Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Ho Chi Minh City
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Fewer tourists than December-March peak season means shorter lines at major sites like the War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace - you'll actually get photos without crowds blocking your shot, and restaurants in District 1 don't require advance reservations
- Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to high season - you can book solid 3-star places in District 1 for 800,000-1,200,000 VND per night instead of the 1,500,000+ VND they charge in January, and even luxury properties like those along Dong Khoi Street negotiate
- Mango season peaks in August, and you'll find street vendors selling Hoa Loc mangoes from the Mekong Delta for 40,000-60,000 VND per kilo - locals actually consider this one of the best food months, with rambutan and longan also at their sweetest
- The rain typically hits in short afternoon bursts around 2-4pm rather than all-day downpours, so you can plan indoor activities during that window and still have full mornings and evenings for exploring - it's actually quite predictable once you've been here a few days
Considerations
- That 70% humidity is no joke - it's the kind that makes your clothes feel damp within 10 minutes of stepping outside, and air conditioning becomes less of a luxury and more of a survival requirement between noon and 5pm
- August falls in the wettest part of rainy season with 270 mm (10.6 inches) of rainfall, and while showers are usually brief, you'll occasionally get a surprise deluge that floods street corners in District 1 for 30-45 minutes, making walking temporarily impossible
- Some Mekong Delta tours get disrupted by river water levels being higher than usual - certain floating markets become harder to access, and boat operators sometimes cancel morning departures if overnight rain has been heavy
Best Activities in August
War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels Historical Tours
August's lower tourist numbers mean you'll actually have space to read the exhibits at the War Remnants Museum without being swept along by tour groups. The Cu Chi Tunnels are more comfortable in August mornings before 11am when temperatures are still around 28°C (82°F) - the tunnels stay cool year-round, but the above-ground portions get brutal by midday. The recent expansion of the Ben Duoc tunnel section in 2025 means fewer bottlenecks underground. Rain rarely disrupts these tours since much of the experience is covered or underground.
Mekong Delta Day Trips to Cai Be and Ben Tre
The Mekong is full and lush in August, with fruit orchards at peak production - you'll see dragon fruit, rambutan, and longan being harvested in real time. The downside is that some narrow canals get too high for certain boats, so verify your tour route beforehand. Morning departures work best since afternoon rain can make river crossings choppy. The floating markets at Cai Rang are actually more active during rainy season when farmers are moving produce quickly. Water levels make the landscape more dramatic, with coconut palms partially submerged.
Saigon Street Food Tours in Districts 1, 3, and 5
August evenings from 6-9pm are perfect for street food since the rain usually clears by 5pm and temperatures drop to a comfortable 26°C (79°F). This is peak season for banh xeo made with fresh shrimp and pork, and you'll find the best che dessert soups using August's ripe longans and jackfruit. The Cho Lon area in District 5 comes alive at night, and the covered food alleys near Ben Thanh Market mean you can eat regardless of weather. Locals eat outside more in August evenings than in the dry season when it stays hot until 10pm.
Rooftop Bar Hopping in District 1 and Binh Thanh
August evenings are actually spectacular for rooftop venues once the afternoon rain clears - the air quality improves dramatically, and you get those dramatic post-storm skies around sunset. Places like Saigon Saigon Bar and the rooftops along Nguyen Hue Walking Street offer covered sections, so light drizzle doesn't ruin the experience. The crowds are thinner in August, meaning you don't need reservations at most spots. Temperatures around 25-26°C (77-79°F) after 7pm make outdoor seating comfortable without the oppressive heat of dry season.
Cooking Classes in Traditional Vietnamese Homes
Indoor cooking classes are perfect for those 2-4pm afternoon rain windows when outdoor activities become miserable. August's fruit and vegetable variety means you'll work with ingredients at their peak - green mangoes for goi xoai salad, fresh herbs that grow like crazy in rainy season, and the sweetest tomatoes for canh chua soup. Many classes now include market tours in the early morning (7-8am) before heat and rain, then move to air-conditioned or covered cooking spaces. You'll learn techniques that locals actually use during rainy season when certain ingredients are harder to source.
Spa and Wellness Experiences in District 1 and District 3
August's humidity makes traditional Vietnamese massage and spa treatments feel especially restorative - locals actually book more spa time during rainy season. The newer spa facilities along Pasteur Street and around Notre-Dame Cathedral offer excellent value in low season, sometimes discounting packages 20-30%. Traditional treatments using lemongrass, ginger, and Vietnamese herbs are particularly good for the joint stiffness some people experience in humid weather. This is also when you want those 90-minute treatments since rushing back outside into humidity feels counterproductive.
August Events & Festivals
Wandering Souls Day (Tet Trung Nguyen)
This falls on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, which typically lands in August. You'll see families making elaborate food offerings on sidewalks throughout the city, burning votive papers, and visiting pagodas like Vinh Nghiem and Giac Lam. It's not a tourist event, but if you're respectful and quiet, you can observe fascinating rituals that most visitors never see. Evening is when the ceremonies peak, around 6-8pm, and the streets in Districts 3, 5, and 10 become particularly active with incense smoke and offerings.