Comparison · Vietnam
Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City: which city in which month, by the climate normals
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have very different weather. We compare monthly highs, lows and rain (WMO, 1991–2020) with each guide's best time to go.
Published
Which numbers we used
This article uses only the 'best time to go' in the two city guides and the monthly normals stored in them (average high, average low and rainfall). For both cities the source is the WMO World Weather Information Service — Viet Nam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration, and the period is 1991–2020.
Normals are averages over many years, so they don't tell you this year's weather. Check the forecast before you go. Temperatures are in °C and rainfall in mm.
For the feel, sights and airport transfers, see our earlier Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City article.
What the guides say about the best time
Hanoi: October-November and March-April are mild and pleasant. Winter from December to February is cooler and damper than many expect, with some days around 10°C, so bring a jacket. May to September is hot with frequent rain, and from summer into autumn storms can cancel Ha Long Bay cruises.
Ho Chi Minh City: the dry season from December to April is best, with December to February slightly less hot. The May to November wet season brings short afternoon downpours. Many shops close around Tet (Lunar New Year, January or February), so check dates.
- Hanoi best time: October-November, March-April
- Hanoi winter (December-February): cool and damp, bring a jacket
- Ho Chi Minh City best time: December-April dry season (December-February slightly less hot)
- Ho Chi Minh City wet season (May-November): short afternoon downpours
January-June normals side by side
Each line shows 'average high/average low, rainfall' (WMO/Viet Nam MHA, 1991–2020).
- January: Hanoi 20/14.6°C, 28 mm · Ho Chi Minh City 32/23.4°C, 12 mm
- February: Hanoi 21.3/16.2°C, 19 mm · Ho Chi Minh City 32.7/23.1°C, 8 mm
- March: Hanoi 23.5/18.7°C, 55 mm · Ho Chi Minh City 33.6/24.9°C, 18 mm
- April: Hanoi 27.7/21.9°C, 79 mm · Ho Chi Minh City 34.5/26.4°C, 57 mm
- May: Hanoi 31.7/24.5°C, 188 mm · Ho Chi Minh City 34.9/26.4°C, 202 mm
- June: Hanoi 33.8/26.3°C, 231 mm · Ho Chi Minh City 33.5/25.5°C, 224 mm
July-December normals side by side
Same source and period. The wettest month of the year is August in Hanoi (335 mm) and September in Ho Chi Minh City (273 mm).
- July: Hanoi 33.3/26.5°C, 300 mm · Ho Chi Minh City 33/25.2°C, 231 mm
- August: Hanoi 32.5/25.8°C, 335 mm · Ho Chi Minh City 32.9/25.1°C, 219 mm
- September: Hanoi 31.6/24.7°C, 195 mm · Ho Chi Minh City 32.6/25°C, 273 mm
- October: Hanoi 29.6/22.4°C, 126 mm · Ho Chi Minh City 32.3/25°C, 240 mm
- November: Hanoi 26.3/19.2°C, 48 mm · Ho Chi Minh City 32.4/24.9°C, 128 mm
- December: Hanoi 22.1/15.4°C, 24 mm · Ho Chi Minh City 31.6/23.9°C, 41 mm
December-April: Ho Chi Minh City in winter, Hanoi in spring
In December-February Ho Chi Minh City is in its dry season, with 41, 12 and 8 mm of rain and average highs of 31.6-32.7°C; the guide calls it slightly less hot then. Hanoi at the same time has average highs of 20-22.1°C and lows of 14.6-16.2°C, so you'll need a jacket.
In March-April Hanoi is back in its best season, with average highs of 23.5 and 27.7°C and 55 and 79 mm of rain. Ho Chi Minh City is still in its dry season (18 and 57 mm), but average highs rise to 33.6 and 34.5°C.
Many shops in Ho Chi Minh City close around Tet (January or February), so check dates.
- December-February: Ho Chi Minh City dry season (8-41 mm); Hanoi is cool
- March-April: Hanoi's best season; Ho Chi Minh City still dry but average highs of 33.6-34.5°C
- Tet (January or February): check dates
May-November: the wet months
In May-September both cities get 188 mm of rain or more every month. Hanoi is hot with frequent rain, as its guide says (average highs of 31.6-33.8°C), and from summer into autumn storms can cancel Ha Long Bay cruises. Ho Chi Minh City's May-November wet season brings short afternoon downpours.
In October-November the two cities part ways. Hanoi enters its best season, with rain falling to 126 and 48 mm and average highs of 29.6 and 26.3°C. Ho Chi Minh City is still in its wet season, with 240 mm in October and 128 mm in November.
For rainy seasons elsewhere in Southeast Asia and in central Da Nang, see the articles below.
- May-September: Hanoi 188-335 mm, Ho Chi Minh City 202-273 mm
- October-November: Hanoi's best season (126 and 48 mm); Ho Chi Minh City still wet (240 and 128 mm)
- Ha Long Bay cruises: may be cancelled by storms from summer into autumn
Check before you go
Normals are long-term averages. Real weather varies from year to year, so check the forecast just before you leave. Check entry requirements (visas etc.) with official sources.
- Check the forecast just before departure
- Hanoi in December-February: pack a jacket
- Ha Long Bay cruises: storms can cancel them from summer into autumn
- Entry requirements (visas etc.): check official info
Plan your Hanoi trip
We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.
Plan your Ho Chi Minh City trip
We never take payment — compare, then book on the official partner site.
FAQ
Which is better in winter (December-February), Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is in its dry season, with 8-41 mm of rain and average highs of 31.6-32.7°C. Hanoi has average lows of 14.6-16.2°C and some days around 10°C, so you'll need a jacket.
Which is better in October-November?
Hanoi. It is the guide's best season, and rain drops to 126 mm in October and 48 mm in November. Ho Chi Minh City is still in its wet season, with 240 mm and 128 mm.
What is the wettest month in each city?
By the normals, August in Hanoi (335 mm) and September in Ho Chi Minh City (273 mm).
Where do the numbers come from?
1991–2020 normals from the WMO World Weather Information Service — Viet Nam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration. They are long-term averages, so check the forecast before you go.
Related reading
Comparison · VietnamNorthern vs Southern Vietnam: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City?Planning a Vietnam city trip — Hanoi in the north or Ho Chi Minh City in the south? We…
TipsTraveling Southeast Asia in the Rainy Season: When It Rains Where, and What to PackRainy seasons differ by country and even by coast. Here's when it rains in Bangkok,…
Tips · VietnamDa Nang in the Rainy Season (Sep-Dec): Should You Go?Da Nang is rainy September-December, with typhoons most likely in October-November.…