Vietnam in October: Best places to travel
October in Vietnam opens the gate of autumn – an ideal time to travel to Vietnam. From the breathtaking northern mountains to the vibrant Hanoi capital, and further into Central and Southern regions, countless spots will capture your heart. Don’t miss out on this chilling season!
Autumn in Hanoi
North
Less rainfall, average temperature is 23-30°C. Up in the higher altitudes, like Hà Giang and Sapa, it can dip 2-3°C lower, especially in the evenings and early mornings. Some lands experience harvest season in October.
Central
Central Highlands: at the end of rainy season, bringing energetic nature with average temperatures around 22-31°C.
The rest (including Huế & Hội An): entering the rainy season with some light rainfall and a pleasant climate with temperatures about 24-32°C
South
Rainy season winds down, high humidity and unexpected downpour, with temperatures around 24-33°C
Where to go in Vietnam in October?
Ha Giang, trekking for the best in Hoang Su Phi
Trekking in Hoang Su Phi
Are you yearning for the lush greenery of nature? Let’s start from Ha Giang, especially Hoang Su Phi, a picturesque mountainous district in the Northeast. Here, you’ll find majestic mountains, surrounding unparalleled terraced rice fields in the golden season, recognized as a national heritage site.
Located about 6.5 hours by car from Hanoi, ideal duration to deeply explore it is about 3-5 days. With a local guide, you’ll have the chance to venture off the beaten path, through winding trails, jungles, ancient Shan Tuyet tea hills, and authentic hill tribe villages. Get ready to experience a truly untouched land that offers an interesting perspective far from the modern world!!
What’s even more exciting is a weath of ethnic groups like Man Ta Pan, Tay, and Dzao Ao Dai. Let’s free to have friendly talks with them and explore unique characteristics through their clothing, traditional houses, and others shared by your local guide. Of course… we can’t let you miss indigenous meals and rustic “home”-stays with locals. Just with some yummy food and rice wine, language barriers will be broken for further connect, waiting for them right here!
Cao Bang, golden season covering vast valley
October is the perfect time to take a trekking in Cao Bang
Recognized as a UNESCO Global Geoparks, Cao Bang boasts a treasure trove of geological heritage with over 500 million years of history and rich cultures of various ethnic minorities. October is the perfect time to take a trekking there among cool weather and vast golden rice paddies.
Known for one of the largest and most stunning border waterfalls in the world—Ban Gioc Falls, Cao Bang has long been a hidden gem for travelers, even for the most adventurous souls. Actually, a weath of nature patterns are awaiting you, bringing amusing outdoor experiences such as SUP in lakes, breathtaking views to vast valleys, tranquility in expansive grasslands that are a rare sight, cycle through endless fields, ancient craft villages of locals,… All of them will be tailored with trekking and comfortable transport to give you a comprehensive trip among pristine and poetic beauty of the land!
Moreover, alongside you will be a local guide who knows this land intimately, connecting you with our local friends. And we swear you will fall in love with Cao Bang through your stomach when you enjoy famous and distinctive food at every local home you visit! Why not plan it now?
Lam Thuong, jungle trekking through hundred-year-old tree
Trek through jungles for forest bathing and discovering various forest plants in Lam Thuong
In our eyes, Lam Thuong may not boast splendid natural wonders, what truly captured our hearts is the serene and peaceful vibe. Imagine waking up to clouds hovering just above the mountains, and the soft kitchen smoke from stilt houses in the sunset! Stepping into there, you’ll be welcomed by the Tay people—our local friends through community-based tourism project we’ve supported for years. Take a moment to unwind from hectic life in their cozy stilt house and savor farm to table dishes, while having joyful talks with your hosts.
And not stop there, above tranquil space is a perfect foundation for delving deeper into the wild beauty of this land. With a local guide, embark on a trek through jungles for forest bathing and discovering various forest plants used as medicine and food. Waiting for you at th end of adventure is Nam Chan waterfall, a gift from Mother Nature will energized you with its abundant and freshing water.
