Ho Chi Minh Weather & Currency 2026: Dry Season Transition & Exchange Tips

I'm back in Vietnam again!

When it comes to Ho Chi Minh City's weather and currency exchange, conditions can change quickly. That's why I prioritize getting this information out as fast as possible, even if it means other travel posts take a little longer.

As I was packing for this trip, I briefly debated whether to bring long pants. Back home, it's starting to get pretty chilly, but I thought, "Nah, it's Southeast Asia!" So, I only packed shorts.

Coming from a cooler climate, I expected to step off the plane into a wall of heat (I was wearing long sleeves and pants). But surprisingly, it wasn't as scorching as I anticipated. Of course, arriving at night probably helped.

In short, the daytime weather in Ho Chi Minh right now is hot. But it's not the unbearable, stifling heat I experienced during my previous visits in July and August. It's just... typically hot. Think temperatures hovering around 85-90°F.

As for the evenings, I actually think long pants are a good idea. If you're planning to walk everywhere, you'll still feel warm. But if you're taking Grab bikes, trust me, you'll want them. I was riding a Grab bike at night in shorts and a t-shirt, and I was freezing! I shivered the whole ride, haha.

If you're not planning on riding a bike, then long pants probably aren't necessary.

While August often marks the peak of Ho Chi Minh's rainy season, which typically extends through October, I've been pleasantly surprised by the lack of downpours since arriving. It feels like we're already getting a taste of the drier months ahead, even though the official dry season usually kicks in around late October. I haven't seen a single drop of rain since I got here!

Ho Chi Minh Currency Exchange: Ha Tam Rates

I thought I had more leftover Vietnamese Dong from my last trip, but it turned out I didn't, so I needed to exchange cash quickly.

Off to HA TAM I went!

It was quite busy. With all the buzz around Japan travel lately, I expected fewer Westerners, but there were plenty of fellow travelers here!

Standing outside in the sunny Ho Chi Minh weather felt a bit hot while waiting, but I quickly checked the approximate rates online first.

I figured they'd give me a little less than the online rate, perhaps around 23,000 VND per dollar. But then, what a surprise!

They actually gave me a better rate than I expected! Quite a bit better, in fact. Could it be because I exchanged a larger sum, like $500 in one go? I remember being told in Hanoi that the amount didn't make a difference, but this was a pleasant surprise!

For a moment, I considered exchanging all the extra dollars I had brought, but I held back, haha.

Honestly, I was planning to head to Nha Trang soon and wanted to test out Kim Bien and Kim Thanh with just $100 each, but given this rate, Ha Tam seems to be miles better.

There's also another exchange shop right next to HA TAM. When exchanging larger denominations, there wasn't much difference, but for smaller bills, HA TAM typically offered a better rate.

While I was there, I snapped a quick photo of Ben Thanh Market. It was as bustling as ever. When I first came here, I used to wander through all the alleys, but now I don't visit it as much, haha.

With my money sorted, it was time for lunch! I decided to grab a bite at Bep Me In nearby.

That wraps up my real-time update on Ho Chi Minh City's weather and currency exchange!