Hanoi Weather & Best Time to Visit: Complete Guide
Hanoi has a typical tropical climate of northern Vietnam. There are two disctintive seasons including dry season (from November to April) and wet season (from May to October). Let's learn about Hanoi weather to choose the best time to visit the city and enjoy your Hanoi trip to the fulfillment.
Hanoi Weather Overview
Hanoi weather is a mild, tropical climate typical of northern Vietnam with 2 main seasons:
- Dry season: affected by the northeast monsoon months from November to April.
- Wet season: affected by the southwest monsoon months from May to October.
The hottest months fall between June and August, while the coldest months range from December to February.
Spring: Humid & Drizzly
- Period: Mar-May
- Average Temperature: 24°C
- Humidity Level: 81%
- Cloud Cover: 53%
Spring is the first season of the year having a humid atmosphere with light sunshine and small rains.
The drizzles in this season suddenly come, then suddenly leave, making souls want to mingle with nature.
Poetic Hoan Kiem Lake in the spring
- Visit famous attractions with natural scenery as the weather is ideal for various kinds of flowers to bloom.
- Explore the Hanoi Old Quarter on foot/by motorbike to enjoy the fresh air.
- Savor a cup of hot coffee on the cafe’s terrace and view the bustle of local life.
Summer: Hot & Rainy
- Period: Jun - Aug
- Average Temperature: 30°C
- Humidity Level: 79%
- Cloud Cover: 90%
People say that Hanoi summer is the hottest season of the year.
With the above-high temperature, it seems people just want to stay indoors with air-conditioners instead of going out. But, this is really the tourist season.
In summer, the best time to go out is at night because the temperature of summer night often reduces to 30°C.
Take photos with gorgeous lotus blossoms on West Lake
- Sit on the pavement at Ta Hien street to enjoy iced tea/cold beer in the evening.
- Witness the stunning view of lotuses blooming at West Lake.
- Remember to bring a raincoat/umbrella due to the sudden heavy rain.
Autumn: Cool & Pleasant
- Period: Sep - Nov
- Average Temperature: 25°C
- Humidity Level: 76%
- Cloud Cover: 54%
Hanoi fall seems to be the most beautiful and romantic season of the year.
The weather is delightful with bright sunlight and some soft autumn breeze, bringing a pleasant and serene atmosphere.
Milk flowers with a passionate scent in Hanoi Old Quarter
- Wander around every nook and cranny to see the leaves change color and enjoy the sweet fragrance of milk flowers.
- Taste the most unique specialty in Hanoi autumn - Com (Green Sticky Rice).
Winter: Freezing & Misty
- Period: Dec - Feb
- Average Temperature: 17°C
- Humidity Level: 78%
- Cloud Cover: 32%
It is getting cold in Hanoi's winter due to the low temperature.
The temperature may drop below 10 degrees, and the high humidity contributes to the weather being extremely cold.
Visitors who like cold weather shouldn’t miss this special occasion. In winter, the sky is covered with white mist, and the weather becomes wetter.
Saint Joseph Cathedral with colorful decorations on Christmas day
- Don’t forget to bring warm clothes such as sweaters, scarves, and gloves.
- You should come back to the hotel soon before 10 p.m because it is getting colder at night.
- Try the most famous dish in Vietnam - Pho (Hot Noodle Soup) with a cup of egg coffee to warm up.
In general, the four seasons of Hanoi have their own beauty, so the ideal time for visiting the capital of Vietnam depends on your favorite.
But if anyone wonders about the best time they should travel to Hanoi, locals who have lived in Hanoi for a long time will say that they are Spring and Autumn.
Based on the temperature, we can divide Hanoi weather into three distinct periods below:
| Hot season | Duration: 5 months (May - Sep) Average temperature: 31°C Hottest month: June (38°C) |
| Cold season | Duration: 5 months (Nov - Mar) Average temperature: 18°C Coldest month: January (13°C) |
| Transitional period | Duration: 2 months (Oct & Apr) Average temperature: 24°C Feature: Cool & Pleasant |
Best time to visit Hanoi by weather
Hanoi weather represents the typical Northern climate with characteristics of the monsoon tropics. Generally, you can easily distinguish 2 seasons including dry season (Oct – Apr) and wet season (May – Sep). To be more specific, there are 4 distinct seasons, each of which features its own beauty and uniqueness.
- Spring (Feb – Apr): During springtime, the Hanoi climate is humid with frequent drizzles and the average temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius.
- Summer (May – Jul): Hanoi summer, also known as the monsoon season, has occasional showers and steaming temperatures of around 32 – 35 degrees Celsius on average.
