Best time to visit Hanoi

Hanoi, which is the capital city located in the North of Vietnam, has four seasons around the year. The weather in summer is extremely hot (35-40 Celcius degrees), and it is pretty cold (14-20 Celcius degrees) with thick fog in the winter. Therefore, the best time to visit Hanoi is from February to April and from September to November, when the weather is warm and comfortable, not too hot and dry.

Hanoi in Spring (from February to April)

Weather

It is hard to see the beginning of Spring, many people believe that Spring begins at Tet when flowers blossom everywhere. On Tet occasion, the temperature is around 18 degrees Celsius and the humidity may reach 70%. In March and April, the temperature is higher, ranging between 20-24 degrees. The blue sky, as well as the mild temperature, is very suitable to stroll around streets and explore many famous attractions such as Hoan Kiem Lake, One Pillar Pagoda, or Nhat Tan peach gardens. Spring is also the best time to enjoy Com – a specialty made from sweet and fragrant young glutinous rice of Hanoi and drink lotus tea made by brewing tea in unopened lotus flowers.

Festivals

Spring is also Hanoi’s festival time. There are hundreds of festive events and celebrations, and the most important one is Tet or Lunar New Year’s Eve. It usually takes place at the end of January or early February. This is the best time to witness Vietnamese culture because every single person is busy preparing for the biggest traditional celebration of the year. You will see an influx of adults decorating streets and their houses, buying cooking ingredients, and doing a lot of different things to welcome guests. Almost all hotels and restaurants are closed at Tet as it is also an occasion for a family reunion. As a result, family members tend to gather at their homes, cook, and enjoy traditional meals together.

Apart from Tet, you can take part in the Co Loa festival in Co Loa Citadel, which is known for wrestling and crossbow shootings. Dong festival in Gia Lam district is also a suitable choice for those who love special martial art performances by renowned artists. In addition, there are many religious events celebrated in the outskirts of Hanoi such as the Perfume Pagoda festival, Keo Pagoda festival,…

Hanoi in Autumn (From September to November)

Weather

In the summer, the temperature may reach above 40 Celsius. June, July, and August are the hottest months. At this time of the year, it is even hotter in the South of the country. Therefore, citizens in Hanoi often go somewhere off the beaten track for their vacation such as Tam Dao mountain or Sa Pa with cool air. If you are in Hanoi at this time, as soon as you step out of the air-conditioned space you are likely to come back into the bathroom or you will suffer from sweat. It is also the rainy season which means regular downpours. Walking isn’t much fun as many streets are prone to flooding. The temperature only drops slightly in September. October and November are similar to March and April in terms of temperature and rainfall. Traveling to Hanoi on this occasion, you will comfortably enjoy walking, cycling, cyclo, or hop-on hop-off tours around the city. In addition, Hanoi is often compared to a charming girl who is always brilliant with 12 flower seasons, and the colors of the flower make Hanoi more poetic and unique.

Popular activities for tourists

According to the elderly’s perception, in Autumn, Hanoi seems to put on a new look, becoming a traditional girl with feminine and romantic beauty. During this season, there are many interesting activities such as biking in the Sun Set and enjoying the delicate odors of milkwood pine flowers. Just biking around the Old Quarter of Hanoi in the early morning, you can find a peaceful life through the scents of nuggets from street vendors. Years after years, this is a common activity for Western tourists when visiting Vietnam.

Moreover, thanks to the pleasant weather during that time, it is an ideal time to venture out and explore the surrounding destinations of Hanoi. From September to November, people have a habit of visiting historical sites to reminisce about the past. The most well-known tourist attractions on this occasion are Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoa Lo Prison, Dong Xuan Market, and West Lake.

Conclusion

In general, there is no really bad time to visit Hanoi. However, you should notice that the Winter is a bit depressing, and if you are afraid of heat, you should not come in June, July, and August. On top of that, plan your trip carefully and don’t let the weather spoil your holiday.