We are planning a 3 week family trip NEXT June 2011. We want to fly to Singapore to visit cousins and then from there travel to Cambodia and Vietnam. It appears to be monsoon season then in both VN and Cambodia. Is this a silly thing to do or is the rain just for a few hours a day and you can work around it?

We can only travel during the summer b/c of school.

Thanks.

No, you'll be fine. I've been to both in June/July and only got wet occasionally! June is at the start of the wet season. My daughter lives in Cambodia and says September is the wettest month in Siem Reap.

On the up side there are fewer tourists and you may be able to get better deals on hotels.

If you have any other questions I am sure that there will be somebody here that will know the answer.

Enjoy your trip.

If you can fight against the heat, things gotta be fine as silverwool said.

Take a look at one of the weather sites. I use www.weatherbase.com Check the historic weather data for each city you plan to visit. That will give you an idea of what you'll be dealing with.

thanks for your help. This makes me feel better about this as a destination at that time of year.

In Vietnam I found that although it does rain, it will rain at the same time every day, and it will pour not just rain, pack a small umbrella and a few pairs of shoes that can dry out easily. Try and stay at a hotel with a pool, this will help at the end of a long and hot day. If you are going to Sapa, the weather will be significantly cooler, and not as smoggy.

I found that you visit the temples in Cambodia early in the morning and you avoid some of the heat. And again try and get a hotel with a pool. Stay downtown Siem Reap where there are great and cheap restaurants and four dollar foot massages, which at the end of a hot day are fabulous, my kids who were 9 and 6 loved them.

Quote from travelfish.org:

Southern Vietnam, including the Mekong Delta, sees most of its rainfall between May and October, peaking in June.

Northern Vietnam gets the wet from May to October, with August being the wettest month.
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Without a doubt it does rain here and there during your 3 week vacation in Vietnam or elsewhere worldwide, my opinion is that just make the most of your time and enjoy whatever you can.

Cheers

Hi KirstenChuck
I've been in Cambodia a couple of time and vietnam once. First time in siem reap in June not much rain that's probably the beggining of raining season it was humid and hot. Occasionally rain in the evening while i was there. Raining from May-October.

Bring umbrella and raincoat with you most of the time especially the tour in Angkor Park. One more thing keep your room close and cool at night time, to avoid from mosquito bothering you.

We went from north to south in June two years ago and very little rain. Quick downpour in a couple of places but most destinations sunshine and heat. Sapa was much cooler with some fog in the mornings.

In a couple of weeks we are heading to Vietnam again and travelling through the Mekong Delta and into Cambodia but we expect the weather to be wetter and more humid - will take an umbrella and sense of fun...will be less tourists as well.