Vietnam: the climate and its characteristics by regions

The Republic of Vietnam - and this is seen on the map of the country - stretches from north to south in a narrow strip. Most tourists come to this fertile region for the sun and bathing in the warm sea, but which region at which time of year to choose - this is the key to a good, literally cloudless holiday. The country's territory is divided into three climatic zones: North, Central and South Vietnam. The climate in each zone may also differ, depending on the altitude of the terrain above sea level.

The north of the country lies in a subtropical monsoon climate. This means that in the winter northern winds are blowing, bringing cold and damp masses of air, and in the summer - monsoons from the ocean, which set the stuffy and rainy weather. From the beginning of January to the end of February, a cold rain drizzles, and from July to the end of September it pours out like a bucket (in three months 80% of the annual rainfall rate falls). If you do not like cold weather, it is better not to go to North Vietnam in winter. The weather in January in the plains is about 17 ° C, but in the mountains at the Sapa resort, the thermometer often drops below 0 ° C and snow falls. Therefore, in Hanoi and the surrounding area should come in the off-season - April-May or October-November. In autumn it's even better - you will be pleased not having had time to cool the sea.

South of the Chyongshon ridges and uplands and up to 16 ° N. Central Vietnam extends. The climate here is tropical. This area is also not suitable for winter recreation: temperatures in January-February do not rise above + 20 ° C. The rainy season here lasts from August to January, reaching peak intensity in October-November. But the coastal plains are more dry, it rains mainly in the foothills. In this region is the famous mountain resort of Dalat, located on a mountain plateau at an altitude of 1800 m. The resort was founded by the French, calling this place Vietnamese Switzerland - here even in summer the thermometer does not rise above + 25 ° C.

Now it's South Vietnam. The climate is subequatorial. The year round is warm, the difference between summer and winter is 3-4 degrees. In the Mekong Delta, for example, at any time of year the tourists are greeted by warm weather - 26-28 ° C. In this climatic zone, only two seasons are distinguished: dry and wet. Rains are from April to October, but not all the time, but about an hour or two per day. The hot sun instantly dries the moisture. Since October, the dry season begins, when for only six months only 7% of the annual rainfall rate falls. An ideal place to relax in winter.

The whole of Vietnam, whose climate is formed under the influence of monsoons, is often prone to typhoons that strike the coast, causing significant destruction, and sometimes even human casualties. Most often this happens during the "wet" season: in the second half of summer and in autumn in North and Central Vietnam. The South is less prone to typhoon strikes, although here they also happen.

The most fertile in terms of receiving tourists is the island of Fukuok. There's a "wet" season in general lasts only a month (October), all the rest of the time you are waiting for the sunny, windless weather. Vietnam, thanks to its 2,000 km stretch from north to south, accepts tourists all year round, but in the south in the winter months, hotel prices soar, as here is the peak of the tourist season. In the central part of the country, winter is a transition period between "wet" and "dry" periods. At this time in the region are frequent storms.