The Best Time to Visit Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta is one of the most mysterious and fascinating destinations in Vietnam. It encompasses a large portion of southeastern Vietnam of 39,000 km2. The region covered by water depends on the season.

To explore the Mekong, there are many options for visitors. You can cruise along mangrove-lined riverways, or cycle under the coconut palms or experience the real life of locals at a homestay – whichever experience you’re for, be prepared to enjoy every moment until the last second. With the beauty of fruit orchards, rice fields, and hospitable people, Mekong Delta has no shortage of things to explore for visitors. 

So when to visit Mekong River Delta for the best vacation? Refer our guide on Mekong Delta weather and best time to visit Mekong Delta.

Mekong Delta Weather Overview

The climate in Mekong Delta is affected by both the southwest and northeast monsoons. Mekong Delta weather is hot all year round with the temperatures fluctuating between 25 and 28°C. There are a few days of the year that the temperature in the delta is below 20°C . 

In general, there are two seasons in the Mekong Delta: the dry season and the rainy one. Wet season floods and dry season saline intrusion are two of the main hydrologic problems of the Delta. These also affected to travel experiences of tourists.

Below we go into details to see what pros and cons of visiting Mekong Delta in each season.

1. The dry season (November to April)

The dry season lasts from November to April, with February to May time being a little bit hotter and more humid, with less, even nearly no rain. Dry season is considered as the preferred travel time.

During this season, the flow in the Mekong River is insufficient to prevent saline intrusion and extensive salinization of waterways happens in the lower Delta. The entire Ca Mau peninsula in the southwest area of the Delta is salinized for about 6 months during dry months because there is insufficient freshwater flow in the river to displace saline intrusion from the southwestern area of the Delta. 

2. The Rainy Season (May to early November)

The wet or rainy season lasts from May to early November, with July and August having the highest rainfall level of the whole year. The rain comes in short but heavy showers, happens mostly in the afternoon and just lasts for one hour or so.

It is said that the climatic factors of the area are very suitable for developing almost all types of agriculture. The weather is great for intensification and cultivation. Even during the wet season from May to early November, Mekong Delta can be visited too. 

Month	High/Low (°C)	Rain
January	33°/ 18°	0 days
February	34°/ 18°	1 days
March	36°/ 24°	8 days
April	35°/ 24°	14 days
May	35°/ 26°	27 days
June	34°/ 25°	13 days
July	32°/ 24°	22 days
August	30°/ 23°	24 days
September	30°/ 22°	20 days
October	32°/ 22°	10 days
November	31°/ 20°	2 days
December	31°/ 17°	0 days

What is the Best Time to Visit Mekong Delta?

As a general rule, the peak and low season in Mekong Delta is determined by seasonal weather.

1. Visiting Mekong Delta in Peak Season (October to February)

Dry season seems to be the peak season in Mekong Delta. And, the best time to visit Mekong Delta is from October to February, when the weather remains mostly pleasant. During this time, the region is beautiful with lush sky, various vegetable types and calm rivers, and most beaches and other places of tourist interest are packed with visitors, and it is easy to see why.

One can expect very pleasant daytime temperatures of 28°C, dropping by 3-4 degrees at night time. The humidity is less, making it the best time to explore the region. From January to February, the flowers in the Delta are in full bloom. It rarely rains during these months.

 The chaotic life in the delta is laced by water and season. It is most vibrant in the late months of the dry season with different types of fruits and flowers. That will be the best time to visit the region, in particular, and other sites nearby like Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam, in general. 

It will probably be hot and humid during June to September, yet this weather condition will give a diversity of tropical fruits and flowers. 

Mekong Delta is the most crowded during this time, and the most expensive. You can expect accommodation to be booked up well in advance, and for there to be large crowds at the different attractions. 

During the high season, there are many attractions and events. The regular attractions around Mekong Delta will be very busy with tourists, so try to book tours and activities ahead of time as well. 

2. Visiting Mekong Delta in Low Season (March to September)

From March to September is usually considered a low season for tourists; therefore, a few tourists find their way in the delta during this off-season. Even though the weather at this time is not necessarily perfect, you still have advantage of more favorable prices and fewer tourists.  It is a much more authentic experience. 

3. Visiting Mekong Delta in “Floating Season” (August to October)

“Floating season” in Mekong Delta, when the weather level is rising and the rivers and canals expands, takes place from the 7th to the 9th lunar month of the year. 

The annual floodwaters carry a huge amount of nutrient-rich alluvium to the farmland and provide lots of fish, shrimp as well as other aquatic species. It also marks the beginning of tourist season in Mekong delta.

If you are a foodie, then floating season is a good time for you to taste various dishes made from the signature veggies and herbs of the season, including hot pot of Linh fish and Dien Dien flowers, tiny shrimp, crispy Linh fish fried with Dien Dien flowers.

4. Visiting Mekong Delta During Festivals

When you are deciding on when to go to Mekong Delta, it is worth taking a look at the calendar of annual festivals, so that you could perhaps plot them on your trip itinerary.

The most important festival in Vietnam and also in Mekong Delta is Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. It lasts for 07days sometime between the last week of January and the 3rd week of February. On this occasion, family members gather to celebrate and there is a typical party-like atmosphere in the cities, including Mekong Delta region, with colorful decorations adorning most streets, glorious fireworks displays filling the sky and the scent of incense floating in the air.

There are some famous Mekong Delta festivals, namely:

• Ba Chua Xu Festival: from the 23rd to 27th of April on the lunar calendar),
• Ok-Om-Bok Festival (aka Moon Offering Festival): on the 15th of October in the lunar calendar,
• Chol Chnam Thmay Feitival (The New Year Holiday of Khmer people): in the mid-April in the solar calendar,
• Binh Thuy Temple Festival: on the 14th and 15th of December in the lunar calendar
• Whale Festival: on the 9th and 10th of January in the lunar calendar
• Coconut Offering Festival: on the 15th of February in the lunar calendar
• Cow Racing Festival: from August 19th to September 1st in the lunar calendar

The Mekong River delta in Vietnam is a unique region featured with typical tropical weather. Knowing in detail about weather through our Mekong Delta Weather Guide and Best Time to Visit Mekong Delta will help you prepare the best for your trip.