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Vietnam shares borders with Cambodia, Laos and
China, and features 3,200 km of coastline bordering
the
Eastern Sea.
With an area of 332,000 square km,
Vietnam's topography varies from coastal plains to mountain
ranges.
Vietnam stretches over 1,800 km from north to south;
therefore weather patterns in the principle cities
are very different.
North: Winter lasts from November to April, with temperatures
averaging 16C but little rainfall.
Summer begins in May and lasts until October, with an average
temperature of 30C, heavy rainfall and the
occasional violent typhoon.
Center:
Central Vietnam experiences a transitional climate, halfway between
those of the north and south.
South: Temperatures are fairly constant through the year; 25C
– 30C. Seasons are determined by the rains - the dry
season runs from November to April and the wet
season from May to October. The hottest period is
March and April, before the rains have broken.
Typhoons are quite common in coastal areas between
July and November.
Highland areas: In the hill resorts of Dalat (1,500
m), Buon Ma Thuot and Sapa, nights are cool
throughout the year, and in the winter months,
October to March, it can be distinctly chilly with
temperatures falling to 4C. Even in the hottest
months of March and April the temperature rarely
exceeds 26C.
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