If you are planning to travel to Southeast Asia anytime soon and are wondering when is the best time to come to Southeast Asia countries, search no more. From monsoon and rainy seasons to the hottest time of the year, read on to find out when is the high season in your predilected country and when you should plan your visit to Southeast Asia.
And to debunk the myths of the monsoon season in Southeast Asia, here are 5 reasons to visit Southeast Asia in monsoon season.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Vietnam, Hau Giang in the Mekong Delta Area
Are you traveling to Southeast Asia and wondering when is the best time to visit Vietnam, the S-shaped country? The weather in Vietnam can be split by its region. From North to South, the climate experiences changes throughout the year and it is good to be prepared with this information to build the perfect trip.
In Hanoi capital and the Northern region, November to April are particularly cooler and dry months whereas from May to October the weather is hot and humid with high rainfall. And if you are planning to visit the mountainous regions, be aware that December and January can be particularly cold and with even chances of snow in Sapa area.
In the central area of Vietnam, the temperature can get very hot and dry between January and August while as a high level of rainfall can drop from September to November.
Southern Vietnam is the driest and hot from November to April and gets wet between May and October with the highest rainfall in the months of June to August.
When is the best time to visit Cambodia?
Cambodia – Siem Reap – South Gate of Angkor Thom
There are four annual seasons in Cambodia that you need to be aware of if you’re traveling to Southeast Asia: cool and dry between November and February; hot and dry between March and May; hot and wet between June and August; and cool and wet between September and early November.
The best time to visit Cambodia is the cool season when the weather usually benefits from a pleasant dry heat and the countryside is still green from the rains. As February turns into March, the heat begins to build until April and May, when it can be quite oppressive and uncomfortable.
In May and June, the rains come and bring a measure of relief. It rarely rains all day, and mostly it will rain for an hour or two in the afternoon or evening. By early September and through October, the frequency of the showers slows and the humidity starts to lower. Although the wet season is low season for tourism throughout most of the region, visiting at that time does have its advantages. It is when the Angkor complex is at its most beautiful, the vegetation is lush, and the crowds are relatively thin.
And if you wish to create an itinerary combining Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, here are the best times to enjoy Indochina when traveling to Southeast Asia.
When is the best time to visit Laos?
Laos – Luang Prabang – Khuangsi fall
While most of the year is hot and humid, Laos enjoys a tropical climate with two distinct seasons. The rainy season is from the beginning of May to the end of September, and the dry season is from October through April. The yearly average temperature in Laos is about 28 degrees Celsius, rising to a high of 38 degrees Celsius during April and May.
In Vientiane, a low temperature of 19 degrees Celsius is to be expected during January. In mountainous areas, however, temperatures drop to as low as 14-15 degrees Celsius during the winter months, and during cold nights, can easily reach the freezing point. The average precipitation is highest in Southern Laos, where the Annamite Mountains receive over 3,000 mm annually. In Vientiane rainfall is about 1,500-2,000 mm and in the Northern provinces only 1,000-1,500 mm. The best time to visit Laos is between November and April.
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
Thailand – Phuket – Khai Nok Island
When to visit Thailand It very much depends on each individual traveler’s priorities. Some might want nothing but sunshine and beaches with little worry for cost and head there during the high season. Others simply wishing to avoid the crowds, might prefer to go during the rainy season.
You can decide which month would best to visit Thailand according to these preferences. From January to March humidity is at its lowest and temperatures average around 32°C from Bangkok southwards. It is also the most popular season.
In April, the last month before the rainy season starts often is the hottest month of the year. It is also the month of “Songkran” festivals, where Thai citizens celebrate their new year by enthusiastically dousing each other (and tourists) with cold water.
May to August are usually the more pleasant months of the rainy season. The humidity will creep up, and temperatures will be around 35° C and rain will likely be a daily event. However, a common pattern can be a mixed cloudy /sunny day with an intense rainstorm that lasts for a couple of hours in the late afternoon, so depending on your luck, it’s still possible to get a good suntan and with the high season crowds absent, this can be a wonderfully relaxing time to visit.
September to October are the wettest months with very high humidity. The advantage is the fewer people visiting at the same time. And as for the two last months of the year, you can get good patches of sunshine and calm clear days with a few more tourists though.
But as well to be prepared, why not contact our travel experts right here?
When is the best time to visit Myanmar?
Myanmar – Bagan
You can visit Myanmar all the year round but the best time to come is between October and February as the weather during this period is neither too hot nor wet.
If you are visiting Myanmar during the monsoon season from June to September, the climate in central Myanmar (Bagan, Mandalay, Hsipaw, Kalaw, Inle Lake) is similar to Northern Thailand. This means refreshing rain from June to September. The rest of the day the weather is clear. It is always comfortably warm (but not as hot as March-April). There are fewer tourists (so you have a much better choice of hotel rooms). June to September is cheaper and best of all, Myanmar is at its best – green and refreshing (less dusty and dry than in the winter here).
With the best preparation, you can now start planning your itinerary. Keep in mind this information and remember that rain, in the end, is only water!
With more than 15 years of experience, Lux Travel DMC transports you to the colors and flavors of Indochina. Offering off-the-beaten-path itineraries as well as luxury holiday packages to Southeast Asia our local experts will advise you throughout all the preparation of our trip. For unique and authentic experiences, reach out to our team that will be happy to help you here.
