Even as Vietnam increasingly modernizes and reaches out to the world, Hanoi does not forget her roots. The Old Quarter still contains over 100 historical buildings and places of worship, bringing many surprises for tourists in each street corner. Besides the best time to visit Vietnam, you might want to find out the best time to visit Hanoi regarding the weather and climate here.
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What is the best time to visit Hanoi?
The ideal time to visit Hanoi is from August to November and March to April. Unlike the rest of the country, the north of Hanoi has a temperate, tropical climate. Therefore, visitors can enjoy the beautiful picture of Hanoi in the four seasons.
The above two periods have cool temperatures and low rates of showers. From March to April, the weather suits walking around without sweating. The average temperature falls in the range of 17-23°C. However, the humidity during this time is high. It is easy to get a cold when experiencing high moisture under the sun.
August to November brings the first signs that autumn is approaching with the relatively high temperature from the summer. The early autumn winds and the last rains of the rainy season will banish the heat fortunately. Moreover, the temperature is gradually decreasing, and Hanoi’s streets are full of nostalgic yellow fall shades.
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Monthly weather in Hanoi
The year-round change of the tropical monsoon influences Hanoi’s weather. The southwest monsoon causes a rapid increase in temperature accompanied by torrential rainfall. Hanoi, next, welcomes a cooler northeast monsoon that makes the weather here dry and the temperature drops.
Month | High/Low (℃ ) | Rain |
---|---|---|
January | 23°/16° | 4 days |
February | 23°/16° | 7 days |
March | 27°/20° | 10 days |
April | 26°/18° | 10 days |
May | 32°/24° | 19 days |
June | 35°/26° | 18 days |
July | 34°/26° | 16 days |
August | 32/25° | 22 days |
September | 32°/23° | 13 days |
October | 30°/21° | 13 days |
November | 27°/18° | 5 days |
December | 24°/14° | 7 days |
The best time to visit Hanoi is considered differently for each individual and what they expect to experience in the city with activities.
To explain this we will understand deeper in the next section.
Wet Season in Hanoi
Monsoon season reaches its rainy peak during May and September. May open with endless rains. Unlike the gentle spring rains, mid-year downpours are so sudden that you can’t help getting wet a little bit! It would help if you prepared an umbrella, slippers, and mosquito repellent during this time.

Next, June is the student summer vacation season. Therefore, the summer heat can’t stop the flow of people traveling to Hanoi. The temperature in the city reached its highest figure in July, which is 33°C. The best things to do in Hanoi are enjoying a cool Trang Tien ice cream or having a cup of Che beside Hoan Kiem Lake, one of the best places to visit in Vietnam.
There are still sudden showers in August and September. After that, it will leave a beautiful atmosphere amid the sun at over 30°C. Autumn has hit Hanoi quietly, bringing the romantic atmosphere of autumn that tourists cannot ignore.
Dry Season in Hanoi
The northeast monsoon brings cool, dry air from November to March. November is the last moment that you can keep the feeling of comfortable autumn breezes. Rainy days become harder to find. At the same time, this is the blooming season of chrysanthemums. It is the best time to visit Hanoi!

Visitors who love the cold will be bathed between 19°C and 24°C in November; this number can be lower in the next few months. If you’re not used to the cold, prepare a jacket and scarf so the weather won’t get too hard on you.
From February, you will have the opportunity to see the brightest decorated Vietnamese streets with pots of apricot blossom and peach blossom everywhere.
A separate season in Hanoi that you should also know is the Nom season, from February to April. That is when the humidity in the air consistently exceeds the average threshold. More specifically, prolonged Nom status can greatly affect local people’s daily life. Find out more about Hanoi travel guide.
Humid season in Hanoi
The humid season occurs between March and May when the monsoon changes direction. At the same time, it is considered a transitional period from Spring to Summer when Hanoi becomes warmer and quite rain-free.
The average humidity for this period is 75%. The weather is still relatively cool. May mark the period of the most potent weather changes in temperature and precipitation.
When you arrive in Hanoi during these three seasons will determine the things to do in Hanoi, best places to visit in Hanoi Vietnam and how much you pay to get in.
In addition, factors will affect your travel prices, such as peak travel time or travel time coinciding with Vietnam’s special holidays. We will know when Hanoi celebrates festivals and events in the next part.

Festivals & Events in Hanoi
Lunar New Year
- Time: Between January to February
The most awaited holiday by all Vietnamese people and the biggest one of the year is the Lunar New Year (or Tet). Usually, all Vietnamese citizens get to rest for a week during Vietnam in january. Family reunion events transpire across the country during this time, bringing the cozy reunion atmosphere closer than ever.
The city has much innovation; this is the best time to visit Hanoi. Typically, the Hanoi Old Quarter is lit up with many stalls selling Tet decorations, traditional clothes, and heavy gift baskets for giving. Quang Ba market is more vibrant than ever, with many people coming to buy flowers for home decoration. More specifically, a spring festival and calligraphy exhibition at the Temple of Literature brings life closer to art.
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Dong Nhan Temple Festival
- Time: Around March
Takes place right after the biggest festival of the year. Dong Nhan Temple Festival occurs at Dong Nhan temple in Hai Ba Trung district. The ceremony aims to commemorate the merits of two sisters, Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, who stood up to protect the country against foreign threats.
Mid-Autumn Festival
- Time: September to October
A mid-autumn festival is one of the big festivals at the best time to visit Hanoi. The origin of this festival has yet to be discovered. However, Vietnamese people have been associated with this festival many times before, when the event was printed on the Ngoc Lu bronze drum (more than 2500 years old).
Furthermore, we can mention the stele of Doi Pagoda in 1121 of the Ly dynasty. The Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated in Thang Long citadel with many activities such as boat racing, water puppetry, and lantern procession. During the Le – Trinh dynasties, the festival was held extremely lavishly in the Lord’s palace as described by “Tang Thuong Ngau Luc.”
This time is when children are excited to go to Ruoc Den, excited everywhere with colorful lanterns. If you visit Hanoi on a mid-autumn day, drop by the land of lights in the Old Quarter. Hang Ma and Luong Van Can streets will be crowded with children coming to buy toys, lanterns, or a typical sweet mid-autumn cake.
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Frequently asked questions about the best time of year to visit Hanoi (FAQs)
What is the best month to go to Hanoi?
The best month to go to Hanoi is between August to November and from March to April: April. April will be a great transition time to drive away the drizzle that fills the roads and replace it with drier weather. Towards the end of the year, August will let you see a poetic Hanoi of autumn covered with yellow leaves.
What is the hottest month in Hanoi?
The month with the highest temperature of the year in Hanoi is June when the temperature reaches 33°C, and the sun is intense. The air here is sometimes hotter than in the south of Vietnam in the summer.

In addition to discovering the values in Hanoi, you should visit this small city at the best time to visit Hanoi to see the vivid pieces from nature that have always beautified this ancient city since eternity.