Weather in Vietnam in January

Planning a trip to Vietnam to bring in the New Year? Understanding the weather in Vietnam in January may be more important than you think. This country is certainly fascinating, and packed with great food and adventure activities. But due to its elongated shape, it experiences a complicated weather pattern. While it may be sunshine galore in one part, it’s rain and thunderstorms in another. We’ve written a comprehensive guide to the weather in Vietnam in January. Read on to figure out which parts of this South Asian jewel are best accessed in this month.

The weather in Vietnam in January makes it a good time to visit Ninh Binh- Photo Credit Ruslan Bardash

Weather in North Vietnam in January

(Sapa, Ninh Binh, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Cat Ba)

The humidity in the North of Vietnam is quite low in January. Temperatures are low, with an average of 18°C (64.4°F). Clear skies and plenty of sunshine make it ideal to go exploring in Hanoi. And though there aren’t any green rice terraces to see, it is still wonderful to go trekking through the scenic hills of Sapa. Halong Bay sees sunny days, interrupted by a rare stray shower.

The weather in Halong Bay is quite nice overall. However, it is not uncommon for a rolling fog to shroud the majestic karsts. This can impede your view and turn most tourists away. But it also gives you a chance to experience the Bay in a different manner, and the fog gives it a surrealistic effect. This can be quite appealing to photographers and a few others.

Nights can get quite chilly in the month of January, so make sure you carry enough woollies to keep yourself warm and snug. While it could be too cold for the locally-brewed bia hoi beer, it is perfect weather for hot bowls of Pho and delicious Vietnamese coffee.

The weather in Vietnam in January differs across the country- Photo Credit Thanti Nguyen

Weather in Central Vietnam in January

(Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Nha Trang)

The damp rainy season finally starts to draw to a close in Central Vietnam, with temperatures averaging at 23°C. The few showers that make themselves known are brief and light. This scenario only improves towards the second half of the month. This month is ideal for beach bums, as Hoi An, Da Nang and Nha Trang beaches don their ‘summer holiday’ avatar. Da Lat and the central highlands remain dry, but it is still chilly due to their altitude. Carry a few warm clothes if you plan on making a stop. 

January is a shoulder month to visit the Phong Nha Ke Bang national park. While the park is open for visitors, the weather is still damp and rainy. If you plan on visiting, make sure you’re prepared for the rains and carry a good pair of shoes. 

Clear skies allow you to enjoy a sunset at Hoi An- Photo Credit Vuong Viet

Weather in South Vietnam in January

(Phu Quoc, Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City)

The weather in Vietnam in January is at its best in South Vietnam. Experiencing some of its best weather conditions, South Vietnam is a breeze. Clear blue skies and sunshine days pervade, and the beaches around Ho Chi Minh City are fantastic. Ho Chi Minh City itself is open to exploration; the cultural hub has tons to see and delicious street food to sample. Mui Ne is a must-see, with its sand dunes where you can go sand boarding. 

Phu Quoc island in January is an isle of paradise, and you can even go scuba diving. If it happens to be a stop on your Indochina itinerary, ensure you have your visa details in place.

Weather in South Vietnam in January is perfect for those Phu Quoc Island sunsets- Photo Credit Michael Lammli

Festivals in Vietnam in January

January is a great month to visit Vietnam, and not just because the weather in Vietnam in January is ideal. The festival of Tet, arguably the most important holiday in the Vietnamese calendar, falls around this time. Read on to know more about festivals in Vietnam in January. 

Tet

Tet marks the start of the New Year for the Vietnamese. It generally falls in late January or early February. Celebrating the arrival of spring and the hopes of a good new year, Tet is the most important festival for the Vietnamese. Being in Vietnam during Tet can be a positive or negative experience, it just depends on the type of traveller you are. Shops and businesses close down, as do museums, cinemas, and movie theatres. Streets will be much emptier than usual. 

But, you get to see tons of flowers and watch the festivities explode around you. At the stroke of midnight on the first day of Tet, you are likely to see fireworks and beautiful lanterns everywhere. Tet will be celebrated on February 12 in 2021.

Da Lat Flower Festival

Da Lat has been called the City of Eternal Spring due to its ideal weather conditions that prevail the year round. This high-altitude slice of paradise is known for its flower and fruit orchards. The best time to see the flowers in all their blooming glory is at the Da Lat flower festival. Held at the end of December and spilling into the first few days of January, the flower festival is held to commemorate the beauty of the flowers and to acknowledge their positive effect on Da Lat tourism. Da Lat experiences some of the most pleasant and calm weather in Vietnam in January, which only makes experiencing the festival so much better.

Taking part in festivals in Vietnam is best way to understand their culture- Photo Credit Dat-tran

January happens to be a good month to visit Cambodia as well, and combining Vietnam and Cambodia is definitely something you should consider. Crossing over from Vietnam into Cambodia is effortless, and both destinations are quite affordable. Perfect for backpackers as well as luxury travellers, Vietnam has a little something for everyone. Now that you know the weather in Vietnam in January, hit us up so we can help you plan that perfect holiday itinerary, customized to your every need.