January is a popular month for travellers escaping winter at home, and with good reason: the south of Vietnam is in the heart of its dry season. The rest of the country needs a little more planning, and in 2027 there is an extra factor, because Tet, the Lunar New Year, falls early in February.
January weather at a glance
| Region | What to expect in January | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi, Ninh Binh | The coolest time of year; often overcast, with light drizzle at times | Good for sightseeing; bring a jacket |
| Halong Bay | Cool and often misty; calm on most days | Good for cruising, not swimming |
| Sapa, Ha Giang | Cold, with frost possible on high ground | For travellers who do not mind the cold |
| Hue | Cool and still damp at times | Fine, with flexible days |
| Hoi An, Da Nang | Drying out; cool evenings, sea still lively | Good for the Old Town, less so for the beach |
| Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta | Dry, sunny and warm | Excellent |
| Phu Quoc | Dry season, calm west coast | Excellent for a beach finish |
North: cool and atmospheric
Hanoi in January feels like a different city from the summer one: cooler, often grey, and pleasant for long walks through the Old Quarter. Halong and Lan Ha Bay are frequently misty, which suits the limestone scenery, though not swimming. In the mountains, January is the coldest month. Sapa can see frost, and very occasionally snow on the highest ground. If you go, we choose heated hotels and plan shorter walks. Our guide to Sapa for non-hikers has ideas for cold days.
Centre: improving, but keep a buffer
The heavy rains are usually over by January, but Hue can still be cool and damp, and the sea off Da Nang and Hoi An is often too rough for comfortable swimming. Hoi An’s Old Town is lovely at this time of year, especially in the evening. We still keep a flexible day in central Vietnam; see how we plan around the weather in central Vietnam in the rainy season.
South: the easy choice
From Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc, January is dry, sunny and warm. It is our favourite month for a Mekong stay and a beach finish on Phu Quoc’s west coast.
Tet in early February 2027
Tet falls on 6 February 2027. In the weeks before, cities fill with flower markets and decorations, and in the last days before the holiday many Vietnamese travel home, so domestic flights, trains and roads are very busy and prices rise. If your trip ends in late January, it is a wonderful time to see the preparations. If it runs into Tet itself, plan carefully: many family-run shops and restaurants close for the first days of the new year, and we avoid long transfers then.
A January route we like
- Hanoi (2–3 nights), with a day trip or a night in Ninh Binh.
- Halong or Lan Ha Bay (1–2 nights).
- Hoi An (3 nights), including a day in Hue or My Son.
- Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights) and the Mekong Delta (1 night).
- Phu Quoc (3–4 nights) to finish in the sun.
Packing
Bring a warm jacket and layers for the north, a light rain layer for the centre and summer clothes for the south. Our article on what to wear in Vietnam also covers temple dress. For the rest of the year, see the month-by-month guide.
Typical temperatures and rainfall in January
January is the coolest month in Hanoi and the driest stretch of the year in the south. These typical figures show the spread you will pack for:
| Place | Typical daytime high | Typical night low | Typical monthly rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | 19°C | 14°C | about 20 mm |
| Hue | 23°C | 18°C | about 160 mm |
| Hoi An & Da Nang | 25°C | 19°C | about 95 mm |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 32°C | 22°C | about 15 mm |
| Phu Quoc | 30°C | 23°C | about 25 mm |
Rounded long-term averages from public climate records, not a forecast. Any single January can be warmer, cooler, wetter or drier, so we check the outlook for your exact dates when we plan your trip.
Want to compare January with the months either side? Use our quick tool below: it opens on January, and you can tap any other month.
Plan your Vietnam trip in 1 minute
Pick your month to see the weather by region, or estimate your budget — then get a private itinerary from our Hanoi team.
Typical seasonal patterns; weather varies year to year. Our team checks your exact dates when we prepare your itinerary.
"From" prices published on our Vietnam tour cost guide: per person per day, 2 travellers sharing, private guide & driver, hotels, listed activities. International flights, e-visa, insurance and tips not included. Final price is confirmed in your written quote.
Where to go and where to think twice in January
Good choices in January:
- Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc: dry, sunny and warm
- Hanoi and Ninh Binh for cool, comfortable sightseeing
- Hoi An Old Town, especially in the evening
Think twice about:
- Sapa and Ha Giang if you dislike cold: nights can drop close to freezing
- Swimming in Halong Bay or on the central coast: the water is cool and the sea often rough
- Long domestic journeys in the last days before Tet, when transport is very busy
Festivals and dates to note in January
- 1 January: New Year’s Day, a public holiday.
