People pack for Ho Chi Minh City's heat and forget the rain. From May to October it rains on 26 to 30 days a month, usually as a hard afternoon downpour that can flood streets fast and then stops. Pack light clothes that dry fast, shoes that can get soaked, and a way to keep your phone and passport dry.
Ho Chi Minh City weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 32°C90°F | 34°C93°F | 36°C97°F | 36°C97°F | 34°C93°F | 32°C90°F | 31°C88°F | 32°C90°F | 31°C88°F | 31°C88°F | 31°C88°F | 32°C90°F |
| Low | 22°C72°F | 23°C73°F | 24°C75°F | 26°C79°F | 26°C79°F | 25°C77°F | 25°C77°F | 25°C77°F | 24°C75°F | 24°C75°F | 24°C75°F | 23°C73°F |
| Rain days | 4 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 26 | 27 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 17 | 10 |
Season by season
Dry season
December–FebruaryThis is the easy window. Highs of 32–34°C (90–93°F), lows of 22–23°C (72–73°F), and only 4 to 10 rain days a month, with December the wettest of the three. It's still hot, so pack breathable cotton or linen and sunscreen, but you'll rarely need rain gear.
Hot season
March–AprilThe hottest stretch of the year, with 36°C (97°F) highs in both months and lows of 24–26°C (75–79°F). March gets just 3 rain days, and April starts to turn with 10. Do the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta trips in the morning and spend the afternoon somewhere with air con.
Wet season
May–AugustRain arrives fast. May gets 26 rain days and July 30, with highs of 31–34°C (88–93°F). Showers usually hit in the afternoon, so carry a light rain layer and a waterproof pouch, and wear shoes you don't mind wading in.
Rainy season
September–NovemberSeptember and October stay just as wet, with 30 and 29 rain days and 31°C (88°F) highs. November eases off to 17 rain days, which makes it the shoulder month worth aiming for. Pack the same kit as the summer months, plus a dry bag for any boat trip on the Saigon River.
What to bring to Ho Chi Minh City
0 of 21 packed- Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Packing CubeBags & Luggage
A TPU cube with welded seams and a waterproof zipper rated to 1 m for 30 minutes keeps your passport and phone dry when a downpour catches you on the back of a motorbike.
- Sawyer 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion, 4 ozHealth & Safety
Mosquitoes come with the territory here, especially on Mekong Delta trips, and this 20% picaridin lotion is rated for up to 12 hours and is safe on synthetic clothes.
- Bearwind S40 Portable Handheld Turbo FanTech & Power
When it's 36°C (97°F) in March and you're waiting at a street-food stall with no shade, a handheld turbo fan is the quickest way to cool down. Plan to recharge it mid-trip, because the battery lasts a few hours on high.
- Hydro Flask 24 oz Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Straw CapWater Bottles & Hydration
TempShield insulation keeps drinks cold for 24 hours, which you'll want in a city where the high never drops below 31°C (88°F).
- Crocs Classic ClogFootwear & Shoe Care
Wet season streets flood fast, and a closed-cell foam clog doesn't care about puddles and slips off in a second at the pagoda door.
- Pacsafe GO Anti-Theft Tech CrossbodyDocuments & Security
Bag and phone snatching from passing motorbikes is a well-known risk here, so keep your phone in a crossbody with a steel-wire-reinforced strap and lockable zip pullers, not in your hand at the curb.
Vietnam's A, C and F sockets all take this adapter's sliding US and EU plugs, and its 3 USB-C and 2 USB-A ports charge everything at once, though it isn't a voltage converter.
Clothing
- Quick-dry lightweight shirts · 5Hot and humid year-round
- Light long pants or midi skirt · 2Cover knees at pagodas
- Shoulder-covering top or scarf · 1Pagoda dress code
- Packable rain poncho · 1May–Oct, rain on 26–30 days a month
Footwear
- Waterproof sandals · 1 pairStreets flood fast in downpours
- Breathable sneakers · 1 pair
Gear
- Wide-brim sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Compact umbrella
Health and toiletries
- SunscreenMar–Apr highs of 36°C
- Anti-diarrhea medicine
- Oral rehydration salts
Documents and money
- Passport and visaCheck current visa rules before you go
Tech
- Phone with Grab appFor motorbike taxis and cars
What shoes should you pack for Ho Chi Minh City?
Sandals or clogs you can get wet, plus one pair of breathable sneakers. Sidewalks in District 1 are full of parked motorbikes, broken tiles and food stalls, so you'll walk in the street a lot, and in wet season that street might be ankle-deep. You'll also take your shoes off at many pagodas and homes, so easy on and easy off wins.
What do people wear in Ho Chi Minh City?
Light and loose. Locals often wear thin long sleeves and long pants on motorbikes to block the sun, and shorts and T-shirts are fine around town. Cover shoulders and knees for pagodas like the Jade Emperor Pagoda, and dress up a little for rooftop bars in District 1.
What plugs does Ho Chi Minh City use?
Vietnam uses type A, C and F plugs at 220V. A universal adapter with US and EU plugs covers all three. Check that your chargers say 100-240V before you plug in, because 220V can damage a 120V-only gadget.
Tours and things to do in Ho Chi Minh City
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Ho Chi Minh City.
What should you leave at home for Ho Chi Minh City?
Leave heavy jeans and anything that takes a day to dry, because in this humidity it won't. Skip the big umbrella too. Ponchos are sold everywhere and work far better on the back of a motorbike taxi.
Around Ho Chi Minh City
Packing for Ho Chi Minh City: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City for weather?
December to March is the driest stretch, with 3 to 10 rain days a month. March and April are the hottest, with 36°C (97°F) highs.
What should I wear in Ho Chi Minh City in the rainy season?
Quick-drying clothes, sandals that can get wet and a light rain layer. From May to October it rains on 26 to 30 days a month, usually in the afternoon.
Do I need to cover up in Ho Chi Minh City?
Not on the street, where shorts are normal. At pagodas and temples, cover your shoulders and knees.
What plug do I need in Vietnam?
Vietnam uses types A, C and F at 220V. A universal adapter with US and EU plugs fits, but it won't convert voltage.
How hot is Ho Chi Minh City?
Hot every month. Highs stay between 31–36°C (88–97°F) all year, and lows never drop below 22°C (72°F), so pack for sweaty afternoons whenever you go.
Prices change often — the price on the retailer’s page is the one you pay.