Quick answer
The best time for a trip that combines Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos is November to March. Cambodia and Laos are dry, southern Vietnam is in its dry season, and the north is cool and clear. Central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An) is wettest from September to December, so in November and December keep those days flexible or visit the centre later in the trip. April and May are very hot in Cambodia and Laos; June to October is the green season, with lower prices and fuller rivers.
Three countries, three climates. The good news is that their best months overlap. This month-by-month guide uses rainfall averages published through the World Meteorological Organization by each country’s weather service, plus Vietnam’s national tourism board.
Month by month
| Month | North Vietnam (Hanoi, Ha Long) | Central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An) | South Vietnam (Saigon, Mekong) | Cambodia (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh) | Laos (Luang Prabang, Vientiane) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Good (cool) | Fair | Good | Good | Good |
| Feb | Good (cool) | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Mar | Good | Good | Good | Good, getting hot | Good, getting hot |
| Apr | Good | Good | Good | Hot | Hot |
| May | Good | Good | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed |
| Jun | Hot, showers | Fair | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed |
| Jul | Wet | Fair | Mixed | Mixed | Wet |
| Aug | Wet | Mixed | Mixed | Mixed | Wet |
| Sep | Mixed | Wet | Mixed | Wet | Mixed |
| Oct | Good | Wet (peak) | Mixed | Wet | Good |
| Nov | Good | Wet | Good | Good | Good |
| Dec | Good (cool) | Mixed | Good | Good | Good |
Based on WMO climate normals (1991–2020) for Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Vientiane and Luang Prabang, and vietnam.travel regional guidance. Weather varies from year to year.
What the numbers say
- North Vietnam: Hanoi gets 19–28 mm of rain a month from December to February but averages about 20 °C by day in January, so pack a warm layer. July and August are the wettest months (300–335 mm).
- Central Vietnam: Da Nang averages 658 mm in October and 486 mm in November, with flood risk in Hue and Hoi An; February to April is the sweet spot.
- South Vietnam: almost dry from January to March (8–18 mm a month); May to October brings short, heavy afternoon showers.
- Cambodia: Siem Reap gets under 8 mm a month from December to February, highs reach about 35 °C in April and May, and September is wettest.
- Laos: Luang Prabang is dry from November to February (13–28 mm a month, December highs about 26 °C); Vientiane’s wettest month is August and April is the hottest.
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The Mekong changes with the seasons
If you plan a river cruise, the water level matters as much as the weather. Pandaw, one of the Mekong lines, says its ships sail across the Tonle Sap Lake to Siem Reap from August to November, while from December to July the river is too shallow and guests transfer by land. Aqua Expeditions also says its ships are seasonally unable to reach the lake in low water. The Mekong Delta’s fruit season runs from May to August. More in our guide to Mekong cruises.
Festivals worth planning around
| Festival | Where | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Tet (Lunar New Year) | Vietnam | 6 February 2027; many businesses close for about a week (public holiday 4–10 February 2027) |
| Khmer New Year | Cambodia | Mid-April (14–16 April in 2026; 2027 dates to be confirmed) |
| Pi Mai (Lao New Year) | Laos | Mid-April (14–16 April in 2026; 2027 dates not yet announced) |
| Water Festival (Bon Om Touk) | Cambodia | 23–25 November 2026 public holiday |
| Boun Ok Phansa (end of Buddhist Lent) | Laos | October; in 2026 the Vientiane festival ran 25–27 October |
Festivals are wonderful to see but busy: book hotels early, and expect some closures around Tet and the April new year.
Our suggested route by season
- November–December: start in Laos and Cambodia, finish in north Vietnam; keep central Vietnam short or move it to the end.
- January–March: the classic order works everywhere: Hanoi and Ha Long, Hue and Hoi An, Saigon and the Mekong, Siem Reap, Luang Prabang.
- April–May: plan early starts at Angkor and in Laos to beat the heat; central Vietnam’s beaches are at their best.
- June–October: green season. Fewer visitors, lush countryside, high water on the Mekong; avoid central Vietnam in October and November.
See our 20-day Indochina tour or ask us to plan the right route for your dates. For Vietnam alone, read our month-by-month Vietnam guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos together?
February and March are the most reliable for all three: dry in Cambodia, Laos and the south, cool in the north, and central Vietnam is past its rainy season.
Is November a good time for an Indochina tour?
Yes for Cambodia, Laos, south and north Vietnam. Central Vietnam is still in its wettest period in November, so keep Hue and Hoi An flexible.
Can I visit during the rainy season?
Yes. From May to October rain usually comes in short, heavy bursts, the countryside is green and prices are lower. July to September is the wettest stretch in the north and in Laos.
When is it too hot to visit Cambodia and Laos?
April and May are the hottest months, with highs around 35 °C. Visit temples at dawn and plan rest in the afternoon.
When can Mekong cruise ships reach Siem Reap?
Generally in high water, around August to November. In low water most lines transfer guests by road or air between the river and Siem Reap.
Written by the Metta Voyage travel team in Hanoi. Last updated 26 October 2026. Sources: WMO World Weather Information Service, vietnam.travel, Pandaw and Aqua Expeditions river notes, government holiday announcements.
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