- 21 January 2027: full-moon Legend Night in Hoi An (the 14th day of the lunar month), when the Old Town dims its electric lights and lanterns take over.
- 30 January 2027: Kitchen Gods’ Day (Ong Cong Ong Tao), a week before Tet. Families release carp into lakes and rivers in Hanoi and across the country.
- Late January: Tet flower markets and kumquat and peach-blossom stalls fill the streets ahead of the Lunar New Year on 6 February 2027.
Lunar-calendar dates are calculated for Vietnam’s time zone. Event programmes change from year to year, so check before travel.
Three private tours for January
These are private tours we sell now that suit January weather: each spends the most time where January is at its best, with the north handled at a gentler pace.
12 days 11 nights · private
Vietnam Trip in Depth: 12-Day Classic Experience
From US$2,051 per person
A classic north-to-south route that ends in the Mekong Delta, the region at its best in January.
10 days 9 nights · private
10-Day Vietnam Honeymoon Tour Package & Relax On Phu Quoc Beach
From US$1,400 per person
Halong Bay, Hoi An and Hue, then three nights on Phu Quoc in its dry, sunny season.
12 days 11 nights · private
Luxurious Vietnam Exploration Package 12 Days
From US$1,680 per person
Hanoi, Ninh Binh and a Halong cruise in the cool, then Hoi An, Hue and the warm south.
Prices are the published "from" prices on each tour page, per person, based on 2 travellers sharing. Every tour is private and can be re-timed for your dates; the final price and hotels are confirmed in your quote, subject to availability.
None of these quite right? Every Metta Voyage tour is private, so we can shorten it, add beach days or change the hotel level. You can also browse all our Vietnam tours.
What a January trip costs
Our published “from” prices for a private Vietnam tour are about US$140 per person per day at Comfort (4★) level, US$180 at Superior, US$250 at Deluxe and US$350 at Luxury. They assume 2 travellers sharing a room and include a private guide and driver, hotels and the activities listed in the itinerary (see our Vietnam tour cost guide). A 12-day January trip at Superior level therefore starts at about US$2,160 per person; the same trip at Comfort level is about US$1,680. International flights, visas, insurance and tips are extra. January before Tet is a busy month for flights and hotels, so we suggest confirming your trip two to three months ahead. Final prices and hotels are confirmed in your quote, subject to availability.
Ready to plan? Send us your dates and our team in Hanoi will reply within 24 hours with a free day-by-day itinerary for January. A 30% deposit confirms the trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is January a good time to visit Vietnam?
Yes. January is excellent in the south and on Phu Quoc, cool but pleasant in Hanoi and Halong Bay, and improving in the centre. The mountains are cold.
Is it cold in Hanoi in January?
January is the coolest month in Hanoi. Days are mild and often overcast, and evenings are chilly, so bring a warm jacket.
When is Tet in 2027?
The Lunar New Year (Tet) falls on 6 February 2027. Travel in the last days before Tet is very busy.
Can I swim in Vietnam in January?
Yes, in the south. Phu Quoc’s west coast is calm and sunny. The sea in Halong Bay is too cool, and the central coast is often rough.
Does it snow in Sapa in January?
Frost is possible and snow occasionally falls on the highest ground in the coldest spells, but it is not something to count on.
Which tours do you recommend for Vietnam in January?
Routes that end in the south work best: our 12-day classic tour from Hanoi to the Mekong Delta, the 10-day honeymoon tour with Phu Quoc, and the 12-day luxurious exploration package. All are private and can be adjusted to your dates.
How much does a private Vietnam tour cost in January?
Our published "from" prices are about US$140 per person per day at Comfort (4-star) level, US$180 at Superior, US$250 at Deluxe and US$350 at Luxury, based on 2 travellers sharing. Your exact price is confirmed in your quote.
Plan this trip
- Vietnam North To South (10 days, from US$1,400 per person)
- Unforgettable Vietnam Family Tour: A 14-Day Adventure (14 days, from US$1,960 per person)
See Vietnam tour packages for your dates for itineraries and prices, from US$140 per person per day for two travellers.
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