Halong Bay Weather & Temperature: Ultimate Guide 2024

Halong Bay, a natural complex of over 1,600 limestone islands and islets, is well-known for its aesthetic and geomorphological values that everyone should not miss. Thanks to its unique natural scenery consisting of towering cliffs, picturesque beaches, tranquil fishing villages, and hidden caves, Halong attracts millions of foreign and domestic tourists every year.

In brief

• Halong Bay weather is mostly hot, and humid all the time
• There are four seasons in Halong Bay: warm spring, hot summer, cool autumn and cold winter
• Spring and autumn are perfect time for outdoor activities
• Best things to do in Halong Bay during summer are water activities
• The best time to visit Halong Bay in terms of weather conditions is spring and autumn

Halong Bay Weather Overview

As a part of the tropical monsoon climate zone, Halong Bay weather is known to be hot, humid, and rainy; however, it does not stay the same all year round but varies in four seasons. 

In general, both spring and fall are warm and comfortable with clear skies and low frequencies of rain, ideal for many outdoor activities. Meanwhile, the weather in summer and winter could be extreme sometimes. Summer is the hottest and rainiest season, and winter features blistering cold weather. 

Therefore, the best time to visit Halong Bay appears to be during spring and winter, when it is all calm and favorable. Yet, it would be too soon to tell which season is the best for you without digging deep into each’s detailed characteristics.

Halong Bay Weather in Seasons

Warm spring, hot rainy summer, cool autumn, and dry cold winter are how people usually describe the weather in Ha Long. If you want to know more, dive into the following detailed description of each season.  

Halong Bay Weather in Spring (February – April)

• The lowest temperature: 18°C
• The highest temperature: 30°C
• Humidity level: 68 – 75%

Spring lasts from March to April, featuring warm and pleasant weather. During this time, temperature ranges from 20°C to 24°C, plus the sky is clear, making it favorable for cruise tours and many outdoor activities.

 Blossoming flowers at Halong Bay in springtime

Rains could still set in sometimes in spring; yet, most are drizzles and occur only in March. Therefore, there is nothing to worry about rains or any extreme weather patterns such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, etc.  

On visiting Halong Bay in spring, it is best that you bring some short clothes and take part in activities like kayaking, cave visiting, hiking, etc.

Halong Bay Weather in Summer (May – July)

• The lowest temperature: 26°C
• The highest temperature: 38°C
• Humidity level: 75 – 78%

As the hottest season of the year, summer sets in between May and August, increasing the temperature to 27°C - 32°C. This, along with the high humidity, could make it stifling, and extremely uncomfortable to do tours. 

Yet, it is not the whole summer that should be avoided. In May and June - the early summer, though hotter and rainier than spring, the weather is still fine, even ideal for beach bathing and water activities such as snorkeling, parasailing, etc.

Halong Bay is stunningly beautiful in summer

Only when July starts, do heat waves and thunderstorms hit the area. During these months, the temperature can reach 37°C, making it boiling and sticky. In addition, heavy rains, typhoons, and tropical storms are unpredictable and very likely to last for several days once they occur.

Halong Bay Weather in Autumn (August – October)

• The lowest temperature: 19°C
• The highest temperature: 33°C
• Humidity level: 70 – 72%

Autumn is usually known as the best weather in Halong Bay since it is calm and features less rain. From September, the temperature decreases to 25°C and remains throughout the season. As it gets to mid-autumn, heat waves are gradually replaced by last-day cool breezes and drizzles, ideal for countless outdoor activities.

Contemplate the beauty of Halong Bay on a cruise in autumn time

Plus, after days of heavy rains and summer storms, the air seems extremely pure and refreshing in autumn, making visitors even more excited and energetic to explore the beauty of Halong Bay. 

The weather in autumn is so nice that it attracts a great number of tourists, making September and October the peak season for domestic and international travel. Therefore, increasing airfares and hotel rentals are inevitable.

Halong Bay Weather in Winter (November – January)

• The lowest temperature: 12°C
• The highest temperature: 23°C
• Humidity level: 65 – 69%

Like summer, winter also comes with two stages. The early winter, lasting from November to December, features cool and dry weather. During this, the temperature does not drop too low but remains between 18°C and 20°C. Rains come less, plus humidity is much below average, comfy, and restful. 

Besides, Halong Bay weather in the early winter also makes it uniquely interesting to do some morning sightseeing, as dense and swirling fog could come down at dawn, adding serenity to the scenery.

The foggy in the wintertime

If such cold weather does not bother you, November and December could be an ideal time to visit Halong Bay, as it is off-season for domestic travel. 

As soon as January starts, winter turns intense, sometimes harsh, due to the plummet in temperature and increase in rain frequency. Some days, it could drop to under 10°C, while rainfall doubles or triples, ending up chilling and frosty. 

Besides, the late winter is also the time for several national holidays in Vietnam such as New Year’s Day and Lunar New Year. The heavy traffic before and temporary service close-off during these holidays also make January and December the least recommended to visit Halong Bay.

Halong Bay Weather by Month

Each month Halong welcomes many tourists with various activities and rewarding weather. Check out our detailed guide on the weather every month below! 

Best Weather to visit Halong Bay

If the weather is the most important factor to consider, you should travel during the spring and autumn seasons. The weather is pleasant during the two seasons, with clear skies and calm water conditions that allow various water activities.

In spring, there is a drizzle that brings about cool weather. It is a great time to go on an overnight cruise and kayak to discover the caves and grottos from a closer view.

Meanwhile, autumn is perfect for adventure lovers, who usually go trekking and scuba diving. Compared to the previous months, the low chance of rainfall makes it a popular time for foreigners to explore Halong.

For more information, check out Best Time to Visit Halong Bay for Perfect Weather

FAQs about Weather & Temperature

What is the best time to visit Halong Bay?  

In terms of weather conditions, spring (March - April) and autumn (September - October) are the most recommended times to get to Halong. However, deciding when to visit, it not only depends on seasons or weather conditions but personal budget and preferences as well. 

What is the hottest month in Halong Bay? 

June and July are the hottest months with the average temperature ranging between 29°C - 36°C. 

Is December the coldest month in Halong Bay?

December is not the coldest month. During this month, the temperature is 17°C - 20°C, plus humidity is 40% - 50%, totally tolerable. 

In fact, January and February are considered the coldest month. Due to low temperatures (10°C - 15°C)  and high humidity (60% - 70%), wet cold mist is trapped in the air, making it bitterly cold and even harsh when rains set in.

Is Halong Bay water warm? 

From July to September, the water is pretty warm with the average temperature varying between 27°C - 32°C. In May and October, it cools down a bit to 23°C - 25°C. In the other months, the water temperature would drop to under 20°C, which is really cold. Therefore, the ideal time to swim is from May to October.

What can I do during heavy rains in Halong Bay? 

Indoor activities are highly recommended when it rains heavily. particularly: 

• Spa treatments
• Cooking classes
• Cave visiting 

>> For more details about the rainy season, please visit Halong Bay Rainy Season: Should You Travel or NOT?

In conclusion, Halong Bay weather is hot, humid and rainy almost all year round, making the bay exotic and interesting.

If you plan to get to Halong Bay in the near future, feel free to contact us for more updates about weather, temperature and the best time to visit. We are always available to support you!

Considering all four seasons, which one is your favorite weather? Anyway, visiting Halong Bay is worthwhile every month and depends on how you take advantage of its weather. Don't forget to find the best Halong Bay tour from Hanoi to enjoy your trip; BestPrice Travel is one of the reputable agencies for a cruise and tour package, which always offers great deals and the best support.

Duc Anh Tran

(Image Sources: Internet)