Skip to content
Voykit

When to go · Vietnam

Vietnam in January

Good month. South and centre dry; the north is cool and grey — a jacket for Hanoi, cold nights in Sa Pa.

Key facts

Verdict
Good
Crowds
Medium
Vietnam
Prices
Medium
Vietnam

Verdict

GoodVoykit month rating for Vietnam

South and centre dry; the north is cool and grey — a jacket for Hanoi, cold nights in Sa Pa.

Is another month better than January?

January is rated good. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

  • North · 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.

  • Centre · Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội An, Quy Nhơnrainy

    Monsoon runs Sep–Feb, the opposite of the south; Hội An's old town floods most Octobers and Novembers.

  • South · Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong, Phú Quốcbest weather

    Hot all year; wet May–Nov means a 1–2 h afternoon downpour, rarely a lost day.

  • Central Coast: Huế to Hội An · Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội Anrainy

    Dry February–August; typhoons and floods September–December; Huế is wetter than Đà Nẵng.

  • Central Coast: South-central · Quy Nhơn, Nha Trang, Mũi Néfine

    Drier than the north of the coast; Mũi Né is one of the driest places in Vietnam.

  • Central Highlands: Đà Lạt plateau · Đà Lạtbest weather

    Mild all year (highs 22–25 °C (72–77 °F)); dry December–March; rainy afternoons May–October.

  • Central Highlands: Dak Lak plateau · Buôn Ma Thuộtbest weather

    Warmer than Đà Lạt; coffee harvest November–January.

  • North Vietnam: Hanoi and the Red River delta · Hanoi, Ninh Bình, Hải Phòngcool

    Grey drizzle Feb–Mar; storms Jul–Sep; October–November clear and dry.

  • North Vietnam: Coast and bays · Hạ Long, Lan Hạ, Cát Bàcool

    Typhoon warnings cancel cruises Jul–Sep; winter haze.

  • North Vietnam: Northern mountains · Sa Pa, Hà Giangcold

    Near freezing in Dec–Jan; rice terraces green May–Jul, golden mid-Sep to early Oct; buckwheat flowers in Hà Giang Oct–Nov.

  • Northern Vietnam: Hanoi and the delta · Red River deltacool

    Oct–Dec is the driest and clearest; Feb–Apr is damp with drizzle; May–Aug is 35 °C (95 °F)+ and humid; Jul–Sep brings typhoons that can cancel bay cruises.

  • Northern Vietnam: Northern mountains · Sa Pa, Ha Giang, Lao Caicold

    Cooler than Hanoi all year; Dec–Feb can drop near freezing at night; Sep–Nov is the clearest for terraces and passes.

  • Northern Vietnam: Coast and islands · Ha Long, Cat Ba, Hai Phongcool

    Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov are the best windows; Jul–Aug storms can ground boats and close beaches.

  • Southern Vietnam: Saigon and the delta · Ho Chi Minh City, Cần Thơ, Châu Đốcbest weather

    Hot all year; wet May–November with afternoon storms; delta floods Sep–Nov raise the rivers.

  • Southern Vietnam: Islands · Phú Quốc, Côn Đảobest weather

    Phú Quốc's west coast is calm November–April; rough in the south-west monsoon.

