Autumn, from September to early November, is considered the best season of the year in Vietnam. It is full of charm and offers diverse experiences across the country. Traveling to Vietnam this season, you can admire stunning landscapes and immerse yourself in the cool, pleasant climate and fresh, clean air. Let’s explore the top 06 experiences in Vietnam in Autumn with HandspanTravel Indochina!

Through this blog post, you will find the following pieces of information.

Enjoying the romantic Autumn atmosphere in Hanoi

Enjoying the romantic Autumn atmosphere is one of the most exciting experiences in Vietnam in Autumn. Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is the most beautiful in Autumn. During the Autumn months, Hanoi’s weather is extremely delightful with medium temperatures, making autumn a popular time for tourists to visit the city. The sky is clear, and the sunlight is not as strong as in summer anymore. 

Hanoi streets in Autumn

Besides the flavor weather climate, Hanoi in Autumn is also appealing with stunning sceneries. The streets are flooded with falling yellow, red, and orange leaves, creating a picturesque and romantic atmosphere. The city becomes a canvas of warm and inviting hues. Walking around Hanoi's crowded streets in autumn days, you will catch up with various street vendors selling different types of flowers. The scenic beauty of Hanoi in autumn offers great chances to take stunning photos. If you are a photography enthusiast, don’t miss out on the opportunity to travel to Hanoi in autumn to capture stunning images.

Hoan Kiem Lake in Autumn

Hanoi in Autumn offers tourists various exciting experiences. Strolling through the Hanoi Old Quarter is one of the amazing things to do in Hanoi this time. Hanoi Old Quarter is worth visiting at any time of the year. However, it becomes more brilliant during the autumn months. The narrow streets are full of colorful foliage, creating a charming atmosphere. You can wander through the bustling markets, visit ancient temples, and try local street food while enjoying the picturesque surroundings. 

Falling leaves in Autumn

Overall, enjoying the charming scenery of Hanoi is among the most wonderful experiences in Vietnam in Autumn. For more reasons to visit Hanoi this time, please refer to our blog post here: Why should you travel to Hanoi in Autumn? 

Admiring stunning golden rice fields in the Northern mountains

Admiring stunning golden rice fields in the Northern Mountains is one of the most memorable experiences in Vietnam in Autumn. When autumn comes, the brilliant golden rice fields spread across the terraced fields, creating a breathtaking natural landscape. Let’s explore some ideal destinations to admire the golden terraced rice fields in Vietnam. 

Sapa

Sapa is one of the most famous destinations for seeing terraced rice fields in autumn. The most picturesque terraced fields in the region can be found along Muong Hoa Valley, Cat Cat Village, Thanh Kim, Thanh Phu, Ta Van, Lao Chai, and Ta Phin. The climate in Sapa during Fall is very pleasant, a bit chilly in the early morning, warm in the afternoon, and gradually cooler in the evening. In addition to the golden rice fields, visitors can visit many other famous landmarks such as Fansipan Peak, stone church, Cau May Old Town, Love Waterfall, and some hidden corners that remain unknown to most travelers.

Terraced rice fields in Sapa

Harvesting season in Sapa

Mu Cang Chai

Mu Cang Chai, a mountainous district in Yen Bai Province, is also an ideal place to see the yellow terraced rice fields in Vietnam. Traveling to Mu Cang Chai this time, you will have a chance to admire the ripening rice fields arranged in layers, spreading across the hills. Tu Le, Lim Mong Village, Che Cu Nha, Khau Pha Pass, La Pan Tan, Pu Nhu Waterfall, and Mo Waterfall are some best spots to see the rice fields in Mu Cang Chai. Coming here, you can go trekking or paragliding for the most comprehensive experience.

Terraced rice fields in Mu Cang Chai

Ha Giang

Enjoying the ripe rice season in Ha Giang is among the most impressive experiences in Vietnam in Autumn. From September to October, the rice fields in Ha Giang turn into a brilliant yellow, creating a majestic and poetic scene. Famous for its terraced fields stretching across the mountainsides, Hoang Su Phi is a destination not to be missed during the ripe rice season. Villages such as Ban Phung, Nam Ty, and Thong Nguyen are all places with the most beautiful terraced fields. Besides Hoang Su Phi, Xin Man also possesses majestic terraced rice fields. Coming here in Autumn, you can admire the golden color of ripe rice mixed with the green of the mountains and forests, creating a harmonious and vibrant natural picture. 

