Best Time to Visit Haiphong Month by Month Travel Guide

The best time to visit Haiphong is in spring, from March to April, and in autumn, from late September to November. These months usually bring comfortable temperatures, lower humidity than summer and good conditions for both city walks and trips to Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay. Summer is hot, humid and busy at the beach, but it is also the season of red flamboyant flowers and swimming. Winter is cool and often grey, yet perfect for steaming bowls of crab noodle soup.

This month by month guide from the Haiphong Adventure team explains what to expect in each season, which festivals to plan around, when to head to the islands and what to pack. Weather varies from year to year, so treat it as a general guide and check the forecast close to your trip.

Haiphong Weather At A Glance

Haiphong has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons, typical of northern Vietnam. Summers are hot and rainy, winters are cool and fairly dry, and spring and autumn are the transition seasons most travelers enjoy.

Season	Months	What to expect	Good for
Winter	December to February	Cool, often cloudy, occasional cold spells	Food, city walks, Tet atmosphere
Spring	March to April	Mild to warm, drizzle early in the season	Sightseeing, festivals, countryside
Summer	May to August	Hot, humid, heavy showers, storm risk	Beaches, islands, flamboyant flowers
Autumn	September to November	Warm turning mild, drier, clearer skies later	Everything, especially Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay

Spring In Haiphong: March To April

Spring is one of the best times to visit Haiphong. Temperatures rise from mild to warm, trees turn green and the city feels fresh.

• March: mild days, often misty with light drizzle early in the month. Great for food and city walks.
• April: warmer and brighter, a lovely month for the countryside, pagodas and the first boat trips to Lan Ha Bay.

Spring follows the Lunar New Year, so many villages and pagodas hold traditional festivals. Light layers and a small umbrella are enough.

>>> Secrets To Enjoying A Real Haiphong Food Tour

Summer In Haiphong: May To August

Summer is hot and humid, with heavy afternoon showers and the chance of tropical storms, especially later in the season. It is also peak domestic holiday time, so beaches at Do Son and Cat Ba get busy, particularly on weekends.

Red flamboyant season

Haiphong is known as the City of Red Flamboyant Flowers. From around May into early summer, the trees along streets and lakes burst into bright red blooms, a beautiful time for photos. The city usually celebrates with a flamboyant flower festival around May. Exact dates change each year, so check local announcements before you go.

Summer travel tips

• Sightsee early in the morning and after 4 pm, and rest in the middle of the day.
• Drink plenty of water and wear a hat and sunscreen.
• Keep island plans flexible. Boat trips can be cancelled when the weather turns.
• Book accommodation on Cat Ba early for weekends and public holidays.

Heading out on the water? Review our Lan Ha Bay kayaking safety tips before you go.

Autumn In Haiphong: September To November

Autumn is many locals’ favorite season. Heat and humidity ease, rain becomes less frequent as the season goes on and skies are often clearer, especially in October and November.

• September: still warm, with some late-season storms possible. A good month for beaches with fewer crowds after the summer holidays.
• October: pleasant and comfortable, one of the best months for city sightseeing, motorbike tours and Lan Ha Bay.
• November: cooler and drier, perfect for hiking in Cat Ba National Park and long walks around the city.

Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival

One of Haiphong’s most famous traditions takes place in Do Son, usually in the eighth lunar month, which falls around September or October. It is a ritual event with deep local roots, and it draws big crowds. Dates follow the lunar calendar and arrangements can change, so confirm locally before planning around it.

Autumn is also prime time for island hiking. Read our guide on preparing for Cat Ba National Park hikes.

>>> Cat Ba Tour Activities Trekking Hiking Swimming

Winter In Haiphong: December To February

Winter is cool, often cloudy and sometimes damp. Cold spells can make the city feel chilly, especially by the sea and on boats, so pack a warm layer. The upside is fewer tourists, comfortable walking weather and the best season for hearty local food.

Lunar New Year (Tet)

Tet usually falls in late January or February. The weeks before are colorful, with flower markets, kumquat trees and red decorations across the city. During the main holiday days, many small shops and eateries close and transport is busy, so book ahead and expect a quieter food scene.

Boat trips in Lan Ha Bay still run in winter on many days, and the misty karsts have a quiet beauty. Swimming is less appealing, so focus on cruising and viewpoints.

Month By Month Summary

Month	Weather in brief	Highlights	Rating
January	Cool, often cloudy	Pre-Tet markets, warming food	Good for city
February	Cool, damp, drizzle	Tet and spring festivals	Fair
March	Mild, misty mornings	Pagoda festivals, countryside	Good
April	Warm and pleasant	Sightseeing, early island trips	Excellent
May	Hot, first heavy showers	Flamboyant flowers and festival	Very good
June	Hot and humid	Beaches, swimming, flowers	Good for beaches
July	Hot, rainy, storm risk	Summer holidays, busy islands	Fair
August	Hot, rainy, storm risk	Green landscapes, lively beaches	Fair
September	Warm, some storms	Do Son festival season, quieter beaches	Good
October	Comfortable, drier	City, motorbike tours, Lan Ha Bay	Excellent
November	Mild and dry	Hiking, photography, food	Excellent
December	Cool, often cloudy	Quiet streets, hot noodle soup	Good for city

Ratings reflect typical conditions, updated October 2026. Always check the latest forecast and storm warnings before boat trips.

>>> Essential Tips Before Booking Your Cat Ba Tour

Best Time For Different Travelers

• Food lovers: any time, but cool months make hot noodle soups and seafood hot pots extra satisfying.
• Beach and swimming: June to early September, accepting heat and crowds.
• Cat Ba hiking and Lan Ha Bay: April to May and October to November.
• Photography: May for flamboyant flowers, autumn for clear light, winter for moody mist.
• Budget and quiet travel: weekdays outside summer and major holidays.

Planning a bay day trip from the city? Compare the travel options from Haiphong to Halong Bay.

What To Pack By Season

Season	Pack
Winter	Warm jacket, long trousers, closed shoes, a scarf for boats
Spring	Light layers, umbrella, comfortable walking shoes
Summer	Breathable clothes, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket, swimwear
Autumn	Light clothes plus a light jacket for evenings, hiking shoes

For pagodas and temples in any season, bring something that covers shoulders and knees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit Haiphong?

Spring, from March to April, and autumn, from late September to November, usually offer the most comfortable weather for city sightseeing and island trips.

When is the rainy season in Haiphong?

Most rain falls in summer, roughly May to September, often as heavy showers. Tropical storms are possible in summer and early autumn.

When do the red flamboyant flowers bloom in Haiphong?

Usually from around May into early summer, when the city is decorated with bright red blooms.

Is Haiphong cold in winter?

It can feel chilly, especially during cold spells and on boats. Bring a warm jacket from December to February.

When is the best time to visit Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay from Haiphong?

April to May and October to November are ideal. Summer is great for swimming but busier and more weather-dependent.

Plan Your Haiphong Trip For The Right Season

There is no bad time to visit Haiphong, only different experiences. Come in spring or autumn for comfortable sightseeing, in early summer for flamboyant flowers and beaches, and in winter for quiet streets and hearty food. Pick the season that matches your style, then leave a little flexibility for the weather.

Not sure which month suits your plans? Ask the local team at Haiphong Adventure about seasonal haiphong tours and island trips:

• WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat: +84(0)934.555.001
• KakaoTalk, Line ID: haiphongadventure

We look forward to welcoming you in any season.