January is winter in northern Vietnam, is the rainy season with cold temperatures in the Central Coast, is the dry season with chilly or cold temperatures in the Central Highlands and dry season with pleasant temperatures in southern Vietnam.

Recap of Vietnam's Weather in 2025

It is worth noting that with global climate change, and Vietnam is a long and skinny country with a long coastline, the weather patterns in Vietnam in a given year may be drastically different from the norm.

And it was dramatically different in 2025 as we found that the dry season in the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam was much less dry and was shorter than normal. The Central Coast of Vietnam suffered from a typhoon in June with flooded places from Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam Provinces which is very rare.

And, an extremely powerful typhoon made landfall in the North of the Central Coast at the end of August. It is normal that typhoons in August are more likely to make landfall in northern Vietnam (or China).

There was rain all over Vietnam in June, July, and August 2025. Northern Vietnam seemed to have been experiencing a much shorter summer than normal with very pleasant temperatures mostly and only few days with high temperatures above 37oC.

There were sudden gusts of winds in the North, in the Central Coast, in the Central Highlands and in the South of Vietnam in July 2025.

It is good to note that strong winds may capsize boats on Halong Bay and blow away metal roofing sheets which are hazardous for households and dangerous to passersby. In cities, sudden strong gusts of winds might cause dangers to those in cars, on motorbikes, scooters, bicycles.

In August 2025, gale-force winds brought down big and huge trees in the region between the Central Highlands and low land of southern Vietnam which has not happened for decades! The Nam Cat Tien national park had big timber trees in the forest felled by strong winds.

At the end of August, there was Typhoon Nongfa (No 6) which strengthened from a tropical depression and weakened to be a tropical depression within one day on 30-August and which made landfall between Quang Tri and Hue. This typhoon caused heavy rain all over Vietnam.

One week after Typhoon No 6, Typhoon No. 7 formed in the East Sea and made landfall in China without having much impact on Vietnam. Typhoon No. 8 followed Typhoon No. 7 making landfall in China on 19-September without having much impact on Vietnam.

Super Typhoon Ragasa (no. 9) made landfall in China with wind speeds exceeding 200kph on 24-September and was making its way westwards towards Mong Cai (Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam). But this super typhoon met with cool air masses traveling southwards into northern Vietnam and weakened immediately to be a tropical depression, then air trough which did not have much impact on Vietnam except for some days with nice weather.

On the same day that typhoon No. 9 Ragasa weakened, another typhoon, Bualoi, typhoon No. 10 formed and ploughed its way towards the Central Coast of Vietnam. Typhoon No. 10 made landfall in between Nghe An and Quang Tri (Central Coast of Vietnam) on 29-September but torrential rain caused by this typhoon came a couple of days before making several places in the Central Coast of Vietnam flooded.

Typhoon No. 10 did not make its way to northern Vietnam but caused deadly tornadoes in a vast coastal area of northern Vietnam: Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Ninh Binh, Nam Dinh. Losses of lives and properties were reported. Besides, this typhoon caused torrential rain all the way from the top north to the Central Coast: floods in the Central Coast, floods in several places in northern Vietnam including Hanoi, Ha Giang, Yen Bai,... Fatal landslides and flash floods took place in several places in the far northern mountains: Lung Cu (Ha Giang), Sapa (Lao Cai), Tuyen Quang, Duc Long (Cao Bang)...

Typhoon No. 11 made landfall in China, but flood water remained in several provinces in northern Vietnam for the first half of October, 2025 which has been unprecedent in many aspects: the time of the year and the high water levels. Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Giang, Thai Nguyen, and Hanoi were flooded mostly.

In 2025, October came and left with losses of lives and destruction of houses and properties in the North and Central Coast of Vietnam (those places of over 1,100km far apart). This is unprecedented!

