Vietnam in July: Best places to travel
July is the heart of summer in Vietnam, characterized by hot weather, but it’s also a time of vibrant excitement with summer festivals happening all over the country. Join DCT Responsible Travel to discover these once-a-year amazing experiences detailed below!
The weather in Vietnam in July is hot across all three regions, but there are some differences. So, let’s explore to prepare for your perfect trip!
- North: July marks the peak of summer heat in some areas like Hanoi, Cat Ba, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, etc., with average temperatures ranging from 27-36°C. In mountainous areas like Sapa and Mu Cang Chai, temperatures are 2-4°C lower. Plus, atmosphere will become cooler and refreshing after occasional showers.
- Central: July is the dry season in central like Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Phan Thiet, etc., with temperatures ranging from 25-35°C. There is little rain, so feel free to sightsee and enjoy a beach vacation!
- South: Compared to the intense heat of the above two regions, Southern Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and Phu Quoc Island, is more comfortable, with temperatures around 30-35°C with some showers.
Where to go in Vietnam in July?
Sapa - Coolcation for Vietnam summer
Weather in Sapa is about 23-24°C, colder at night and early morning. This land is an ideal hideout from the summer heat. And don’t worry, rains will appear occasionally but pass quickly, so feel free to explore Sapa as the way you’ve been dreaming of!
Greenery rice terraces in Sapa
July is the best time to travel to Sapa with greenery rice terraces, and why not follow a local guide from the H’Mong, Dzao,… to trek through these fields and reach the off-the-beaten-path villages of Sapa? Here, you can admire the happy life of farmers who are excited about the upcoming harvest season.
Experience a vibrant culture of Sapa with local guide
If you’re looking for a more vibrant cultural experience in this must-see, let’s join a local market! The local market is only held on the weekend, so it is noted to arrange your trip. And when you’re ready, tell us and we’ll take you to a hidden village with a local market! The lively atmosphere, colorful attire, and local produce, especially the in-season plums and peaches, will bring you wonderful moments! Don’t forget to prepare “ample memory space” on your camera for this special trip!
Mu Cang Chai - Be a Vietnamese farmer!
In July, with temperatures ranging from 17-23°C, Mu Cang Chai is also an ideal oasis for summer escape. This is a perfect time to witness the most beautiful rice terraces in the world, adorned in layers of green and gold hue. Take time to enjoy this authentic beauty before the peak season arrives!
Witness one of the most beautiful rice terraces in the world in Mu Cang Chai
And if you step into our homeland Mu Cang Chai, we will connect you with the Thai and H’Mong and try to be a Vietnamese farmer! You can join them in harvesting rice, threshing, and drying the grains, then return to our “home”-stay of a Thai family in the community-based tourism village we have supported for many years. A joyful and delicious local meal awaits you with hospitable hosts! If you wish to enjoy more cultural experiences, indigo dyeing or H’Mong batik with the local women is also available!
Be a Vietnamese farmer in Mu Cang Chai
And now, are you looking for something more adventurous? It’s ready for you! Our local guide will accompany you to trek through villages and forests, especially the lush green bamboo forest that can make you think about Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto. Don’t worry, we and our local guides who hold a rich knowledge of local terrain will design a trek route suitable to your physical capabilities. And if you want a more challenging thing, you can experience motorbiking (with a local driver) on the winding Khau Pha Pass—one of Vietnam’s four great mountain passes.
Ha Giang - Easy trip for families
Many requests for a Ha Giang trip for families are sent for us this summer, and we’re so happy to connect them with this land, once thought to be the realm of only the most daring adventurers! With DCT Responsible Travel, you can explore at your own pace—whether by motorbike or a comfortable private car for a more relaxed and personal experience.
Easy trip to Ha Giang for family
Recognized as UNESCO’s Global Geopark, Ha Giang embraces winding routes, treacherous slopes, and incredible scenery. After nature admiration there, let’s venture into the heart of Ha Giang – ancient villages. This is a treasure preserving authentic lifestyle and culture, and in July you can see farmers are busy with agriculture work. Through languages, clothing, architecture, cuisine and crafts,… we believe you will acquire a lot of interesting knowledge of ethnic groups such as Bo Y, H’Mong, Tay, or Dzao,…!
Discover the breathtaking scenery of Ha Giang
If you are passionate and curious about culture, don’t miss the vibrant local markets, where goods and information are exchanged, creating a lively yet laid-back rhythm of life. We will take you to small markets rarely known to tourists but much beloved by our travelers who have spent considerable time exploring these markets!
Vibrant local market in Meo Vac – Ha Giang
Ninh Binh - Harvest rice season
Would you like to capture a stunning natural masterpiece in Ninh Binh like the ones on the posters in the street? Let’s travel to Ninh Binh in July!
