March’s weather is generally pleasant across the country, making it an ideal time for travel. The month of March also coincides with local festivals, adding to the festive atmosphere that makes this time of year special. With such diverse attractions, there are many best places to visit in Vietnam and discover all the country has to offer in this month.
For the flower season
1- Moc Chau – Ban Flower Season
The first destination to consider for a trip in March is Moc Chau, which is home to the Ban Flower Festival celebrated by the Thai ethnic people. The Ban Flower Festival in Moc Chau is typically held on the 5th day of the 2nd lunar month, which falls in March on the Gregorian calendar.
Visiting Moc Chau in March, you will be immersed in the lively atmosphere of the Ban Flower Festival with the sounds of drums and gongs. You will also have the chance to enjoy Thai cuisine and participate in various folk games such as the “ném còn” (throwing darts), archery contests, and the “bắn hoa mai” (shooting Mai flower), among others.
2- Sa Pa – Rhododendron Flower Season
If you’re flower fans, don’t miss the misty town of Sapa. This spot attracts tourists not only during the colder months with snow but also during the spring, when thousands of flowers from the Northwest bloom. The most spectacular sight is the blooming rhododendron, and the Rhododendron Flower Festival is usually held in March every year.
For enjoying nature and relaxing
1- Tay Nguyen
This place is located in Southern Vietnam with a plethora of destinations to see and explore. As you take time to explore the coffee making world of Vietnam at Buon Ma Thuot, do well to also visit Trung Nguyen coffee village to experience and learn the production of the real Vietnam coffee.
Explore Dray Nur waterfall with its amazing and refreshing ambience. Visit a nearby village called Ban Don to have a real interaction with the natives, as you experience the culture and tradition of the H’mong ethnic group. This tribe has what it takes to tame and control elephants, which they have been doing for a very long time.
2- Dalat
Dalat is one of the largest and most patronized by honeymooners. As March is considered to be arguably the best time to visit Vietnam. The place comes alive at night with its bustling city vibes evident in bars, markets and also adventure based landscapes like lakes, waterfalls, canyons and rainforests.
The Dalat town is flavored with French architecture reflecting the ancient French colonial rule and dominance. Aside from relaxing, there are many other destinations to explore like Bao Dai palaces, The valley of Love, Liangbiang mountain, Lam Vien square and Xuan Huong Lake.
3- Sapa
Beside the flower season, Sapa in March is quite suitable for exploring, hiking and other outdoor activities. Sapa is known as quite majestic and has a very rich culture as well as other scenic landscapes that attracts travelers from all over.
Experience trekking all the way to Hoang Lien Son mountain or better still, take on the real challenge of conquering the Fansipan Mountain which happens to be the highest peak in Indochina. Explore other local sceneries by moving through Cat Cat village all the way to Lao Chai, as you check out the amazing landscapes and sceneries. You can then proceed to experience the local life and culture of the people of Ta Giang Phinh village.
For exploring
1- Phong Nha Ke Bang
Central Vietnam opens up to this beautiful UNESCO Listed site known as Phong Nha. This site possesses limestones, caverns as well as the famous Hang Son Doong cave.
Standing at a whopping 200 meters, it is considered to be the largest cavern the world has seen and obviously one of the best places to visit in Vietnam in March. Consider swimming through adventure ponds and seeing wildlife as you prepare towards exploring the Phong Nha cave, Dong Thien Duong cave, Dark cave as well as the Chay river.
2- Hoi An
Hoi An’s temperature in March ranges between 21 and 29 degrees Celsius. This readily suggests therefore that March is arguably the best month to visit the place.
Walk or cycle through the pathways around the city to explore amazing scenic landscapes. Experience an array of lanterns that illuminate the entire place at night during the festival or at full moon of every month. You can ride a boat to witness its beauty as you pass through floating lanterns on the river.
Halong Bay
Thousands of visitors are attracted to its amazing turquoise waters, limestone mountains amidst the beautiful waters, karsts and caves that together create a wonderful sight to behold. Engage in numerous activities like riding a boat across the island to explore wonderful sceneries and landscapes.
Not too far from HaLong Bay is Bai Tu Long Bay which also has mind blowing scenery just as HaLong Bay, only that this place has way fewer visitors compared to HaLong Bay.
For festivals
1- Ninh Binh
There is a very big festival that happens in Ninh Binh every March called the Bai Dinh Pagoda festival. This festival is held at the Bai Dinh complex Pagoda which happens to be one of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia.
Witness some breathtaking traditional and cultural performances like incense offerings, dragon dances, and lion dances. The festival is climaxed with a lantern procession, with the lanterns being carried by pilgrims and monks round the temple grounds.
2- Buon Ma Thuot – Coffee Festival
The Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival, held in Buon Ma Thuot city in Dak Lak Province, is an exceptional event celebrating Vietnam’s rich coffee culture and promoting its local coffee specialties. This festival offers visitors a unique experience where they can enjoy free coffee and participate in various festival activities.
It is also a great opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of Vietnamese coffee. If you’re a coffee lover, this event is a must-visit as it allows you to fully immerse yourself in Vietnam’s coffee traditions and savor some of the best local brews.
Coffee Festival in Buon Ma Thuot
4- Elephant racing festival in Ban Don
Held in the third lunar month at Ban Don, the Elephant Racing Festival is a lively and unique event. You can have chances to see elephants from neighboring villages compete in various exciting activities such as racing, swimming, soccer, and tug-of-war.
The festival is a vibrant celebration of the region’s rich elephant culture and is accompanied by traditional music from gongs and drums, creating a festive atmosphere. If you’re in Dak Lak around this time, attending this festival offers a chance to witness a truly special part of Vietnamese heritage.
For unique activities
1- Halong Bay Cruise
Cruising is a popular activity to explore Halong Bay. While the views above water are breathtaking, the underwater world is just as stunning and shouldn’t be missed.
One of the highlights in Halong Bay is scuba diving and snorkeling. With an array of marine life and vibrant coral reefs, a trip beneath the water is an unforgettable experience. It’s amazing to see how well-preserved these creatures are. The waters are warm and calm in March, making it an ideal time for diving and snorkeling.
2- Photography at Hanoi Train Street
Built by former French colonizers, Hanoi train street is an intriguing attraction. This bustling railway line runs right next to residential areas, where locals have creatively turned spaces into cozy cafes.
Imagine sipping on a traditional egg coffee while a train rushes by just a few meters away. This attraction has become quite popular on social media and is a must-visit when traveling in March. However, be careful as the trains come through quite fast.
3- Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City
With comfortable temperatures and cool breezes, you can easily enjoy the vibrant nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City. The city offers something for everyone when it comes to evening entertainment. You can spend time at rooftop bars or try your luck at one of the major casinos.
For music lovers, local venues with jazz performances are perfect for a relaxed evening. Don’t miss the famous Ben Thanh Market. You can experience the lively atmosphere of the night market and satisfy your cravings at the street food stalls.
What to eat in Vietnam in March?
In March, you can enjoy simple yet delicious dishes like banh troi, banh chay, and com lam with roasted chicken, a flavorful dish from the mountainous regions of Northwest Vietnam. Banh troi and banh chay are traditional foods closely associated with the Tet Han Thuc, which falls in the third lunar month every year. These dishes are not only tasty but also hold significant cultural meaning, with various stories and explanations about their origins and significance.
March is also the season for some wonderful fruits. Among the most popular are the sweet and creamy vu sua and the fragrant hong xiem. Both fruits are delicious and perfect for a refreshing snack, making March an exciting time to explore Vietnam’s seasonal offerings.
