SE Asia in March?
 

Hi there. Does anyone know whether it's unbearably hot in SE Asia (Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos) in mid to late March? We've never been, and we'd like to plan a trip there for that time period, but we heard from a relative it was too hot to enjoy. Can anyone tell me whether it's true? We'd like to go to all the usual places: Hanoi, Saigon, Angkor Wat, etc.
Many thanks

Well it will be hot, but a little planning will help. For example when you go to the Angkor complex, split the day up. Go back to your hotel around lunch-time, have a swim, light snack and a shower and off you go again. Loads of water, sun hat, all the usual things. We have been in late February and right through to late March. Hot?-yes, but not unbearably.

No question, March is much hotter than say, Nov, Dec, Jan. If you plan well, and do the kinds of things Leigh mentions (which you would want to do even in the less hot season), you can still visit and enjoy it.

Take a look at www.weatherbase.com for each of the places you want to visit.

While is is the "hot" season there are still seasonal winds that keep things cool mid-day. The other side of the "hot season" is that it is less humid and the mornings and nights are cooler.

Try some of Phuket's less well-known beaches for something away from the crowd.

www.PhuketGoldCoast.com

thanks so much for your advice. We're going to go!

Dear Imarent, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos (often called Indo-China countries) have similar features of weather and climate. In March, it's in dry season but it isn't much hot, especially in the North of Vietnam (in Hanoi at this time is Spring, it's cool and sometimes it's drizzly). Cambodia and Laos are hotter than Vietnam but not unbearable as you thought. So you just need to bring some summer clothes. And remember your hat!^^ March is a wonderful time for beaches or enjoy the post-new year atmosphere in such country. Especially, March this year in Vietnam is time for festivals after New Year holiday!

Hope this could help you!
Have a nice time!

Vietnaminfo
www.waytovietnam.com