Best Time To Visit Hanoi

Hanoi summer lasts from May to August, with July being the hottest month of the year. Due to climate change and global warming problems all around the world, the summers have become even more unpredictable in the city. It can either be dry or extremely wet and humid. One of the main features of Hanoi summer is heavy rain, so tourists are advised to always carry an umbrella or a raincoat with them if they are planning on stepping out in Hanoi during the summer. It is not uncommon to profusely sweat in the afternoon and then encounter a thunderstorm on the same evening in Hanoi. The average daily temperature goes as high as 32-35°C.

There is no well-defined monsoon in Hanoi as the rains are unpredictable. Mostly they occur on very hot days when Hanoi climate is extremely humid. It also rains heavily if there is a cyclone nearby. The average monthly precipitation in Hanoi is 140 mm per month. It is maximum in August as August is the wettest month of the year in Hanoi.

Contrary to popular belief that since Hanoi is a part of a southeast Asian country, it must be warm throughout the year and that there is no need to carry winter clothes while travelling, Hanoi winters can get quite chilly and appropriate winter clothes are definitely a necessity. Winter in Hanoi starts from December and may even extend up to February. The Hanoi temperature in December averages out around 17.2°C. However, a word of warning in this regard is necessary. The temperature may even drop below 10°C, during an infrequent but not exactly rare spell. And as mentioned earlier, since Hanoi is highly humid throughout the year, the chilly winter may even take the form of being cold in a bitter way. Needless to say, wearing your best woollen clothes while travelling in the winters is a must.

Apart from the regular seasons, another thing that people travelling to Hanoi should keep in mind is that is situated on the gulf side, Hanoi is very prone to cyclones. They may cause heavy rains for days. So be alert about cyclone notifications. Other than that, Hanoi is a pleasant place to visit any time of the year, but particularly in spring or fall if one does not like the extremes of summer and winter.