Vietnam in March 2026: weather, resorts and prices

Vietnam stretches 1,650 km from north to south, so in the same week the weather in Hanoi and on Phu Quoc can differ by 15 degrees. Below: the weather region by region with tables, a resort-by-resort comparison, sea temperatures and practical advice specific to March.

Data current as of March 2026. Sources: weather2travel.com, seatemperature.org.

Vietnam weather in March — map and summary table

Short answer: March works well across the whole country. The south and centre hit peak dry season (heat, calm seas, great beaches), while the north gets a mild spring — drier and less foggy than the winter months. The national average is about 24.5°C, but the spread between regions is huge: from 16°C in the mountains of Sapa to 35°C in Ho Chi Minh City. Rain is scarce almost everywhere except the highlands.

Green pins are worth the flight in March, amber ones work with caveats, red ones are better left for another month. Tap a pin for temperatures and rainfall.

• Nha Trang (Nha Trang): Day 29-32°C, sea 24-26°C — Rain: 2-3 days (30-40 mm) — Beach, diving
• Phu Quoc (Phú Quốc): Day 31-33°C, sea 28-29°C — Rain: 1-3 days (10-20 mm) — Beach, snorkelling
• Mui Ne / Phan Thiet (Mũi Né / Phan Thiết): Day 30-33°C, sea 25-27°C — Rain: 1-2 days (10-15 mm) — Beach, kitesurfing
• Da Nang (Đà Nẵng): Day 26-28°C, sea 22-24°C — Rain: 2-3 days (20-30 mm) — Beach + tours
• Hoi An (Hội An): Day 26-28°C, sea 23-24°C — Rain: 2-3 days (20-30 mm) — Beach + culture
• Ho Chi Minh City (TP. Hồ Chí Minh): Day 33-35°C — Rain: 2-4 days (10-15 mm) — Sightseeing, shopping
• Hanoi (Hà Nội): Day 24-26°C — Rain: 10-15 days (42-50 mm) — Sightseeing
• Ha Long (Hạ Long): Day 23-25°C, sea 21°C — Rain: 10-12 days (40-50 mm) — Cruises
• Da Lat (Đà Lạt): Day 22-24°C — Rain: 3-5 days (20-40 mm) — Trekking, tours
• Sapa (Sa Pa): Day 16-20°C — Rain: 12-15 days (80-100 mm) — Trekking
• Vung Tau (Vũng Tàu): Day 31-33°C, sea 26-28°C — Rain: 1-2 days (10-15 mm) — Beach
• Con Dao (Côn Đảo): Day 29-31°C, sea 27-28°C — Rain: 1-2 days (10-15 mm) — Beach, diving

Sunshine runs 6-8 hours a day in the south and 4-5 in the north. Rainfall ranges from about 14 mm in Mui Ne to 100 mm in Sapa. March is a transitional month: warming up in the north, and peak dry season in the south and centre.

The weather region by region

The south (Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet, Vung Tau, Con Dao) is hot and dry. Days hit 30-35°C, nights stay above 22°C. Rain is minimal — 10 to 20 mm for the month. Humidity of 65-80% is easier to bear than in summer, as the sea breeze helps. In Ho Chi Minh City you'll want air-conditioning in the room; sleeping at 26°C without it is rough.

The centre (Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue) is warm, sunny and at the tail end of the rains. Nha Trang sits at 29-32°C with only 2-3 rainy days. Da Nang is a touch cooler at 26-28°C but still comfortable. Hue is the dampest of the group (30-50 mm, up to 5-7 rainy days) but far less crowded.

The north (Hanoi, Ha Long, Sapa, Ninh Binh) is in spring, and it's the best time to come: after a damp winter it's warmer, drier and far less foggy. Days reach 22-26°C, nights 17-20°C. There's still some morning mist — atmospheric, just plan tours for the afternoon. There are 10-15 damp days, but the rain is drizzle, not a tropical downpour. In Hanoi an umbrella comes in handy without ruining the trip. March is also one of the best windows for a Ha Long cruise: clear air and good visibility. Sapa is the coldest: 16-20°C by day and down to 10°C at night, so a warm jacket is a must.

