The Weather in Saigon

The local Saigonese often dub the weather as “a teenager with mood swings” because of how unpredictable it is. Let’s imagine on a sunny Sunday, you dress fancy and put on some nice make-up to go out with your friends. Suddenly while you’re out, it starts raining heavily even if the sun is still shining brightly. Then after a moment of thinking “WHY ME?”, you put on your ugly raincoat, and then the rain stops. Then all you can do is shake your fist at the laughing sky. This is how Saigon weather is.

Geographically, Saigon has what you would call a tropical climate which consists of a dry season (November to April) and a wet season (May – October). But the humorous youth of Saigon usually joke that just like many Western countries, you can break down Saigon’s weather into 4 seasons as well! But don’t expect your standard spring, summer, fall and winter. Over here, it is the hot season, the very hot season, the extremely hot season and yes you guessed it, the wet season.

Then after a moment of thinking “WHY ME?”, 

you put on your ugly raincoat, and then the rain stops.

So… what is the best time to visit Saigon?

Many people claim that any time of the year is the best time to visit Saigon and I agree with this statement. If the heat is not a problem, I would recommend you to visit the city during the dry season. But if you want to see how Saigon looks like on a rainy day with flooded streets and willing to sacrifice all those beautiful photos you can take for your Flickr account, then go for the wet season. Don’t get me wrong, the wet season will provide you with beautiful photo ops too!

Saigon in the Dry Season

Most of the tourists prefer to visit Saigon in December and January so this influx of tourists makes those the busiest months of the year. Those are the time when the heat is no longer a reason to stop you from walking around and enjoy the atmosphere of Saigon. In the mornings, the temperature can be as cool as 17°C (62°F) , and as the day progresses, it will normally increase to around 24- 26°C (75 – 78°F) in the afternoons and evenings.

December, January and February are also the months of festivals. During this time, the buzzing city will become more beautiful with lots of twinkling lights and festive decorations everywhere. Although Vietnam is predominantly Buddhist, the Christmas spirit is not non-existent in Saigon. In fact, it is quite popular. You will be surprised to see many huge Christmas trees and Christmas decorations in every corner of this wonderful place. And don’t forget store discounts too!

December, January and February are also the months of festivals.

The streets and traffic will be crazier since many people go out during this time and enjoy the atmosphere. January and February are when the Vietnamese celebrate New Year and Lunar New Year (A.K.A Tet Holiday). Many activities will be held during these two months. Saigon will be livelier with ornamental flowers and Tet-related music playing everywhere. But the city gets quite empty during the actual days of the Lunar New Year as locals will go to their home provinces in the country and the city will look quite deserted. Try not to miss out on this almost-Armageddon-like experience.

As the dry season goes on, March and April get hotter and dryer. The heat peak occurs in summer as the highs can hit around 36 – 40°C (97 – 104°F) in most days. Don’t freak out, my friend.

You can easily find ACs in many hotels/hostel, shopping centers and coffee venues all over Saigon. Cooling down with a “ca phe sua da” (Vietnamese iced-milk coffee) is one of the most local experiences you can have. Click here for a list of awesome café’s in Saigon!

Highlights of Visiting in the Dry Season:

• On tourist season (December to February) accommodation price can be increased up to 30% so be prepared.
• During Tet holidays, most shops, local restaurant and shopping malls will close down. However, you can still visit some tourist destinations such as some museums, Independence Palace and some.
• The shopaholic travelers will definitely love November and December as it is sale time. On fashion streets such as Nguyen Trai and Le Van Si, you will see many sale signs up to 50% or 70% off everywhere.

One thing doesn’t change with the weather, and that’s where you stay. Our Christina’s homes and hosts will be your source of comfort during your trip to Saigon. With more than 16 buildings scattered across Saigon center and bustling neighborhoods, you can have more than just a pleasant stay here. From spacious and modern apartments to private and cozy rooms, our accommodations are built to cater to your needs with high-quality amenities, convenient locations, and exclusive benefits that Christina’s guests can only enjoy.

On top of that, our hosts display genuine care and wholehearted effort, making your time in Saigon comfortable because you get to join a community. We’re proud to say that our amazing hosts really put their heart into taking care of guests. That’s why we call Christina’s a social accommodation concept, a place where people from everywhere can get to know each other and share a love for traveling. And most importantly, you get to establish global friendships throughout these journeys! Don’t hesitate to contact us about anything, we’re just a message away!

My point is, don’t be put off if you have to fly during wet season. It will not take away from your experience. Have a good time exploring this unique city and do not hesitate to let me know your opinion about your experiences in the city, with or without the sun!

Credit to  Eleanor Nguyen