The beautiful northern capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi, experiences a range of weather, from hot and humid, to cool and dry. There are certain times of year that are more favorable for travel in Hanoi, depending on the type of tourist you are.
In a nutshell, expect hot, sweaty days in the heart of the summer months. It will rain most of the summer and into the early fall. While the dry season picks up in the winter, it’s still humid, causing the cool temperatures to feel even cooler. Therefore, most people favor travel to Hanoi in the off seasons, which we’ll discuss more below.
Climate Averages in Hanoi by Month
Hanoi features a subtropical climate typical of Northern Vietnam, characterized by hot, monsoonal summers and cold, dry winters. Hanoi’s weather can be split into two primary seasons—the ‘wet’ season (May to October) and the ‘dry’ season (November to April), although it also adheres to the four traditional seasons of winter, spring, summer and fall.
Throughout the year, temperatures vary from as low as 58°F (14.4°C) in January to as high as 90°F (32.2°C) in June. Add in humidity and things can feel additionally hot or cold.
| Temp | Prec | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58-66°F (14.4-18.9°C) | 18.6mm (0.73 in) |
| Feb | 60-67°F (15.6-19.4°C) | 26.2 mm (1.03 in) |
| Mar | 65-72°F (18.3-22.2°C) | 43.8 mm (1.72 in) |
| Apr | 71-80°F (21.7-26.7°C) | 90.1 mm (3.55 in) |
| May | 77-87°F (25-30.6°C) | 188.5 mm (7.42 in) |
| Jun | 80-90°F (26.7-32.2°C) | 239.9 mm (9.44 in) |
| Jul | 80-90°F (26.7-32.2°C) | 288.2 mm (1.35 in) ) |
| Aug | 80-89°F (26.7-31.7°C) | 318 mm (12.52 in) |
| Sep | 78-88°F (25.6-31.1°C) | 265.4 mm (10.45 in) |
| Oct | 73-82°F (22.8-27.8°C) | 130.7 mm (5.15 in) |
| Nov | 66-76°F (18.9-24.4°C) | 43.4 mm (1.71 in) |
| Dec | 60-71°F (15.6-21.7°C) | 23.4 mm (0.92 in) |
Seasons in Hanoi
Unlike weather in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi does experience a noticeably chilly winter, and short transition seasons of fall and spring. Add in the wet and dry seasons to the occasion, and Hanoi really has a wild weather pattern throughout the year. The seasons mentioned below don’t line up perfectly with their official dates, and are unique to Hanoi’s climate.
Winter (December to February)
Due to its high humidity and northern location, Hanoi experiences dry, cold winters. In December, temperatures begin to drop to around 63°F (17.2°C), dropping to as low as 58°F (14.4°C) in January and 60°F (15.6°C) in February. Although this may not seem very cold, Hanoi’s humidity and dampness make the winters feel much more frigid. On top of this, many buildings in Hanoi lack central heating and tend to be poorly heated.
However, weather in Hanoi during the winter season is far less humid and rainfall is significantly lower, so if you don’t mind the colder weather, this may be a good time for you to visit! If you do plan on coming during this season, make sure to pack warm clothes.
Spring (February to April)
Springtime in Hanoi, which typically begins around February and ends in April, features a much more comfortable temperature than the winter, averaging around 69°F (20.6°C). As the weather nears monsoon season—which officially begins in May—light drizzles and heavy humidity are common during this time. However, spring is still a wonderful time to visit Hanoi, as the rainy weather creates great conditions for flowers and plants to bloom.
Summer (May to August)
Hanoi’s summer months of May, June, July and August are extremely hot and humid, with temperatures averaging 84°F (28.9°C). Regular heavy rainfall begins in May, with parts of the city being known to flood after a particularly heavy downpour. It’s best to avoid visiting Hanoi during this time, as traveling to the countryside may become difficult as heavy rains can cause poor conditions for road travel.
However, if you do decide to visit Hanoi during the summer, be sure to bring light, sweat-absorbent clothes and be prepared to throw on a rain jacket at any time.
Fall (September to November)
Although fall in Hanoi is fairly short as it begins in the middle of September and ends in November, it features ample sunlight, comfortable temperatures and dry weather. Temperatures average around 77°F (25°C) during this season. The colorful, changing leaves and light breeze create wonderful conditions for travelers of all kinds.
Best Time to Visit Hanoi
To avoid the torrential downpour of the summer months and the dry cold during the winter, the best time to visit Hanoi is during the fall (middle of September to November). Hanoi’s fall season is incredibly charming with the changing of leaves, the warm sunlight and the dry weather. The mild temperature makes this the perfect time to roam around and enjoy the city’s sights and culture without suffering from the scorching summer heat or winter’s cold.
If you are unable to visit Hanoi during the fall, consider visiting the city in mid spring (March to April) when temperatures are a bit cooler, but still comfortable. Although precipitation begins to increase during these months leading up to monsoon season, rainfall is intermittent and short, creating wonderful conditions for flowers and plants to bloom. And you can always book a luxury hotel in Hanoi, if you think you’ll be stuck inside for a while.
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