Vietnam in January

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

• North · Hanoi, Hạ Long, Ninh Bình, Sa Pacool

  Four seasons: cool grey winters (Sa Pa can reach 0 °C), 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); 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.

• 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° / 19°, 12 rain days
• Hanoi20° / 14°, 10 rain days
• Ho Chi Minh City32° / 22°, 2 rain days
• Hoi An25° / 19°, 11 rain days
• Hue24° / 18°, 15 rain days
• Nha Trang27° / 21°, 7 rain days
• Da Lat23° / 13°, 3 rain days
• Sa Pa12° / 6°, 10 rain days
• Ha Giang19° / 12°, 8 rain days
• Hai Phong19° / 14°, 7 rain days
• Ha Long City20° / 14°, 6 rain days
• Can Tho31° / 22°, 2 rain days
• Phu Quoc30° / 23°, 3 rain days
• Quy Nhon25° / 20°, 10 rain days
• Mui Ne30° / 22°, 1 rain days
• Vung Tau30° / 23°, 1 rain days
• Dong Hoi22° / 17°, 11 rain days
• Ninh Binh City20° / 14°, 9 rain days
• Buon Ma Thuot28° / 17°, 2 rain days
• Chau Doc31° / 22°, 2 rain days
• Con Dao28° / 24°, 5 rain days

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 · Vietnam

Medium

Prices · Vietnam

Medium

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

Build the full packing list for your trip →

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).

• Da Lat

  Best months: Dec–Mar (dry, clear)

• Hai Phong

  Best months: Oct–Apr

• Can Tho

  Best months: Dec–Apr

• Phu Quoc

  Best months: Nov–Apr

• Mui Ne

  Best months: Nov–Apr (wind) or Dec–Mar (dry)

• Vung Tau

  Best months: Dec–Apr

• Buon Ma Thuot

  Best months: Nov–Apr

• Chau Doc

  Best months: Sep–Nov (flooded forest) or Dec–Apr (dry)