When is the best time to visit Hanoi? What to pack and what’s the weather like?
The best time to visit Hanoi is the common question of many tourists who wish to visit the romantic, ancient city of Vietnam, featuring its peaceful old town corners blended with vibrant modern life.
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When making travel plans, it is advisable for you to research all of the available information regarding the weather in Hanoi. The comprehensive guide will offer insightful information on the year-round weather in Hanoi, including average temperatures, humidity, and precipitation, as well as helpful travel advice. Be aware and make the most of your trip to Hanoi!
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Prominent characteristics of the weather and climate of Hanoi
Hanoi is beautiful all year round, but the weather might have an impact on your itinerary depending on when you visit.
Geography of Hanoi
Hanoi is located in the Red River Delta, the center of Northern Vietnam. The terrain of the capital is varied, encompassing plains, hills, and mountains. Almost 3/4 of the entire city is made up of the plains. The average altitude is about 5-20 meters above sea level. The majority of the mountainous regions are found to the north and west parts of the city.
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General climate of Hanoi
Located in the tropical monsoon region, Hanoi annually experiences hot, humid summers with lots of rain and cold winters with little rain.
There are 4 distinct seasons in a year: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter:
- Spring: from February to April
- Summer: from May to mid-August
- Fall: from August to the end of October
- Winter: from November to January
Typical weather in Hanoi
- Average temperature: The weather in Hanoi varies greatly from season to season. The hot season, which runs from April to September, can reach as high as 45°C, with an average daily temperature of 32°C. Meanwhile, it is quite cold from early December to late February. The temperature in the city center sometimes drops as low as 10°C, while it can occasionally reach 2 – 3°C in some mountainous areas, such as Ba Vi. On cold days, the average temperature in Hanoi is roughly 15°C.
- Average rainfall in Hanoi: The seasons also affect how much rain falls in Hanoi each month. With an average rainfall of 8.9 inches, August is the wettest month of the year, while February gets the least amount of rain (0.5 inches on average). Hanoi is estimated to get roughly 114 rainy days annually.
Which season is ideal for traveling to Hanoi?
The best time to visit Hanoi depends on what you expect to see and do in this vibrant city. Located in northern Vietnam, Hanoi has a tropical monsoon climate, with 4 distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter. Every season brings a unique beauty to Hanoi.
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Spring: From February to April
When spring comes, the cold winds will gradually disappear and be replaced by sudden drizzle. Hanoi experiences a humid springtime with lots of drizzle and an average temperature between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius. The weather is pleasant and moderate right now, trees are green and flowers are in blossom, making it the ideal time of year to visit Hanoi.
What to pack in Hanoi springtime
- Pack some light clothes, such as dresses, skirts, sweaters, jeans, t-shirts, and skirts. You also can bring a raincoat or umbrella in case of rain. Additionally, you should include a few accessories for chilly mornings and evenings, like hats, gloves, and scarves.
What to do in springtime
- The time is ideal to take in Hanoi’s natural beauty and culture. You can go to some well-known locations, like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Additionally, the city has a number of festivals and celebrations in the spring, the most significant of which are Lunar New Year Festival, which typically occurs in late January or early February, Co Loa Festival, and Huong Pagoda Festival. You can partake in these festivities with the locals and take in the traditional food and music.
Summer: From May to July
Hanoi is hot and muggy during this time of year, with humidity of over 90% and temperatures as high as 40°C. Frequent thunderstorms and a lot of rain are possible, which might result in floods and traffic congestion. Due to the fact that many travelers must avoid the heat and rain, summer is also a low tourist season. This means you can find cheaper deals and less tourists in Hanoi. There are still summer festivals and activities to enjoy in Hanoi, such as Lotus Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.
- What to pack in summertime: Pack airy, loose clothes such as dresses, skirts, tank tops, and shorts. When visiting a beach or swimming pool, you might also require a towel and a swimsuit. Wear flip-flops or sandals for hot or rainy days. Additionally, remember to include some accessories to shield yourself from the sun and rain, such as hats, umbrellas, and sunglasses.
- What to do in summertime: There are several water parks and entertainment areas to visit in Hanoi such as West Lake Water Park, Vinpearl Land Hanoi Water Park, Thien Duong Bao Son Park,… In addition, you can also take a trip to Halong Bay where you can swim at the sandy beaches, with clear blue water, and explore beautiful caves. Or else, book a day tour to Tam Coc – Ninh Binh to experience a boat tour on the river and take in the picturesque scenery of rice fields along both sides of the river.
Autumn: From August to October
Fall is also the best time to visit the capital of Vietnam due to the pleasant weather and beautiful skies. There is less than 100 mm of rain, clear blue skies, with temperatures between 24 and 27 °C. Even though some of the leaves have already withered, fall still brings a wide variety of flowers in bloom. Recommended from Local views: The best time to visit Hanoi is Autumn.
- What to pack in fall: You should bring a lightweight jacket or a scarf for windy days. In addition, fall is the ideal time to snap the most stunning pictures at places like Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Phan Dinh Phung Street, West Lake, and Hoan Kiem Lake, so if you are a photography enthusiast, you should pack some beautiful outfits, such as dresses.
- What to do in fall: This is also the most suitable time to travel and explore destinations near Hanoi such as exploring Trang An, Tam Coc in Ninh Binh as well as visit various attractions of the city, such as Hanoi Old Quarter, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, West Lake, Hoa Lo Prison, Hoan Kiem Lake, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Dong Xuan Market, etc.
Winter: From November to January of the next year
This is a cold and foggy time in Hanoi as temperatures can drop to 10°C or lower. Winter is a quiet season as well, and Hanoi offers a peaceful and relaxing ambiance. If you come to Hanoi in winter, don’t forget to visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral during the Christmas season or go to the Old Quarter to have some beer welcoming the new year with the locals.
During Christmas and New Year Eve, there are many exciting activities taking place in the center of Hanoi Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake.
- What to pack in winter: You should bring some warm clothes such as coats, sweaters, scarves and a pair of gloves for cold days or boots or shoes for drizzly days.
- What to do in winter: Traveling to Hanoi in the winter is highly recommended, especially since it falls on the holiday season with its many celebrations and festivities. It’s also the perfect time to beat the weather by indulging in warm street cuisine.
- A hot cup of coffee is ideal for a chilly evening. On Christmas Eve, visit St.Joseph Cathedral or shop at the Christmas decoration street in the Old Quarter. The annual Flower Festival, which takes place the final week of December, is something to look forward to. In addition, Tet, often known as the Lunar New Year, may fall near the end of January. It is best to check the festival dates in advance because Tet is based on the lunar calendar.
Travel advice based on the weather in Hanoi
- Remember to check the weather in Hanoi each month to determine when is the ideal time to travel and what to bring.
- Don’t let gloomy, rainy days depress you. Attend a Vietnamese cooking class, watch a water puppet show, enroll in a pottery workshop in Bat Trang or sip a cup of coffee while watching rain fall through the cafe window.
- Your body might not be acclimated to the weather in Hanoi at first if you are from a different climatic zone. Thus, basic medicines are necessary to treat common illnesses including the flu, cough, and headaches.
- Check out the dates of Hanoi’s festivals throughout the year to ensure you don’t miss any important events and make travel plans in advance.
After reading the article above, you certainly have your own answer to the question “When is the best time to travel to Hanoi?”. You then carry on selecting the best locations to visit for each season! Remember things you need to ensure the most enjoyable trip to Hanoi. If you have any inquiries about visiting Hanoi, please get in touch with the Hanoi Explore Travel Team right away!
