Best Time to Visit Hanoi- Weather by month

Hanoi is one of the most major tourist destinations in Vietnam, known for its vibrant old quarter, lots of cultural attractions, authentic Vietnamese food, great nightlife and shopping scene. In this article, we will be looking at the best time to visit Hanoi, months to avoid, and the weather per month.

Hanoi has a tropical monsoon climate with a hot, rainy summer and a cold, dry winter:

• May to September is the hot and rainy season with an average temperature of 29°C. 
• November to March is a cold and dry season with an average temperature of 15°C. 
• April (Spring) and October (Autumn) are transitioning months.

Unlike South Vietnam which has only 2 distinct seasons, Hanoi has typical weather of North Vietnam with 4 seasons. They are Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. The boundary dividing the four seasons is only relative, because winter can either come early or late in some years.

Spring is typically from February to April. The weather is not too hot (18°C-23°C); rain (40-80mm/month) is usually drizzle, gentle, scattered; humidity levels are very high (80% – 90%).

Summer is usually from May to August. Hanoi has temperatures ranging from 28°C – 35°C, sometimes reaching 40°C; rain (200-300 mm/month) often appears as showers accompanied by thunder. Humidity is high, making it more hot and stuffy;

Autumn is from August to October. Hanoi has cooler weather compared to summer months with temperatures around 25°C – 30°C; rain (100-150mm/month) is less and in the form of light rain and short showers. Humidity is around 75-85%.

Winter is from the second half of November to January. Hanoi has temperatures around 10°C – 20°C, sometimes down to 10°C; rain (20-40 mm/month) is very little and mainly light drizzle and not lasting long. Humidity is about 60-70%, the air is often dry;

When is the best time to visit Hanoi?

The best time to visit Hanoi, in my opinion, is Autumn (September, October, and November) because they have pleasant sunny weather around around 25°C. October is my favorite month in Hanoi as it has the pleasant temperatures with clear skies, not too hot and not too cold weather.

April to June are also great months to visit Hanoi for exploration with sunny skies and little rain. Just be mindful that summer can be very hot and humid. There will be heavy rains and flooding in some parts of the city from the rainiest months in July and August.

The hottest months are June and July with temperatures sometimes reaching 40°C. The coldest months are from the second half of December to January with temperatures as low as 3°C.

Hanoi in January 

January is one of the coldest months in Hanoi. It is part of the winter season with cold – dry weather (15°C – 21°C) and occasional drizzle. This is the great month to come to Hanoi to enjoy the vibrant Lunar New Year atmosphere and to eat the hot bowl of Pho.

January is a good time for sightseeing. You can explore Hanoi’s old quarter with its popular attractions such as Hoan Kiem Lake, Hoa Lo Prison, and St. Joseph’s Cathedral. To stay warm in January, I recommend bringing long-sleeved shirts, jeans, and sweaters.

Hanoi in February

February is part of the Spring season but it still has winter-like weather. It is still cold but warmer than January. Temperature ranging from 17°C to 23°C with little rain. You can experience drizzling rain and mist in the early morning. 

You can join the local celebration, Tet Holiday, which is often celebrated at the end of January and beginning of February. There are fireworks, dragon dances, and the city is well-decorated with beautiful flowers and kumquat trees.

February is a great time for sightseeing and some outdoor activities. You can wander around the old quarter, explore Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the night market, visit museums, and enjoy the nightlife at Ta Hien beer street. 

You can enjoy the quiet atmosphere of Hanoi during the first few days of the Tet, when most people come back to their hometown to celebrate the holiday with their family.  

Hanoi in March

March is one of the great months to visit Hanoi. It is part of Spring and has warmer weather compared to previous months. It is not too cold and not too hot (20°C- 27°C), perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities. It has more drizzle rain and the humidity still remains high compared to February.

When visiting Hanoi in March, you can attend many traditional festivals such as Bat Trang Craft Village Festival and Huong Pagoda Festival. You can explore the old quarter, go shopping, or take trips to nearby cities such as Ninh Binh, Halong  Bay, Sapa, and Ha Giang.

If you are visiting Hanoi in March, I recommend packing both jackets/ jumpers and lightweight clothing because the temperature may drop significantly at night.

Hanoi in April

April is one of the best months to visit Hanoi. It is a transition period between winter and summer. The city has comfortable weather with temperature ranging from 22°C – 30°C, perfect for sightseeing.

April has some national holidays and events such as Hung King Temple Festival, Reunification Day (30th of April) and International Labor Day (1st of May). It can be crowded at this time as locals have few days off work and many choose to go on holiday.

