Using the Vietnam weather radar
1. Map layers
- Rain & thunder: light blue is light rain, yellow is moderate, orange and red mean heavy showers or thunderstorms.
- Wind & typhoons: animated wind flows show tropical depressions and typhoon circulation over the East Sea.
- Temperature, waves and PM2.5: plan beach days, boat trips and outdoor exercise.
- Use the timeline at the bottom of the map to see the forecast for the coming days.
2. Weather seasons in Vietnam
- North (Hanoi, Sa Pa, Ha Long): hot, wet summers from May to September; cool, drizzly winters from December to February.
- Central (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang): dry and sunny from February to August; heavy rain, storms and floods from September to December.
- South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc): dry season from December to April; rainy season from May to November with short afternoon downpours.
3. Typhoon safety
- Follow local news and the NCHMF for official forecasts and warnings.
- Avoid boat trips and coastal or mountain roads when a storm is approaching.
- Charge phones and power banks; storms often cause power cuts.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the weather data come from?
The interactive map is provided by Windy and shows forecasts from the ECMWF (European) model, with radar and satellite layers. For official warnings in Vietnam, follow the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (nchmf.gov.vn).
When is the rainy season in Vietnam?
It varies by region. The north and south get most rain from May to October. Central Vietnam (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang) has its wettest months from September to December, when storms and floods are most common.
When is typhoon season in Vietnam?
Typhoons in the East Sea (South China Sea) are most frequent from June to November, peaking around September and October, and mainly affect northern and central coastal provinces.
Can I see air pollution in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City?
Yes. Choose the PM2.5 layer to see forecast fine-particle pollution. Air quality in Hanoi is usually worst from November to March.