Halong has two main seasons: hot with sporadic rain from April to September and cool with some chilly wind from October to March. So it depends on your preference to decide the best month to visit Halong Bay.
Halong weather is typical for tropical coastal climate, which has two main seasons all year around. From April to September, it is often hot and humid; from October to March the weather is dry with some cold months.
Tourist Boats in Halong in Vietnam
The average temperature of Halong Bay is 23.7 degree Celsius. In the summer, the average temperature is 34.9oC while the maximum temperature recorded is 38oC. The heat may be reduced thanks to its location amid the mountains and grottos. On the other hand, during winter, it might get as low as 13.7oC on the average, and the lowest could be as low as 5oC. Some may find it hard to travel in January when the weather can be biting cold.
The city has a relatively high average annual rainfall of 1,832mm, which is unevenly distributed depending on the two main seasons. During the rain season, and also summer, from May to end of August, the rainfall amounts for 80-85% of the total rainfall of the year, with the maximum of 350mm in July and August. Winter, and also dry season (from November to April of the next year) witnesses little raining of around 15-20% of the total rainfall, with the minimum amount varying in between 4 and 40mm during December and January.
Halong is one of the most humid cities in Vietnam with the average annual humidity at 84%, which fluctuate from a minimum of 68% to a maximum of 90% in a year.
Due to the unique geological and topographic characteristic, Halong has two kinds of monsoon, which are Northeast monsoon in the winter, and Southwest monsoon in the summer. The average wind speed is 2.8m/s, and Southwest monsoon is the strongest one with its speed reaches 45m/s.
Thanks to the nature of a closed-sea area, Halong is lucky not to be much affected by heavy storms. The strongest storms on the bay normally are at level 9 and 10, hardly anytime reaching level 11.
Halong Bay Weather in January
January in Halong Bay is often cold and dry. It may not be best for swimming but definitely great for taking photos of the scenic landscape.
Being in the middle of the winter, January in Halong Bay is still rather cold with the average temperature at 17oC. The maximum temperature is only 20 degree and the minimum temperature is around 14 degree. While there is a long 11 hours of daylight, the sun is on for shining for only 3 hours.
With the sea temperature of 21oC, it is not that cold to swim but the average temperature makes it colder than it is. Bringing a sweater and a coat is a good idea to shield from the cold and occasional rain though the average rainfall is only 18mm/month and lasts for around 10 days in Halong.
Tips: Check the calendar to see if your travel will coincide with Lunar New Year, which takes place sometimes in late January and others in early February. During this holiday, many cruises will stop running.
- Average temperature: 17oC
- Average sea Temperature: 21oC
- Monthly rainfall: 18mm
- Average hours of sunshine per day: 3
Halong Bay Weather in February
The average temperature in February is higher in January, making it a more comfortable time to travel to Halong Bay.
Being the last month in the winter, the average temperature in February in Halong is slightly higher at 17.5oC. This is because the lowest temperature at night increases to 15oC. However the number of sunshine for the month decreases to only 2hrs/day compared with 3 hours in January. The amount of rainfall increases to 39mm/month for the 10 wet days in the month. This starts to indicate the gradual change to spring in March before entering spring season. The sea temperature sustains at 21oC.
Tips: In early February, Lunar New Year Holiday often takes place and some cruise can stop running for a maximum of 5 days, including the popular Dragon Pearl Junk. Therefore make sure you check your calendar in advance.
- Average temperature: 17.5oC
- Average sea Temperature: 21oC
- Monthly rainfall: 39mm
- Average hours of sunshine per day: 2
Halong Bay Weather in March
March sees subtle changes in season from cold winter to humid Spring. It is a good time to visit Halong Bay nevertheless.
With the first 2 weeks of March still carrying the leftover winter chilly weather, the later half of the month is seemingly warmer, signifies the start of spring in Halong Bay. The maximum temperature in March increases to 22oC and the minimum temperature at night time is at 17oC. With warmer temperature, the number of wet days in Halong bay during this month increases to 13 days with the total rainfall is 43mm. The length of daylight increases to 12hrs/day and the sunshine length is at 3 hours per day. The average sea temperature slowly rises to 22oC.
- Average temperature: 19.5oC
- Average sea Temperature: 22oC
- Monthly rainfall: 43mm
- Average hours of sunshine per day: 3
Halong Bay Weather in April
April is a good month to visit Halong Bay as there are few risks of storm and the weather is very accommodating for an outdoors trip.
This month marks the start of the ideal time to visit Halong bay. April has a maximum temperature of 26oC and the minimum temperature of 20oC. The number of sunlight during the day increases to 4hrs. The day light times starts to lengthen to 13hrs/day. It is also worth noting that the amount of the rainfall increases to 79mm for a length of 13 wet days. This increases in temperature and rainfall makes the heat and humidity discomfort level increases though it is still reasonably comfortable. The sea temperature is warmer, good for swimming at 24oC.
- Average temperature: 23oC
- Average sea Temperature: 24oC
- Monthly rainfall: 79mm
- Average hours of sunshine per day: 4
Halong Bay Weather in May
May marks the start of a hot summer although the heat in this month is by and large endurable. It is in fact one of the best months to visit Halong.
