August is the last full month of the Vietnamese summer holidays and one of the most popular months for international families. The weather is at its most varied: wet in the north, dry in the centre, showery in the south. Planned well, it is still a great month to travel.
August weather at a glance
| Region | What to expect in August | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi, Ninh Binh | Hot, humid and often the wettest month; heavy storms | Fair; plan flexible days |
| Halong and Lan Ha Bay | Warm sea; storm season at its height | Possible, but keep a buffer |
| Sapa, Mu Cang Chai, Ha Giang | Green terraces, frequent rain, possible landslides | Beautiful, with buffer time |
| Cao Bang, Ban Gioc | Waterfall at full power | Good for adventurous travellers |
| Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang | Usually dry and hot; sea still calm | Very good |
| Nha Trang, Quy Nhon | Dry and sunny | Very good |
| Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta | Regular afternoon rain | Good in the mornings |
The centre: still the best choice
August usually remains dry on the central coast, although the first signs of the autumn rains can appear towards the end of the month further north, around Hue. Hoi An, Da Nang, Quy Nhon and Nha Trang are good beach choices; see central Vietnam from May to August and is Quy Nhon worth visiting?.
The north: green and stormy
Hanoi often sees its heaviest rain in August, and storms can suspend Halong Bay cruises. The landscapes are spectacular, from green terraces to Ban Gioc Waterfall at full flow, but plan a buffer day and keep the cruise away from the end of the trip. See typhoon season in Vietnam and Ban Gioc Waterfall.
Festivals and holidays
The seventh lunar month, which often falls largely in August, is when many Vietnamese families visit pagodas for Vu Lan, a festival honouring parents and ancestors. National Day on 2 September follows at the end of the summer and is a busy travel period.
Crowds
August is still in the domestic holiday season, so beaches and popular sights are busy at weekends. Book early; see Vietnam’s domestic summer peak.
An August route we like
- Hanoi (2 nights) with a flexible day.
- Halong or Lan Ha Bay early in the trip (1 night), or Ninh Binh if storms are forecast.
- Hue (2 nights) and Hoi An (4 nights) with beach time.
- Quy Nhon or Nha Trang (3 nights) to finish.
For health tips, see staying healthy in Vietnam’s summer.
Typical temperatures and rainfall in August
August is the wettest month in Hanoi, while the central coast is still mostly dry. Typical figures:
| Place | Typical daytime high | Typical night low | Typical monthly rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | 32°C | 26°C | about 320 mm |
| Hue | 34°C | 26°C | about 140 mm |
| Hoi An & Da Nang | 34°C | 26°C | about 105 mm |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 32°C | 25°C | about 270 mm |
| Phu Quoc | 30°C | 25°C | about 460 mm |
Rounded long-term averages from public climate records, not a forecast. Any single August can be warmer, cooler, wetter or drier, so we check the outlook for your exact dates when we plan your trip.
Want to compare August with the months either side? Use our quick tool below: it opens on August, 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 August
Good choices in August:
- Hoi An, Da Nang and Nha Trang, still the best beach choice
- Hue for early-morning sightseeing
- Ban Gioc Waterfall, at its fullest after the rains
Think twice about:
- Phu Quoc for beach time: it is in the rainy season
- Fixed Halong cruise dates with no flexibility
- Expecting quiet beaches: it is the end of the Vietnamese summer holidays
Dates to note in August 2027
- 15 August 2027: full-moon Legend Night in Hoi An.
- 16 August 2027: Vu Lan, the full moon of the seventh lunar month, when families honour their parents and ancestors at pagodas.
- Late August: the run-up to National Day on 2 September, a public holiday with busy domestic travel.
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 August
These private tours give August travellers more time on the dry central coast and flexible days in the north:
14 days 13 nights · private
Best Of Vietnam Honeymoon Vacation with Nha Trang Beach
From US$1,960 per person
Saigon and the Mekong, then Nha Trang beach and Hoi An before Hanoi and Halong Bay.
13 days 12 nights · private
Summer Family Vacation In Vietnam
From US$1,820 per person
Hanoi and Halong, then Dalat and Whale Island for a family summer trip.
10 days 9 nights · private
10-Day Culinary Journey Through Vietnamese Culture & Cuisines
From US$1,400 per person
A food-led route through Saigon, Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi and Halong Bay.
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 August 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 10-day August trip at Comfort level starts at about US$1,400 per person; at Deluxe level about US$2,500. International flights, visas, insurance and tips are extra. We keep one flexible day in the north in August in case a cruise is rescheduled because of weather. 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 August. A 30% deposit confirms the trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is August a good time to visit Vietnam?
Yes, if you focus on the central coast, which is usually dry. The north is often at its wettest, with storms.
Is August typhoon season in Vietnam?
Yes. August is at the height of the storm season in the north, which can affect Halong Bay cruises.
Where is the best beach in Vietnam in August?
The central and south-central coast: Hoi An, Da Nang, Quy Nhon and Nha Trang.
Is Ban Gioc Waterfall good in August?
Yes. It is at its most powerful in the rainy months, though roads can be slowed by rain.
Is Vietnam crowded in August?
August is still in the domestic holiday season, so beaches are busy at weekends.
Which tours do you recommend for Vietnam in August?
Our August suggestions are the 14-day honeymoon tour with Nha Trang, the 13-day summer family vacation and the 10-day culinary tour, all with flexible days in the north.
When is Vu Lan in 2027?
Vu Lan, the full moon of the seventh lunar month, falls on 16 August 2027. It is a day for honouring parents and ancestors, not a public holiday.
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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