In the last 10 days of October 2025, there was heavy rain which caused flooded areas in several places from Quang Binh to Da Nang, in Nha Trang. The high tide combined with heavy rain caused flooded streets in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai... Unprecedented high flood water of the Mekong River caused floods in several places in the Mekong Delta: Dong Thap Muoi, Can Tho, Dong Thap Province,...

In the last 10 days of October 2025, there were successive typhoons, tropical depressions making their ways to the Central Coast of Vietnam. And there were successive spells of strong Northeasterly Monsoon hitting the North and the Central Coast of Vietnam. While the cold wind stopped the strong winds of the tropical depression and typhoons, heavy and torrential rain was found in the Central Coast from Quang Binh to Hue and Da Nang, Hoi An still and several places were flooded.

November is the month the Central Coast of Vietnam often suffers the most from torrential rain and flood water, and in November 2025 history repeated on an unprecedented bad level.

6-November-2025 Typhoon No. 13 (Kalmaegi) hammered the Central Coast from Binh Dinh through Phu Yen with windspeeds over 118-133kph for 5 hours. Heavy rain before and after the typhoon making landfall was found all over the Central Coast from Ha Tinh through Khanh Hoa Provinces (nearly 1,000km apart).

10-November-2025 Super Typhoon Fu Wong entered the East Sea but did not make its way to Vietnam. But torrential rain was found in the Central Coast from Ha Tinh through Ninh Thuan again and several places were flooded and re-flooded including most places from Quang Tri, Hue, Da Nang, and from Quang Ngai through Ninh Thuan.

The South of the Central Coast suffered one of the worst recorded floods from 15-November through 23-November. Many places were still flooded after 23-November but flood water retreated in coastal cities including Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Phan Rang... Due to high flood water, flooded roads and rail tracks that traffic by road and by train was stopped for several days. Flights from Tuy Hoa Airport (Phu Yen) and Phu Cat Airport (Binh Dinh) were stopped.

The Central Highlands had strong winds in November which is very unusual. And there was heavy rain in Dak Lak and Lam Dong which caused serious landslides on the passes connecting the Central Highlands and the Central Coast: Lo Xo Pass, Violac Pass, Prenn Pass, Ngoan Muc (Song Pha) Pass, Khanh Le Pass,... Traffic between Da Lat and Saigon Ho Chi Minh City was virtually haulted for more than 1 day. Heavy rain found in the Central Highlands through November is not normal.

Torrential rain in southern Vietnam which flooded streets in Bien Hoa City at the end of November 2025 was not normal.

At the end of November and beginning of December 2025, Typhoon Koto (No 15 in 2025) was at sea and did not make its way to the shore.

Heavy rain was found in the Central Coast through December.

Heavy rain found in the Central Highlands, especially in Lam Dong Province was unusual; the rain caused landslides around Da Lat City and on mountain passes connecting the Central Highlands and other regions. This was extreme weather rarely encountered in this region.

What to Expect of the Weather in Vietnam in January

Northern Vietnam often has dry weather with pleasant or cold temperatures. The coldest time found in the North is often from the second half of December through the first 10 days of January.

Often, December is a time with less rain and fewer or no typhoons to the Central Coast.

The Central Highlands is expected to have dry weather with pleasant or chilly temperatures.

Southern Vietnam is expected to have dry weather with extremely pleasant temperatures.

For bird watchers, January is a great time, if not the best time, for birding in Vietnam with the exception of the Central Coast. There are several migratory birds in Vietnam in December.

As per the Central Coast of Vietnam, January is still the rainy season, but the rain is much ligher and there are days without rain and with clouds. It is possible that it is hazy in birding sites in the Central Coast of the country.

Monsoons and General Weather Patterns in Vietnam in January

1/ The General weather patterns in Vietnam in January

In December, northern Vietnam has mostly pleasant or cold temperatures. It is more likely dry in this region in January. There is often snow in the far northern mountains during the period between Christmas through the first 10 days of January.

In the Central Coast of Vietnam, December is the rainy season with cold temperatures. But rain in this region tends to get much lighter in January and there are quite some days that it is cloudy and not rainy.

