Vietnam in September: Best places to travel
September is an ideal time to travel in Vietnam with comfortable and refreshing weather in the early autumn. The highlight of this time is the vast golden rice terraces, which can be easily found in every region across our country. Now, let’s join us and discover the abundant beauty of September that you shouldn’t miss!
- Northern Vietnam: The intense summer heat subsides, with temperatures ranging from 23–28°C in places like Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Cat Ba,… and 4-5°C lower in mountainous areas such as Mu Cang Chai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang,…. Rainfall and storms decrease, leaving the air dry and fresh.
- Central Vietnam: In contrast to the North, central provinces like Hue, Hoi An, and Da Nang enter the rainy season with average temperatures from 22-29°C, without the intense summer heat.
- Southern Vietnam: This is the beginning of the dry season in the South, with low rainfall and pleasant weather. Average temperatures range from 23-30°C in Saigon and the Mekong Delta.
Where to go in Vietnam in September?
Mu Cang Chai - Vietnam rice terraces in harvest season
Mu Cang Chai is considered to be one of the most beautiful rice terraces in the world, especially during the harvest season when they are covered in a golden hue. Don’t miss it, or you’ll regret it!
In September, the weather is desirable, with temperatures ranging from 18-22°C and dropping 2-3°C at night and early morning. Absolutely, in September, this land is the most attractive spot for both domestic and international travelers, but don’t worry, we’ll take you to an off-the-beaten-track corner. It’s our small village, which we have supported for many years and are familiar with villagers. Here is your chance to join our local friends in their fields, harvest and thresh rice. And then, let’s enjoy a delicious meal made from local ingredients with them in traditional stilt houses.
Rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai in harvest season
Don’t hesitate to spend at least 3-4 days here! After exploring the terraced rice fields and farming activities, you can spend time deeply trekking through trails and forests with a local guide from the Thai ethnic group. And don’t stop your Mu Cang Chai’s adventure there, we’ve also prepared motorbikes for true adventurers! Don’t worry, you’ll join a motorbike pillion with experienced local drivers who know the terrain well, through stunning routes and offer views of vast rice valleys. And for sure, keep your camera ready to capture every moment!
Plus, we also catch this dreaming time to organize a special trip – a Yoga Retreat, combining travel experiences, Yoga, and indigenous therapies. Scheduled to coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival, it will provide a unique experience with the full moon – moon meditation.
Mu Cang Chai Yoga Retreat – September 2024
Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Rice Terraces Near Hanoi
After the scorching days of summer, when most travelers seem to avoid Pu Luong Nature Reserve, September is the perfect time to return and discover it! This land offers a lush and majestic landscape right at the gateway to the Northwest, without requiring too much travel time from Hanoi! (just roughly 3.5 drive hours from Hanoi – Pu Luong).
With DCT Responsible Travel, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a highly flexible destination that embraces a variety of exciting and authentic activities. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to admire diverse natural patterns: caves, streams, forests, waterfalls, hot springs,… And of course, you will never miss out on local interactions when traveling with us!
Rice Terraces in Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Moreover, just 1-hour drive from Pu Luong, you will have a chance to step into another ideal spot for farming life – Mai Chau. Come here, let’s take the time to meet our local friends – Ms. Tan and her family, listen to stories about the Thai people’s harvest season in Mai Chau, and enjoy their delicious meals, which are very famous in Vietnam cuisine. Plus, if you desire to immerse in the serene Vietnamese countryside, with rice swaying in the wind and farmers with traditional conical hats working in the fields, here is an ideal land to freely wander around our village or bike along the rural paths!
Local life in Mai Chau during the harvest season
Then after those long activities, free to relax in a natural hot spring, gazing at the clear blue sky and the vibrant natural surroundings.
Hanoi - Mid-Autumn Festival and Young Rice “Cốm”
The average temperature in September in Hanoi is about 24-31°C. This is the season for young rice (“cốm” in Vietnamese) and one of the most vibrant holidays of the year – the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Young rice (cốm) is a delicate culinary treat in Hanoi, which can be enjoyed fresh with bananas or made into various delightful dishes like young rice cakes, sticky young rice, and sautéed young rice. If you visit Hanoi during this time when cốm is at its freshest, stop by a street vendor and enjoy it with a cup of coffee. It’s a simple yet wonderful experience. If you’re interested, we can also include it in your Hanoi exploration itinerary with the DCT Responsible Travel team.
