Phan Thiet weather month by month in 2026

Data: climatestotravel.com, weather-atlas.com, climate-data.org and Vietnam's NCHMF. Current as of 03/2026.

February is the driest month (just one wet day); October is the wettest (200 mm, 17 rainy days). From November to March the northeast wind picks up — the kitesurfing season. Humidity runs from 74% in winter to 84% in August. The climate in Mui Ne is nearly identical, with only minor differences; there is a separate Mui Ne weather guide. Across the year there are about 129 rainy days. For tropical Southeast Asia, that is remarkably low.

Dry and rainy season in Phan Thiet

There are two clear seasons: dry (November to April) and rainy (May to October). April and November are transitional, when the weather shifts character. Bình Thuận is one of the driest provinces in Vietnam, so even in the "wet" season it stays drier than most of the country's resorts.

Dry season (November to April)

Almost no rain: across six months you get roughly 100 mm total — less than Nha Trang sees in a single October. Days are 30–34°C, nights 21–25°C.

There is a catch, though. From November to March the northeast monsoon blows in, peaking December to February: the wind kicks up waves, the sea gets choppy, and evenings can turn cool. That same wind is what makes Mui Ne a kite capital — more on that below.

💬 "November through March, Mui Ne turns into a wind machine — reliable thermals almost every afternoon. It's the reason kiters plan their whole season around it, but pack a light layer for the cool, breezy evenings." — traveller reports, r/VietnamTravel, 2025

March and April are the comfort peak. The wind drops, the waves settle, the water is 26–28°C. For a family beach holiday, there is no better window.

Rainy season (May to October)

Rain falls mostly in the evening and overnight, and rarely settles in for a whole day. The usual pattern: a downpour for 30–60 minutes, then sun again. The peak is September and October (190–200 mm, up to 18 wet days).

Summer's main downside is red algae. From June through August it fills the near-shore water at Mũi Né, turning it murky and brownish. You can still swim, but it doesn't look great.

The year-round average is 28°C. The rainy season here is mild: showers are short and don't get in the way of the beach.

Sea temperature in Phan Thiet by month

You can swim all year: the water never drops below about 25°C even in the "coldest" months. The maximum is nearly 30°C in May, just before the rains.

In winter (January–February) swimming is comfortable, though the wind on the way out of the water makes it feel cooler. From March to October the sea holds a steady 26–29°C. In summer (July–August), algae appears around Mui Ne — better to pick beaches further east. Full month-by-month figures are in the table above.

Source: seatemperature.org. Current as of 03/2026.

In winter the water feels cooler because of the wind — stepping out at 25°C feels like 20. March and April are ideal: calm sea, 26–28°C, great for snorkelling and kids. Summer holds a steady 28°C, but the Mui Ne algae spoils the picture — pick beaches further east.

Best time to visit Phan Thiet

For the beach and swimming — March and April: hot (33–34°C), water 26–28°C, almost no rain, the wind gone. May–August also works if you want a calm sea. For kitesurfing — November to March (peak December to February), when the wind blows reliably. On a budget — May–June or October. For the beaches one by one, see the Phan Thiet beaches guide.

November is the transition. The rain is on its way out, the wind hasn't fully arrived yet. If you want both the beach and reasonable prices, this is the sweet spot.

💬 "November is a great start to the dry season — practically no rain, and highs of 31–32°C. Crowds haven't returned yet, so it's one of the quieter, better-value windows." — traveller reports, Tripadvisor, 2025

Phan Thiet weather month by month

January – February

The heart of the dry season. Days are 30–31°C, nights 21–22°C — you can sleep without the AC. Almost no rain: two days in January, one in February. Humidity 74–76%, among the lowest of the year.

Wind. The signature feature of winter in Phan Thiet is the northeast monsoon. It holds a steady 18–30 knots, and along the open Mui Ne coast it is stronger still. The sea is choppy with 1–2 metre waves. Paradise for kitesurfers; not the best call with small children.

Water 25°C. Swimming is fine, but after a warm shower back at the hotel the sea feels cool, and the wind makes it feel cooler still. The upside: not a cloud in the sky. You tan fast — SPF 50+ is a must.

