Visiting Vietnam in January

You’ll find dry, pleasant weather throughout most of the country during January, making this month one of the best times for a holiday in Vietnam, although you can expect cruises along the Mekong Delta to be busy.

North Vietnam

In the northern regions, it can get positively chilly, especially during the mornings and late evenings, so go prepared if you’re visiting the highlands and rice fields of Sapa and meeting the remote tribes in the mountains at Ha Giang where the temperatures can drop as low as 5C. Bring layers if you’re heading to Bai Tu Long Bay as well.

For a less chilly experience in the mountains, head to Mai Chau for a first-hand experience of life with the hill tribes. The cooler weather can make it the perfect month to go trekking, whether you’re visiting the lakes and waterfalls of Ba Be National Park near Hanoi, walking through the countryside around Pu Luong, cycling around Ninh Binh or discovering the Hmong village of Mu Cang Chai.

Hanoi itself isn’t as cold, with highs of around 20C, so you’ll have clear bright days to explore the whirl of activity in the city’s maze of streets, although hazy mist means you may not get the best views of the famous limestone peaks in Halong Bay this month.

Central Vietnam

Central Vietnam is enjoying hot, dry weather after the end of the wet season so now’s when to go to the beach – Nha Trang is a fantastic option this month, or try tiny Palm Island. And it’s around 25C in Hoi An and Danang, a few degrees cooler in Hue, so it’s a lovely time to explore before the heat rises during the summer. Head to the beach near Hoi An or Phu Loc near Hue for some downtime after exploring the towns. Dalat and the lakes of the Central Highlands are dry too but chilly at night so you’ll still need layers if you’re heading up into the hills or venturing into Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

South Vietnam

South Vietnam enjoys tropical warmth year-round but it’s drier this month with very little rain, and can be quieter than peak holiday seasons making it one of the best times to visit. Head to the islands of Phu Quoc and Con Dao for some blissfully sunny beach time, as well as the beaches near Ho Chi Minh City, including Mui Ne. It’s a great month to see Ho Chi Minh City itself too, with low humidity and temperatures hovering around 25C. Away from the coast, the rainfall is lower this month in the jungle at Cat Tien National Park where you can spot some of the country’s endangered and rare wildlife, from golden-cheeked gibbons to bears and wildcats.

Festivals: While there are some New Year celebrations on January 1, Vietnam saves its energy for Tet Nguyen Dan (or simply Tet), the Lunar New Year which falls towards the end of the month (or early February). Transport is busier and some businesses close, but you’ll also get to see traditional ceremonies, enjoy the bright colours and explosion of firecrackers everywhere, and try some of the special foods to mark the beginning of the year.

Best for: Visiting the whole country, beach weather, exploring the cities, trekking and hiking, getting outdoors

January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December