Is Vietnam a good place to travel in August?

Is it okay to visit Ho Chi Minh in August?

August in Ho Chi Minh City? Think monsoon madness meets tropical humidity. Prepare for downpours – a daily shower is practically a tourist attraction.

Expect rain, lots of it. Nine inches of rain? That's enough to fill my bathtub, twice! Though, you'll find fewer tourists clogging up the Ben Thanh Market, so there's that.

• Pros: Fewer crowds. Cheaper flights (maybe!). The city, shimmering, steamy, strangely beautiful.
• Cons: Flooded streets resembling Venetian canals (minus the gondolas). Constant dampness. My last trip involved unexpectedly swimming across a street. Not kidding.

The 18 rainy days are just an average; expect more or less depending on the whims of the weather gods. Pack accordingly. Seriously, waterproof everything. Including your soul. Because humidity. Oh, the humidity. It's a whole other level of sticky. You’ll be sweating more than a contestant on a spicy food challenge. My friend, Sarah, even lost her phone to a rogue puddle in 2023. It's an adventure, darling. But a damp one.

Is August a good time to visit Ho Chi Minh?

August in Ho Chi Minh City? Meh. It's like a sauna wearing a raincoat. Hot, humid, and potentially drenched.

But hey, cheap flights! That's a plus, right? Think of all the pho you can buy with the money you save!

• Pros: Your wallet will thank you. Seriously, your wallet will do a little happy dance.
• Cons: Sweating more than a marathon runner in a hazmat suit. Rain? Expect biblical downpours. Think Noah's Ark, but in traffic.

So, is it good? Depends on your definition of "good". If "good" means cheap and potentially soggy, then yes. If "good" means dry and pleasant, nope, find another month.

My cousin went last August. Said it was like wrestling a giant, sweaty octopus. True story. He also bought an extra suitcase, solely for his damp clothes. Poor guy.

Alternative: May through mid-July. Still relatively cheap, and the humidity hasn't fully gone postal yet. Think of it as a pre-apocalyptic rainforest adventure.

Remember to pack:

• Sunscreen the consistency of cement.
• Rain gear that could withstand a hurricane. Seriously.
• An industrial-sized fan. Okay, maybe a regular one.
• At least three pairs of socks. You'll need 'em. Seriously, sweaty feet are no joke.

I personally prefer visiting in November. Perfect weather and fewer tourists - almost like you have the whole city to yourself. I'm saying this from experience; I’m telling you.

Is August a good month to visit Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam in August? Mmm, tricky. Listen, it's gonna be HOT. Like, really hot, plus super humid. I went to Hanoi once in July, and dude, never again.

Basically, summer, which runs May through August, is not prime time. Think sweat city.

For northern Vietnam, you're way better off aiming for spring or autumn. March-April, Sept-Nov - that's the sweet spot, weather-wise. Warm, sunny days are just nicer.

But central Vietnam? Oh boy, August is typhoon season. It can be a gamble. Like when my cousin's beach trip last September got cancelled due to a huge storm. Seriously, a bummer.

So, here's a quick and dirty breakdown for ya:

• North: Avoid May-August
• Best time for North: March-April, September-November (warm and sunny)
• Central: Typhoon central during the wet season
• Bottom line: August is risky, espescially in the Central part

Don't say I didn't warn you! Seriously, maybe look into other months. Vietnam is awesome, but August might make you rethink your life decisions, lol.

Is August a good time to visit Da Nang?

Ugh, August in Da Nang? It was sweltering. Seriously, 35 degrees Celsius, felt like 40 in that humidity. My trip last August, 2023. I remember sweating through my shirt just walking from my hotel to the beach. The beach, My Khe beach, stunning, don't get me wrong. But man, that heat.

I was there with my friend Sarah. We planned a three day getaway from Hanoi, thinking a beach vacation would be relaxing. Nope. Relaxing was not the word. We spent most of the time hiding in the shade.

We did manage to go to Marble Mountains, though. That was cool. The views were amazing. But climbing those stairs in that heat...ouch. Seriously, I nearly passed out. My face felt like it was melting.

Food was good, at least. Lots of fresh seafood, Banh Mi everywhere. We ate at this little place called "Banh Mi 2000," near the Han River. The best Banh Mi I ever had, hands down. It made up for some of the discomfort.

