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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) / 6°C (43°F)
average high / low
Rain days
10
Crowds
Medium
Vietnam overall
Prices
Medium
Vietnam overall

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Sa Pa

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

Long-term averages
  • Sa PaHighs around 12 °C (54 °F), lows around 6 °C (43 °F), 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.

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)

    Mar: 19 °C (66 °F)

  • Night low

    Jan: 6 °C (43 °F)

    Mar: 11 °C (52 °F)

  • 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

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Vietnam in January →