In July, Ninh Binh will feast your eyes with a golden tapestry of lush and ripe rice fields. You can take a leisurely boat ride along the Ngo Dong River, surrounded by farmers cheerfully chatting and harvesting their bountiful crops after months of hard work. The scenery is a perfect backdrop for anyone looking to experience and photograph the picturesque beauty of this land!
Van Long – Ninh Binh in harvest season
If you’re a nature lover and keen on adventures, let’s venture into Cuc Phuong National Park. Cuc Phuong is Vietnam’s first national park, covering a total area of 22,408 hectares. It is home to 2,234 species of plants and mosses, 122 species of reptiles and amphibians, 66 species of fish, nearly 2,000 species of insects, 135 species of mammals, and 336 species of birds, many of which are listed in the Red Book. Here, you will have the opportunity to observe rare black-and-white langurs, the symbol of Cuc Phuong National Park & many other precious species. An array of interesting knowledge of nature awaits you!
Cuc Phuong National Park – Ninh Binh
Don’t hesitate to add Ninh Binh to your travel list this July now!
Cat Ba & Lan Ha Bay - More than a beach vacation
Beach and Bay is probably what you are looking forward to the most right now, right? Come and immerse yourself in the refreshing waters of the hidden beaches in Lan Ha Bay, away from the crowded tourist spots of Ha Long Bay. Then, expand your seaside adventure with deeper experiences we’ve curated just for you!
Immerse yourself in the refreshing waters of the hidden beaches in Lan Ha Bay
Welcoming you to our town won’t be “fancy” hotel receptionists, but rather our local friends— Mrs. Thoa, Mrs. Thoi,… who will accompany you, offering an authentic glimpse into the culture and day life of coastal town Vietnam. Afterward, a bike ride will lead you to the unique experience of exploring Viet Hai ancient village that embraces the charming and styled houses, nestled deep within Cat Ba National Park.
Explore the life of fishermen in Cat Ba – Lan Ha
Come there, another gate awaits you to explore nature immersively! Cat Ba National Park—one of Vietnam’s largest special-use forest reserves and a UNESCO biosphere reserve, hứa hẹn sẽ mang lại an exciting forest adventure for you and your family, enriching your seaside trip after enjoying the crystal-clear waters.
Try a new and unique experience in this town, nestled within a world heritage site now!
Phan Thiet - The Whale Worship Festival
July is a vibrant time in Phan Thiet with the Whale Worship Festival (Lễ hội Cầu Ngư), one of the oldest and most revered celebrations among the local communities. This festival is a heartfelt prayer for safe and prosperous sea voyages. If you travel to Phan Thiet in July, you’ll witness the colorful attire worn during the traditional rituals and join the locals in unique folk games such as boat racing, basket boat rocking, Bai Choi,… It’s a rare and exciting experience you won’t want to miss!
Whale Worship Festival (Lễ hội Cầu Ngư) – Phan Thiet
While Phan Thiet is known for its lively beach resorts and some of Vietnam’s most beautiful coastlines, take the opportunity to discover its deeper cultural treasures. Explore a forgotten heritage or the peaceful life of fishermen in authentic fishing villages, or spend a day at sea, catch fish, and savor a meal prepared from your fresh catch with a cold beer. Such an ultimate local experience!
Fishing Village in Phan Thiet
Mekong Delta - Rice and Fruit Season
The Mekong Delta is a must-visit in July when the lush rice fields turn golden, and vibrant fruits abound in the bustling floating markets!
Refreshing rain showers make orchards flourish, so this is a perfect time to explore the region known as Vietnam’s fruit basket. Let’s come to fruit orchards like My Khanh and Vinh Kim to enjoy a variety of tropical delights such as jackfruit, rambutan, durian, watermelon, dragon fruit, mangosteen, longan, passion fruit, lychee, star apples, sapodilla, and more. For a more engaging experience, hop on a sampan with local people through the golden rice paddies lining the riverbanks, and buy some sweet fruits at the vibrant floating markets with your family!
Enjoy a variety of tropical delights in Mekong Delta
The floating season in the Mekong Delta also provides an ideal backdrop for extending your boat trip to explore various scenic spots like the Sa Dec Flower Village, the Mang Thit craft villages, and especially the vast Tra Su Cajuput Forest. Here, shrimp and fish dart below the water’s surface, while overhead, families of birds gather. This is home to 70 bird species, 11 mammal species, 25 reptile species, and 10 fish species. If you venture into this wild nature when the birds are hunting for food, you and your kids will have a chance to admire and interact with them up close.
Mang Thit village | Source: daidoanket.vn