With kids, better to pick March or April: the winter waves and wind genuinely get in the way. But in January–February every kite school is running, and hotel rates sit a touch below the New Year holiday peak.

March – April

The best months for the beach. The wind eases, the waves settle, days hit 33–34°C and the water is 26–28°C. Rainfall is 15–30 mm (2–4 wet days). April is the hottest month: an average of 34°C that feels like a full 38 in the sun.

The sea is calm, clear and algae-free. Snorkelling, kayaking, the dunes — all on the table. It is ideal with small children: a gentle entry, no currents, water at 28°C.

It is high season, so prices peak — but so does the weather. Planning your first trip to Vietnam? March–April in Phan Thiet is a great place to start.

May – June

The rains begin. Days are 33–34°C — May ties April for the hottest month. The rain is still moderate: 100 mm a month, usually in the evening. Mornings are sunny, so you get the beach until lunch. By early afternoon clouds gather, and by 4–5 pm a downpour can hit.

Late May sees algae appear off Mui Ne. By June the shore turns brown. The wind drops and the sea goes flat as a lake — good for SUP and kayaking. Tip: pick a hotel east of Mui Ne or closer to central Phan Thiet, where there is less algae.

Prices fall. A room at 2,000,000 VND (~$80) in March costs 1,200,000–1,400,000 VND (~$48–56) in June. For a budget trip, this is the moment.

July – August

Mid-rains. Rainfall is 150–160 mm, 16–17 wet days. But don't be scared off: a tropical downpour isn't all-day drizzle. It comes down in a wall for half an hour, then the sun is back. You still get time to tan and swim.

The problem is red algae. From June through August the Mui Ne shore is coated in a brown mass. The water is murky and has a distinct smell. It is a natural event driven by the southwest monsoon and warming water — it clears by September.

💬 "From June to August the sea around Mui Ne fills with red algae and turns murky — it's the single biggest downside of summer here." — traveller reports, Tripadvisor, 2025

Air 32°C, water 28°C, humidity up to 84%. The AC is non-negotiable. On the upside, accommodation hits its lowest rates of the year.

September – October

Peak rain. 190–200 mm, up to 18 wet days. October is the wettest month. Downpours can drag on for hours and sometimes fall during the day.

But there is a plus: the algae is gone and the water is clean. Days are 31–32°C, water 28°C. Tourist numbers bottom out and so do prices. If the rain doesn't put you off, you can cut your budget in half.

By late October the rain eases, and November opens with clear skies. Arrive in late October and you catch the switch into the dry season — the first clear, cloudless sunsets.

November – December

November is the transition. Rain still shows up (120 mm, 10 days) but is fading. Days are 31°C, water 27°C. By month's end it clears. A sleeper pick: the crowds haven't returned, the rain is nearly done, prices are moderate.

December kicks off high season. Rainfall is 40 mm (5 days). The northeast wind returns (15–25 knots) and the sea gets choppy. Kitesurfers arrive, prices creep up. By New Year, rooms cost 1.5–2 times more.

December evenings can turn cool — 22°C. A light jacket or cardigan won't hurt. Daytime is sun and 30°C, with no hint of winter.

Kitesurfing and wind in Mui Ne

Mũi Né sits alongside Tarifa and Cabarete in the world's top-three kite spots. The season runs November to March, with the wind peaking December to February. It is cross-shore — angled to the beach, ideal for kiters: a steady 15–25 knots, with gusts past 30 in midwinter.

Dozens of kite schools line the Mui Ne coast. A lesson with an instructor runs from 1,500,000–2,000,000 VND (~$58–77) for two hours. Gear rental starts around 800,000 VND (~$31) a day. For spots, schools and prices in detail, see the Mui Ne kitesurfing guide.

From May to October the wind dies down to 10–14 knots. The sea is calm — good for SUP, kayaking and ordinary swimming. In this window kite schools either close or switch to teaching beginners in the lagoons.

