Vietnam in February: Perfect Weather and Must-Visit Spots

February is often considered the busiest month of the year, due to the Vietnamese New Year frequently falling in this month. If you are planning a trip during this time, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant and colorful atmosphere of the traditional Asian New Year. Join us to discover the weather forecasts, must-see destinations and all the essential information to fully enjoy your trip.

Written by Tieu Bao (Local Expert) Updated on 06-11-2024

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1. Vietnam weather in February

February is also an ideal month in terms of weather. It's quite cool, and the temperature changes depending on each region of Vietnam.

• The North 

The weather in this region of Vietnam is considerably cooler. The average temperature is around 20°C. Mountainous regions such as Sapa, Bac Ha, Ha Giang, etc., are even cooler due to their high altitude, with temperatures varying between 12 and 20°C. Cold, very humid air easily causes drizzle and fog to form. Places such as mountainous areas or Ha Long Bay may be shrouded in fog, reducing visibility over long distances. 

• The Central

The climate in this region is quite cool but sunnier compared to the North. It is cooler on the beaches with an average temperature of 20 to 28 degrees. The rain is sometimes present, but not serious.

• The South

In February, the climate in the South is the most ideal in the country if you enjoy mild weather and mild sunshine. At this time, the weather is generally pleasant in the South. Normally it does not rain, although each year can be different in this regard; there may be unusual rainfall, but if so, this rainfall is short-lived, light and has little impact, usually occurring on 1 or 2 days in the month. They have no significant impact. In addition, the temperature remains moderate, around 26-30 degrees. 

2. Things to know about the Vietnamese New Year of Light, the country's biggest celebration in February

February is the month when the Light New Year takes place in Asian countries, also celebrated as the biggest holiday in Vietnam. With all its colorful Asian decorations, festive activities and bustling markets, this is an event not to be missed if you enjoy discovering Asian culture and understanding the fascinating traditions of this great celebration.

The Tet festival (Vietnamese New Year) officially takes place from 29th Jan 2025 to 3rd Feb 2025, but the lively atmosphere of preparation and decoration begins about three weeks before and lasts more than a week after. You will therefore have a long enough period to fully immerse yourself in this festive atmosphere. Check out this article to learn more about Vietnamese New Year - Tet Holiday.

To make the most of your trip to Vietnam in February, we offer you suggestions for the must-see sites in each region of the country. This will help you plan your route optimally.

3. The must-see sites in Northern Vietnam

• Hanoi

Hanoi is an extraordinary destination for lovers of culture, history and ancient beauty. The old neighborhoods of the capital are full of old features, typically Vietnamese houses and very representative elements. Each street in these old neighborhoods offers fascinating typical products.

To fully enjoy the atmosphere of Tết, go to Hang Ma street, famous for sales of seasonal decorations (Christmas, New Year, moon festival, etc.). It is one of the most beautiful and colorful streets in these historic districts. 

Hang Luoc Street is also a must during this period: it offers a wide variety of plants for the New Year, where you will find all the typical species for Tết decoration, such as kumquats, peach blossoms, and many others equally beautiful streets to explore in the old neighborhoods.

Among other must-see sites, iconic symbols of national history not to be missed include the Temple of Literature, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel,...At the end of the day, after a day of enriching visits, you can attend a water puppet show, a unique art in the world.

>>> To learn more about the fascinating Hanoi Museums & Ho Chi Minh City Museums, please read:

• Top 10 Museums in Hanoi
• Explore Top Ho Chi Minh City's Museums & Historical Sites

• Sapa

Sapa, located approximately 320 km from Hanoi, is a must-see destination for all visitors to northern Vietnam. It is one of the most magnificent places offering majestic landscapes, famous for its rice terraces as far as the eye can see, its colorful markets of local ethnic groups as well as its authentic ethnic villages. It also bears the imprint of the old French resort.

For trekking enthusiasts, Sapa is the ideal place for an authentic hike. There you will find three main difficulty levels: light, medium and hard. Take the time to stroll through magnificent villages like Y Linh Ho, Ta Phin, Ma Tra,... Each village offers unique elements to discover within their culture.

>>  🗺️ Join our two-week itinerary to Vietnam to experience the breathtaking beauty and rich culture of North Vietnam and beyond.

• Halong Bay

Halong Bay is a splendid wonder of northern Vietnam, officially recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. With nearly 2,000 limestone islands and islets, it extends over more than 1,500 square kilometers. Offering a variety of landscapes and remarkable biodiversity, Halong Bay still maintains an attractive appearance. To get there, you can choose to travel by bus, private car or minibus, a journey that takes around 3 and a half hours and is very easy to organize.

