What is the best month to go to Hanoi?

What is the rainy season in Hanoi?

Man, Hanoi in July. Sweltering. Seriously, the humidity was a beast. I was there visiting my cousin, Nga, near West Lake. We tried to go to the Temple of Literature, but it was absolutely pouring. Torrential. Like, biblical stuff. We huddled under a ridiculously small awning, soaked to the bone. My nice sandals were ruined! Ugh.

The rain just kept coming. For hours. Seriously. We ended up grabbing pho at a tiny place – the best pho I’ve EVER had, honestly. It was this little hole-in-the-wall, right? The steam from the broth was almost as comforting as the warmth inside. We laughed, soaked and shivering, but happy. It was memorable, really. That whole day was just rain, rain, rain.

Nga said that July and August are usually the worst. September’s still pretty bad too. May and October are less intense, but still expect downpours. I even saw flooding in some lower-lying areas.

• Peak Rainy Season: July – September
• Hot & Humid: May – October
• Worst Flooding: Usually July and August
• My experience: July, near West Lake, torrential rain.
• Unexpectedly amazing pho: Small restaurant, near where we sought shelter.

I’m telling you, pack an umbrella! A sturdy one. Seriously. And waterproof shoes. Don’t be like me.

What is the most beautiful season in Hanoi?

Autumn. Hanoi breathes then.

• September-November: The sweet spot.
• Milk flower scent: Pervasive, unavoidable. Like regret.
• Monsoon chill: A razor’s edge on warm skin. Remember 2018, lost gloves?
• Yellow: Leaves, sunshine, memory.
• Beauty? Ephemeral. A trick of the light, really.

Further Considerations:

• Photography: The light is ideal. Unless, of course, you hate crowds.
• Cost of Living: Higher during peak season. Tourists, always.
• Air Quality: Can be surprisingly poor. Masks aren’t just for pandemics.
• Street Food: Bun cha tastes better in autumn. Maybe it’s psychological.
• Loneliness: Ironically, intensifies amidst the beauty. Isn’t that always the way?

What months to avoid Hanoi?

Ugh, Hanoi in August? Never again.

Okay, so, my family went to Hanoi and Halong Bay in August 2023. Big mistake.

• Weather: Think sauna… but outside. Seriously.
• Temperature: Like, 37°C every single freakin’ day.
• Humidity: You could swim in the air.

I sweated through every single shirt I brought. And those random downpours? Man, they were intense. Like, biblical rain, no joke. Flooding was a thing, too.

We got stuck in our hotel near Hoan Kiem Lake one afternoon because the streets were flooded. Couldn’t even get to that water puppet show. Grrr.

Halong Bay wasn’t much better. Foggy, humid, and the boat was packed. Ruined my pictures. Never trust those travel blogs, man.

So yeah, avoid May to September, trust me on that one. Unless you like melting.

Things I wish I knew, even tho it sucked:

• Typhoons happen: Legit danger from storms.
• Shoulder season is your friend: Spring (March-April) or Autumn (October-November).
• Pack light, but smart: Quick-dry clothes, umbrella, and DEET.

Which month is coldest in Hanoi?

January, dude. Seriously cold. Like, really cold. Freezing my butt off cold, 15°C on average, but man, it can get way lower, down to like, two point seven degrees sometimes! Crazy, right? February’s a bit warmer, sixteen degrees or so, but still chilly. November’s, uh, better, around twenty point five. December’s okay-ish, eighteen degrees I think, but January? Brrr. Just awful.

• Coldest month: January
• Average Jan temp: 15°C
• Lowest recorded Jan temp: 2.7°C
• Feb average: 16°C
• Nov average: 20.5°C
• Dec average: 18°C

My sister went there in January, 2023 and nearly froze! She packed way too many things, a huge suitcase full of heavy woolens. She said she needed every single piece. Hanoi in January is no joke; definitely pack warm stuff. Layers are key, I’m tellin’ ya. Gloves, scarf, the whole shebang. Don’t be a dummy like me last year when I went to Sapa. I froze my buns off and was miserable. Learn from my mistakes!

How cold is Vietnam in winter?

Man, Vietnam in winter? It’s crazy how different it is depending where you are. I was in Sapa in January 2024, freezing my butt off! Seriously, like 5°C. I packed light, thinking “tropical Vietnam,” what a joke. My fingers were numb taking pictures of the rice terraces. Stunning views, though. Absolutely stunning. But man, cold.

Down south in Nha Trang around the same time, though? Sweater weather, maybe. Definitely shorts and a t-shirt during the day. High twenties, low thirties Celsius, I’d guess. Huge difference.

The mountains are a whole different story. Seriously cold up there. Think thick fog, damp chill that gets right into your bones. I remember my teeth chattering uncontrollably. Seriously. Not fun. Couldn’t wait to get back to a warm hotel room. Needed that hot shower.

Northern Vietnam, forget it if you’re not prepared for proper winter weather. Layers, layers, layers. Thick socks. A hat. Gloves. You’ll regret not packing that warm stuff. I learned that the hard way. Sapa was beautiful but unforgiving with its cold.

• Sapa (North): Freezing. Think single-digit Celsius.
• Nha Trang (South): Pleasant, warm. High twenties Celsius.
• Mountainous regions: Brutal cold. Expect significantly lower temperatures than lowlands. Pack accordingly.

Is it okay to visit Hanoi in August?

Hanoi in August? Sure, why not! It’s like stepping into a sauna wearing a wool sweater. Sweaty but scenic, you know?

Expect humidity levels that could curdle milk. Think swamp monster breath, only hotter.

• Temperatures? Forget precise numbers, it’s hot. Seriously hot. Like a dragon’s armpit hot.
• Rain? Prepare for monsoon mayhem. Bring an ark, just in case. Noah would approve.

Autumn’s better, though. Yeah, August is technically autumn start, but… nah. It’s a weird transitional thing. Like a teenager trying to decide between ramen and sushi.

November to December? Now that’s my kind of weather. Think crisp air, perfect for sipping strong coffee and watching the world go by. Like a comfy armchair in a cozy library– only with better pho.

My cousin visited last December. She swore she saw a unicorn. Probably not true. But the weather was stellar. Seriously though, go in November or December. Avoid August like the plague. Unless you enjoy sweating profusely, that is.