VIETNAM CLIMATE

Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate, but climatic variation is also dominant due to its varying topography,
altitude and different latitudes. Consequently, the climate in Vietnam can vary from the frosty winter in the far
north to the subequatorial, warm climate in the south of the country.

Since the country lies in the tropical area, the monsoonal influence is one of important factors of climatic
variation in Vietnam. The Northeast monsoon blowing along the China coast and across the Gulf of Tonkin
brings wet chilly winters to the northern part of the country, but dry, warm temperatures to the south during
October through March. Whilst the southwestern monsoon occurring from April to October bring the heated
air from the Gobi Desert and deposit the heavy downpour to the whole country except for the areas
sheltered by mountains in the north and the Central Highlands. Between July and November, there are
several occasions of unpredictable typhoons which develop over the ocean east of Vietnam. The central
and northern Vietnam is often hit, resulting in a great damage. The average temperature throughout the
year ranges from 22°C to 27°C. However, in each region is dominated by different seasons according to
its topographical relief and altitude.

Climate in South Vietnam

With its subequatorial climate which is dominantly influenced by the monsoon, the Southern Vietnam
possesses two main seasons: the wet and the dry. The wet season lasts form May to November (June to
August are the wettest months). There are often heavy, but short downpours during daytime. The dry season
commences from December to April. Average temperature shows little variation compared to the north,
swinging between s in the southern plains (Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta) varies less, going
between 70-82.5 °F (21-28°C) in a year's time.

Climate in Central Vietnam

The climate in this region can be divided into two zones: the north-central and the south-central.
The north-central covering the area from Thanh Hoa province to Danang shares the characteristic climate
of the Red River Delta region to the north: a humid, cool winter and fine drizzle from November to April, and
a hot, wet summer from May to October.

In many provinces in the south-central zone enjoy similar climate to that of the Mekong Delta: warm and
humid. Within the Central Highlands, temperature is lower than the other areas due to its lifted altitude, and
sometimes rainfall can be found in this area as well.

Climate in North Vietnam

The northern region has a moderate subtropical climate, with a cool, damp winter occurring between
November and April, and a hot summer with periods of heavy rain from May to October. Temperatures
may swing dramatically from 41°F (5°C) in December to 98.6 °F (37°C) in July. Winter in the North is cold
compared to other parts of Southeast Asia - temperatures have been known to dip below 15°C in Hanoi,
and snow has occasionally fallen in the highlands.

Tour in Vietnam