The Best Time to Visit Ninh Binh and Tam Coc
The picturesque province of Ninh Binh is an enchanting escape from Vietnam’s bustling cities. Towns like Tam Coc and Trang An are the tourist centers where people stay to discover the area’s limestone mountains, rice fields, and rivers. Because the main attractions of Ninh Binh are all outdoor sights and activities, it’s important to visit at the right time so that your plans aren’t impacted by rain, flooding, or other bad weather conditions.
The best time to visit Ninh Binh is during the dry season, from November to April. Within that timeframe, the ideal months are April and May, when it’s warm but not too hot.
You should avoid the rainy season, which lasts from May to October. During this time, there’s heavy rainfall, flooding, and muddy roads. If you decide to visit during this time, make sure you’ve got high-quality raingear and know that your sightseeing plans may change.
Keep on reading to get a better idea of the weather for each season and what temperatures to expect each month.
Spring (February to early April)
Spring is the best season for a trip to Ninh Binh and Tam Coc. Starting in February, temperatures slowly increase, averaging between 61°F to 84°F (16°C to 29°C). The spring provides the most comfortable conditions for seeing all the sights. Plus, the greenery is at its peak, with blooming flowers and lush landscapes creating the loveliest backdrop for walks, biking, and boat rides.
Visiting Ninh Binh at the beginning of spring also gives you the opportunity to experience the Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival. The festival starts on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, which occurs in late January or early February, and “lasts until the end of the third lunar month.”
Also, the Trang An Festival is “held annually on the 18th day of the 3rd lunar month.” The three-day festival honors Saint Quy Minh, the national hero who protected the country under the reign of the 18th Hung King. For three days, there are dragon processions, incense offering ceremonies, singing performances, and folk games.
Summer (late April to late August)
Summer in Ninh Binh brings warm, humid weather with temperatures ranging from 68°F to 95°F (20°C to 35°C). While the days can be hot and sometimes rainy, this can still be a good time to visit as long as you don’t mind the conditions. Because of the rain, the landscape turns into vibrant shades of green. Lotus flowers bloom from late June to July, and golden rice fields are harvested during May and June.
Autumn (September to November)
As summer winds down, fall arrives with more comfortable temperatures ranging between 66°F to 88°F (19°C to 31°C). The humidity and rain decreases, as the area shifts from rainy to dry season. This is a popular time to visit because of the comfortable weather conditions. You still get to experience the lush landscape from summer rains while escaping the sweltering heat that makes outdoor activities exhausting.
The fall is also when farmers harvest rice, so this is another opportunity to see Ninh Binh at peak harvesting activity. Just don’t arrive too late in the season. By November, all the rice has been harvested.
Winter (December to early February)
Winter in Ninh Binh is dry and mild, with temperatures ranging from 60°F to 75°F (16°C to 24°C). Even though it’s the coolest time of the year, it’s actually an ideal time for exploring all the sites. Wear layers and have a warm jacket, and you won’t mind the chill.
Because the fall is a popular time to visit, there are fewer tourists in the winter – another great reason to see Ninh Binh at this time. The quietness was noticeable when I visited in January. The homestay where I stayed had very few guests during the five days that I was there. My 8-bed dorm room was never full and the private guesthouses were empty.
Average monthly high and low temperatures
To give you a better idea of how cold and hot it can get in Ninh Binh throughout the year, here are the average high and low temperatures for each month (as provided by Weather Spark).
| January | 69°F – 60°F (21°C – 16°C) |
| February | 71°F – 61°F (22°C – 16°C) |
| March | 76°F – 63°F (24°C – 17°C) |
| April | 84°F – 68°F (29°C – 20°C) |
| May | 89°F – 75°F (32°C – 24°C) |
| June | 91°F – 79°F (33°C – 26°C) |
| July | 91°F – 80°F (33°C – 27°C) |
| August | 90°F – 79°F (32°C – 26°C) |
| September | 88°F – 77°F (31°C – 25°C) |
| October | 86°F – 72°F (30°C – 22°C) |
| November | 81°F – 66°F (27°C – 19°C) |
| December | 75°F – 61°F (24°C – 16°C) |
Once you’ve decided on when to visit Ninh Binh or Tam Coc, the next step is to figure out what you want to see and do. Use my one-day Ninh Binh itinerary to make sure you get to all the must-see sights.
More resources for traveling Vietnam
- How Long to Stay in Ninh Binh
- Ninh Binh 1 Day Itinerary: Top Sights and Activities
- How to Get to Ninh Binh From Hanoi, Sapa, Hue, and More
- 13 Best Restaurants in Tam Coc and Ninh Binh: Where to Eat
- 10 Best Foods in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc You Have to Try
- 5 Best Hostels and Homestays I Stayed at in Vietnam