Once there, you can admire the breathtaking landscapes of Halong Bay from a junk cruise. Spend a night on a cruise to enjoy the nighttime atmosphere of this legendary bay. Kayaking, seafood tasting, visiting floating villages and exploring the thousand-year-old caves in the middle of the bay are among the experiences to be had. To obtain all the practical information on this site, please read this article: Discovering Halong Bay, Vietnam.

• Ninh Binh (The Terrestrial Halong Bay)

Tam Coc-Ninh Binh, nicknamed “The Terrestrial Halong Bay”, is a spectacular destination near Hanoi that is not to be missed. It is an ideal choice for nature lovers, with its karst peaks emerging from the water and its rice fields along the river. Taking a boat trip along the water to admire these natural wonders is a memorable experience. The incredible landscapes of Tam Coc, Trang An Scenic Complex, Cuc Phuong National Park will not disappoint you. This site offers a peaceful atmosphere and a total disconnection from the urban hustle and bustle.

4. The Central’s beautiful destinations and rich culture

• Hue

Hue is the ancient imperial city of Vietnam, offering poetic beauty and a peaceful atmosphere. Whether you're traveling from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you can get to Hue by plane or by night train.

The city is home to numerous cultural and historical monuments linked to feudal dynasties, offering a fascinating dive into the history of Vietnam: majestic citadels, sumptuous palaces, ancestral tombs, and pagodas imbued with spirituality,...

Hue is also famous as the " capital of the conical hat”, thanks to its artisanal villages specializing in the making of this emblematic accessory. In addition to these historic sites, you can enjoy the magnificent beaches of Thuan An and Lang Co, among the most beautiful in the center, for a peaceful seaside stay.

>>> Learn more about: Hue, Vietnam: 8 Essential Questions Answered Before You Visit

• Hoi An

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An Ancient Town is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam in February. This site is a multicultural harmony (Vietnam, French, Japan and China) with many monuments of unique architecture. You will be immersed in a romantic atmosphere, embellished by old houses with yellow walls and red roofs.

You can also explore this ancient city by bike or on foot. If you want to explore the city in depth, take time to visit local villages like Tra Que.

5. The best of the South to visit

• Ho Chi Minh City

Representing the most modern city in the country, Ho Chi Minh City offers harmonious architecture blending the ancient culture of the colonial era and the modern lifestyle with its imposing skyscrapers. You can discover emblematic French monuments such as the Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, as well as the War Remnants Museum. 

The flower market near Nguyen Hue Walking Street and Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street in Chinatown are must-see places. These places specializing in selling festive decorations are not to be missed. Tet celebrations in Saigon offer cultural diversity, particularly in the famous Cholon district, where Chinese from Guangdong have lived for centuries.

For history buffs, a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels is a must. These underground tunnels are a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the Vietnamese people during the war.

• Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta, a popular destination in southern Vietnam, presents unique landscapes combining land and water. Nicknamed the rice basket of Vietnam, this place thrives thanks to its favorable climate and the fertile alluvium of the Mekong, offering farmers vast areas of rice fields. In February, this region becomes a major source of flowers for New Year decorations. If you go here near Tet, you will see a thousand colorful flowers everywhere.

You can sail aboard a boat to discover the floating markets, or even glide in a boat along the peaceful canals, in the shade of coconut trees. It is also possible to cycle through the small streets lined with fruit orchards.

• Phu Quoc Island

Phu Quoc, Vietnam's emerald island, is renowned for its white sandy beaches, pleasant climate, fish sauce factories and fresh seafood. You can get there easily by plane.

In February, the temperature on the island reaches around 27.5 degrees and the weather is generally sunny, with no risk of rain. Visiting Phu Quoc at this time is a great idea. This place is ideal for outdoor activities such as swimming, diving and hiking in the national park…

6. Practical advice 

• Anticipate the Tet period by reserving your transport and accommodation in advance, as demand is very high.
• During this holiday, many places will be closed. Plan your activities carefully to take advantage of those that will remain open.
• Make sure you have enough cash before Tet, as banks are closed and ATMs are not stocked.
• Plan your trip around 10 days before the Lunar New Year to enjoy the festive entertainment and typical markets. Visit Vietnam before Tet for the full experience, without worrying about service closures .

We hope that all the information in this article will be useful to you in planning your trip to Vietnam in February 2024! If you would like to simplify your preparations, do not hesitate to contact us to organize a tailor-made tour according to your wishes.