Vietnam's+Climate

Eastern Vietnam is along the coastline on the Gulf of Tonkin and the South china Sea. It has a tropical monsoon type of climate. From around May through September, the South monsoon sets in, and the country is controlled by South to the Southeasterly winds. However, from October to April, the North monsoon sets in, and Vietnam is dominated the North to the Northeasterly wind. There also is a transition period between the monsoons, where the wind is light and easily changed.

Vietnam has one single rainy season, which is during the South monsoon (May-September). Rain fall is rare and light during the remainder of the year. For the coastal areas and the parts of the central highlands facing Northeast, the season of maximum is during the South monsoon. These areas receive torrential rain from typhoons which come in from the South China Sea during the time of year. The weather around that time is cloudy with a constant, frequent drizzle of rain. However, during the North monsoon, norther Vietnam has occasional, light rain, while the Southern Vietnam usually is dry and sunny.

Temperatures tend to be high all year for Central and South Vietnam, but Northern Vietnam has had a cooler season when the North monsoon takes place, because it creates cold air from China. Occasionally, on the highest mountains, some frost and snow may occur, a few days a year. In the Southern Vietnam, the lowlands are sheltered from outcome of the cold air and the dry season is hot and warm all year.