Best time to ride motorbike in Vietnam: Tips and Advice

Best time to ride motorbike in Vietnam: Tips and Advice

 When is the best time to ride motorbike ? Vietnam is a fascinating country to explore by motorbike, as it offers diverse landscapes, rich culture, and varied weather. However, choosing the best time to ride a motorbike in Vietnam depends on many factors, such as the region, the season, and the route. In this post, Big Boy Getaway will introduce the characteristics of Vietnam’s geography and type of climate and weather here, and how they affect the weather through the three regions in Vietnam: the north, the south, and the central.

Characteristic of climate zone

Vietnam is a long and narrow country that stretches from North to South, covering about 1,650 kilometers. It has a tropical monsoon climate, which means that it has distinct wet and dry seasons, and the temperature and rainfall vary depending on the latitude, altitude, and monsoon patterns. Generally, Vietnam can be divided into three regions: the north, the south, and the central.

The North of Vietnam has four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The spring (February to April) and autumn (August to October) are the best times to visit the north, as the weather is mild, dry, and sunny, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C. The summer (May to July) is hot and humid, with frequent rain and thunderstorms, and temperatures reaching up to 35°C. The winter (November to January) is cold and foggy, with occasional drizzle and snow in the mountainous areas, and temperatures dropping to 10°C or lower.

The South of Vietnam has two seasons: wet and dry. The wet season (May to October) is hot and rainy, with heavy downpours and floods, and temperatures averaging around 30°C. The dry season (November to April) is warm and sunny, with occasional showers and cool breezes, and temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C.

The Central of Vietnam has a complex climate, as it is influenced by both the Northeast and the Southwest monsoons. The Central coast has a long dry season (January to August) and a short wet season (September to December), while the central highlands have a reverse pattern, with a long wet season (May to October) and a short dry season (November to April). The temperature and rainfall also vary greatly across the central region, depending on the elevation and the distance from the sea.

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Types of weather in each season vary across the three regions

1. North

The weather in the north is characterized by four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The temperature ranges from 10°C to 38°C, depending on the season and the altitude. The rainfall varies from 50 mm to 400 mm per month, depending on the season and the location. The humidity is usually high, ranging from 70% to 90%. The visibility is generally good, except for some foggy days in winter.

Spring (February to April)

Spring is a beautiful time to visit the north, as the weather is mild and pleasant, and the flowers are in full bloom. The temperature averages around 20°C, with some chilly nights in the mountains. The rainfall is low, averaging around 80 mm per month. The humidity is moderate, averaging around 80%. The visibility is good, except for some misty mornings in the valleys.

Ride a motorbike in the Northern mountainous areas at this time, you can witness the stunning scenery of the peach and plum blossoms, the mustard flowers, and the rice terraces.

Summer (May to August)

Summer is a hot and humid time to visit the North, as the weather is influenced by the southwest monsoon. The temperature averages around 30°C, with some scorching days in the lowlands. The rainfall is high, averaging around 300 mm per month. The humidity is very high, averaging around 90%. The visibility is poor, due to the haze and the clouds. 

But sometimes, you should be careful that you may encounter some heavy and unpredictable rainstorms, which can cause floods, landslides, and road closures.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is a perfect time to visit the north, as the weather is cool and dry, and the scenery is stunning. The temperature averages around 25°C, with some crisp nights in the mountains. The rainfall is low, averaging around 100 mm per month. The humidity is low, averaging around 70%. The visibility is excellent, with clear blue skies and golden sunlight.

Autumn is also the ideal time to ride motorbike when the climate is pleasant and comfortable. And especially, you can see the spectacular colors of the foliage, the golden rice fields – Most beautiful scenery in the Northern areas. 

Winter (December to January)

Winter is a cold and foggy time to visit the North, as the weather is influenced by the northeast monsoon. The temperature averages around 15°C, with some freezing days in the mountains. The rainfall is moderate, averaging around 150 mm per month. The humidity is high, averaging around 80%. The visibility is poor, due to the fog and the smog, so maybe you miss some of the scenery and the attractions, due to the low visibility and the closure of some sites.

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2.Centre

Dry Season (January to August)

The dry season is a wonderful time to visit the center, as the weather is sunny and hot, and the scenery is bright and vibrant. The temperature averages around 30°C, with some windy days in the coastal areas. The rainfall is low, averaging around 50 mm per month. The humidity is moderate, averaging around 70%. The visibility is excellent, with clear blue skies and sparkling water.

Having a motorbike trip in the dry season,   sometimes you may encounter some hot and dry days, especially in the inland areas. So you need to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for your journey. 

Rainy Season (September to December)

The rainy season is a challenging and adventurous time to visit the central, as the weather is cloudy and wet, and the scenery is dark and dramatic. The temperature averages around 25°C, with some stormy days in the coastal areas. The rainfall is high, averaging around 400 mm per month. The humidity is very high, averaging around 90%. The visibility is poor, due to the rain and the fog. You may encounter some heavy and unpredictable rainstorms, which can cause floods, mudslides, and road closures.

In late October to November, the weather in the center sometimes has heavy rain, even big storms, so you should consider when riding a motorbike at this time. However, from late November to December, the rain decreases and the weather becomes more pleasant, so you can be more assured when riding a motorbike here.

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3.South

Dry Season (December to April)

The dry season is a great time to visit the South, as the weather is sunny and warm, and the scenery is bright and colorful. The temperature averages around 30°C, with some cool breezes in the coastal areas. The rainfall is low, averaging around 50 mm per month. The humidity is moderate, averaging around 70%. The visibility is excellent, with clear blue skies and sparkling water.

Rainy Season (May to November)

The rainy season is a refreshing and green time to visit the South, as the weather is cloudy and humid, and the scenery is lush and fertile. The temperature averages around 28°C, with some thunderstorms in the afternoon. The rainfall is high, averaging around 200 mm per month. The humidity is very high, averaging around 90%. The visibility is poor, due to the rain and the fog.

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Recommendations and things to pack for your motorbike trip

Season	Time	Descriptions	Things to pack
Spring	March to May	Relatively cool and dry, but can be cloudy at altitude. Good for riding in most regions, especially the north.	Bring light rainwear, light clothing for chilly evenings, and sunblock.
Summer	June to August	Hot and sticky, with convection storms, flooding, and landslides. Uncomfortable and dangerous for riding, especially in the south and central regions.	Bring light quick-drying gear with ventilation, full cover, and sunblock. Avoid the coastal areas and the highlands.
Autumn	September to November	Generally warm, with little rain, clear skies, and maybe cloudy at altitude. Good for riding, especially in the south and central regions. Peak season, book ahead.	Bring light clothing, thin layers, and light waterproofs. Enjoy the scenery and the festivals.
Winter	December to February	Cooler, sometimes cold, with some rain, drizzle, fog, and mist. Generally good for riding, but can get cold and wet, especially in the north.	Bring warmer clothing, good boots, good waterproofs, particularly gloves. Explore the cultural and historical sites.

Best time to ride motorbike in Vietnam

Each season, each time has its own beauty for you to admire and enjoy when traveling by motorbike in Vietnam. The time you choose will depend on your needs and preferences because the 3 regions in Vietnam have different beautiful landscapes. However, according to Big Boy Getaway, the most suitable time to ride motorbike in Vietnam is from September to December – The time when there is no harsh sun of summer or heavy rain suddenly pouring down but the weather is cool, comfortable and additionally, the time of September, October is also the occasion of ripe rice fields turning yellow creating a magnificent natural painting that you should not miss when having motorbike trips in Vietnam. 

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