Visiting Halong Bay : Weather and Best Time To Explore
ABOUT HALONG BAY
Halong is located in the North of Vietnam – 156 kilometers away from Hanoi capital with typical tropical monsoon climate. Halong Bay has been a popular destination for travelers in Vietnam for decades. This breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site also received the honor of being named one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World, so visiting Halong Bay – thousands of cliff islands is a must for any visitor to Vietnam.
If you want to experience Tet Holiday – a kind of Vietnamese’s New Year, from January to March is time for you. If you are a beach lover and keen on water activities, Halong Bay weather in April to June is a good fit for you. While October to December is the peak season and the best time of year to visit due to the pleasant weather, July to September has a higher chance of storms and typhoon. However, every season has a distinct charm and advantage. You can find which month or season is the best fit for you through this post below.
Jan – March :
The temperature: is around 16-20 Celsius which is very pleasant and perfect for relaxing. There is less sunlight during the day. Mostly you will see fog and drizzle. You can see a mystical Halong Bay, where the rock formations hide under cloudy fog, disappear and then show up again.
Activities: The water temperature is quite low but if you wanna take risk, you can still do some outdoor activities such as diving or swimming.
This time is also the celebration of Vietnamese Lunar New Year so many festivals will be hold such as Welcoming Spring Festival, Yosakoy Festival,… You can have a chance visiting Halong Bay and deeply experiencing Vietnamese’s New Year with the local people.
April – May:
The weather is not hot yet but it will be more likely to rain. Humidity will start to increase during this time. However, the weather is still pleasant and there is more sunlight.
Temperature: around 22 Celsius.
Activities : outdoor activities such as swimming and kayaking in the day time.
When visiting Halong Bay during this time, you can avoid the peak season and still enjoy the nice weather with various festivals, including the Halong Carnival – the biggest festival of the year (which is held annually in April).
June – September:
Halong at this time is very charming with crystal clear sky and emerald water. There can be some light rain but overall, you can expect a lot of direct sunlight.
Temperature: around 29 Celsius
Activities: If you want to enjoy a clear view of the bay, especially from the seaplane, this is the best time to do. There will be more time for swimming, kayaking, diving and other water activities than in the fall and winter.
Starting from July to the end of September is the rainy season with a high chance of storms and typhoon. The average temperature is quite warm so you can swim as long as you like. If it rains, you can stay on cruise to relax and continue your adventure on the next day.
Many cruise lines offer deals and promotion in this time so if you keep your eyes on the weather forecast 15 days prior to your booking, you can easily avoid the crowds and enjoy the beautiful Halong Bay with half of the normal price.
October – December:
There is less rainfall during this period of time. It is the best time for visiting Halong Bay. Tourists can enjoy more sunshine, which is not as harsh as in the summer. December is also time for Christmas and New Year. There will be cruise deals and special programs for this occasion.
Temperature : around 21 Celsius
Activities: All outdoor activities like swimming, diving, sailing,…
Besides, if you are into squid fishing, mark these months in your calendar because you have the best chance to catch big squids.
Of all the four seasons described above, which one is your favorite? Are you really into swimming or other outdoor water activities? Or do you want to take advantage of promotion programs during the low season? Choosing the suitable time for travel is of course very important in planning your trip. After all, the weather is known for its unpredictability anyway so there can be a lot of surprises in store for even the most carefully planned trip. But whatever month you choose to visit Halong, there is one thing for sure: you will be charmed by its beauty.
For more information, let’s check out : All about Halong Bay
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