The Central Highlands and South of Vietnam are in the dry season in January. The temperatures in December are cold in the Central Highlands in places on high altitudes and pleasant mostly in the other places. Southern Vietnam is to experience the best weather patterns in January.

2/ Monsoons in Vietnam in January

The prevalent winds which affect different places in Vietnam in January:

- The Southeasterly Wind, which affects northern Vietnam, causes pleasant temperatures, moist air.

- The Northeasterly Monsoon which come from Siberia and which causes winter in northern Vietnam and rain in the Central Coast of Vietnam.

The Northreasterly Wind causes dry weather in the Central Highlands and in southern Vietnam. The monsoon causes rough sea all over the country from the North through the South. But the wind is not that strong as compared to December, hence less rough sea all over the country.

Adventure Travel, Nature Tours, Bird Watching Tours, Photo Tours in Vietnam in January

1/ Hiking Tours, Mountain Trekking Tours

January is winter in northern Vietnam with more likely dry weather with cold temperatures. This is the trekking and mountain hiking season in the North. The clouds on high mountains in the far northern Vietnam are just stunning in January. And there may be snow during the last 10 days of December and beginning 10 days of January.

January is also a good time for trekking tours or mountain hiking trips in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

2/ Adventure Tours

The lowland of Northern Vietnam including Hanoi, Halong Bay and Ninh Binh is a good place for general adventure holidays in January.

In the Central Coast of Vietnam, it is more likely to be rainy in January. The temperatures are mostly pleasant or cold. It is not advisable to travel to the high mountains in the region.

In the Central Highlands, it is dry season. All adventure tours should be great experiences.

Southern Vietnam is to experience pleasant temperatures mostly. All adventure tours such as walking, cultural exploration, boat trips... are operable. This is the best time to visit southern Vietnam.

3/ Birding Trips and Bird Watching Tours

January is in bird migration season and several migratory bird species have already made their way to Vietnam. The more likely beautiful weather in the North, in the Central Highlands and in the South of Vietnam should offer great birding and wildlife spotting tours in Vietnam this month. This is often the best month of the year for bird watching in Vietnam.

January is not a good time for birding in the Central Coast of Vietnam given it may rain (light rain) and it may be foggy in the mountains.

January is a great time for bird watching in the Central Highlands and in southern Vietnam. It is dry weather mostly in these two regions in December and the temperatures are just perfect for all outdoor activities. This is definitely the best time for birdwatching in southern Vietnam and the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

And those who love wildlife should enjoy a great time at national parks in the Mekong Delta of southern Vietnam thanks to diverse wildlife. Given the lovely temperatures, everyone should have great holidays and vacations to southern Vietnam in January.

Sites for bird watching in Vietnam in December :

- Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh): resident birds, most bird species have come out of nesting and mating time in December.

- Van Long Nature Reserve  (Ninh Binh): resident and migratory storks and waterfowls.

- Xuan Thuy National Park in Nam Dinh Province : water birds, only some migratory species.

- Bach Ma National Park in Thua Thien-Hue Province with representatives of birds between northern and southern Vietnam. It is often foggy and/or rainy weather at Bach Ma in January.

- Yok Don National in Dak Lak Province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam: among the best places in Vietnam for birding, bird watching.

- Da Lat, Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, Deo Nui Sam at Di Linh (Lam Dong, Central Highlands) : among the best places in Vietnam for birding and bird-watching tours, highly rich in endemic bird species.

- Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai, Southern Vietnam) : this is among the best places in Vietnam for birding and bird watching.

4/ Family Tours

Generally speaking, families should have a great time traveling in Vietnam in January.

5/ Island Holidays

January is not a great time to make trips to the islands in Vietnam. The reason is the sea is often rough, and sea exploration tours are not operational due to the weather.

6/ Beach Vacations

January is not a great time for beach holidays in northern Vietnam and the Central Coast of Vietnam due to cold weather and rainy weather in the latter. January is a good time for having beach holidays in southern Vietnam. Expect crowded beaches in the south though.

