Vietnam in February: Travel Advice for Peak Season
February is the second busiest month of the year in Vietnam with plenty of sunshine, temperate weather, and weeks of celebration. Tourists can enjoy scores of traditional events throughout the month, getting a true taste of Vietnamese culture. Whole cities are clad in bright trees and decorations while restaurants and stalls serve up seasonal cuisine. Book a trip to Vietnam in February to experience the most colorful month of the Vietnamese calendar.
Vietnam Weather in February
The weather in Vietnam in February is best in the central and southern regions as it falls between the rainy seasons. The beach regions around Da Nang and Hoi An see the end of the rainy season with temperatures between 20°C and 26°C.
Ho Chi Minh is very dry in February with warm temperatures. Minimums are around 23°C with maximums soaring to 34°C. In the north, however, Hanoi still has slightly cooler temperatures, between 16°C and 21°C, with regular occurrences of fog or clouds. This shouldn’t put a damper on your travels though, traversing the city during this month is generally more comfortable than in warmer seasons.
The central mountainous region of Da Lat also has pleasant and mild temperatures between 12°C and 24°C with an average of only around 2 days of rain, making it the perfect time to visit the lush mountains with blue skies as the backdrop.
Check out our seasonal overview to find out the best time to visit Vietnam.
Weather in Vietnam in February - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 19 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 24 | 21 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 15 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 19 | 15 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 66.2 | 66.2 | 73.4 | 78.8 | 87.8 | 89.6 | 89.6 | 89.6 | 87.8 | 82.4 | 75.2 | 69.8 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 59 | 59 | 64.4 | 69.8 | 75.2 | 77 | 78.8 | 78.8 | 77 | 71.6 | 66.2 | 59 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 10 | 30 | 50 | 100 | 150 | 190 | 210 | 200 | 160 | 100 | 60 | 30 |
Why Visit Vietnam in February
With some of the best weather of the year dominating most of the country, there are plenty of things to do in Vietnam in February. Here’s why February is a great month to visit.
- Lunar New Year: Tet celebrations happen across the country with many markets popping up and regular Lion Dance performances. This is also the only time of year you can enjoy moon cakes, a traditional New Year confectionary. The celebrations begin in late January and last until early February.
- Lantern Festival: Witness the first Lantern Festival of the new lunar calendar on your trip to Hoi An and experience a magical evening with thousands of lanterns being released on the river while many more adorn the historic alleyways of the old town. The festival is celebrated during the full moon.
- Dong Da: The Dong Da festival happens on the 5th day of the new lunar calendar which often falls in February. The Dong Da Mound in Hanoi sees thousands gather to enjoy martial arts demonstrations, music, dragon dances, and more to commemorate a 400-year-old victory over China.
- Perfect Weather: February is an in-between month as the rainy season ends in one region and has not quite arrived in the others. This means you can enjoy hiking, beach days, long bike rides, and city exploring to your heart’s content.
Where to go and what to do
February in Vietnam is a great time for trekking to mountainous regions that will soon be shaken by the full force of monsoon season. Visit the roof of Indochina, Fansipan Mountain, for breathtaking views over the misty valleys below. Hike up the famous mountain or take the record-breaking cable cars up to the top.
Apart from the best beaches of Da Nang and Hoi An, you can also visit some of the islands of Vietnam. Visit Phu Quoc, Cham, or Con Do Islands which have marvelous diving spots with scores of luxury resorts lining the beachfront. Forget about the dreary winter weather elsewhere in the world and lounge in the sun at one of these island paradises.
A lesser-known pilgrimage also happens in February and sees thousands of people swarm to the Perfume Pagoda in Hanoi. This peculiar place of worship is built into a cave and the festival is seen as a time for prospective lovers to begin their courtship. Around the pagoda, there are also restaurants that serve up an assortment of game meat during this time. Take a cultural tour in Hanoi to learn about its fascinating history and cultural significance. The pagoda is in a cave high up in the mountains outside Hanoi and can also be reached by cable car or with a hike.
Shopping in Vietnam can be quite troublesome during other times of the year with markets being crowded, hot, and stuffy. In February you can take advantage of the milder temperatures and low chance of rain to make the most of a trip to the market. If you are wondering where to go in Vietnam for some shopping visit the iconic Ben Thanh market to browse all manner of local fare or get custom outfits made at one of Hoi An’s many tailors.
February is one of the most popular months of the year in Vietnam but this is not a time to shy away from crowds. Join the massive celebrations and embrace the Vietnamese culture to the fullest.
Contact one of our travel experts to get a custom Vietnam travel package or for advice on where to go in Vietnam.
Check out our tours to Vietnam in February.
