Ho Chi Minh City · Month comparison
July vs February
February ranks #1 overall vs July at #11. Tết transforms the city — the driest month of the year meets Vietnam's biggest festival.
July
#11 of 12 months
Worth considering
Low season continues — indoor HCMC thrives while outdoor itineraries require flexibility.
- ↑Low prices and low crowds: the quietest international visitor month alongside August
- ↑Rooftop bars and indoor venues are atmospheric in the rain; Bui Vien bar street and the craft beer scene on Ly Tu Trong are fully operational regardless of season
February
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Tết transforms the city — the driest month of the year meets Vietnam's biggest festival.
- ↑Tết (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) typically falls in February — the most spectacular festival in Vietnam; flower markets, firecrackers, and the entire city in red and gold
- ↑9 sunshine hours a day and only 5mm of rain: the driest and sunniest month of the year
| Factor | July | February |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 3 | 9 |
| Value score | 8 | 4 |
| Crowd score | 3 | 7 |
| Events score | 5 | 10 |
| Atmosphere | 5 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 32°C | 34°C |
| Monthly rain | 290mm | 5mm |
| Daily sunshine | 4hrs | 9hrs |
July trade-offs
- ↓290mm of rainfall: outdoor itineraries require constant flexibility
- ↓Visa runs to Cambodia or Thailand are more miserable in wet season — border crossings at Moc Bai can flood
- ↓Some popular boat tours and Can Gio mangrove visits are restricted by river conditions
February trade-offs
- ↓Tết week means many restaurants, shops, and services close for 3–7 days — plan around this or embrace the shutdown
- ↓Hotel prices spike sharply around Tết; book 2–3 months ahead for any decent accommodation
- ↓Tết holiday creates domestic travel surge: bus stations, airports, and markets are chaotic in the week before the new year
Scores compare months within Ho Chi Minh City. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →