Halong Bay belongs to Quang Ninh Province in the Northern area of Vietnam. Just around 160 km from Hanoi, Halong Bay has similar weather to the capital city and shows the most typical features of the Northern climate. That is the humid tropical climate.

Although you may not see a clear difference between 2 adjacent seasons in transitional months, it is said that there are 4 seasons in Halong including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Spring (March - May)

Thanks to the pleasant weather, this is the best time to visit Halong Bay. The average temperature is around 18 - 24°C which is not too hot, not too cold. Little rain may frequently come in March but there will be more sunshine with blue sky in April and May. Spring is ideal for Halong bay excursions and activities such as climbing, kayaking, and swimming.

Halong Bay is not very crowded at this time but if you do not like crowds, there are some national holidays for Vietnamese travelers you can avoid namely Hung King Festival (March 10 in Lunar Calendar), Reunification Day (April 30), and International Labor Day (May 01).

Summer (June - September)

Summer in Halong bay comes with lots of sunshine, blue sky, crystal-clear seawater and beautiful photos of the charming Halong bay. The average temperature is pretty high at 29 - 32°C, which makes swimming, kayaking, and other water activities more enjoyable. Although it is always hot and humid in the Northern region in summer, you can expect the weather on the bay is much more pleasant than on the mainland or in a big city like Hanoi.

Be noticed that summer is also the storm and rainy season. Heavy rains may come quickly but not last for long. If you hear about storm news, rain may last for a longer time such as 2 - 3 days. Hence, you are advised to stay updated with the weather forecast if traveling to Halong bay during summer.

Fall (October - December)

If summer is the peak season for most Vietnamese travelers, fall is the peak season for international ones. The average temperature is much cooler at around 23 - 27°C. The humidity is much lower than in the summer and the weather is more stable with less rain and storms.

From the end of November to December, it is a bit chilly and not suitable for swimming. However, tourists can still participate in kayaking, hiking, discovering the cave, and other onboard activities, especially catching squid because it is squid season in Halong Bay.

If you are interested in festivals, Christmas and New Year on cruises will be an exciting experience with gala dinners in a decorative theme. But get ready to spend a little bit more on those days because there will be a surcharge for most cruises.

Winter (January - February)

Winter is the low season in Halong Bay. It is cold and dry. The temperature is just around 13 - 20°C on average. Coming to Halong Bay this time, travelers have a chance to experience the diverse beauty of the bay. That is a mystical Halong Bay like heaven on earth in the early morning and a brighter and clearer Halong Bay with little sunshine during the day.

Winter is the best time for privacy-seekers who love to avoid the crowd and enjoy a blissfully relaxed trip to the heritage site. If you crave something cultural and unique, come in Lunar New Year and you will learn much more about the most traditional festival in Vietnam.