- Autumn (Aug – Oct): Hanoi temperature remains from 24 to 27 degrees Celsius during autumn. You can expect pretty cool and breezy weather with low humidity.
- Winter (Nov – Jan): It is the coldest time of the year when the temperature varies between 12 – 15 degrees Celsius and the humidity is lower than other times of the year.
Best time to go to Hanoi for great weather
All things considered, autumn (from September to October) is outstandingly the best time to travel to Hanoi. During this time, the Hanoi climate is most comfortable than ever when the rainy season ends with low precipitation and moderate temperatures. Not to mention, the beauty of falling leaves on the streets is such a captivatingly picturesque scene that everyone must stop for a while to capture this moment. In short, the pleasant autumn weather is suitable for a range of outdoor activities such as sightseeing, cycling, photographing, culinary discovery, etc.
Hanoi autumn has relaxing and comfy weather conditions
Best month to visit Hanoi
Apparently, there is no accurate prediction about the change in Hanoi weather and the nuances from month to month. However, it is possible to do research before you go and figure out that the hottest month of the year is June while the coldest one is January. To choose the most suitable one, let’s get into specifics of each month to travel to Hanoi in the following table.
| Month of the year | Weather conditions | What to expect |
| January (13 – 25°C) | Foggy Freezing | Best month to sample flavorful winter menu of Vietnam dishes |
| February (15 – 25 °C) | Humid Frequent drizzles | Best month to join cultural festivals and admire the blooming season |
| March (20 – 30 °C) | Warm Mild temperature | Best month to enjoy outdoor activities & sightseeing |
| April (25 – 33°C) | Sunny Higher precipitation | Best month to visit for day tours & public holidays |
| May (25 – 35°C) | Summery Occasional showers | Best month to soak up the bright skies & city exploration |
| June (28 – 38°C) | Sweltering Downpours | Best month to take part in water-based activities & beach relaxation |
| July (26 – 36°C) | Boiling Thunderstorms | Best month to taste appetizing summer menu of Vietnam dishes |
| August (25 – 35°C) | Balmy Highest rainfall | Best month to get the best summer deal tours |
| September (24 – 34°C) | Lower rainfall Breezy weather | Best month to feast the eye on awe-inspiring sunset |
| October (23 – 33°C) | Windy Pleasant climate | Best month to visit Hanoi for perfect weather and mesmerizing sceneries |
| November (20 – 30°C) | Cloudy Crisp | Best month to venture out and uncover Vietnam northern mountains |
| December (20 – 30°C) | Brisk Lowest rainfall | Best month to take a vacation on Christmas and New Year Eve |
Best time to get the best Hanoi deal tour
Hanoi peak season
The months from October to December are believed to be the high tourist seasons in Hanoi. During this winter holiday season, it is expected to the high-priced expense and busy time of inbound tourists. As a result, this is not a good time for budget travelers to get the hottest deals to Hanoi.
Hanoi offseason
Summer is considered the low tourist season in Hanoi. For those who travel on a budget, the best time to go to Hanoi is in late summer, between July and August. It is the offseason when plenty of Hanoi package tours, as well as day tours from Hanoi, offer summer sale-off and promotional campaigns. For instance, you can get 40% OFF for a Halong Bay tour from Hanoi, such a super money-saving cost.
Summer gives stunning views of the Hanoi sunset
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Local tips to deal with Hanoi weather
After choosing the best time of year to visit Hanoi, you should make up your mind that there might be some unexpected weather conditions you have to deal with. Let's follow some hacks to deal with the sudden changes in Hanoi weather.
- Spend the morning joining outdoor activities in the monsoon season
We all know that the rainy season is undesirable but you should bear in mind that Hanoi weather is not as fierce as in other tropical monsoon regions. You still can catch a few hours of sunshine and the rains usually happen in the afternoon. So, you'd better go sightseeing or visit the outskirts in the morning.
- Keep you busy with a great collection of indoor activities on rainy days
Don't let you down because of the gloomy rainy days. Try joining a Vietnamese cooking class, watch a water puppet show, enroll in a pottery workshop, or sip a cup of coffee while watching raindrops through the window at a café.
Hanoi offers numerous things to do indoors in case of raining
- Pack warm clothing to Hanoi in the dry season
Although it gets coldest in December and January, packing a light jacket and cardigan to Hanoi in other months is essential. The day temperatures only max out at 20 degrees Celcius and the dry conditions make it colder than usual.
All in all, hopefully, this guide will be informative to you while deciding on the best time to visit Hanoi. Wish you have fun and safe trips in Hanoi!
Nhung Dang
(Image source: Internet)
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