April is spring in Northern Vietnam, the dry season in the Central Coast, in the Central Highlands, and in Southern Vietnam.
Monsoons in Vietnam in April
Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate and the monsoons do have great impacts on the weather in different regions in the country. In April, Vietnam is under the influence of possibly two or three monsoons:
- The Northeasterly Monsoon: The wind, if present in April, mostly originates from Tibet. In April, the Northeasterly Wind is substantially weaker than in the winter time. This wind often causes dry weather with extremely pleasant temperatures.
- The Southeasterly Monsoon: This is the predominant summer monsoon in northern Vietnam. In April the wind is mostly weak. This wind is humid as it blows inland from the sea. The wind could be in conflict with the Northeasterly Monsoon which causes light drizzles, moist air in the northern regions. Annoyingly moist air is often found in Northern Vietnam in the first 7-10 days of April.
- The Southwesterly Monsoon: This monsoon causes rain in Southern Vietnam and in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Due to the foehn effect, this same wind causes dry and high temperatures in the Central Coast and in the far northwest of Vietnam (Dien Bien, Son La, part of Hoa Binh and Lai Chau). In April, the Southwesterly Wind forms and starts blowing.
April Sun and April Temperatures in Vietnam
The sun has moved into the Northern Hemisphere in April and continents in the Northern Hemisphere get heated more than the sea (and in the Southern Hemisphere). For this reason, the Earth surface gets unevenly heated and the winds form. While in the Central Region and South of Vietnam it is the Southwesterly Wind in April; this same wind is Southeasterly Wind in northern Vietnam. The difference in the direction that the winds blow is attributed to uneven temperatures in different regions on the earth surface.
The North of Vietnam could either have conflict of different winds or that the weakening Northeasterly Wind blows more from the sea in the first 7-10 days of April which results in moist air and foggy days. This typical weather pattern is often found in the Northeast and lowlands of Northern Vietnam at the end of winter or spring. This type of weather will end only if there is a new strong spell of Northeasterly Wind, or air troughs have strong impact on the region or a heavy shower clearing the moisture.
If the North has a predominant wind or if winds are absent from the region, then it is often dry weather with pleasant temperatures.
But the air region over India, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos and in the southwest of China (Yunnan) is heated more and air troughs (low air pressure) with high temperatures form. This very factor makes several regions in Vietnam undergo dry days with high temperatures if the affected region has no winds or no predominant wind. As a result, we often find the temperatures in places in Vietnam as follows:
- The temperatures are mostly pleasant in the North but there are days with warm temperatures in part of the Northwest such as Lao Cai, Hoa Binh, Son La and Dien Bien.
- The temperatures are mostly fine but sometimes high in the North of the Central Coast.
- The temperatures are still nice in part of the Mid Central Coast, but places in Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Hue start having high temperatures.
- The temperatures are high in the South of the Central Coast, in part of the Central Highlands (Kon Tum and Gia Lai) and in most of Southern Vietnam.
Adventure Travel, nature tours in Vietnam in April
Given the general weather conditions, the weather in northern Vietnam is suitable for all kinds of travel activities: bicycle tours in the delta, adventure trekking tours in the mountains, sightseeing tours in the cities… Those embarking on bird watching tours in northern Vietnam will only encounter local resident bird species; migratory bird species have been migrating back further to the north of the Northern Hemisphere.
April is the season of rhododendron blossoms in the mountains in the far north of Vietnam. Those who embark on trekking adventure tours will have great time flirting with the flowers in high mountain peaks such as: Ta Xua, Pu Ta Leng, Ta Lien Son...
It is a great time for sightseeing tours, beach holidays, nature tours and adventure tours in most of the Central Coast and Central Highlands of Vietnam. While in Southern Vietnam, it is best for beach holidays. Those who go on sightseeing tours in the Central Coast (in Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Hue) and in Southern Vietnam may have warm days often.
Since the Northeasterly Monsoon is too weak, those who plan to travel to Vietnam’s offshore islands like Con Dao and Phu Quoc should enjoy calm sea. April is among the best time to make holidays to these islands: mild sunshine, lovely temperatures, calm sea. All sea exploration tours, water sport activities and boat tours should operate smoothly as planned.
Below you can find more details about the weather in Vietnam in April 2023
1/ First week of April, 2023
In first few days of April 2023, the Northeast and lowlands of Northern Vietnam experienced drizzles, uncomfortably damp air, fog.
Part of the Northwest of Vietnam (Dien Bien, Lao Cai), part of the North of the Central Coast of Vietnam (Nghe An, Ha Tinh), of the mid Central Coast (Quang Binh) underwent high-temperature days.
The Central Highlands and South of Vietnam had some unseasonal showers which helped much with brief nice temperatures and much needed water for agriculture.
