What is winter like in Hanoi?

Overview

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and one of the most attractive tourist destinations at the same time. Many tourists are engrossed in Hanoi because of its rich culture, delectable food and hospitable locals. However, Hanoi’s weather is a matter worth considering before visiting this beautiful city such as “What is winter like in Hanoi?” All the information below by the best Vietnam tour operator will tackle all of your concerns about winter in Hanoi.

Hanoi’s weather

Vietnam is located in an area that has a hot and humid tropical monsoon climate. Hanoi is a province located in Northern Vietnam, possessing all the characteristics of this climate type. Characteristics are the humid tropical monsoon climate, hot summers, lots of rain and cold winters, and little rain. The most obvious characteristic of Hanoi's climate is the change and difference between the hot and cold seasons. From May to September is the hot and rainy season, with an average temperature of 29.2ºC. Winter will last from November through March of the next year. The average temperature will be 15.2°C. Between the two seasons, there are two transitional months: April and October. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter are the four distinct seasons in Hanoi as a result. These four changing seasons have made Hanoi's climate richer and more diverse, every season is beautiful and interesting.

Hanoi streets in winter

Why is it so cold in Hanoi? 

Winter in Hanoi, in fact, is super cold. Timur Finov, 26 years old, is working as a photo model and English teacher in Hanoi. Born and raised in Russia, despite experiencing icy winters, he still huddled in the winter weather of the Vietnamese capital. "On a cloudy day in Vietnam, I exhaled smoke! While living in Russia, I had never experienced anything like that in my home. I remember when the temperature dropped around 6-7 Celsius degrees. For me, this is really a shock when I underestimate Hanoi's winter," the Russian man expressed. In winter in Russia, Timur only wears two shirts, including a long-sleeved shirt and a thick jacket. But when living in Hanoi, this guy always has to wear three shirts, including a shirt, vest and overcoat in the cold season. Winter in Hanoi is not less freezing than winter in Moscova, he said. In Hanoi, I clearly feel the cold that penetrates my bones, making my whole body shiver. While in Russia, it is cold, sometimes making my hands turn red, stiff, no feeling".

A foreigner is shocked with Hanoi's winter

This is such an interesting story about a foreigner experiencing winter in Hanoi. But why is Hanoi so cold in winter? It is the Real Feel that decides the true feeling you can have in winter. Hanoi’s temperature may be only 7-8 degrees Celsius, but it can feel like a chill of 0 Celsius. The North part of Vietnam is yearly affected by the Northern East monsoon (which is really strong and cold), dramatically reinforcing the cold in Hanoi. Moreover, few Vietnamese people have the habit of laying out carpet or settling heaters inside the house except for the office to relieve the cold as people living in frigid countries. Vietnamese people just put on socks or slippers to deal with the cold, which is not as relatively effective. Hence, being inside is even colder than being outside. Besides, most Vietnamese people travel by motorbikes, which makes you feel colder than sitting in cars. This is also the reason that foreigners are shocked with the bone-chilling winter in Hanoi.

That Vietnamese people often drive motorbikes contributes to the feeling of more severe cold

Frequently asked questions

1. Is Hanoi hot or cold?

Hanoi is both hot and cold. Experiencing hot or cold weather in Hanoi, it depends on the months that you visit Hanoi. Although it is cool and dry from November to April, it is hot and rainy from May to October. In the extreme north, December and January can be unusually chilly. 

2. Does Hanoi ever get cold?

Yes, it does. Meteorological winter begins from the first cold spell, with average daily temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius. Normally, winter officially begins in the second half of November. Severe cold spells occur from the second half of December to January and February. These cold spells can last 5-7 days.

3. Is Hanoi colder than Ho Chi Minh City?

Hanoi’s weather is significantly colder than Ho Chi Minh city’s weather. Because Hanoi is located in the Northern part of Vietnam, whose annual winter is affected by the Northern East monsoon - the key element makes temperature plunge. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh city is situated in the Southern part, which is closer to the Earth’s equator. As a result, Saigon’s weather is obviously warmer than Hanoi's.

4. What is the coldest city in Vietnam?

Where is the coldest place in Vietnam? Far from what many people think, the coldest place in Vietnam is Mau Son peak - Lang Son province, even though this is not the roof of Vietnam. Mau Son Peak is a high mountain area, slanting East - West, located in the Northeast of Lang Son province.

5. Is Vietnam colder than Thailand?

Yes, Vietnam is a little colder than Thailand. Because Vietnam’s territory stretches on the area where the Northern East monsoon actively works. Meanwhile, Thailand is located in a lower latitude in the South on the map, which means it is closer to the Equator.

Tips for you

- If you are planning to visit Hanoi in winter, adequately prepare winter clothes to put on.

- Bring with you the first-aid kit that you are familiar with in case you have a cold.

- You’d better travel by bus or car, instead of motorbike, which makes you prone to having a cold.

- It is foggy in the morning so you should avoid going out as least as possible.

Conclusion

Vietnam Escape Tours hopes that the above information will be helpful when you want to pay a visit to Vietnam. This article will help you avoid feeling shocked when you actually experience winter in Hanoi, in other words, you will prepare in advance if you know winter in Hanoi is much colder than you think. Experiencing winter in Hanoi is also an interesting thing, you will miss this unique cold when you leave Vietnam.