Travel planning is the ultimate way to take on a stress-free vacation to Halong Bay. When is the best time to visit Halong Bay really depends on your own definition of a perfect trip.
1. Best Time By Weather
If you are most concerned about weather, then the periods Late February through April (Spring) and Late October through December (Fall) are ideal for a trip to Halong. The dry climate and pleasant temperature will enable you to enjoy all activities offered on board while making sightseeing as perfect as it could be.
Verdict: For optimum weather conditions, the best months to visit Halong Bay are probably April and May. The weather will likely be warm but not too hot, there will be fewer rain showers and more sunshine.
Month-by-month:
| Months | Temperature | Humidity |
| January is a high tourist season in Halong Bay, the weather is chilly. Admiring the spectacular beauty of beautiful beaches, diverse-shaped caves, and peaceful floating villages in tranquility is the best way to enjoy a restful holiday and relive stress in daily life. – Note: some activities such as swimming or diving may not be organized if weather turns too cold. | 130-260C | 65% |
| February is often the time that Vietnamese people prepare for and welcome Tet Holiday. Visiting Halong Bay at this time, you can both admire the beauty of Halong but also feel the festive mood on every street you go. Some cruises organize Lunar New Year party on boat with a surcharge to get you a glimpse into Vietnamese’s most important event of the year. | 150-300C | 68% |
| March is the month of festivals. After Tet Holiday, there are many cultural and spiritual festivals held in Vietnam. If you are traveling to Halong Bay at this time, you should consider taking a side trip to Yen Tu Religious complex. | 180-340C | 75% |
| April is a perfect month to visit Halong Bay. The warm weather coupling with clear air makes Halong Bay more vivid than any other month of the year. However, it is advisable that you avoid the days around 30th April and 1st May as it coincides with Vietnam’s National Holiday and International Workers’ Day, there will be a flood of local tourists onsite and price may surge slightly. | 180-360C | 75% |
| May is considered the secret ideal month to visit Halong Bay by many travelers. As it is not mentioned frequently on guide book as a desired time, there are not many tourists visiting the Bay in this month and many cruises put on promotion program. In fact, there is very little rain, the sun has yet to become overheated, and it is just perfect to swim or kayak on the Bay. | 290-400C | 78% |
| June is the starting time of peak tourist season for domestic travelers. This is the time that students begin their summer holiday. Many families come to Quang Ninh to avoid the sweltering heat of summer, especially in weekend. Therefore, you should travel Halong Bay at weekday to avoid the crowd. | 300-400C | 76% |
| July, Halong Bay often undergoes occasional storms. Cruises may get cancelled in case the Halong Management Board do not issue permit for cruise to sail on that day. | 280-400C | 77% |
| August with the temperature fluctuating from 260 – 370C is a great month for water based activities such as kayaking, swimming, scuba diving, rowing… | 260-370C | 75% |
| September has nice weather to enjoy a wonderful cruise in Halong Bay. Make sure that you visit well-known attractions such as Tuan Chau Island, Ba Trai Dao beach, Vung Vieng Floating Fishing Village, Luon Cave… for water based activities. Squid fishing at night is also worth trying. | 280-360C | 72% |
| October is quite nice to enjoy a cruise trip in Halong Bay. Make sure that you visited well-known attractions of the Bay such as Tuan Chau Island, Co To Island, Surprising Cave, Vung Vieng Floating Fishing Village, Luon Cave… Besides, do not forget to take part in water sport in one of tranquil beaches in Halong Bay such as kayaking, swimming, boat rowing, scuba diving… | 210-360C | 72% |
| November is the transferring time between autumn and winter, therefore, you are advised to bring some light winter clothes such as cardigan or silk scarf just in case you are caught in the wind. For mild weather days, you can still enjoy all water based activities such as swimming, kayaking or scuba diving. | 190-340C | 70% |
| December is a peak tourist season in Halong Bay. This is largely due to Christmas and New Year holiday that most of you will have. Although the weather is cold, this is a really wonderful time for travelers to visit Halong Bay. On 24th and 31st December, most cruises organize themed parties and GALA dinners with a surcharge on board to give you a brilliantly unique experience at Halong Bay. | 170-270C | 69% |
2. By Price
If you are a budget minded travelers, then schedule your trip between 1st May and 30th September. This is often considered the low season and many cruise ships offer massive sale off on cabin: you can save from 20% to 40% on a cruise trip compared with other time in a year. However, July and August often see sporadic hurricanes and storms, which may render cancellation and delay of your trip. In those cases, you can switch around by visiting another destination in the North of Vietnam and visit Halong Bay later. These storms will not last longer than 3-4 days.
3. If you have no plan
If you do not have the option of time, then be rest assured that you will enjoy your trip as much as when you do no in another month or day of the year. The Bay is filled with sunlight and rain usually does not last long. In warmer season you can take advantage of swimming opportunity and in cooler season you will enjoy Halong Bay like no-one else: imagine a steamy BBQ lunch by the caves in one of the most gorgeous natural complex of the world – it’s all about experience.