Golden terraced rice fields in Ha Giang

Terraced rice fields in Hoang Su Phi

Pu Luong

Pu Luong is a mountainous region surrounded by primary forests and with a pleasant climate all year round. September and October are the two most beautiful months for ripening rice, attracting a lot of photographers. The most spectacular field stretches from Ban Hang along Highway 15 to Eo Ken and Kho Muong village. Although the paddy fields in Pu Luong are small, they have a special beauty due to the surrounding green mountains. 

Terraced rice fields in Pu Luong

In general, admiring stunning golden terraced rice fields is among the exciting experiences in Vietnam in Autumn. This is not only about enjoying the beauty of nature but also an opportunity to immerse yourself in the simple, genuine life of the highland people, bringing cultural and spiritual experiences. Refer to our tour packages here to explore the beauty of the terraced rice fields. 

Immersing yourself in the peaceful and quiet beauty of Hue

Hue in Autumn is impressive with its ancient space and poetic nature. This is the ideal time to explore the ancient capital with cool, pleasant weather and less rain than other seasons. Immersing yourself in the peaceful and quiet beauty of Hue; therefore, becomes one of the most appealing experiences in Vietnam in Autumn. Coming to Hue this time, don’t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy these activities below. 

Enjoying the Perfume River’s scenery (Huong River)

The Perfume River is extremely stunning in Autumn. You can stay on a boat flowing on the river and watch the green trees on both banks. This is a great way to relax and feel the tranquility of Hue. 

Huong River 

Visiting ancient tombs 

Autumn with its cool weather is very suitable for exploring the tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty kings. These works not only have beautiful architecture but also bring a quiet, quiet space, very suitable for the autumn atmosphere. The Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam existed from 1802 to 1945 with 13 kings. However, due to many historical reasons, only 7 royal tombs of the Nguyen Emperors in Hue still exist today. They are Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Duc Duc, Dong Khanh and Khai Dinh. Each of the seven royal tombs of the Nguyen Emperors in Hue has their architectural characteristics and profound philosophies about life.

Minh Mang Tomb

Khai Dinh Tomb

For further information about these tombs, please refer to our blog post here: Exploring the royal tombs of the Nguyen Emperors in Hue.

Strolling around the Hue Imperial Citadel

Hue Imperial Citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving the history and culture of the Nguyen Dynasty. In autumn, the stone-paved roads in the Citadel are covered with deciduous trees, creating a nostalgic and romantic space. Strolling around the grounds, you will feel the ancient atmosphere and majesty of the Hue royal palace.

Experiencing spiritual and meditative space

Combined with spiritual culture, health tourism in Hue is increasingly developing. Visitors can participate in relaxing spa treatments and mineral mud baths at resorts such as Alba Wellness Resort, which uses local natural mineral resources.

Visiting Dalat in Autumn

Dalat in autumn has a romantic and peaceful beauty, making this city of thousands of flowers an ideal destination for those who love nature and enjoy the fresh air. Therefore, visiting Dalat this time is undoubtedly among the most amazing experiences in Vietnam in Autumn. Let’s explore some things to do in Dalat in Autumn with Handspan!

Admiring the brilliant yellow wild sunflowers

Autumn is the season of wild sunflowers in Da Lat. Visiting Dalat this time, you will catch up with fields of wild sunflowers blooming on the hillsides and roads, creating a beautiful and wild scene. 

Wild sunflowers in Dalat

Exploring majestic waterfalls in Dalat

Dalat has various waterfalls. Some of the most popular and attractive waterfalls in Dalat include Pongour Waterfall, Prenn Waterfall, and Datanla Waterfall. One of the most attractive waterfalls in Dalat that visitors want to explore is the Pongour waterfall. The waterfall is also known as a "seven-story waterfall" because it flows through a 7-story stone system with an altitude of nearly 40 meters. The ancient forest of 2.5 ha surrounds the Pongour Waterfall with a rich and diverse flora and fauna ecosystem. 

