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Weather Overview for Hanoi

The climate of Hanoi is best described as a tropical monsoon climate, defined by two monsoon seasons: the northeast monsoon from November to April and the southwest monsoon from May to October.

Hanoi is a charming city that has been dubbed by some as the Paris of the Orient. It is home to around 4 million and is the capital of the fascinating South East Asian country of Vietnam. The city is located in the country’s north and sprawls along the banks of the Red River, around 100km inland from the coast.

NORTHEAST MONSOON: November - April

The north east monsoon brings cool dry weather to Hanoi. November sees average temperatures of 21°C with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. By January, however, it gets a bit colder with an average temperature of 17°C and night time lows down to around 13°C. This is the coolest month of the year. From February, temperature starts to rise again and by the time the south west monsoon arrives in May Hanoi experiences daily highs above 30°C.

Rainfall is low during the north east monsoon as the winds that fuel it bring dry air to Hanoi. November averages 40mm of rainfall, while December and January are the driest months with only 20mm. Rain then starts to increase, getting up to 80mm in April as the first of the southwest monsoon rains arrive.

The cooler and drier weather make this period the prime time to visit Hanoi. Sunshine is plentiful and the lower temperatures and humidity make exploring this charming city much more enjoyable. Heavy downpours may still occur especially at the start and end of the season as this is a tropical location, but they usually clear up quickly.

SOUTHWEST MONSOON: May - October

The southwest monsoon brings hot, wet weather to Hanoi. Hot air way up in the Gobi Desert of northern China and Mongolia rises and draws in the moisture-laden air from the Indian Ocean then dumps rain all over South East Asia.

The rains arrive in May with the month averaging almost 200mm rainfall. By July, the rain has increased to its heaviest; July and August are the wettest months of the year with more than 320mm. September and October herald the retreat of the monsoon rains.

The monsoon season is never predictable and some seasons can see much heavier rain than others. It is not uncommon for heavy rains to flood the city with a whole month’s average rainfall in 24hrs.

Temperatures are high at this time of year with daily highs over 30°C and night time temperatures never dropping much below 25°C. Combined with the high humidity, it can become quite uncomfortable, especially if you’re doing any strenuous activities.

This is also typhoon season and each year the Vietnam coast is battered by strong storms that form in the South China Sea. These can be very destructive and lead to loss of life. Since Hanoi is a little inland from the coast it escapes the worst of the typhoons, which typically lose power as they make land. Still, heavy rains and violent winds can hit the city and it’s certainly something to be aware of.

You don’t necessarily need to be put off by the monsoon season; cheaper prices and fewer crowds help make up for the more unreliable weather. There are still periods with lots of sunshine as much of the rain falls in short showers. Remember, though, that downpours lasting several days can occur too.