Vietnam Climate

Vietnam is located between 9 and 23 degrees north. Eastern Vietnam has a long coastline on the Gulf of Tonkin and the South China Sea. It has a tropical monsoon type of climate; from May-Sep the south monsoon sets in, and the country is dominated by south to southeasterly winds. From Oct-April, the north monsoon is dominant with northerly to northeasterly winds affecting the country. There is a transition period between each monsoon season when winds are light and variable.

The country is mountainous in the northwest and in the central highlands facing the South China Sea, with peaks reaching up to 8000ft (2450m) In the north around Hanoi and in the south around Ho Chi Minh City, there are extensive low-lying regions in the Red River delta and the Mekong delta respectively.

Vietnam has a single rainy season during the south monsoon (May-Sep). Rainfall is infrequent and light during the remainder of the year. Rainfall is abundant, with annual rainfall exceeding 1000mm almost everywhere. Annual rainfall is even higher in the hills, especially those facing the sea, in the range of 2000-2500mm.

For coastal areas and the parts of the central highlands facing northeast, the season of maximum rainfall is during the south monsoon, from Sep-Jan. These regions receive torrential rain from typhoons which move in from the South China Sea at this time of the year. The weather at this time is cloudy with frequent drizzle.

 During the north monsoon, northern Vietnam has cloudy days with occasional light rain, while southern Vietnam tends to be dry and sunny.

Temperatures are high all year round for southern and central Vietnam; but northern Vietnam has a definite cooler season as the north monsoon occasionally advects cold air in from China. Frost and some snow may occur on the highest mountains in the north for a few days a year. In the southern Vietnam, the lowlands are sheltered from outbreaks of colder northerly air and the dry season is warm to hot with much sunshine.

Sapa Weather

Located in the mountains of the northern Vietnamese province of Lao Cai, close to the Chinese border, Sapa has a climate similar to that of the rest of the country. It lies in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, a series of mountains that is in essence part of the eastern foothills of the Himalays. Residing at 1,650 metres above sea level, Sapa is a town that has seasonal changing weather.,,Tropical weather is the norm in summer, while milder temperatures occur in winter. More concretely, this means that the weather is humid and hot in summer and rather chilly and foggy in winter. In July and August, the hottest, wettest and also greenest months of the year, it tends to rain in the mornings, but clears up in the afternoons. January and February are the coldest months. The recommended periods to visit this mountain town are from March through to May, and from September through to November.

During those times of the year, Sapa is relatively cool with temperatures of around 15°C to 20°C. The humidity in the area can range from 75 percent humidity to highs of 91 percent humidity due to predominant winds and cloud formation close by. You can check the weather forecast for this beautiful town.

Sapa and the surrounding areas are famous for their spectacular natural landscapes and fascinating cultural diversity. Most of the tourists that visit this town of approximately 35,000 inhabitants come to see the magnificent rice terraces that dot the area. Additionally, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts are attracted by the town's proximity to Hoang Lien Son National Park and Mount Fansipan, the tallest mountain in Vietnam. Sapa itself may be on the rise as a tourist town in this corner of the countryt's not quite there yet, thoughnd continue to receive a steady and reliable influx of visitors, but it is still completely possible to escape the increasing crowds in the spectacular natural scenery that surrounds it.

The town is also interesting because of its sheer diversity when it comes to ethnic groups and cultures. Most of the inhabitants belong to some ethnic minority group, but manage to live together in complete peace and understanding. It is this relaxed attitude of the local population that also adds to the ever-growing appeal of this gorgeous town in northern Vietnam.

Hanoi  Weather

Hanoi has a mild, tropical climate typical of northern Vietnam with a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October. The months of June through August are typically the hottest and wettest.