When to go · Sa Pa
Sa Pa in January
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (cold, fog), Jun–Aug (mud and landslides).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) / 6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 10
- Crowds
- Medium
- Vietnam overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Vietnam overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (cold, fog), Jun–Aug (mud and landslides).
Is another month better than January?
January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in January
- Sa PaHighs around 12 °C (54 °F), lows around 6 °C (43 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 54 °F (12 °C), lows around 43 °F (6 °C), rain on about 10 days
- North, Vietnam · Hanoi, Hạ Long, Ninh Bình, Sa Pacool
Four seasons: cool grey winters (Sa Pa can reach 0 °C (32 °F)), humid hot summers with storms Jul–Sep; Hạ Long cruises cancel on storm warnings.Four seasons: cool grey winters (Sa Pa can reach 32 °F (0 °C)), humid hot summers with storms Jul–Sep; Hạ Long cruises cancel on storm warnings.
Festivals and holidays
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.
Lunar New Year big impact
Tết — 6 Feb 2027 (lunar, moves yearly) · Vietnam
Trains, buses and flights sell out a week either side; many restaurants and shops close 3–7 days; prices up.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Vietnam overall
- Medium
- Prices · Vietnam overall
- Medium
Vietnam overall: South and centre dry; the north is cool and grey — a jacket for Hanoi, cold nights in Sa Pa.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Sa Pa, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Avoid
Mar: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 12 °C (54 °F)54 °F (12 °C)
Mar: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Night low
Jan: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Mar: 11 °C (52 °F)52 °F (11 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 10 (better)
Mar: 13
Crowds
Jan: Medium
Mar: Medium
Prices
Jan: Medium
Mar: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Mar: 0
January: Listed as a month to avoid: Dec–Feb (cold, fog), Jun–Aug (mud and landslides).
March: Inside Sa Pa's best window: Sep–Nov, Mar–May.
Sa Pa: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket