Coolcations & Best places to travel in Vietnam
Vietnam in summer is not hot everywhere like some think! Our country, with diverse landscapes and climate will boast various travel experiences for a cooler summer vacation. From North to South, summer is more than beaches and bays. Follow us to explore more coolcation taking you to nature!
Summer time & weather in Vietnam
In the North: summer is from May to August with average temperature ranging from 25°C to 40°C. In mountainous areas, such as Yen Bai, Lao Cai,…, it is recorded with lower temperatures (22°C – 35°C) and feels chilly in the early morning & late night. This season has low rainfall, mostly in the form of showers, clearing up quickly.
In the Central – South: these regions have 2 seasons in a year – dry & rainy season. The summer in the North corresponds to the rainy season in the South, with temperatures from 22°C to 39°C. Cloudbursts are often occasionally sudden, but they will stop quickly, followed by a more comfortable & chilly atmosphere.
Hideout for summer in Northern Vietnam
Boasting various landscapes, stretching from delta and beaches to mountainous areas, the North of Vietnam promises ideal oases for travelers far from the summer heat. Come with us to see the best places to enjoy summer in this region!
Sapa
Too famous with travelers! But you will gain a distinctive journey with DCT Responsible Travel, far from well-known spots to flow yourself in local paths. Especially, traveling to Sapa in summer is a perfect way to avoid peak season, right after this time span.
With temperatures ranging from 17°C to 23°C, cool at night & early mornings, then plenty of sunshine at noon, Sapa will offer you a comprehensive summer! Here is for you to escape the suffocating heatwave of the city and enjoy comfortable highland air. Along with that, trekking routes with the H’Mong, Giay, or Dzao people will allow you to bask in the sun, yet without being overly hot.
When wandering through the terraced fields in the summer, a lush green hue will mesmerize you and after friendly greetings, you can join farming activities with locals from various communities.
From there, it is easy to explore Bac Ha – a little-known area with a bustling local market, where ethnic groups gather once per week. This season covers this land with majestic terraced fields and the dazzling golden Osaka flowers, creating a poetic and dreamy atmosphere.
Take a minute to explore the highlights you will do in Sapa here:
Mu Cang Chai
With us, Mu Cang Chai is our homeland which we have dedicated our support since 2018 through a community-based tourism project. Thanks to that, we have perceived its hidden charm, not just lying in green & golden rice, sough-after in the autumn, but also enchanting in the falling water season with glistening terraces like mirrors. Come here in May or June, you will be strongly impressed by this spectacular view!
Moreover, Located at an elevation of approximately 1000-1300 meters above sea level, Mu Cang Chai also offers you cool weather in the summer, with an average temperature from 17°C to 28°C.
Surrounded by overlap mountains, our valley not only promises you a cool summer amidst nature, materials for travel experiences like trekking, motorbike tours,… but embraces well-preserved indigenous cultures, without adverse effect of mass tourism. Staying in a traditional house on stilts along the riverbank will allow you to immerse yourself in the cool stream anytime, accompanied by close connections with hospitable local friends right in their homes.
A summer experience close to nature and local values will be revealed even more here:
Lam Thuong
A new spot on the Vietnam tourism map that you may have never heard of!
Not as cool as the higher areas, this northeastern land often reaches an average temperature of 33°C, with night and early morning possibly lower than 24°C. However, you will gain a cool summer with the abundant Nam Chan waterfall, supplying water to the entire region. What you should anticipate in this region is not majestic landscapes or treacherous passes, but rather a peaceful & rustic countryside with fresh air, a rarity in urban areas.
After forest bathing to connect with unspoiled nature, let’s immerse yourself in cool water in the waterfall, as a reward for your long trekking. Afternoon is an ideal time to stroll or ride a bike on the village paths with a view of lush green fields in the two sides. You also can grab a chance to live as a local by venturing to the forest and picking bamboo shoots with warmhearted Tay people, then preparing your dishes from fresh bamboo shoots with your hosts.
Lam Thuong is so easy for you to broaden summer trip to famous destinations like Sapa & Ha Giang. Start your journey to discover the new land full of smiles, peace and poetic sense here:
Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Located only about a 3.5-hour drive from Hanoi, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is an unmissable summer hideout. Though excessively cool, with temperatures ranging from around 27°C to 35°C, Pu Luong boasts a rich biodiversity, offering you the opportunity to breathe in the fresh air of nature. In the summer, the vast landscape will be adorned with a diverse array of colors from the different stages of ripeness of the rice fields, commencing from newly sprouted young rice to vibrant green and mature golden yellow.
This season witnesses water wheels turning rhythmically and energetically to bring water for irrigating the fields. This is one of the characteristic features of agriculture in the high mountainous regions of Vietnam. Then, if you want to enjoy a peaceful bike or a majestic waterfall, let’s travel to Mai Chau & Van Ho, near Pu Luong with a flexible itinerary.
