Season guide · Ho Chi Minh City · Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City in the dry season
December–March: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ekrem Canli, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Sunny, slightly less humid and the most comfortable time for sightseeing and Mekong trips; Tết brings closures. Expect highs up to 34°C (93°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F), with about 10 rainy days across December–March. December–March are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- December–March
- Temperatures
- 22°C (72°F) to 34°C (93°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 10
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in the dry season
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C (90°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 | 11.6 h | 4/5 |
| February | 33°C (91°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 | 11.8 h | 4/5 |
| March | 34°C (93°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 2 | 12 h | 3/5 |
| December | 31°C (88°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 | 11.5 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 33°C (91°F) against a yearly 32°C (90°F), and 10 of the year's roughly 145 rainy days fall in these 4 months. Crowds rate 4/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in the dry season
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Tết (Lunar New Year) — Nguyễn Huệ Flower Street displays, then many businesses close for several days (late January or February)
- December: Christmas Eve crowds around the cathedral and along Đồng Khởi (24 December)
Make the most of the weather
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Viewpoint · Bình Thạnh
Landmark 81 SkyView
Vietnam's tallest building, a 461-metre tower on the Saigon River in Bình Thạnh, has an observation deck on its top floors with views over the river's loops, District 1 and Thủ Thiêm.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- After dark
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Zoo · District 1 (Đồng Khởi)
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Go early in the morning when animals are more active and the gardens are cool.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
- History
Park · District 1 (Đồng Khởi)
Tao Đàn Park
A large shaded park where locals practise tai chi, badminton and dance from dawn.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
Experience · District 1 (Đồng Khởi)
Saigon River by waterbus
Ride in the late afternoon for the skyline at golden hour; check current departure times at the pier.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours return
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Day trips in the dry season
- Củ Chi Tunnels (About 1.5–2 hours each way by road) — A network of tunnels used by Việt Cộng fighters, with sections widened for visitors to crawl through, booby-trap displays and reconstructed bunkers.
- Mekong Delta (Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre) (About 2 hours each way by road) — Small boats thread through coconut-palm canals, with stops at coconut-candy workshops, fruit orchards and river islands.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the dry season a good time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes: December–March are among the best months. Sunny, slightly less humid and the most comfortable time for sightseeing and Mekong trips; Tết brings closures.
+What is the weather like in Ho Chi Minh City in the dry season?
Highs of up to 34°C (93°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F), with about 10 rainy days over the season.