The climate of Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical savanna type of climate (Köppen climate classification Aw), which has hot conditions with wet and dry periods over the year. The most populous city of
Vietnam lies in the southeastern part of the country on the banks of the Saigon River and is a major river port. The monsoon, tropical latitudes, and proximity to the South China Sea chiefly influence the climate.
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, lies at a low elevation of 19 meters above sea level. The city is lowland with an abundance of kapok trees. The soil is fertile in the surrounding area, and abundant rice plantations make it part of the rice bowl region of the world. Numerous skyscrapers rise above the cityscape to increase the urban heat island effect.
Ho Chi Minh City has two distinct seasons: a lengthy, wet period from
May to
November and a pronounced but short, dry period from
December to
April. Temperatures vary minimally throughout the year owing to the equatorial location. The daylight usually lasts for 12 to 13 hours, while the sunshine is intense throughout the year. Temperatures remain in the 21.1°C (70°F) to 35°C (95°F) for a major part of the year with variations due to cold fronts and typhoons.
The annual precipitation is an abundant 1930mm (75.98") in Ho Chi Minh City, with 90% occurring in the rainy season. The wet season has the majority of the 155 days of rainy days in the year. The average humidity is a high 78% and peaks at 85% in
September. Sunny days are galore with 2490 hours of brilliant sunshine annually. Convectional rainfall frequently occurs in the city.
The highest temperature on record for Ho Chi Minh City is 40°C (104°F), while the record for the lowest temperature is -10.1°C (13.8°F).
The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City
The best time to visit
Ho Chi Minh City is in the dry season from
December to
April. The usually rainy city gets a break from the wet conditions and experiences sunny days regularly. Many tourists prefer to visit during the Tet Festival that celebrates the Vietnamese New Year in the dry month of
January. The threat of typhoons eases considerably by December as calm weather makes for an enjoyable visit to Ho Chi Minh City.
The worst time to visit Ho Chi Minh City
The worst time to visit
Ho Chi Minh City is during the wet season that lasts from
May to
November. The threat of rainstorms and typhoons looms large on the horizon. Tropical cyclones invade the city frequently from
June to
October. The rainy season is humid, and the heat is oppressive. Additionally, outdoor explorations of the city are challenging, and rain protective gear becomes mandatory.
Weather hazards
Ho Chi Minh City's low-lying location makes it susceptible to flooding during the rainy season, although it is at a lower risk than the Mekong Delta. Rainstorms and thunderstorms are frequent as the city faces many heavy spells of rainfall. The typhoon season lasts from
May to
January, which brings devastating winds and torrential rainfall. Tropical cyclones average from 6 to 8 during the year and result in floods and landslides.
Weather in January
January, like
December, is another hot winter month in
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam, with an average temperature fluctuating between 31.9°C (89.4°F) and 22.9°C (73.2°F). In January, the average high-temperature is practically the same as in December - a still tropical 31.9°C (89.4°F).
Weather in January » Weather in February
The last month of the winter,
February, is also a hot month in
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam, with an average temperature varying between 33.8°C (92.8°F) and 23.3°C (73.9°F). In Ho Chi Minh City, the average high-temperature in February is essentially the same as in
January - a still tropical 33.8°C (92.8°F).
Weather in February »Weather in March
The first month of the spring,
March, is a very hot month in
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam, with temperature in the range of an average low of 24.9°C (76.8°F) and an average high of 35.4°C (95.7°F). The warmest month is March, with an average high-temperature of 35.4°C (95.7°F) and an average low-temperature of 24.9°C (76.8°F). In March, the average heat index is evaluated at a burning hot 47°C (116.6°F).
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April, like
March, in
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam, is a very hot spring month, with temperature in the range of an average high of 35°C (95°F) and an average low of 26.3°C (79.3°F). In Ho Chi Minh City, the average high-temperature in April is essentially the same as in March - a still sweltering 35°C (95°F).
Weather in April » Weather in May
The last month of the spring,
May, is another hot month in
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam, with temperature in the range of an average high of 34.1°C (93.4°F) and an average low of 26.9°C (80.4°F). In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the average high-temperature in May is essentially the same as in
April - a hot 34.1°C (93.4°F).
Weather in May »Weather in June
The first month of the summer,
June, is still a hot month in
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam, with an average temperature fluctuating between 32°C (89.6°F) and 25.4°C (77.7°F). In Ho Chi Minh City, the average high-temperature in June is practically the same as in
May - a still hot 32°C (89.6°F).
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July, like
June, is a hot summer month in
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam, with an average temperature varying between 31.2°C (88.2°F) and 25°C (77°F). In Ho Chi Minh City, the average high-temperature in July is relatively the same as in June - a still tropical 31.2°C (88.2°F).
Weather in July » Weather in August
August, the last month of the summer in
Ho Chi Minh City, is also a hot month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 24.8°C (76.6°F) and 31.5°C (88.7°F). In August, the average high-temperature is essentially the same as in
July - a still tropical 31.5°C (88.7°F).
Weather in August » Weather in September
September, the first month of the autumn in
Ho Chi Minh City, is also a hot month, with an average temperature ranging between max 30.8°C (87.4°F) and min 24.4°C (75.9°F). With an average high-temperature of 30.8°C (87.4°F) and an average low-temperature of 24.4°C (75.9°F), September is the coldest month. The average heat index in September is evaluated at an extremely hot 41°C (105.8°F).
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October, the same as
September, in
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam, is another tropical autumn month, with an average temperature ranging between max 31.3°C (88.3°F) and min 24.5°C (76.1°F). In Ho Chi Minh City, the average high-temperature in October is practically the same as in September - a still tropical 31.3°C (88.3°F).
Weather in October » Weather in November
The last month of the autumn,
November, is another tropical month in
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam, with an average temperature ranging between min 23.9°C (75°F) and max 31.5°C (88.7°F). In Ho Chi Minh City, the average high-temperature in November is essentially the same as in
October - a still hot 31.5°C (88.7°F).
Weather in November »Weather in December
December, the first month of the winter in
Ho Chi Minh City, is still a tropical month, with an average temperature ranging between max 31.2°C (88.2°F) and min 23.2°C (73.8°F). In Ho Chi Minh City, the average high-temperature in December is essentially the same as in
November - a still hot 31.2°C (88.2°F).
Weather in December » [Resources]