The regional weather was as follows:
- Northeast : sun, clouds, 21-31oC ;
- Northwest : clouds and sun mostly, some isolated rain in Hoa Binh, 21-32oC mostly , 20-37oC in Dien Bien and Lao Cai ;
- Lowlands in Northern Vietnam : sun, clouds, drizzle, wet air for the first three days, 23-33oC ;
- North of the Central Coast : clouds, sun, 23-33oC in part, 24-36oC in the others ;
- Mid Central Coast to the north of Hai Van : sun, clouds, 24-34oC mostly, 28-37oC in Quang Binh;
- Mid Central Coast to the south of Hai Van : sun, some isolated rain, 24-33oC ;
- South Central Coast (Quy Nhon – Nha Trang): clouds, sun 24-33oC ;
- South Central Coast ( Phan Rang-Thap Cham to Phan Thiet : sun, 24-34oC in Phan Rang, 24-32oC in Phan Thiet;
- Central Highlands : sun, rain, 21-34oC, 22-35oC in Buon Ma Thuot ;
- Southern Vietnam : sun, showers, 24-33oC mostly, 26-36oC in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh.
At the end of the first week of April 2023, air troughs with high temperatures grew and caused high temperatures in several places in Northern Vietnam (including the lowland), in part of the Central Highlands and in Southern Vietnam. The temperatures were above 35oC in many places.
2/ Second week of April, 2023
The second week started with the growing high temperature air troughs causing hot temperatures in several places from the North to the South. In the Northeast and lowland of Northern Vietnam, the high temperatures put an end to the moist air.
The hot temperatures in the Northeast and lowland of Northern Vietnam lasted for nearly two days when there was a new spell of cool Northeasterly Wind on 8-April. The wind was strengthened soon after arrival and lovely temperatures were found in all of Northern Vietnam again.
Most of the Central Coast enjoyed nice weather after the arrival of the cool Northeasterly Wind. So did the Central Highlands.
The South of Vietnam continued April with hot temperatures over 35-36oC in several places like in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh...
The sea was rough mostly all over Vietnam as the impact of the Northeasterly Wind including the region near Con Dao Islands and Phu Quoc Island.
The regional weather was as follows:
- Northeast : clouds, short light rain, 17-26oC ;
- Northwest : sun, some isolated rain, 18-28oC mostly , 21-38oC in some places in Son La, Dien Bien and Lai Chau ;
- Lowlands in Northern Vietnam : isolated short-lived light rain, clouds, 20-28oC ;
- North of the Central Coast : clouds, sun, 21-31oC ;
- Mid Central Coast to the north of Hai Van : sun, clouds, 23-33oC mostly, 26-38oC in Quang Binh ;
- Mid Central Coast to the south of Hai Van : sun mostly, some clouds, 23-31oC ;
- South Central Coast (Quy Nhon – Nha Trang): some isolated rain, clouds, sun, 23-33oC ;
- South Central Coast ( Phan Rang-Thap Cham to Phan Thiet : sun, 23-34oC ;
- Central Highlands : sun, 19-34oC mostly, 21-37oC in places in Buon Ma Thuot City and Dak Lak;
- Southern Vietnam: sun, showers, 24-34oC mostly, 26-37oC in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh.
3/ Third week of April, 2023
From 9-April the cool Northeasterly Wind weakened and the humid Southeasterly Wind strengthened. The Northeast and lowland of Northern Vietnam started having very moist air with light rain. The Northwest of Vietnam was influenced by the air trough and foehn wind which caused hot temperatures.
North of the Central Coast and the Central Coast to the north of the Hai Van Pass had areas with moist air and some areas with hot and dry temperatures. The Mid of the Central Coast to the south of the Hai Van Pass enjoy sunny days with mild temperatures.
The Central Highlands had dry weather with pleasant temperatures mostly and hot temperatures in some places. The South of Vietnam had hot temperatures over 36oC.
From the evening of 14-April, the hot air troughs expanded and showers were found in the Northeast and lowland of Northern Vietnam. The North had dry weather from the 15-April with some places having high temperatures (35-37oC).
The Central Highlands and South of Vietnam started having heavy showers which provided much needed fresh water. The rain caused the temperatures to lovely levels putting an end to a heat strike.
The regional weather was as follows:
- Northeast : sun, clouds, isolated rain, 21-31oC ;
- Northwest : clouds, sun, some isolated rain, 21-31oC in Hoa Binh and Yen Bai, Lai Chau ; 22-37oC in Dien Bien, Son La, Lao Cai ;
- Lowlands in Northern Vietnam : clouds, sun, 22-32oC ;
- North of the Central Coast : sun, clouds, 23-33oC ;
- Mid Central Coast to the north of Hai Van : sun, clouds , isolated rain, 24-24oC in Hue ; 28-37oC in Quang Binh and Quang Tri ;
- Mid Central Coast to the south of Hai Van : clouds, sun, 25-34oC ;
- South Central Coast (Quy Nhon – Nha Trang): clouds, sun 25-33oC ;
- South Central Coast ( Phan Rang-Thap Cham to Phan Thiet : sun, clouds, 25-33oC ;
- Central Highlands : showers, sun, clouds, 22-33oC ;
- Southern Vietnam: showers, sun, 24-33oC mostly, 27-36oC in Tay Ninh.
