Hanoi Weather in January

January feels cool and grey

Hanoi's January days are mild, but evenings can feel chilly, especially when the air is damp. Rain is usually light, though cloud often hangs over the city and sunshine is limited. You'll want a warm layer for a walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake or through the Old Quarter.

The weather suits museums, cafés and food stops better than long days outdoors. Visit the Temple of Literature or the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, then warm up with phở or egg coffee. Don't count on bright skies for photos at Hoàn Kiếm Lake, and skip a full day outdoors if the grey, clammy feel gets to you.

Holidays and crowds

Tết, Vietnam's Lunar New Year, sometimes falls in January, though its date changes each year. If it does, Hanoi can feel festive, but many local shops and restaurants close during the holiday. Some residents leave the city, while popular sights and transport can be busy just before Tết.

If you hate crowds, avoid travelling around Tết dates and enjoy Hanoi's calmer streets during the holiday itself. January is part of the popular December-to-February travel season, so expect more visitors than in the wetter summer months. Prices can rise around Tết, too.

Getting around Hanoi in January

January's shorter, cloudy days work well for a relaxed city break. Spend the brighter part of the day around the Old Quarter, then choose a cosy café or a restaurant for the evening. Travelling with kids? The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology gives you an indoor option if the damp weather wears them down.

For a local warm-up, order egg coffee at a café near Hoàn Kiếm Lake. It's a thick, sweet Hanoi drink, best enjoyed sitting down while the city carries on outside. Don't plan your day around sunshine: January averages just a little over two hours of it daily.