Best Time to Visit Hanoi

Northern Vietnam has four distinct seasons. Autumn and spring are generally the most comfortable for sightseeing, while summer is hot, humid and prone to heavy rain, and winter is cool and often overcast.

Best months

October to November, and March to April: drier, milder conditions that are good for city walks and day trips.

Good alternative

December to February: cool and often overcast with drizzle, still workable for sightseeing with warmer layers.

Consider avoiding

May to September: hot, very humid, frequent monsoon downpours and occasional typhoons that can disrupt Ha Long Bay cruises.

Month	Weather	Crowds	Prices	Notes
January	Cool and often damp, drizzle common	Moderate	Moderate	Tet (Lunar New Year) can affect prices and availability depending on the year.
February	Cool and often overcast with crachin drizzle	Moderate	Moderate	Some of the coolest, greyest days of the year in the city.
March	Mild and drier, spring weather sets in	Moderate	Moderate	A pleasant transition month for city walks and countryside trips.
April	Mild and pleasant, gradually warming	Moderate-High	Moderate-High	One of the more comfortable months before the heat and rains arrive.
May	Turning hot and humid, rains increasing	Moderate	Moderate	Early monsoon month; outdoor plans benefit from an early start.
June	Hot and very humid, frequent showers	Low-Moderate	Moderate	Ha Long Bay cruises can occasionally be affected by storms.
July	Hot and very humid, peak monsoon rains	Low	Low-Moderate	Typhoon season in the region; some cruise itineraries may change at short notice.
August	Hot and very humid, heavy rain possible	Low	Low-Moderate	Similar to July, with continued risk of tropical storms.
September	Still hot and humid, slowly easing	Moderate	Moderate	Typhoon risk persists into early autumn.
October	Drier and more comfortable	High	High	One of the most pleasant months for city and countryside trips.
November	Dry, mild and pleasant	High	High	A popular month combining good weather with fewer rain disruptions.
December	Turning cool and damp, drizzle returns	Moderate-High	Moderate-High	Cool evenings; pack layers for the Old Quarter and any highland trips.

Best months Good alternative Consider avoiding