Summer officially starts in Halong bay in May with the average temperature of 27.5oC. Night time temperature is at 24oC while the maximum day time temperature can spike to 31oC. The day is filled with sunshine for 6hrs and the daylight time can last for 13hrs. 14 days of rain and 192mm of rainfall makes the level of humidity and discomfort on land increases. This makes diving into the sea water of 27oC tempting. Bringing flipflops, shorts, tanktops and most importantly sunscreen is recommended.
Tips: May is secretly known as the best month to travel. The weather is just perfect for water based activities such as swimming and kayaking. From May to September, it is considered low season for tourism so most cruise agents will have special summer promotion starting from May 1st.
- Average temperature: 27.5oC
- Average sea Temperature: 27oC
- Monthly rainfall: 192mm
- Average hours of sunshine per day: 6
Halong Bay Weather in June
June is a rather hot month for travel to Halong Bay although it is perfect who loves the sun.
Compared to May, the temperature in June starts to rise but not too drastically. There is an increase of 1.5oC in average temperature to 29oC. The length of daylight hours remain at 13hrs as well as the length of sunshine at 6hrs. However, half of the month is wet with a total rainfall amounts to 277mm. This makes the weather very uncomfortable with high humidity level. The sea water temperature is similar to on land temperature of 29oC.
- Average temperature: 29oC
- Average sea Temperature: 29oC
- Monthly rainfall: 277mm
- Average hours of sunshine per day: 6
Halong Bay Weather in July
July is one of the rainiest season in Halong Bay. However, you will benefit greatly from the many promotions for cruise trips here.
July marks the start of rain season in Halong with a spike in rainfall to 474mm. This amount is distributed in 15 days in the month. The maximum and minimum temperature as well as the average temperature remains roughly the same as June at 32oC, 26oC, 29oC respectively. 7 hours of blazing sun is expected during the 13 hours of daylight everyday. You will feel extremely sweaty and uncomfortable in this high temperature and humidity level. Bringing an umbrella and apply plenty of sunscreen helps to prevent being soaking wet in the rain and getting sunburnt.
- Average temperature: 29oC
- Average sea Temperature: 30oC
- Monthly rainfall: 474mm
- Average hours of sunshine per day: 7
Halong Bay Weather in August
August is still a hot month and may subject to seasonal storms. Nonetheless Halong Bay is still an attractive destination for the month since it will be a lot less crowded than the high season.
Continuing to carry the heat and humidity of July, August in Halong has a high level of rainfall of 447mm for 16 wet days in the month. The average temperature though decreases slightly to 28.5oC, the heat and humidity is still rather uncomfortable. The sea temperature loses heat slower than on land so it is still at 30oC. The 13hrs of daylight has less sunshine since there is only 6hrs of sun light.
- Average temperature: 28.5oC
- Average sea Temperature: 30oC
- Monthly rainfall: 447mm
- Average hours of sunshine per day: 6
Halong Bay Weather in September
September is a half/half month when the weather is no longer hot but not yet cold. It is an ideal time to visit Halong Bay.
September seems to be the transitional month from the blazing heat of summer to the more comfortable autumn. The average temperature drops to about 28oC with maximum temperature at noon is about 31oC and night temperature is as low as 25oC. The amount of rainfall though is still high at 328 mm; it is a significant decrease from July and August. The sea water temperature starts to cool down to 29oC.
- Average temperature: 28oC
- Average sea Temperature: 29oC
- Monthly rainfall: 328mm
- Average hours of sunshine per day: 6
Halong Bay Weather in October
October is one of the best months to visit Halong Bay for the amiable weather.
If you plan to visit Halong bay and still want to dive in the refreshing water, October is the last month to go before it gets cold. The temperature is much more cooling compare with the previous summer months, staying at 24.5oC on average. The amount of rainfall drops significantly to only 86mm, distributing over 11 days. It is said that October is the perfect month to visit with reasonable heat and not too humid. 6hrs of sunshine is enough to get a few hundred beautiful snapshots of the bay.
- Average temperature: 24.5oC
- Average sea Temperature: 28oC
- Monthly rainfall: 86mm
- Average hours of sunshine per day: 6
Halong Bay Weather in November
November starts seeing chilly wind in the Bay of Halong although the dry weather may make the trip a lot better than one in the summer months.
Marking the start of dry season, November has a low amount of rainfall of only 33mm. The highest temperature reduces to 26oC and the lowest temperature is at 18oC. With this temperature and only 8 days of rain, the weather is cooling and comfortable but can be a little chilly. The daylight hour shortens to only 11hrs/day and the sun shines overhead for about 5 hrs. The sea temperature drops to 26oC, making it warmer than the on land temperature.
- Average temperature: 22oC
- Average sea Temperature: 26oC
- Monthly rainfall: 33mm
- Average hours of sunshine per day: 5
Halong Bay Weather in December
December is a festive month and why not celebrate your important event in Halong Bay?
Winter officially arrives at Halong bay in December. The highest temperature reaches to only 22oC while the temperature can drop to about 15oC. The sea temperature continues to lower to 23oC. The dry season remains with only 20mm and the number of wet days is only 7 days. There is only 5hrs of sunshine during the 11hrs of daylight in December. Visibility during December is quite low so photo taking might be disappointing.
- Average temperature: 18.5oC
- Average sea Temperature: 23oC
- Monthly rainfall: 20mm
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