Vietnam stretches over 1,600 kilometres from north to south, and the country's weather does not behave as a single system. Understanding regional patterns is essential for planning a golf trip that avoids the monsoon, the typhoon season, and the periods when heat and humidity make morning rounds uncomfortable rather than enjoyable. This guide covers each region and gives honest month-by-month guidance for golfers planning their first or second visit.
Northern Vietnam (Hanoi and Surrounds)
Hanoi has a subtropical climate with four distinct seasons — which separates it from the tropical conditions of central and southern Vietnam. The key months for golf:
- October-November: Mild temperatures (20-25°C), low humidity, clear skies. Arguably the best weather in Hanoi. Course conditions are excellent.
- December-January: Cool and occasionally misty. Temperatures can drop to 15°C or below on some days. Golf is playable but the overcast grey days of January can feel underwhelming.
- February-March: The weather begins to improve from mid-February. Temperatures climb toward 20-24°C and the mist becomes less frequent. By early March, Hanoi is genuinely pleasant for outdoor activity. This is the ASEAN Links departure window — arriving in Hanoi in late February gives you the city at a transitional point between cool-grey winter and clear spring.
- April-May: Warming quickly. April can still be excellent. May begins to see humidity building.
- June-September: Hot, humid, and prone to heavy rainfall. Not recommended for golf.
BRG Kings Island Golf Resort near Hanoi is best played in the October-November or February-March windows. The island lake setting means the course can produce significant moisture in cool winter months, but by late February the fairways are in good condition.
Central Vietnam (Da Nang, Hoi An, and Lang Co)
The central coast — where Vietnam's finest golf courses are concentrated — runs on a different weather calendar from the north. The dry season here spans February through August, with the sweet spot being February through April:
- February-March: The ideal months. Temperatures of 24-28°C, low humidity, clear skies, and the coastal breeze that characterises the links-style courses without creating unplayable conditions. Course conditions are at their peak. This is the window the ASEAN Links tours are built around.
- April-May: Slightly warmer and beginning to feel the pre-summer heat build. Still very good conditions, with April being excellent.
- June-August: Hot (35°C+) and increasingly humid. Golf is possible but early morning starts are essential. These months see fewer international visitors but the courses remain open and maintained.
- September-January: Avoid. The northeast monsoon brings consistent rainfall and occasional typhoon activity to the central coast between October and January. Course conditions can be significantly affected, and the beach conditions that form part of the Da Nang experience disappear.
The practical implication for the Da Nang circuit — Montgomerie Links, Ba Na Hills, Laguna Lang Co, Hoiana Shores — is that February to early May represents the reliable playing window, with February-March being the clear first choice.
Why February-March is the Sweet Spot for a Full Vietnam Itinerary
A north-to-south Vietnam itinerary — beginning in Hanoi and finishing on the central coast — benefits from the February-March timing because both regions are in acceptable to excellent condition simultaneously. This window is narrow: too early (December-January) and Hanoi is grey and cold; too late (April onwards) and the central coast begins to warm beyond comfortable golf temperatures.
February-March offers the intersection: Hanoi emerging from winter into clear spring weather, the central coast in peak dry-season condition, and the shoulder period before the summer tourist surge that affects both hotel availability and course demand. The ASEAN Links departure dates — the Vietnam: North to Coast tour beginning March 2 — are calibrated precisely to this window.
Cambodia Timing: Aligned with the Vietnam Window
For golfers combining Cambodia with Vietnam on the Grand ASEAN Tour 2027, Cambodia's dry season (November to April) aligns almost perfectly with Vietnam's optimal window. February is typically Cambodia's clearest, driest month — ideal conditions for both golf and temple exploration. The Angkor Wat sunrise, which the tour builds in as a centrepiece experience, is at its most spectacular in clear February skies.
Contact the team on WhatsApp (+84 70 327 1844) or at aseanlinksgolf@gmail.com to discuss timing for your specific travel requirements.