How to Travel Through Southeast Asia's Haze Season

Planning a trip to Southeast Asia? Haze should not stop you from travelling, but it is worth knowing how it works and how to plan around it. This guide explains what the haze is, how to check conditions before you go outside, and how to adjust your itinerary so your trip stays enjoyable.

What is the haze?

Transboundary haze is smoke from land and forest fires, mostly in Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia, that is carried by seasonal winds to neighbouring countries. It usually appears in the drier months of the year, often between August and October, and mainly affects parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. How bad it gets changes from year to year, and in dry years, such as those linked to a strong El Niño, it can be more severe.

It is not everywhere at once. Air quality changes from day to day and from region to region with the wind and the rain, so a little preparation goes a long way.

Smart travel tips for haze season

1. Check the air quality before you go out

Look at a live air quality source each morning before you plan outdoor activities. Apps such as IQAir AirVisual show current readings, and national agencies publish their own indexes, for example Singapore's PSI and Malaysia's API. As a rule of thumb, readings above 100 are in the unhealthy range on most scales. When the numbers climb that high, move the outdoor part of your day to another time or another day.

2. Shift your sightseeing indoors

A hazy day is a good excuse to slow down.

1. Book a spa session or a traditional massage.
2. Join a local cooking class to learn regional dishes.
3. Spend an afternoon in museums, galleries, covered markets, or a quiet café.

3. Pack a few useful items

1. Well-fitting N95 or KF94 masks. These filter fine particles far better than cloth or standard surgical masks, but only if they fit snugly on your face.
2. A reusable water bottle. Staying hydrated helps you feel better when the air is dry and smoky.
3. Eye drops. Smoke can irritate the eyes, and a drop can bring quick relief.

4. Look after your health

Children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with asthma or heart and lung conditions are more sensitive to haze. If this applies to you, speak with your doctor before you travel, carry any regular medication, and limit time outdoors on poor-air days. Choose accommodation with air conditioning, and keep windows closed when the air is bad.

5. Book with flexibility

Choose bookings that can be changed or cancelled where possible, particularly for outdoor tours and boat trips that depend on visibility and weather. Check the cancellation terms before you pay.

Looking for clearer skies?

Vietnam lies outside the main path of smoke from Sumatra and Kalimantan, which makes it a sensible alternative if you want to avoid the affected areas. Air quality can still vary locally, so keep checking an app, but the haze corridor itself does not usually reach it.

The season matters, though. Central Vietnam, including Hoi An, Da Nang, and Hue, is a wonderful destination from roughly February to May, but its rainy season runs from September to December, with October and November the peak months for heavy rain, flooding, and typhoon risk. Heavy rain flooded parts of Hue and Da Nang in early October 2026. If you are travelling in autumn, northern Vietnam is generally the better choice, as the rains ease and the weather becomes more comfortable.

Whichever region you choose, check the weather forecast before you set out, as the typhoon season can also affect the north in autumn.

Final thoughts

Haze season does not have to spoil a trip. Check the air quality each day, keep an indoor option ready, pack a few simple items, and book with flexibility. If you want to avoid the affected areas altogether, match your destination to the season, and your trip can stay relaxed and enjoyable.