What to pack for Phan Thiet

Dry season (November to April)

• Light cotton clothing, shorts, sundresses
• A windbreaker or jacket — December–February evenings are cool (21–22°C)
• SPF 50+ sunscreen — the sun is fierce; you can burn in 30 minutes
• Hat and sunglasses
• A rash guard — for kitesurfers and snorkellers
• Water shoes — beaches have shells and rocks in places

Rainy season (May to October)

• A rain jacket or folding umbrella — showers are short but heavy
• Quick-dry clothing — ordinary cotton takes hours to dry at 80%+ humidity
• A waterproof phone case — essential
• Mosquito repellent — there are far more of them after the rains
• Sunscreen — between showers the sun burns just as it does in the dry season

Year-round

• A small kit: painkillers, antihistamine, something for an upset stomach
• Cash in VND — small notes for markets and street food. Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants, but stalls are cash-only
• A plug adapter (types A/C are used; a universal adapter covers you)

What to do in Phan Thiet when it rains

A rainy day isn't a write-off. Phan Thiet has plenty to do under a roof and between showers. Tried-and-tested options with prices:

1. Bình Châu hot springs — mineral baths an hour's drive away. Entry from 150,000 VND (~$6). Mud treatments, spa, hot-water pools.
2. Spa and massage — dozens of parlours along Mui Ne and in the centre. An hour's massage from 200,000 VND (~$8), a spa package from 500,000 VND (~$20).
3. The Tháp Pô Sah Inư Cham towers — an 8th-century temple complex on a hill overlooking the town. Entry 15,000 VND (~$0.60). An hour or two is enough.
4. The Kê Gà lighthouse — one of the finest in Southeast Asia, built by the French in 1899. The boat out there is from 50,000 VND (~$2).
5. The Whale Temple (Vạn Thủy Tú) — home to a 22-metre whale skeleton. Entry is free.
6. The fishing harbour — watch the catch come in and buy seafood straight off the boat. Prawns from 150,000 VND (~$6) a kilo.
7. Local markets — fruit, souvenirs, clothes. Try the street food: bánh căn, bánh xèo, grilled seafood.
8. Shopping — Co.opmart and local shops for anything you forgot to pack.
9. Cooking classes — learn to make phở, bánh mì and spring rolls. From 400,000 VND (~$16) for 2–3 hours.
10. Golf — Sea Links Golf & Country Club, NovaWorld Phan Thiet. A round from 1,500,000 VND (~$58). They play in the rain too — the showers are short.

FAQ about Phan Thiet weather

When is the best time to visit Phan Thiet?

It depends on your goal. For the beach, March–April is ideal: 33–34°C, calm sea, minimal rain. Kitesurfing — November to March, peak December to February, wind 15–25+ knots. The dry season overall is November to April. On a budget — May–June: prices 30–50% lower, and the short rains don't spoil the morning beach.

What is the weather like in Phan Thiet in February?

The driest month: 3 mm of rain, one wet day. Days 31°C, nights 22°C, water 25°C. Peak wind at 18–30 knots, waves 1–2 metres. Great for sunbathing and kiting; for swimming with kids, better to wait for March.

When is the rainy season in Phan Thiet?

May to October. The peak is September and October (190–200 mm). Rain falls mostly in the evening and overnight, with sunny days. The year total is about 1,070 mm — noticeably less than at other Vietnamese resorts.

What is the sea temperature in Phan Thiet?

From about 25°C in February to nearly 30°C in May. Comfortable to swim year-round. In winter the water feels cooler because of the wind, but it never really drops below 25°C. Warmest in April–May (28–29°C), with a calm, clear sea.

Can you swim in Phan Thiet all year round?

Yes. The water never drops below 24°C. But winter brings waves and wind, and summer (June–August) brings red algae in Mui Ne. The most comfortable months are March–May and November: warm water, calm sea, no algae.

How does Phan Thiet weather compare to Nha Trang?

Phan Thiet is drier: about 1,070 mm a year versus 1,300–1,800 mm in Nha Trang. Nha Trang's rainy season starts earlier and lasts longer (peak October–December). Phan Thiet is windier in winter — it is the kitesurfing capital.

Data current as of March 2026. Prices and conditions can change — double-check before your trip.