What is the best time of year to visit Hanoi?
October to April is the best window: dry, cooler, and clearer skies. Peak months are October–December and March–April — 18–28°C, low rainfall, comfortable walking weather. May–September is hot (32–38°C), humid, and wet — afternoon downpours flood streets for an hour. January–February is cold (10–17°C) and overcast but dry.
Hanoi’s climate splits into two distinct seasons with a couple of shoulder months that are the actual sweet spot.
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain days | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 10–17 | 5–8 | Cold, overcast, drizzle. Need a jacket. |
| Feb | 13–19 | 8–12 | Cold, overcast. Tết falls here (late Jan or Feb). |
| Mar | 16–22 | 10–14 | Warming, still some drizzle. Improving. |
| Apr | 20–27 | 8–12 | Warm, pleasant. Good walking weather. |
| May | 24–32 | 12–16 | Hot, humid, rain starts. Still manageable. |
| Jun | 27–35 | 14–16 | Hot, wet. Afternoon storms. |
| Jul | 27–35 | 14–18 | Peak heat. Storm remnants possible. |
| Aug | 27–34 | 14–18 | Same as July. Humidity at maximum. |
| Sep | 25–32 | 12–16 | Rain easing. Still warm. |
| Oct | 21–28 | 6–10 | Cool, dry. Best month. |
| Nov | 17–24 | 3–6 | Dry, clear. Second best month. |
| Dec | 13–20 | 3–5 | Cool, dry. Good but chilly. |
Best months: October–April
October through December is the prime window. The rain stops, the temperature drops to a comfortable range, and the skies clear. March and April are the spring equivalent — warm without being hot, occasional light rain but nothing that stops you.
Acceptable months: May, September
Shoulder months. May is warm-to-hot with rain starting. September is warm with rain easing. Both are fine if you don’t mind some heat and afternoon storms. Hotel prices are lower than peak season.
Difficult months: June–August
Hot (regularly 35+°C), humid (80%+), and afternoon downpours that flood streets. Not miserable if you plan around it — mornings are fine, evenings cool down — but it’s not comfortable walking-all-day weather. The advantage: fewer tourists and cheaper accommodation.
The Tết factor
Tết (Lunar New Year, late January or February) is the worst time for a first visit. The city empties as residents return to hometowns, most restaurants and shops close for 3–5 days, and transport is fully booked. The weeks before Tết are lively and photogenic — flower markets, decorations — but the holiday itself is quiet and inconvenient.