September sits between the summer rains of the north and the autumn rains of the centre. It is one of the most rewarding months for the northern mountains, and it has two of the country’s most festive dates.
September weather at a glance
| Region | What to expect in September | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi, Ninh Binh | Still warm; rain easing later in the month; storms possible | Good, improving |
| Halong Bay | Warm sea; storm season continues | Possible with flexibility |
| Sapa, Mu Cang Chai, Hoang Su Phi | Golden terraces late in the month before harvest | Excellent, book early |
| Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang | Rainy season begins; storms possible | Fair; flexible plans |
| Nha Trang, Quy Nhon | Usually still dry early in the month | Good |
| Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta | Showery; high water in the delta | Good in the mornings |
The golden north
Late September is the classic time for golden rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai, Hoang Su Phi and Sapa, before the harvest. Photographers and domestic travellers flock to the mountains, especially at weekends, so book early and plan midweek visits. See rice terrace season and rice terrace tours.
The centre: changing season
From September, the central coast moves towards its rainy season, which peaks in October and November. Hue usually becomes wetter first; Hoi An and Da Nang can still have good days early in the month. Keep a buffer day and indoor alternatives; see central Vietnam in the rainy season.
Festivals
National Day, 2 September, is a public holiday, often creating a long weekend with busy domestic travel and celebrations in Hanoi. The Mid-Autumn Festival, on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, falls in September in 2027. Children parade with lanterns, streets fill with mooncake stalls and Hanoi’s Old Quarter, especially around Hang Ma street, glows with decorations.
A September route we like
- Hanoi (2 nights), with Mid-Autumn atmosphere if your dates match.
- Mu Cang Chai or Hoang Su Phi (2 nights) for the golden terraces.
- Ninh Binh (1 night) and Halong or Lan Ha Bay (1 night), with flexibility for storms.
- South-central beaches such as Nha Trang or Quy Nhon (3 nights), or the south.
For neighbouring months, see Vietnam in August and the month-by-month guide; for storms, typhoon season in Vietnam.
Typical temperatures and rainfall in September
September brings golden rice terraces to the north, while the central coast starts its rainy season and the south is still wet. Typical figures:
| Place | Typical daytime high | Typical night low | Typical monthly rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | 31°C | 25°C | about 260 mm |
| Hue | 32°C | 24°C | about 450 mm |
| Hoi An & Da Nang | 32°C | 25°C | about 350 mm |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 32°C | 25°C | about 330 mm |
| Phu Quoc | 30°C | 25°C | about 420 mm |
Rounded long-term averages from public climate records, not a forecast. Any single September can be warmer, cooler, wetter or drier, so we check the outlook for your exact dates when we plan your trip.
Want to compare September with the months either side? Use our quick tool below: it opens on September, and you can tap any other month.
Plan your Vietnam trip in 1 minute
Pick your month to see the weather by region, or estimate your budget — then get a private itinerary from our Hanoi team.
Typical seasonal patterns; weather varies year to year. Our team checks your exact dates when we prepare your itinerary.
"From" prices published on our Vietnam tour cost guide: per person per day, 2 travellers sharing, private guide & driver, hotels, listed activities. International flights, e-visa, insurance and tips not included. Final price is confirmed in your written quote.
Where to go and where to think twice in September
Good choices in September:
- Mu Cang Chai, Sapa and Hoang Su Phi for the rice harvest
- Hanoi as the heat eases
- Ha Giang and Ban Gioc for green mountains and full waterfalls
Think twice about:
- Long beach stays in Hoi An or Da Nang late in the month
- Fixed plans on the central coast without a buffer day
- Travelling around 2 September without bookings
How we split a two-week September trip: six or seven nights in the north, with two or three of them in the rice-terrace valleys around Sapa or Mu Cang Chai, then a Halong cruise, a short central stop and a few days in the south. We keep one free day on the central coast in case of early storms, and we choose a cruise with a flexible change policy.
Dates to note in September 2027
- 2 September: National Day, a public holiday. The exact long weekend is set each year.
- 14 September 2027: full-moon Legend Night in Hoi An.
- 15 September 2027: Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu). Hang Ma street in Hanoi fills with lanterns in the week before.
- Mid-September to early October: the usual rice-harvest window in Mu Cang Chai (it varies with the weather).
Lunar-calendar dates are calculated for Vietnam’s time zone. Event programmes change from year to year, so check before travel.
Three private tours for September
In September we put the weight of the trip in the north. These private tours do that:
14 days 13 nights · private
Unforgettable 14-Day Vietnam Tour Plan| North to South
From US$2,014 per person
Fourteen days with Sapa at harvest time, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An and the Mekong Delta.
8 days 7 nights · private
8-Day Northern Vietnam Off the Beaten Track Adventure
From US$1,120 per person
Eight days off the beaten track: Sapa, the Ha Giang loop, Ban Gioc Waterfall and Ba Be Lake.
14 days 13 nights · private
14-Day Vietnam Trekking Tour: Culture & Adventure
From US$2,252 per person
Fourteen days with easy treks around Sapa, Ninh Binh by boat, then Halong, Hoi An and the south.
Prices are the published "from" prices on each tour page, per person, based on 2 travellers sharing. Every tour is private and can be re-timed for your dates; the final price and hotels are confirmed in your quote, subject to availability.
None of these quite right? Every Metta Voyage tour is private, so we can shorten it, add beach days or change the hotel level. You can also browse all our Vietnam tours.
What a September trip costs
Our published “from” prices for a private Vietnam tour are about US$140 per person per day at Comfort (4★) level, US$180 at Superior, US$250 at Deluxe and US$350 at Luxury. They assume 2 travellers sharing a room and include a private guide and driver, hotels and the activities listed in the itinerary (see our Vietnam tour cost guide). A 14-day September trip at Comfort level starts at about US$1,960 per person; at Superior level about US$2,520. International flights, visas, insurance and tips are extra. We add a buffer day on the central coast in September in case of early storms. Final prices and hotels are confirmed in your quote, subject to availability.
Ready to plan? Send us your dates and our team in Hanoi will reply within 24 hours with a free day-by-day itinerary for September. A 30% deposit confirms the trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is September a good time to visit Vietnam?
Yes for the north, especially the golden rice terraces late in the month. The central coast begins its rainy season, so plan flexibly there.
When are the rice terraces golden in September?
Usually late September to early October, before the harvest in Mu Cang Chai, Hoang Su Phi and Sapa.
What holidays are there in Vietnam in September?
National Day on 2 September, and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls in September in 2027.
Does it rain in Hoi An in September?
September is the start of the central coast’s rainy season; Hue usually becomes wetter first.
Is Halong Bay safe in September?
Cruises run, but storms are still possible and can suspend sailings, so plan flexibly.
Which tours do you recommend for Vietnam in September?
September is the month for the north: our 14-day north-to-south tour with Sapa, the 8-day off-the-beaten-track tour through Ha Giang and Ban Gioc, and the 14-day trekking tour.
When is Mid-Autumn Festival in 2027?
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 15 September 2027, the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Lantern streets in Hanoi and Hoi An are busiest in the week before.
Plan this trip
- Vietnam North To South (10 days, from US$1,400 per person)
- Unforgettable Vietnam Family Tour: A 14-Day Adventure (14 days, from US$1,960 per person)
See Vietnam tour packages for your dates for itineraries and prices, from US$140 per person per day for two travellers.
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