The best time to visit Halong Bay is not necessarily when the weather is at its hottest. Even in cooler, misty weather, the bay retains a magical quality. This is the jewel in Vietnam’s crown and is situated in the north of the country. It is a fascinating place with a some of the finest natural scenic beauty in the world. Like any place, some times of the year are better to visit than others. The bay is different at different times of the year. Here are some of the reasons why.
The scenic beauty of Halong Bay is something to behold and there is no better way of seeing it than from Orchid cruise Halong Bay - one of the superb cruise boats that ply their trade here. The weather gives different perspectives and different vistas but they all have their merits. The only sure fire time to not be out on the water is in the event of a hurricane.
The Best Time to Visit Halong Bay is Not Always Down to the Weather
The weather poses a dilemma in many ways in Halong Bay. Everyone likes the sunshine and the warmth and of course swimming is certainly improved in warm water. But there is something special about this area on a chilly mist covered morning. The karst islands appear from nowhere as the mist starts to lift. For photographers this can sometimes be the best time to visit Halong Bay.
Check out our Vietnam Weather Map
The Bay has two main seasons hot with some sporadic rain from April until September and cooler with some strong winds between October and March. The average temperature here is cooler than in many places in Vietnam being around 24º Celsius. The strong winds that affect some of the coastal areas in the region do not have the same impact on Halong Bay as it is by its very nature, sheltered. The monsoon winds here strangely come twice every year a winter one from the north and a southwesterly one in the summer. If hurricanes are to happen they are normally in July and August.
To sum up there is no real bad time to visit this magnificent paradise. September to November and March to May will probably give you the best weather, as it will be dry. Between May and September you may get colder weather but the prices on the boats are less and the morning mists really are something special. For some, this is the best time to visit Halong Bay.
There are not many other factors that will affect your decision to take a trip to Halong Bay. Whilst the weather is all important for holidays in the big cities it really is not as important here. It will really just be a case of judging what you want from the trip, but whenever you go, you will fall in love with it.