4/ Fourth week and last days of April, 2023
The fourth week of April 2023 started with a heat strike across the Northwest, the Central Coast and the South of Vietnam with high temperatures of 38-40oC. The Northeast and lowlands of Northern Vietnam enjoyed mostly pleasant weather with sun and breezes. The Central Highlands enjoyed much needed rain and pleasant temperatures.
There were hails in Huong Hoa (Quang Tri) and Tam Ky, Tra My (Quang Nam).
Regional weather during the first heat wave in Vietnam in 2023
- Northeast : sun, clouds, 24-34oC mostly;
- Northwest : sun, 22-36oC i n Son La, Dien Bien ; 24-39oC in Lao Cai ; 23-33oC in Hoa Binh, Yen Bai and part of Lai Chau ;
- Lowlands in Northern Vietnam : sun, clouds mostly and dry, breezes, 20-33oC ;
- North of the Central Coast : clouds, sun, showers, 25-33oC mostly, 26-36oC in Ha Tinh;
- Mid Central Coast to the north of Hai Van : sun, clouds, rain, 26-39oC in Quang Binh ; 26-36oC in other places ;
- Mid Central Coast to the south of Hai Van : sun, clouds, showers, 24-34oC ;
- South Central Coast (Quy Nhon – Nha Trang): sun, 26-34oC ;
- South Central Coast ( Phan Rang-Thap Cham to Phan Thiet : sun, clouds, 26-36oC in Phan Rang, 26-34oC in Phan Thiet ;
- Central Highlands : sun, clouds, rain, 20-35oC mostly, 20-37oC in part of Kon Tum and Dak Lak;
- Southern Vietnam: sun, 26-36oC in the Mekong Delta, 27-38oC in Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong and Bien Hoa.
Late afternoon on 24-April, there was a weak spell of the cool Northeasterly Wind which affected Northeast and lowland of Northern Vietnam and which caused a day with rain and the temperatures turned pleasant. The cool wind affected the North of the Central Coast and Mid of the Central Coast to the north of the Hai Van Pass 1-2 days later creating some rain in these regions. The South of Vietnam continued with an unusual hot time.
Regional weather after the arrival of the cool Northeasterly Wind on 24-April
- Northeast : clouds, isolated rain, 17-27oC;
- Northwest : clouds, rain, 20-31oC i n Lao Cai, Son La, Dien Bien ; 24-39oC in Lao Cai ; 18-28oC in Hoa Binh, Yen Bai and part of Lai Chau ;
- Lowlands in Northern Vietnam : clouds mostly, isolated rain, 20-30oC ;
- North of the Central Coast : clouds, isolated rain, 21-30oC mostly;
- Mid Central Coast to the north of Hai Van : sun, clouds, rain, 24-36oC in Quang Binh ; 24-34oC in other places ;
- Mid Central Coast to the south of Hai Van : sun, clouds, isolated showers, 24-33oC ;
- South Central Coast (Quy Nhon – Nha Trang): sun, clouds, isolated rain, 25-33oC ;
- South Central Coast ( Phan Rang-Thap Cham to Phan Thiet : sun, clouds, 26-35oC ;
- Central Highlands : sun, clouds, rain, 20-35oC mostly, 22-37oC in part of Dak Lak;
- Southern Vietnam: sun, 26-35oC in the Mekong Delta, 26-37oC in Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai.
On 29-April there was a new spell of the cool Northeasterly Wind in Northern Vietnam causing showers and cool temperatures across the region. The wind started having impact on the North of the Central Coast and the Mid Central Coast 1-2 days later.
Regional weather after the arrival of the cool Northeasterly Wind on 29-April
- Northeast : clouds, rain, 17-27oC;
- Northwest : clouds, rain, 20-30oC.
- Lowlands in Northern Vietnam : clouds mostly, isolated rain, 23-29oC ;
- North of the Central Coast : clouds, rain, 22-29oC mostly;
- Mid Central Coast to the north of Hai Van : sun, clouds, rain, 24-34oC in Quang Binh ; 24-31oC in other places ;
- Mid Central Coast to the south of Hai Van : sun, clouds, isolated showers, 24-30oC in Da Nang 24-33oC in others;
- South Central Coast (Quy Nhon – Nha Trang): sun, clouds, isolated rain, 26-32oC ;
- South Central Coast ( Phan Rang-Thap Cham to Phan Thiet : sun, clouds, 26-34oC ;
- Central Highlands : sun, clouds, rain, 20-30oC mostly, 2036oC in part of Kon Tum, Dak Lak;
- Southern Vietnam: sun, 26-34oC in the Mekong Delta, 27-37oC in Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai.
In the evening of 29-April, there was torrential rain in different places in the Northeast and Northwest of Vietnam causing regional floods: Cao Bang (Dam Thuy-85mm), Yen Bai (Van Chan-130mm), Lao Cai (Pho Lu-75mm), Phu Tho (Tho Son-85mm), Son La, Lai Chau. Several places were temporarily flooded: Sapa, Lao Cai City...
Strong gusts of wind destroyed several houses in these two regions: Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Dien Bien.
