What Is the Best Time to Visit Halong Bay?

Halong Bay is an enchanting place of natural beauty with its thousands of limestone islets and grottos that rise from the serene waters. An overnight cruise in a traditional junk-style boat is the best way to appreciate the bay's fascinating scenery.

Best time to visit Halong Bay
Visitors to Halong Bay on the holiday will notice there is two main seasons: the peak season from October to April has the cool and windy climate and the low season from May to September has the hot pleasant climate.

halong cruise

Peak season        
A Halong Bay cruise is a pleasant experience year-round, but there are times when the bay sees a lot more visitors than others. A very busy time is the holiday period that coincides with Christmas and New Year which is December and January. Also, the other months (February, March, April, October and November) are particularly busy with many domestic tourists in the country and the weather is very favourable at this time for spending time in Halong Bay.

In March, Halong Bay is appreciated for its warm, fresh air with temperature in the region of 21 to 34° C.

Early November is a great time to visit Halong Bay with bright sun and a cool autumn breeze. However, at this time of the year the temperature is starting to fall, so it will benefit to pack light winter clothes for extra warmth. Although, the water-based activities like scuba diving, kayaking and swimming is still an option for the mild weather days.

Off season
The foreign tourist numbers in Halong Bay are much less for the duration of the low season which runs from May to September. However, travelling in the low season is a great time to benefit from a variety of cruise promotions, less crowds, and glowing sun for water-based activities.

Any Vietnam family holiday that takes place during the off season is likely to appeal to the budget-minded travellers. The cost savings at this time can be considerable. Many cruise ships offer attractive savings that can easily reach 40% or more.

There are certain months when the weather is ideal for a cruise trip on the bay. Typically, June is the start of the domestic tourist season with temperature at a high 31 to 39° C. However, the sea wind helps to give a pleasant breeze.

For the months July and August the weather can include sporadic storms and hurricanes which can lead to delays and cancellations. However, even if the weather isn't practical for a cruise, there are still plenty of alternative destinations in northern Vietnam that are worth visiting until the weather clears. On most occasions, the stormy weather isn't likely to last for a period in excess of three or four days.

For travellers on the Vietnam customised tour that are particular about the favourable weather conditions, the preferred times to visit are likely to be within the periods of March to May and September to November. At this time, the temperature is pleasant and dry which makes it perfect for sightseeing, excursions, or other activities offered on board.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Halong Bay? Articles