Laos in January

Dry, clear, cool mornings in the north; peak season in Luang Prabang.

No other month rates higher than January for Laos in this guide.

• North · Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw, Luang Namtha, Phonsavancool

  Cool, misty mornings Dec–Jan (near 10 °C (50 °F) at altitude); the burning season (Feb–Apr) brings thick smoke; rains wash roads May–Oct.Cool, misty mornings Dec–Jan (near 50 °F (10 °C) at altitude); the burning season (Feb–Apr) brings thick smoke; rains wash roads May–Oct.

• Centre · Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Thakhekbest weather

  Dry and pleasant Nov–Feb; April tops 37 °C (99 °F); the Thakhek Loop is hard in the rains.Dry and pleasant Nov–Feb; April tops 99 °F (37 °C); the Thakhek Loop is hard in the rains.

• South · Pakse, Bolaven Plateau, 4,000 Islandsbest weather

  Hottest region in April; the Bolaven Plateau is cooler and wettest; river islands flood partly at high water.

• Central Laos: Vientiane / Vang Vieng · Mekong plain and karst valleybest weather

  Nov–Feb is dry and cool; March–May hits 35 °C (95 °F)+; the wet months bring afternoon downpours and slick karst trails.Nov–Feb is dry and cool; March–May hits 95 °F (35 °C)+; the wet months bring afternoon downpours and slick karst trails.

• Central Laos: Phonsavan / Sam Neua · Xieng Khouang and Huaphan highlandscool

  Higher and colder than the lowlands; nights drop sharply Nov–Feb and morning fog slows mountain roads.

• Southern Laos: Mekong plain (Pakse, Savannakhet) · River valleysbest weather

  Dry season Nov–Feb is the comfortable window; March–May pushes past 35 °C (95 °F); the wet season runs roughly May–Oct with afternoon downpours.Dry season Nov–Feb is the comfortable window; March–May pushes past 95 °F (35 °C); the wet season runs roughly May–Oct with afternoon downpours.

• Southern Laos: Bolaven Plateau · Above 1,000 mcool

  Mild year-round; cold nights Nov–Feb. Best visited in the dry season.

• Luang Prabang28 °C (82 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 2 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 2 rain days
• Ban Nahin27 °C (81 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
• Ban Nakasang31 °C (88 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 1 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 1 rain days
• Bolaven Plateau28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 5 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 5 rain days
• Boten28 °C (82 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 3 rain days
• Champasak28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 5 rain days
• Don Det30 °C (86 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
• Don Khon28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
• Don Khong31 °C (88 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 1 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 1 rain days
• Huay Xai29 °C (84 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 2 rain days
• Luang Namtha27 °C (81 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 2 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 2 rain days
• Muang Khua20 °C (68 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 5 rain days
• Muang Long28 °C (82 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 3 rain days
• Muang Ngeun28 °C (82 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 3 rain days
• Muang Ngoi Neua28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 4 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 4 rain days
• Muang Sing20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
• Muang Xay27 °C (81 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 3 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 3 rain days
• Nong Khiaw22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 5 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 5 rain days
• Pak Lay28 °C (82 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 2 rain days
• Pakbeng28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
• Paksan30 °C (86 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 2 rain days
• Paksong23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 2 rain days73 °F (23 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 2 rain days
• Phongsali22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 4 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 4 rain days
• Phonsavan24 °C (75 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 2 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 2 rain days
• Plain of Jars22 °C (72 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 2 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 2 rain days
• Sam Neua22 °C (72 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 2 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 2 rain days
• Savannakhet30 °C (86 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 1 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 1 rain days
• Sayabouly28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 2 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 2 rain days
• Thakhek29 °C (84 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 2 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 2 rain days
• Vang Vieng28 °C (82 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain days
• Vieng Xai28 °C (82 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 5 rain days
• Xieng Kok28 °C (82 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 2 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 2 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• International New Year

  1 Jan

  Public holiday.

• Chinese and Vietnamese New Year

  Jan–Feb (lunar — check)

  Some shops in Vientiane and Pakse close.

Crowds · Laos

High

Prices · Laos

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Laos, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• Centre

  Best weather of the year (Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Thakhek)

• South

  Best weather of the year (Pakse, Bolaven Plateau, 4,000 Islands)

• Luang Prabang

  Cool mornings, dry and clear; bring a layer.

• Ban Nahin

  Best months: Nov–Feb

• Ban Nakasang

  Best months: Nov–Feb

• Bolaven Plateau

  Best months: Nov–Mar

• Boten

  Best months: Nov–Feb

• Champasak

  Best months: Nov–Feb

• Don Det

  Best months: Nov–Feb

• Don Khon

  Best months: Nov–Feb

• Don Khong

  Best months: Nov–Feb

• Huay Xai

  Best months: Nov–Feb (cool, dry)