  • Da Nang25 °C (77 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 12 rain days
  • Hanoi20 °C (68 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days
  • Ho Chi Minh City32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Hoi An25 °C (77 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 11 rain days
  • Hue24 °C (75 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 15 rain days
  • Bac Ha7 °C (45 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days
  • Bao Loc28 °C (82 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 4 rain days
  • Ben Tre32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 6 rain days
  • Ca Mau30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Ca Na30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 3 rain days
  • Cai Be30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Cai Rong20 °C (68 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days
  • Cam Pha20 °C (68 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Cao Bang18 °C (64 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 5 rain days
  • Cat Ba20 °C (68 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Co Loa17 °C (63 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 7 rain days
  • Co To Island20 °C (68 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days
  • Cu Chi31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 0 rain days
  • Cua Ong20 °C (68 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • Dien Bien Phu23 °C (73 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 3 rain days
  • Dong Dang19 °C (66 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 7 rain days
  • Dong Ha23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 7 rain days
  • Gia Nghia28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 3 rain days
  • Giao Xuân17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 5 rain days
  • Ha Tien28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Khâm Đức25 °C (77 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 5 rain days
  • Khe Sanh24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Kon Tum24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 8 rain days
  • Lăng Cô24 °C (75 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 12 rain days
  • Lao Cai18 °C (64 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 5 rain days
  • Long Xuyen30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Lý Sơn25 °C (77 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 8 rain days
  • Mong Cai20 °C (68 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 8 rain days
  • My Tho30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 10 rain days
  • Na Meo22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days
  • Ngoc Hoi28 °C (82 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 2 rain days
  • Phan Rang–Tháp Chàm28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 2 rain days
  • Phan Thiet30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Pleiku24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 12 rain days
  • Quan Lạn18 °C (64 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days
  • Quảng Ngãi24 °C (75 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 10 rain days
  • Rach Gia30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Soc Trang30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Tam Dao15 °C (59 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Tam Kỳ23 °C (73 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 10 rain days
  • Tây Ninh27 °C (81 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days
  • Thac Mo26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days
  • Thái Nguyên21 °C (70 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 6 rain days
  • Thanh Hoa22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 12 rain days
  • Tra Vinh31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Tuan Chau Island20 °C (68 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 10 rain days
  • Vinh Long30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 5 rain days
  • Vinh22 °C (72 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 7 rain days
  • Y Ty15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 6 rain days
  • Nha Trang27 °C (81 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 7 rain days
  • Da Lat23 °C (73 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 3 rain days
  • Sa Pa12 °C (54 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days
  • Ha Giang19 °C (66 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 8 rain days
  • Hai Phong19 °C (66 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 7 rain days
  • Ha Long City20 °C (68 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 6 rain days
  • Can Tho31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Phu Quoc30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 3 rain days
  • Quy Nhon25 °C (77 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 10 rain days
  • Mui Ne30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 1 rain days
  • Vung Tau30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 1 rain days
  • Dong Hoi22 °C (72 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 11 rain days
  • Ninh Binh City20 °C (68 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days
  • Buon Ma Thuot28 °C (82 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 2 rain days
  • Chau Doc31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Con Dao28 °C (82 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 5 rain days

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)

    Trains, buses and flights sell out a week either side; many restaurants and shops close 3–7 days; prices up.

  • New Year's Day

    1 Jan

    One day off; offices closed, tourist services open.

  • Ông Công Ông Táo (Kitchen Gods day) check

    23rd of the 12th lunar month, a week before Tết · Da Nang

    Families release carp and burn paper offerings; the start of the Tết rush.

  • Tết (Lunar New Year) check

    Tết 2027 falls around 6 February · Da Nang

    Flower markets and a riverside countdown before; then 3–7 days when many stalls and shops close and transport sells out. Hotels add 30–100%.

  • Tết flower street check

    About a week before Tết to the 4th day · Ho Chi Minh City

    Themed flower displays; crowds every evening.

  • Full-moon lantern night check

    14th of each lunar month · Hoi An

    Streetlights off and lanterns on from about 18:00, candles on the river, folk music and games; motorbikes kept out. The most crowded evening of the month.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Vietnam
Medium
Prices · Vietnam
Medium

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Jan: Good

    Mar: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: Medium

    Mar: Medium

  • Prices

    Jan: Medium

    Mar: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 6

    Mar: 12

January: South and centre dry; the north is cool and grey — a jacket for Hanoi, cold nights in Sa Pa.

March: Best compromise for a north-to-south trip: north warming, centre and south dry.

Vietnam: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket
  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in January

Rated best or good this month

  • South

    Best weather of the year (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong, Phú Quốc)

  • Hanoi

    Cool, grey; check Tết dates.

  • Ho Chi Minh City

    Dry and warm; Tết some years (check).

  • Bac Ha

    Best months: Oct–Apr (dry season)

  • Bao Loc

    Best months: Nov–Apr (dry season)

  • Ben Tre

    Best months: Dec–Apr

  • Ca Mau

    Best months: Dec–Apr

  • Ca Na

    Best months: Jan–Aug

  • Cai Be

    Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season, pleasant river trips)

  • Cai Rong

    Best months: Oct–Apr (dry season, calmer seas)

  • Cao Bang

    Best months: Oct–Apr (dry season)

  • Co Loa

    Best months: Oct–Apr