If you plan to come to Hanoi and Vietnam around this national public holiday, you should book flight tickets and accommodations in advance because it can be expensive.

I recommend bringing T-shirts, shorts, and summer essentials such as sun glasses, and sunscreens. Also bring a light jacket as it can be chilly at night. There is occasional heavy rain, so be prepared for that.

Hanoi in May

May is a good month to visit Hanoi. It is the beginning of summer season with hot humid weather and occasional heavy showers and thunderstorms. Average temperature ranges from 25°C to 35°C. 

May has some events and holidays including Labour Day (1st of May) and resident Ho Chi Minh’s birthday (19th May). You can experience some events around Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum or fireworks during this time.

You can explore cultural and historical attractions of Hanoi such as the Hoan Kiem Lake, Tran Quoc pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, and Water puppet show. You can take a street food tour, enjoy local food, and drinks such as pho, banh mi, banh cuon, bun cha, and egg cafe.

I recommend packing breathable clothing, applying sunscreen often, and drinking a lot of water. Also prepare umbrellas and raincoats for the rainy season.

Hanoi in June

June is still a good month to travel to Hanoi even though it is one of the hottest and sunniest months of the year. I recently visited Hanoi in early June and still able to explore most sights on foot and by Grab. 

The weather was hot and humid with occasional rain in the evening which cools down the weather. Some streets of the city were flooded after heavy rains but it drained pretty quick. Average temperature is from 27°C to 35°C.

In June, you can still explore popular attractions in the city, just be mindful of the heat. Drink a lot of water and apply suncream often.

Hanoi in July

Similar to June, July is a hot and rainy season in Hanoi. The average temperature is from 27°C to 35°C, sometimes reaching 40°C. It has high humidity, frequent heavy rain, and flooding in some part of the city.

July is a good time in Hanoi to try iced tea and ice-cream. Some popular ice-cream brands in Hanoi include Kem Trang Tien near Trang Tien Plaza, Kem Ho Tay near West Lake opposite Tran Quoc pagoda, and Kem Thuy Ta near Hoan Kiem Lake.

Hanoi in August

August is a hot and rainy month in the summer season of Hanoi. It is also the transition period to autumn. Average temperature is from 26°C to 33°C.

August is a good month for less tourist crowds and budget-friendly accommodations. Be prepared for the rain and indoor activities though.

Hanoi in September

September is one of the best times to go to Hanoi. It is the end of the rainy season in Hanoi and the beginning of Autumn. Average temperature in September is from 24°C to 32°C. The humidity levels are still high but lower than July and August. There is occasional rain.

It can be a bit chilly in the early morning and evening, so remember to bring a light jacket with you. September has some events such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and Independence Day (2nd of Sep).

Hanoi in October

October is undoubtedly the best month to visit Hanoi because it is the most pleasant month of the year. The weather is dry, cool, and full of sunshine. Average temperature is from 22°C to 30°C. It can be cold at night, so pack accordingly.

October is when the Golden leaves fall, bringing a romantic and artistic atmosphere. Many local women wear traditional ao dai to take photos on famous streets in Hanoi such as Phan Dinh Phung street.

Hanoi in November 

November is one of the best months to visit Hanoi. November is the beginning of winter in Hanoi. It is cooler and drier than October. Average temperature is from 19°C and 27°C. 

Be sure to bring warm clothes as temperature can drop significantly in the evening. It is a popular month for international tourists, so book your accommodations well in advance to have the best deal.

Hanoi in December

December is one of the coldest months in Hanoi, especially in the second half of December. If you like winter-like weather, this is a good month to visit Hanoi. It has little rain with many more sunny days, so you can enjoy sightseeing. Average temperature is from 15°C to 22°C. The night will be longer. 

December is a good time to gather with friends to eat hotpot and hot egg coffee. It will make you warmer.

See more:

• 18 Best Things to Do & See in Hanoi
• 2 to 3 Days in Hanoi Itinerary
• Best areas to stay in Hanoi
• Is Hanoi Safe to Visit?
• Best Time to Visit Vietnam
• One Day in Hanoi Itinerary

Overall, Hanoi is a year round destination, you can visit any month of the year. In my experience, autumn, particularly October, is the best time to visit Hanoi. It has pleasant weather, clear skies, and little rain, so you can maximize your time outdoors and sightseeing. 

May to July are the hottest months of the year and also a very rainy season. The coldest months of the year are December and January.