Datanla Waterfall

Besides Pongour Waterfall, Datanla Waterfall is also impressive. It is located in the middle of Prenn Pass, about 10 kilometers from the city center. Coming to the waterfall, you will be astonished by the poetic landscape. In addition, the waterfall also impresses tourists with different activities here, such as roller coaster rides, high rope courses, kayaking through the fall, etc.

Joining outdoor activities

Dalat’s weather climate in Autumn creates a flavor condition to join outdoor activities. The mountains and pine forests in Da Lat are ideal destinations for trekking and climbing activities. Lang Biang and Phuong Hoang Mountain are two popular destinations where visitors can enjoy the natural beauty from above. Besides trekking, you can also go boating or camping here. 

Lang Biang trekking route

In general, with pleasant weather and various activities offered, visiting Dalat in Autumn is indeed among the most amazing experiences in Vietnam in Autumn. So what are you waiting for? Let’s prepare your luggage and travel to Dalat this Autumn!

Walking around the old town under the lanterns in Hoi An

Hoi An in Autumn has a charming, peaceful, and ancient beauty. This is the ideal time to explore the ancient town with a pleasant climate, not too hot like summer or too humid like winter. Walking around the old town under the lanterns in Hoi An is one of the most fascinating experiences in Vietnam in Autumn. 

Glistening lanterns in Hoi An

At night, the Old Town of Hoi An is glistening with colorful lanterns. Handcrafted lanterns, with delicate motifs, are hang along the narrow streets, creating a shimmering, magical space. This is a very typical scene of Hoi An, especially in the fall when the air is cooler, bringing a sense of peace and relaxation. You can walk along streets like Nguyen Thai Hoc and Tran Phu to capture beautiful moments amidst the ancient atmosphere and shimmering light of lanterns. 

Visiting Hoi An this time, besides admiring stunning lanterns, you can also join in releasing flower lanterns on the Hoai River. This is a unique cultural feature of Hoi An. Small, pretty flower lanterns with shimmering candlelight are released on the river, creating a romantic and peaceful scene. You can buy these lanterns from street vendors along the river and release them into the water themselves, wishing for good things.

Releasing flower lanterns in Hoi An

Exploring the beautiful natural scenery in the Mekong Delta region

Autumn is an ideal time to visit the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Exploring the beautiful natural scenery of the region is also one of the most wonderful experiences in Vietnam in Autumn. This destination is famous for its beautiful natural scenery, vast rivers, and unique culture of the river region. Below are some exciting things to do in the Mekong Delta region in Autumn. 

Exploring the Cai Rang Floating Market

Cai Rang Floating Market is among the most well-known floating markets in the region. It is at the junction between the Cai Rang and Hau River branches near the Cai Rang bridge. The market is not only a vibrant trading place for local people but also an appealing attraction for tourists. In 2016, it was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, becoming the pride of local people. Previously, the Cai Rang Floating Market sold mainly agricultural products. Each boat only specialized in selling a certain type of product selling in large quantities. However, thanks to the development of trading and tourism, the market is now a retail market with diverse products like food, daily items, houseware, essential goods for life, souvenirs for locals and tourists, etc.  

Cai Rang Floating Market

Dropping in Mekong Delta Orchards

The Mekong Delta region is not only famous for floating markets and interlaced rivers and canals but also for vast green fruit gardens with different types of fruits, such as mango, grapefruit, star apple, longan, rambutan, etc. Coming here in Autumn, you can visit famous fruit gardens in Ben Tre, Tien Giang, or Can Tho and enjoy fruit right in the garden. 

Joining a cruise trip

By joining a cruise trip, you can explore the area’s picturesque landscapes, vibrant culture, and unique way of life. Cruise trips typically navigate through the intricate network of waterways, including narrow canals and larger rivers, allowing you to witness the daily activities of residents along the riverbanks. For a unique experience, consider joining a sunset or night cruise. 

In conclusion, you have just known about the top 06 best experiences in Vietnam in Autumn. If you want to have any support, book a tour package, or tailor-make your itinerary, please do not hesitate to contact our team.