The highlands (Da Lat) have their own microclimate at 1,500 m. Days of 22-24°C are a pleasant break from the coastal heat; nights of 15-18°C call for a sweater. March is peak bloom here — the gardens burst with colour, which is one of the main reasons to come.

Early vs late March — is there a difference?

The difference is most noticeable in the north. Early in the month Hanoi sits at 22-24°C, chilly in the morning, so bring a light jacket. By month's end it's 25-27°C, sunnier, and the mist clears earlier. In the south you'll barely feel it: 31-35°C all month, almost no rain.

Nha Trang and Da Nang stay stable — early and late March are equally dry and warm. If you're choosing between the two halves, the north is better in the second; for the south and centre it makes no difference.

Can you swim in Vietnam in March?

You can swim at every beach resort in March. The warmest water is on Phu Quoc: 28-29°C, dead calm, great underwater visibility. Nha Trang sits at 24-26°C with a calm, waveless sea. Da Nang is 22-24°C — a bit cooler, but still comfortable for a swim. Ha Long is 21°C: fine for a sightseeing cruise, a little cool for a long swim.

For kids the best swimming is on Phu Quoc and in Nha Trang — shallow entry, calm water, clean seabed. In Mui Ne the waves make lazy splashing hard, but adults will love the kitesurfing.

Where to go in March — resorts compared

March is in season at every southern and central resort. The choice comes down to what you're after: a beach with full infrastructure, active watersports, cultural sightseeing or peace and quiet.

Beach and infrastructure — Nha Trang. English-speaking staff at most hotels, easy day tours and VinWonders across the bay.

Quiet beach — Phu Quoc: Bai Sao, white sand, a calm turquoise sea. Fewer tourists than Nha Trang, though the infrastructure is more modest.

Kitesurfing and windsurfing — Mui Ne: March is one of the best months, with steady winds. Kite schools operate right on the beach.

Sightseeing — the Da Nang + Hoi An + Hue loop over 3-4 days, or Hanoi + Ha Long over 4-5 days.

With kids — Nha Trang or Phu Quoc: gentle entry into the water, warm sea and plenty of family hotels with kids' clubs.

What to do in Vietnam in March

Beaches and watersports

• Diving in Nha Trang — visibility up to 20 m, water at 24-26°C, a try-dive from about 1,500,000 VND (~$60)
• Kitesurfing in Mui Ne — steady winds make March one of the best months. A lesson with an instructor from about 2,000,000 VND (~$80)
• Snorkelling off Phu Quoc — coral reefs in crystal-clear water; a group boat tour from about 500,000 VND (~$20)
• A motorbike run over the Hải Vân Pass (Da Nang to Hue) — one of the most beautiful mountain passes in Asia

Sightseeing and culture

Hanoi — the Old Quarter, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, the Temple of Literature and a water-puppet show. Nearby is Ha Long Bay, a 1-2 day cruise (March is one of the best months for it: little rain, no heat). A cruise runs from about 3,000,000 VND (~$120) per person for two days and one night.

Hoi An — a UNESCO living museum, tailor-made clothes in a day or two, and lanterns over the Thu Bồn river. Hue — the Imperial Citadel and the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty.

Da Lat — waterfalls, coffee plantations and flower gardens. Expect manicured parks and photogenic scenery.

If you're based in Ho Chi Minh City, the nearer Mekong Delta (My Tho, 70 km) offers boat trips and fruit orchards. The Cái Răng floating market is in Can Tho, better with an overnight stay. A day tour runs from about 700,000 VND (~$28).

