In November, in the far North of Vietnam, in Ha Giang province and more particularly in the Dong Van – Meo Vac sector, it is the flowering season of buckwheat flowers, tam giac mach in Vietnamese. These magnificent pink wildflowers create a sensation in this remote region, dazzling the mountains and thorny rocks of the region. A spectacle of great beauty in a spectacular region known for its rugged terrain and landscapes tormented by limestone formations. Be careful, in November, the rice will have been harvested and you will only see bare rice fields.

What to see in Central Vietnam?

October and November are the two months to avoid visiting Central Vietnam. During this season, the region is hit by numerous storms and the rains are sometimes torrential. In this season, Hoi An is often flooded and takes on the air of an oriental Venice. Your stay in Central Vietnam may be seriously disrupted during this season.

Exception made for the South of the Center, in the region above Nha Trang, it is famous for its micro-climate and especially for its remains of the ancient kingdom of Champa. Moreover, every year in October, the largest traditional festival of the Cham ethnic group, recently recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, is held, the Kate festival. This popular festival of Cham culture aims to commemorate the geniuses Po Klaung Girai and Po Rome. For three days, the festival connects the Cham community with their gods. Dances, songs and traditional music are in the spotlight in a display of shimmering colors of the women's costumes. A cultural event not to be missed to discover the descendants of a kingdom that flourished for centuries on the Vietnamese coast.

In the Central Highlands, it is coffee harvest season as in Buon Me Thuot, the coffee capital of Vietnam. A superb region which is home to an exceptional natural heritage: spectacular waterfalls, green valleys, coffee, pepper and tea crops, a magnificent lake and a national park with astonishing biodiversity.

What to see in the South of Vietnam?

Even if the rains still persist a little in October, they remain less intense and become rarer in November. October and November remain two good months to discover the South of Vietnam since the temperatures become pleasant again. You will not be suffocated while visiting the cultural curiosities of Ho Chi Minh City, the ancient Saigon. In the Mekong Delta, it is flood season. It’s an important period for local farmers during which, thanks to rising water levels, fish and other abundant aquatic fruits become valuable economic resources. It is also during this period that the Mekong, rich in alluvium, will fertilize the soil. A fertile period where tropical nature is dazzling with beauty. In the provinces of Tra Vinh and Soc Trang, where a large Khmer community lives, canoe races are organized in November during the traditional Oc Om Bok festival. Three days of festivities with gastronomic celebrations, folk games, dances, songs and music!

Seaside stay in Vietnam in October and November

The central region affected by storms should be avoided in October and November, except Nha Trang until mid-October. On the other hand, it’s the perfect season for taking a cruise in the majestic Halong Bay and its karst marine landscapes unique in the world. You can also enjoy the long beaches of Mui Ne and its dunes which give it a little Sahara feel. To go to Phu Quoc Island we advise you to wait until November to have the best chance of having sunshine. On the other hand, avoid going to Con Dao Island where the weather conditions are bad at this time of year.

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