Mai Chau Pu Luong from fertile valleys to pristine jungle
Northwest Vietnam
5,150,000 VNĐ
Beaches and bays - Lan Ha Bay & Bai Tu Long
Besides mountainous areas, beaches & bays are ideal ways to enjoy summer in the North of Vietnam. Go with us to explore less-traveled spots to feel free and comfortable as soaring yourself in emerald-green waters and sugar-white sand.
Get away from Ha Long Bay to move to the southeast, you will reach a pristine beach – Bai Tu Long Bay. This will be the starting point for your trip, followed by Bai Tu Long National Park to feast your eyes with a haven of endangered animals, marine creatures, and a rich tapestry of flora.
Another fascinating choice for enjoying the sun & sea is Lan Ha Bay, located in Cat Ba Island, the UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site. Swaying on a boat with the local people, you undoubtedly won’t be able to put down your camera to capture the breathtaking moments of the diverse-shaped limestone mountains and the blue color of both the water and the sky. Then, let’s take time to deep in the green hue of Cat Ba National Park or visit fishing villages to savor the peaceful life pace here and have a laid-back chat with fishermen with a cold beer.
There is a note from DCT Responsible Travel that summer is the high season of tourism in Lan Ha & Cat Ba with a large number of both domestic & international travelers. However, just free to travel & experience like you want:
Unveil the beauty of Lan Ha Bay
Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay, Red River Delta
4,535,000 VNĐ
Discover Untouched Bai Tu Long Bay
Ha Long & Lan Ha Bay, Red River Delta
8,285,000 VNĐ
Summer places in Central - South Vietnam
You might have heard that summer is the rainy season in Central and Southern Vietnam, but don’t worry! The rain showers will only come occasionally and clear up quickly, not lingering from day to day. So, let’s enjoy the most of your summer here!
Phan Thiet, Mui Ne
Embrace the most beautiful coastline in Vietnam with its pristine blue beaches and overlapped dunes, Phan Thiet is an unmissable destination for a lively summer in our country! In the rainy season, you may occasionally encounter sudden showers that quickly give way to incredibly refreshing air.
Take your time to broaden your horizons with adventures full of unknown stories in this city. After wandering in seashores to immerse in water sports, let’s venture into the city to explore the trace of an ancient civilization – Champa. Then, a local summer will await you to enjoy when you follow us to come to a fishing village, nestled in a hidden area, not far from Mui Ne.
Now, there is a highway from Ho Chi Minh City to Phan Thiet, facilitating your trip with just a 2.5 hour drive. Plan your summer itinerary on the central coast of Vietnam here:
Phan Thiet – forgotten culture and the most beautiful beach in Vietnam
South Central Coast
1,168,000 VNĐ
Nam Cat Tien National Park
Nam Cat Tien, regarded as a green lung of Dong Nai province as well as the entire southeast region, has been recognized as the World Biosphere Reserve. With an average temperature of 27°C & a rich ecosystem, you will be surrounded by fresh air, especially during this colorful butterfly season.
This national park will give you a chance to immerse in wild nature, which is the habitat of more than 1500 animal species, including hundreds of rare ones listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book. Trekking will be a fascinating activity to admire forest friends such as monkeys, deer, and birds, especially the yellow-cheeked gibbon, found only in Nam Cat Tien and requiring you to wake up early to catch a glimpse of it. Here, you can also touch and feel the connection with nature through centuries-old giant trees.
If you are an adventure enthusiast, don’t miss Night Safari, a special experience accompanied by a local guide and forest rangers to learn about the nocturnal life of the animals, residing in the deep forest.
Then, you can take time to explore the valuable and well-preserved cultures of the Ma ethnic group in Ta Lai village. This will be a calming ending to your journey. Go with us for an escape from the busy routine of city life to listen to the soothing sound of nature!
Mekong Delta
With a hot and humid climate year-round, the Mekong Delta is a paradise for those who enjoy floating on the riverine and basking in the sunlight, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 37°C. In the summer, the Mekong is covered in the lush greenery of rice fields and orchards, especially fruit trees. Come here to enjoy a fantastic time if you are a fruit eater who desires to indulge in unique Vietnamese fruits!
From July to August, the Mekong Delta welcomes the floating season when water rushes into this region, and the locals’ fisheries become more vibrant than ever. During this time, seize the chance to wander on the water by locals’ boats, and explore colorful and authentic floating markets to explore the idyllic local life. Then, continue your journey sampan trip through the Tra Su Cajuput forest, marveling at the vast green area.
The experiences for a flood season in the Mekong Delta are revealed here:
Mekong Delta – A 3-Day Immersive Experience
Mekong Delta, Southern Vietnam
6,440,000 VNĐ
Cruising the Mekong River in style for 1-night
Mekong Delta, Southern Vietnam
7,155,000 VNĐ
The above destinations are thoroughly curated to give you a unique and memorable summer vacation! Whether you are keen on soaring your body in the sun, sea & sand, or you are passionate about nature & fresh air, we both offer you oases far from the crowd to access cool heaven.