What to do when it rains

In the south and centre, rain in March is rare: 1-3 days for the month, a short 20-30 minute shower. The north gets more damp days (10-15), but even there it's a fine drizzle. For a wet day:

• Spa and massage — from about 300,000 VND (~$12) for 60 minutes
• A cooking class — making phở bò and spring rolls, from about 500,000 VND (~$20)
• Museums — the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh Museum in Hanoi
• Covered markets — Bến Thành (Ho Chi Minh City), Dam (Nha Trang), Han (Da Nang)
• Hot springs — Yang Bay outside Nha Trang, Binh Chau outside Vung Tau: half-day trips out of town
• Vietnamese egg coffee — a Hanoi street-food classic

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Holidays and events in March

8 March is not a public holiday in Vietnam: banks, offices and museums stay open. But the day is hard to miss: streets fill with flowers, restaurants run special menus and shops hold sales — you can find deals on clothes and cosmetics. If you're travelling with a partner, it's a nice bonus.

Da Lat in March is a story of its own: the hill town is drowning in flowers, and in the evening the temperature drops to 15°C, so a warm layer is essential. Pair Da Lat with the coast — the bus to Nha Trang takes 4 hours and a ticket costs from about 200,000 VND (~$8).

How much a trip to Vietnam in March costs

March is high season at every beach resort in Vietnam. Hotel prices run 10-20% above the low season (June-September), and the popular places sell out 2-3 months ahead. On Phu Quoc and in Nha Trang the shortage of good 3-4 star hotels is felt from mid-February onward — if you're travelling in March, book early.

Accommodation per night

Phu Quoc is pricier than the other resorts: there are more new 4-5 star resorts and less budget accommodation. You can save on Phu Quoc by booking 3+ months ahead or picking guesthouses away from the beaches.

Mui Ne and Phan Thiet are the most budget-friendly options for a beach holiday: rooms cost 20-30% less than in Nha Trang, and the March beach season is every bit as good.

Return flights from Europe to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City run from about $500-800 depending on route and how early you book. Budget for food from roughly 500,000 VND (~$20) a day.

Prices current as of March 2026. Sources: Booking.com, Agoda, Skyscanner.

What to pack for March

March is a warm month, but the list depends on the region. For the south and centre, pack light. For the north and highlands, add a warm layer.

Clothing:

• Shorts, T-shirts, light dresses — the core of your wardrobe
• A long-sleeve shirt — for sun protection and temple visits
• A sweater or windbreaker — a must for Hanoi, Da Lat and Sapa in the evening
• Swimwear — at least two sets (at 70% humidity they dry slowly)
• Comfy sandals plus trainers for sightseeing

Protection:

• SPF 50+ sunscreen — the sun is fierce and you can burn in 30 minutes
• Mosquito repellent — especially for the south and rural areas
• A hat and sunglasses

Documents and money:

• A passport valid for at least 6 more months on arrival
• Some cash in USD to exchange — the rate is usually better than for other currencies
• A Visa or Mastercard for ATMs and card payments in cities; carry cash for markets and small stalls
• Check the visa rules for your nationality — many travellers apply for the e-visa online in advance

Don't overpack — clothing is cheap in Vietnam and laundries are on every corner (from about 30,000 VND / ~$1.20 per kg).

Fruit season in March

In March the markets hit the peak of tropical fruit season. Prices are lower than in winter and the selection is wider.

Buy fruit at local markets rather than tourist stands — the price difference is 2-3 times. The best fruit markets: Chợ Đầm (Nha Trang), Chợ Bến Thành (Ho Chi Minh City), Chợ Hàn (Da Nang).

Common mistakes on a March trip

Not booking a hotel in advance. March is high season. Two weeks out, the decent 3-star places in Nha Trang are already gone. What's left is either pricey 5-star hotels or guesthouses with so-so reviews.

Skimping on SPF. The March sun is fierce — a UV index of 8-11. You can burn in 30 minutes, even on a cloudy day. Reapply SPF 50+ every two hours.

Changing money at the airport. The rate at Cam Ranh or Tan Son Nhat airport is 5-10% worse than at city exchange counters. Bring USD and change it in town, or use ATMs, which usually give a fair rate.

Frequently asked questions