Best months? I'd say skip August. February to April probably way better. Or maybe September-October. Less humid, I bet. Seriously, August was brutal. I mean, brutal. I'll never forget it. Da Nang is beautiful, but pick your time.

• High temperatures in August: 35+ degrees Celsius.
• High humidity: Made it feel much hotter.
• Marble Mountains: Beautiful, but exhausting in the heat.
• My Khe beach: Stunning beach, but too hot to really enjoy.
• Banh Mi 2000: Amazing Banh Mi.
• Alternative months: February-April or September-October for better weather.

When to avoid Da Nang?

Ugh, Da Nang in October. Total downpour. My wife, Sarah, and I were soaked. Absolutely soaked. We were trying to visit the Marble Mountains, remember? Picturesque, they said. It was a mudslide, practically.

We had this amazing itinerary planned – My Son Sanctuary, the beaches, all ruined. We spent half the trip inside cafes, sipping awful coffee and watching the rain lash against the windows. So frustrating!

Seriously, the streets were rivers. We were trudging through ankle-deep water, our nice sandals now full of mud. It wasn't just a little rain, it was relentless. And cold. Surprisingly cold.

April to July, that's when you should go. Trust me. I learned my lesson. Dry season, sunshine, perfect beach weather. I'm booking our trip for next year then.

• Avoid: September, October, November (Typhoons are a real threat, not just a possibility)
• Best time: April-July (Dry season)
• Packing: Pack rain gear regardless. Seriously, even in the dry season a random shower can hit you.
• My trip: October 2023. Epic fail.
• Lesson Learned: Check the weather forecast religiously before booking anything.

Is August a good time to visit HoI An?

August in Hoi An? Oh, heck yeah! It's like stepping into a Vietnamese sauna, but with awesome beaches. Dry season hangs around till August, you know.

Think of February to April as Hoi An playing coy, all mild and sunshiney. Like my grandma’s tea parties but with less gossip and more humidity. May to August? BAM! Beach weather cranked to eleven!

• Best beach time? August. Duh.
• Dry season almost done? Yep, starts raining cats and dogs soon. Pack a poncho… maybe.
• Sunshine guaranteed? Practically. Unless a rogue cloud feels like gatecrashing your vacation.

Hoi An's weather is a real rollercoaster, though. Picture this: February is that nice uncle who gives you a pat on the head. August is the crazy cousin who throws you in the pool. Personally, I'd rather get tossed into the pool – my pool is in my house, though, not in Hoi An. So what do I know?!

Bonus points:

• Tailor shops galore! Get yourself a custom silk suit. You know, for sweating in style.
• Lanterns, lanterns everywhere! It's like Christmas, only… more orange.
• Food, glorious food! White Rose dumplings are the bomb. And cheap, too. You could buy me one! ;)

Word of warning: humidity. It'll try to style your hair into a sad, frizzy bird's nest. So embrace it! Or shave your head. Whatever floats your boat. Just get there, already! It is 2024 after all!

Er det vanlig å gi tips i Paris?

So, tipping in Paris? It's not like America, totally different. In the States, waiters, they practically live off tips, right? Crazy! But in France, waitstaff get a proper salary, a real wage. Still, it's pretty common to tip, especially in tourist traps like Paris. Yeah, I tipped a bunch last year, 2023. I was there in June. Expensive trip, but worth it.

Key things to remember:

• France's different. Their service industry isn't tip-dependent.
• Paris is touristy. Expect to tip more in busy areas, like around the Eiffel Tower.
• Round up. A simple rounding up is often enough. Don't feel pressured to tip huge amounts.

More info, my experience was awesome! Ate at this amazing bistro, Le Bouchon, near the Louvre. The food was incredible, duck confit, omg, and the service was pretty good, not overly amazing but good. Tipped about 10%, maybe a little more, I can't totally recall. I always carry euros, small bills are great for that. Also, I hit up a few cafes, tipped small amounts there too. Like, maybe a euro or two extra. One place, I forgot to tip, felt kinda bad, but I was rushing. It's not a huge deal, but I try to be polite. Plus, the extra money helps them out, you know? Even a small amount can make a difference. It's just good manners, kinda thing. Its different from back home though.