Stuffy and Hot like Sauna Rooms

July is one of the hottest months in Vietnam and the scorching weather conditions discourage your outings.

Resting in Shade in Hue Forbidden City

In the north like Hanoi, the daily highs in July are between 32 and 38 degrees Celsius (90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit), with extreme highs hitting 42℃ (108℉), while the daily lows range from 25 to 29℃ (77 to 84℉). When you reach the southern part, cities like Ho Chi Minh City also experience continuous high temperatures. During the day, the temperature ranges from 32 to 35℃ (90 to 95℉), while at night, it is between 25 and 27℃ (77 to 81℉).

Although the temperatures seem relatively low in the mornings and evenings, don’t expect these periods to be cool: the high humidity brought by the oceanic monsoon lingers in the air, making the apparent temperature even higher. Mornings and evenings leave your skin coated in a sticky dampness, far from refreshing; by midday, it’s like stepping into a sauna room, with thick, oppressive heat closing in.

Frequent Short-lived Showers

In July, most areas in Vietnam experience frequent rainfall, accompanied by the possible impact of typhoons, resulting in the highest precipitation of the whole year. For instance, in Hanoi, the average monthly rainfall is 288mm with 16 rainy days, while in Ho Chi Minh City, it is 294mm with 23 rainy days. Fortunately, most of the rain is short-lived showers that come and go quickly. Plan your itinerary flexibly by taking shelter at a roadside coffee shop for a beverage while waiting for the rain to subside, then resume your tour once conditions improve.

Vietnam in Rain

Of course, there are exceptions. Nha Trang is surrounded by mountains on three sides, which prevent most moist air from the sea entering. As a result, its rainfall is significantly less than that of other places. In July, the rainfall does not exceed 10mm and there are only 11 rainy days. Such weather conditions are unlikely to have a significant impact on your travel plans.

Intense Ultraviolet Rays

Although Vietnam is in the rainy season in July, the intensity of ultraviolet rays should not be underestimated. On sunny days when the sun is shining directly, it can soar to an extreme intensity of level 12. Such ultraviolet rays are extremely powerful and can cause the skin to redden and peel within just hours, resulting in obvious damage. Therefore, when going out, it is essential to take full sun protection measures.

Purple Forbidden City in Sunny Day