Hanoi features a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot, humid, and rainy, while winters are cool, often damp, and occasionally drizzly. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant, making them the most popular times to visit. The city experiences high humidity year-round and dramatic shifts in temperature, rainfall, and sunshine.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Hanoi’s climate is influenced by both monsoon and continental patterns, resulting in four clear seasons. Summers (May–September) are hot and humid, with average highs of 32–35°C and frequent heavy rainfall, especially from June to August. Humidity often exceeds 80%, and sudden downpours can cause brief flooding. Sunshine is limited during the wettest months, but the city remains lively with festivals and night markets. Occasional typhoons may bring intense storms in late summer.
Winters (December–February) are cool and can feel chilly due to high humidity and dampness, with average highs of 15–20°C and lows near 10–14°C. Drizzle, fog, and overcast skies are common, and sunshine is limited to just a few hours per day. Snow is extremely rare, but cold snaps can drop temperatures below 10°C. Spring (March–April) and autumn (late September–November) are considered the best seasons for travel, offering mild temperatures (18–28°C), moderate rainfall, and more sunshine. Spring is marked by blooming flowers and local festivals, while autumn brings clear skies, crisp air, and beautiful foliage. Winds are generally light to moderate year-round, but can be brisk during storms or cold fronts. Hanoi receives about 1,600–1,700 mm of rain annually, with most falling in summer, and enjoys roughly 1,500 hours of sunshine per year.
| Average climate data for Hanoi, Vietnam | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 21 | 24 | 27 | 31 | 34 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 27 | 22 | 35 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 14 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 14 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 17 | 7 | 18 | 32 | 74 | 66 | 92 | 135 | 73 | 45 | 20 | 15 | 594 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 10 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 181 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 73 | 72 | 73 | 76 | 73 | 71 | 75 | 81 | 80 | 74 | 72 | 69 | 74 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 67 | 60 | 63 | 58 | 45 | 40 | 44 | 45 | 42 | 47 | 52 | 55 | 52 |
| Average UV index | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
The best time to visit Hanoi is during autumn (late September–November) and spring (March–April), when temperatures are mild (18–28°C), rainfall is lower, and the city is vibrant with festivals and outdoor activities. These seasons offer the most comfortable weather for sightseeing, walking tours, and enjoying Hanoi’s lakes and parks.
The least favourable time to visit is during the peak of summer (June–August), when heat, humidity, and heavy rain can make outdoor exploration challenging. Frequent downpours, high humidity, and the risk of flooding may disrupt travel plans, though evenings remain lively with cultural events and night markets.
Hanoi has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid, rainy summers and cool, damp winters. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant, while rainfall and humidity peak from May to September.
Summer temperatures in Hanoi often reach 32–35°C, with humidity above 80%. Heatwaves can push highs even further, and frequent downpours are common from June to August.
Snow is extremely rare in Hanoi. The coldest winter months (December–February) can see temperatures dip below 10°C, but most winter precipitation falls as drizzle or rain.
The rainiest season is summer (May–September), with August typically the wettest month. Sudden, heavy downpours and thunderstorms are frequent, sometimes causing brief flooding.
Pack light, breathable clothing and sun protection for summer, and bring warm layers and a rain jacket for winter or spring. An umbrella and water-resistant shoes are useful year-round.
Hanoi is humid year-round, especially in summer when humidity exceeds 80%. Winds are usually light to moderate, but can be brisk during storms or cold fronts.
The best time to visit is in autumn (late September–November) and spring (March–April), when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is lower, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor events.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is June (35.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (20.6 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 29.1 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is June (26.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (14.3 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 21.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (134.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (6.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 594 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (23.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (7.7 days). Over the whole year there are 180.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is August (80.7 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is December (68.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 73.9 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is March (10 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (6.9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 8.2 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (67 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is June (40.3 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 51.6 %.
The months with the longest days, so the most daylight, are June and July (Average daylight: 13 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 10 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 3.1 h). Over the whole year there are 6.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June, July, August and September (UV index: 7). The month with the lowest average UV index is December (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 6.