Hanoi – Mid-Autumn Festival and Young Rice “Cốm”
Explore more about the Hanoi walking tour here!
Besides, if you find yourself in Hanoi’s Old Quarter during this time, we believe you’ll be captivated by Hang Ma Street, the most vibrant street adorned with lanterns and decorations for the Mid-Autumn Festival. You can also savor the flavors of this children’s holiday with mooncakes, which come in a variety of delicious flavors today.
Hanoi traditional moon cake
You can enjoy mooncakes in some stores:
Bao Phuong
- Address: 183, Thụy Khuê, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội
- Phone number: (84) 38 230 797
- Price of cakes: 40,000 – 70,000 VND
Bà Dần
- Address: 52 Hàng Bè, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
- Price of cakes: 40,000 – 70,000 VND
When you taste a traditional mooncake, you’ll experience a rich and harmonious blend of flavors and ingredients. Are you curious about what’s inside? If you’re fascinated by this craftsmanship, we’ll thrilled to take you to visit Xuan Dinh village, a renowned traditional mooncake-making village in Hanoi.
Hue - Traditional Boat Racing Festival
September brings pleasant weather to Hue, with a few early autumn rains and average temperatures ranging from 24-31°C (note to check the weather forecast to avoid rain and storms before you plan). Undoubtedly, when traveling to Hue, historical and cultural heritage from Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty are unmissable spots for every traveler. Come with DCT Responsible Travel, our team will offer you intriguing stories from different perspectives, delving into the lives of the imperial concubines. Leading you will be a group of young locals from Hue, ensuring a profound cultural adventure!
Traditional Boat Racing Festival in Hue | Source: Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien Hue province
In particular, if you travel to Hue this September, let’s grab a chance to admire and join the vibrant and lively traditional boat racing festival in Hue, celebrating Vietnam’s National Day.
Moreover, don’t let your journey in Hue stop at cultural heritage, take time to immerse yourself in the diverse and stunning nature. Whether you wish to soak in the refreshing beaches, enjoy a gentle hike on less-traveled mountains, or watch a romantic sunset over the lagoon while savoring freshly grilled seafood, Hue has attractive spots to satisfy your desires. Tell us if you’re interested!
Our Hue package is also ready for you with various trips, let’s discover here!
Can Gio - Nghinh Ong Festival
Can Gio, a relatively new spot on Vietnam’s travel map, is a coastal district, that just takes 2 hours by car from Ho Chi Minh City. With average temperatures ranging from 23-32°C and little rain, September is the perfect time to visit this charming coastal area!
With the direction of developing sustainable community-based tourism, Can Gio showcases its potential through both culture and nature. One must-see attraction is the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, which is a lush green haven brimming with diverse flora and fauna, making it an ideal eco-tourism destination. Additionally, Can Gio is famous for its picturesque beaches and salt fields.
Salt field in Can Gio Mangrove
Beyond sightseeing and exploring nature, you’ll be captivated by the cultural experiences with the locals. We’ve ventured deep into a corner of Can Gio – Thieng Lieng hamlet, which embraces a wealth of interesting experiences: coastal cuisine and drinks, salt fields, nostalgic spaces, “đờn ca tài tử” – the most popular southern folklore, relaxing foot baths,…
In particular, September offers a rich cultural atmosphere with the Nghinh Ong Festival, a traditional event in coastal communities that prays for favorable weather and a prosperous, happy life. Here, let’s catch an opportunity to enjoy traditional art performances on the sea, explore the culinary area, play folk games, and more.
Nghinh Ong Festival – Can Gio | Source: HCM city Department of Culture and Sports
Try out these meaningful and authentic experiences, which also contribute to the development of sustainable tourism in Can Gio and improve the livelihoods of the local people.
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September is a perfect time to travel to Vietnam, capturing the most bountiful moments of golden rice fields in the Northern mountains, savoring the exquisite autumn cuisine of Hanoi, and then venturing into the Central and Southern regions to enjoy vibrant traditional festivals by the rivers.
DCT Responsible Team is excited to welcome you to our country. Contact us now if you need any assistance!
