When to travel to Southeast Asia, month by month

Southeast Asia does not have one season. Thailand's west coast and east coast peak at different times, and Vietnam runs almost 2,000 kilometres north to south with three separate climates. November to March is the safe window for Thailand's Andaman side, Bali and most of Vietnam. That is also when prices are highest, so book earlier than you think you need to. The shoulder months — April, May, October — often give you 80% of the weather at 60% of the cost. Rain in these months tends to arrive in short, heavy bursts rather than all day. If your dates are fixed and they fall in the wet season, change the destination, not the plan. There is almost always a nearby island or region that is dry that month.