Weather & Best time to travel in Dong Hoi, Vietnam

1. Weather in Dong Hoi, Vietnam

Dong Hoi is located in the humid tropical monsoon climate zone of Vietnam which is influenced by the climate of both the Northern and Southern area. The average temperature in Dong Hoi varies somewhat, from 21^oC in January to 32^oC in July. The significance of Dong Hoi is its humidity and the city has high humidity throughout the year which ranges from 80% to 90% on an average.

With the variation of the tropical monsoon climate, Dong Hoi typically sees copious amounts of rain during the wet season from September to March. The total precipitation is estimated from 2,000 to 2,300 mm per year. The huge storms appearing from September to December can cause flood but they are not common site. Besides the main rainy season, rains in May and June sometime cause large floods.

Read more: How to get around Dong Hoi, Vietnam

The major controlling factor over the climate in dong Hoi is its relationship to the monsoon circulation which is a seasonal change in wind direction. During summer, Dong Hoi is under influence of the hot and dry wind blowing from Laos. Meanwhile, in the winter, the northeasterly winds and sometimes the easterly or southeasterly winds appear and bring the bitter coldness.

2. When is the best time to travel to Dong Hoi, Vietnam?

In general, Dong Hoi features the moderate temperature and calm weather. Thus, you can visit there at any time of the year. Like most of regions in the North of Vietnam, the weather in Dong Hoi is divided into 4 distinct seasons including: summer, autumn, winter and spring. Each season has its own beauty and holds enough interests for you to experience all day long.

a. Dong Hoi, Vietnam in summer (from May to July)

Summer features hot weather with the highest temperature can reach 34^oC in July. These months receive the moderate precipitation with 4 to 6 days of precipitation per month. Visiting Dong Hoi in summer, you can enjoy all the seafood specialties such as shrimp dumplings, oyster soup. Besides, you can have chances of watching countless butterflies clustering together both on trees and on the ground in Phong Nha – Ke Bang Cave.  Large areas covered by butterflies look like beautiful carpets of orange and black. Traveling to Dong Hoi in summer, you can also experience the burning sun of central land to learn the hard work and burden on the shoulder of the locals. It will be an unforgettable experience which helps you to know the savings to make up the essence of this region, to love and appreciate the locals and their country more.

Read more: About Dong Hoi

June to July is also the slowest season for tourism in Dong Hoi. The number of visitors falls down significantly. Therefore, summer will be the best time for those people who love tranquility and want to stay away from the crowded. What’s more, due to the low demand, the accommodation price and other costs will be lower than usual. So you can set some money aside for other activities.

b. Dong Hoi, Vietnam in autumn (from August to October)

Autumn in Dong Hoi falls at the beginning of the rainy season. The temperature decreases, which makes Dong Hoi cooler. During these months, Dong Hoi receives a considerable amount of rain, usually in form of thunderstorm. Thunderstorm along with adverse winds cause tropical flood and bring some trouble for the tourists.

However, since most days in autumn are cloudy and windy, therefore the amount of visitors increases dramatically in September and decrease gradually in October. September is the harvest time. Visiting Dong Hoi during this time, you can catch the view of the stunning yellow paddy fields. Walking along the fields, tourists can see the buffalo leisurely grazing with half-closed eyes and listen to the tailorbird singing and picking up the dropped grain. Autumn is also time of sweet potato. Visiting Dong Hoi during this time, don’t forget to take a sip of herbal tea, enjoy yummy sweet potato pieces and chat happily with your friends.

You shouldn’t take a tour Phong Nha – Ke Bang during these months when high-level water in Son River may obscure the entrance to the caves. Many underground caves are closed because of tropical flood. It may be a bit dangerous, therefore take it into account when visit there in autumn.

c. Dong Hoi in the winter (from November to January)

The weather gets colder around the middle of November. The temperature may fall down to 18^oC. It may be chilly and rainy. Winter is the ideal time to enjoy of the peacefulness, catch the view of the sea breeze whistling white sand. Also in the winter, dropping in a cozy restaurant lying in Nhat Le beach and enjoying some spicy, hot local dishes will be incomparable. There are a lot of wonderful choices for you such as tarpon hotpot, aromatic grilled squid pieces, and spicy fatty sucking snails. Besides, you can get some fresh air in Bau Tro and tasting the fish porridge in Bau Sen.

d. Dong Hoi in the spring (from February to April)

The combination of humidity and temperature make the spring in Dong Hoi cool and foggy. Spring falls at the beginning of the Lunar New Year. Thus, this city almost closes down for a few weeks. People take this time to come home, relax and gather with their family. You will have chance of enjoying the untouched beauty and peaceful tranquility. Take your time to wandering the city by bicycle and unwind yourself. Another activity worth doing is visiting the grave of Vo Nguyen Giap, one of the greatest heroes of Vietnam in Vung Chua, Dao Yen. Spend time visiting and pray there to enrich yourself and understand more about history, culture and humans of Vietnam.