Vietnam · tool
Best time to visit Hanoi
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Photo by Josh Stewart on Unsplash
Best time to visit Hanoi, Vietnam
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15-20°C, dry and cool with occasional fog. | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Tet can cause some businesses to close or have reduced hours. | |
| February | 17-22°C, dry and mild. | peak | peak |
⚠ Tet holiday prices are highest; book well in advance. | |
| March | 20-25°C, pleasant with increasing sunshine. | moderate | moderate |
| |
| April | 24-28°C, warm and mostly sunny. | moderate | moderate |
| |
| May | 28-33°C, hot and humid with increasing rain showers. | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Transition to the rainy season. | |
| June | 30-35°C, very hot, humid, and rainy. | moderate | moderate |
⚠ High humidity and frequent heavy downpours. | |
| July | 30-35°C, very hot, humid with heavy rainfall. | low | low |
⚠ Peak of the summer monsoon season; risk of typhoons. | |
| August | 29-34°C, hot, humid, and rainy. | low | low |
⚠ Still within the monsoon season, potential for typhoons. | |
| September | 27-31°C, warm and humid with scattered showers. | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Rainfall starts to decrease but humidity remains high. | |
| October | 24-28°C, pleasant, dry, and sunny. | high | high |
⚠ High season begins, book accommodations early. | |
| November | 20-25°C, cool, dry, and sunny. | high | high |
⚠ Peak tourist season; expect higher prices. | |
| December | 16-21°C, dry and cool. | moderate | moderate |
|
Annual events worth timing your trip around
January/February
Lunar New Year (Tet Nguyen Dan)
The most important Vietnamese holiday, marked by family gatherings, special foods, and vibrant street decorations. Many businesses close.
October
Hanoi Book Festival
A major event for book lovers, featuring new releases, author talks, and cultural exchanges.
September/October
Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu)
Celebrated with lanterns, mooncakes, and lion dances, especially popular with children.
November
Vietnamese Teachers' Day (Ngay Nha Giao Viet Nam)
A day to honor teachers, with events and special recognition ceremonies in schools and universities.
Insider timing tips
- •Hanoi experiences a distinct dry season from October to April and a wet season from May to September.
- •The shoulder months of March-April and October-November offer a balance of good weather and manageable crowds before/after the peak tourist periods.
- •Lunar New Year (Tet) is a significant cultural experience but can disrupt travel plans due to closures and peak pricing.
- •The summer months (June-August) are characterized by intense heat, high humidity, and frequent, heavy rainfall, making outdoor exploration challenging.
- •While typhoons are a risk during the wet season, they are more common in the northern coastal areas and often weaken before reaching Hanoi.
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