Vietnam - weather & travel conditions in August

Vietnam Weather in August

August is the transition period between summer and autumn, though in general, the summer weather still dominates the air until almost the end of the month. August is also in the typhoon season and storms may affect the coastal areas though it does not certainly happen.

In the North of Vietnam, the temperature starts to change lower especially from the middle toward the end of the month but humidity is still relatively high. The rainfall is at its peak during this month that locals call it ‘Month of Ngau rains’.

Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Mai Chau, Cuc Phuong and so on enjoy the milder temperature but you will see more rain than the previous month. Anyway, this is a type of summer rain so it does not affect much to your sightseeing since it is fresh and the sun will come out after the rain. In the far north mountainous areas like Sapa, Cao Bang and Ha Giang due to wet weather trekking could be difficult and unadvisable.

The Centre of Vietnam still in the dry season means that you can expect lots of dry days and blue sky throughout the month. The temperature remains at an average of 32oC. Beaches of Da Nang, Hoi An, Quy Nhon and Nha Trang all are basking in sunshine and offer excellent conditions for swimming.

Further up in Da Lat and Central Highland, the temperature are cool but this is the peak of the wet season so trekking and adventure activities are not recommended.

The South of Vietnam including Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Mui Ne, Vung Tau and Phu Quoc stay in warm and bright weather as normal with average temperature ranges between 31-32oC. Since it is in the middle of the rainy season so you will see more refreshing showers happen normally in the afternoon. Beaches of Mui Ne, Con Dao and Phu Quoc are good choices during this time.

Average temperature & precipitation in Vietnam in August

August average temperature and precipitation in various locations in Vietnam

Events in August

August Revolution

The event is celebrated nationwide on 19th August. This day more than 60 years ago, on 19th August 1945, Vietnamese people and revolutionary forces under the leadership of Viet Minh and Ho Chi Minh stood up for an uprising and successfully seized power from French colonialists and the Japanese aggressors in Hanoi. The action followed by general uprising all over the country that led to the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in Sept. 2nd, 1945.

From this day to the 2nd of September, streets and houses normally decorated with flowers, banners and flags. There are also music performances and other activities like children flower camping and games. It is quite interesting to see and take photos of colors.

Celebrating August Revolution in Hanoi street, 2022. Source: Laodong

Tet Trung Nguyen (Vu Lan festival or Ghost Festival)

This festival is organized on 15th day of the seventh lunar month – around middle of August. In tradition, the seventh month in general is regarded as the Ghost Month, in which ghosts and spirits, including those of the deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm.

On the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month when the realms are open people would perform rituals to transmute and absolve the sufferings of the deceased. Intrinsic of this ceremony is ancestor worship, where traditionally the filial piety of descendants extends to their ancestors even after their deaths. Activities during the month would include preparing ritualistic food offerings, burning incense, and burning joss paper form of material items such as clothes, gold and other fine goods for the visiting spirits of the ancestors, releasing miniature paper boats and lanterns on water, which signifies giving directions to the lost ghosts and spirits of the ancestors and other deities.

Families also pay tribute to other unknown wandering ghosts so that these homeless souls do not intrude on their lives and bring misfortune.

Merits for the living are also earned by the release of birds and fish.

Influenced by Buddhism, this holiday coincides with Vu Lan，the Vietnamese transliteration for Ullambana. Vu Lan is also seen as Mother's Day. People with living mothers would bear a red rose and would give thanks while those without, who can choose to bear a white rose; and attend services to pray for the deceased.

How to do and what to expect if travel to Vietnam in August

This time the weather in general is quite good, at least in comparison to the last two months. If you plan to travel to Vietnam this month then just be confident to draft an itinerary that cover all most all the highlights of the country.

In the North, your itinerary can cover Hanoi, Ha Long Bay or Cat Ba Island and some other places like Mai Chau, Ninh Binh etc. Sapa and other mountainous areas are possible but not recommended since the wet weather may make it difficult for activities.

All other places in the Centre and the South of Vietnam are with good condition to visit this month especially beaches.

Toward the end of August you will see lots of locals take off for their holiday and beaches like Cat Ba, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang etc could be crowded. To avoid the crowd, you can choose not to visit those places at the weekends or during Vietnam’s public holidays. Other times, since it is still low season for foreign tourists, you are most likely to have the favor with good price for many travel services.

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