Located just about 5.5 hours by car from Hanoi and nearly located between Ha Giang and Sapa, Lam Thuong will be a ideal pitstop for 1-2 day before you conquer higher peaks. Explore our new land right there!
Pu Luong Nature Reserve, village-to-village trekking
Pu Luong rice terraces in golden season
Just through a short trip (3 hour drive from Hanoi), Pu Luong give you a chance to immerse in a Nature Reserve with golden rice terraces, jungles, and hill tribe villages of Mường and Black Thái people. So, with a flexible itinerary, ranging from 3-5 days, you can have fully experiences in there.
As you traverse the hills and follow the winding trails from one village to another, you’ll be greeted by warm smiles and cheerful “hello” from Mường and Black Thái friends, (even as they busy with harvest chores haha), so, don’t hesitate to say “xin chào” with them ya. At the end of each trekking path, seize a chance to engage with the locals in cozy traditional houses and meals.
Then, after several days of trekking, you can easily make your way to Mai Chau (65km from Pu Luong Nature Reserve), where you can rejuvenate and soak in the tranquility of cycling through paddies or relaxing dip in a hot spring. What are you waiting for? Start your trip now!
Hanoi, crisp air of poetic autumn
Autumn is the most enchanting time to wander around Hanoi
For every Hanoian, october or autumn is the most enchanting time to wander around this city, to enjoy desirable weather and admire picturesque streets adorned with golden leaves, vibrant flowers, and the distinct fragrance of milk flowers. An autumn itinerary “Hanoi in a day” following young locals is a fantastic way to immerse in the lively rhythm of this bustling city! So why not give it a try?
Morning
Admire daily flag-raising ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Cốm (green sticky rice) in Hanoi
Enjoy a cup of coffee in Hanoi
Vietnam Museum of Ethnology
Hanoi Old Quarter Culture Exchange Center
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Vietnam Temple of Literature
Lunch
Bún chả at No.27 Hàng Bè
Bún đậu at No.55 Phất Lộc
Bún Ốc at No.7 Hàng Chĩnh
Phở chiên at No.7 Mạc Đĩnh Chi | Source: ninheating
Afternoon
Bát Tràng Pottery village (art pottery)
Kim Lan Pottery village | Source: Vietnam People’s Army Newspaper
Yên Nhân soybean sauce (tương bần) Village | Source: Vietnam Government News
Mach Trang noodle village | Source- Hanoimoi.com
West Lake
Long Bien BridgeEverning
Củi Restaurant
Gia Restaurant
Omamori Spa – Professional Blind Massage
Dao Care Spa
Buon Ma Thuot, Yok Don National Park
Experience elephant-friendly tourism in their natural habitat in Buon Ma Thuot
Buon Ma Thuot, a city in the Central Highlands, is home to some specialties you often heard of – coffee and elephants! Beyond that, this region offers so much more, rivaling any mountains in northern Vietnam.
Just 40 kilometers from Buon Ma Thuot, take your chance to see elephants at Yok Don National Park – the only spot in Vietnam where you can experience elephant-friendly tourism in their natural habitat. Moreover, this only national park to conserve dry deciduous dipterocarp forests in Vietnam, providing a perfect environment for lots of endangered species like elephants, black-shanked douc langurs, bantengs,… Don’t miss opportunity to discover animal kingdom with your local guide!
After a long journey, Mother Nature will reward you with refreshing experiences – a vast array of lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. Enjoy a boat trip or even take a dip in the refreshing waters here.
And do you know how the ethnic communities in Central Highland are etched in the memories of Vietnamese people? It’s through songs we’ve heard since childhood, with elephants, traditional longhouses, and lively melodies and dances around campfires, all accompanied by vibrant traditional costumes. During your trip to the Central Highlands, take the time to slow down and immerse yourself in the culture and lives of the E De and M’Nong people. Listen to their stories and the unique sounds of their traditional instruments from stones, resonating with echoes of the past now!
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So, all is ready for you! Plan your trip and catch this enchanting season in Vietnam. And don’t forget, our team is always willing to give you consultants to craft your tailor-made comprehensive and unforgettable trip. Contact us anytime you want!
