Vietnam is in the northern hemisphere, so it follows the same seasons as Europe and North America. Located in Quang Binh province in north-central Vietnam, Phong Nha has quite unusual weather patterns. Northern Vietnam is temperate and has the four distinct seasons of summer, autumn, winter and spring. Many people travel to Vietnam and don’t realise this, so if travelling here during the winter, be sure to bring warm clothes – it normally snows in Sa Pa every year! On the contrary, southern Vietnam is always tropical and hot, whether that is in the form of hot and wet, or hot and dry. Phong Nha is somewhere in the middle of these two climates of the north and the south, meaning that sometimes it gets very hot and sometimes it gets quite cold, and it is a little less predictable, so it is best to be prepared and bring the correct clothing for the seasons.
The hottest summer months are from June to August, and many people think this is the best time to visit Phong Nha. The area is green and luscious and the waters are crystal clear and turquoise, making Phong Nha very picturesque at this time. Furthermore, the ground is dryer, making it much easier to access some of the rural areas which, due to a lack of sealed roads, can be challenging to get to when the ground is wet and muddy. There is a transitional spring-like season from March to April where the weather is becoming warmer and rain showers become less frequent. This would be a great time to visit if you aren’t keen on, or don’t cope well in, very hot climates and humidity (like this author!). The rice paddies are beautifully green at this time, making this also a very picturesque time of year for Phong Nha. The wet season (autumn) occurs from October to December and during this time, be aware that central Vietnam and north-central Vietnam are prone to heavy rain and sometimes flooding. If you are travelling to Vietnam during this time, it would be wise to stay updated on the weather forecast. The temperature is somewhat warmer than the winter season (December to February) but it is much wetter, so be sure to bring a selection of warm clothing, good shoes/boots and a rain jacket. The winter season runs from December to February. During this season, it can get quite cold and there is regular, but not consistent, light rain showers. If you are travelling to Phong Nha during winter time, be sure to bring warmer clothing and a lightweight rain jacket.