In Northern Vietnam and North of the Central Coast of Vietnam, Sam Son Beach, Cua Lo Beach or the beaches on islands in Northern Vietnam have cool temperatures.

And those beaches in the South of the Central Coast have mostly cloudy or rainy weather, and with pleasant temperatures : Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa, Ninh Chu, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet.

If you travel to Southern Vietnam in December, then try Vung Tau Beach, Long Hai Beach and Ho Tram Beach (all in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province). You should have pleasant temperatures mostly.

Below are reviews of the Weather in Vietnam in December Monitored by AdventureGreen

1/ First week of January, 2026

The winter season 2025-2026 officially started on 2-January-2026, much later than normal. A strong spell of the Northeasterly Monsoon swept in bringing some brief rain in the North, strong winds, mostly dry and cold weather.

The Central Coast of Vietnam had rain. 

The Central Highlands and southern Vietnam enjoyed pleasant temperatures and dry weather.

Regional weather at the beginning of the first week of January 2026 was as follows :
- Northeast  (Halong Bay, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Ha Giang...):  sun, clouds, some light rain, 7-17 oC;
- Northwest : sun, clouds, some light rain, 12-24/10-21 oC in Hoa Binh, Yen Bai; sun, clouds, some light rain, 9-14oC in Lao Cai; sun, clouds,  rain, 7-19/4-20 oC in Son La, Dien Bien, 4-18 oC in Lai Chau;
- Lowlands in Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Bac Ninh...) : sun, clouds,  12-22 oC;
- North of the Central Coast (Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh): some sun, clouds, rain 12-23 & 14/15-24 oC ;

- Mid Central Coast to the north of Hai Van (Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue) :  clouds, light rain, 17-23 oC in Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Hue ;
- Mid Central Coast to the south of Hai Van (Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai) : clouds, rain, 18-23/25 oC ;

- South Central Coast  (Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa, Nha Trang):  clouds, rain, 21/22-25/26 oC mostly; sun, clouds, some light rain, 21-26 oC in Nha Trang ;
- South Central Coast ( Ninh Thuan, Phan Rang-Thap Cham): sun, clouds, some rain, 22-28 oC;
- South Central Coast ( Binh Thuan, Phan Thiet Mui Ne):  sun, clouds, some rain, 22-29 oC ;

- Central Highlands (Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Dak Nong) : sun, clouds, 14/16-27/28 oC in Kon Tum, Gia Lai; clouds, rain, 17-23 oC in Dak Lak; sun, clouds, some rain, 16-27oC in Lam Dong ;
- East of Southern Vietnam (Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai) : sun, clouds, 21-31/32 oC;
- West of Southern Vietnam (Mekong Delta : Long An, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Can Tho, Dong Thap, Kien Giang, An Giang) : sun, clouds, 21-31/32 oC.

Con Dao Islands: sun, clouds, 25-29 oC;
Phu Quoc Island: sun, clouds, 23-31 oC;

2/ Second week of January, 2026

In the second week of January 2026, northern Vietnam had dry weather with temperatures ranging from cold to pleasant. The rest of Vietnam enjoyed pleasant weather: dry, sun and lovely temperatures. Southern Vietnam had unusually low temperatures (17oC) and the same for the Central highlands of Vietnam (8oC). 

The Central Coast of Vietnam enjoyed nicer weather conditions than usual with sun mostly. The South and the Central Highlands had lower temperatures than normal with lowest in the Central Highlands was around 8oC and lowest in southern Vietnam was 14.3oC.

There was unseasonal torrential rain in Saigon Ho Chi Minh City for a day.

3/ Third week of January, 2026

In the third week of January 2026, northern Vietnam had more spells of the cold Northeasterly Wind which caused cloudy weather with some light rain in places.

The Central Region, the Central Highlands and the South of Vietnam had sun, clouds and pleasant temperatures. The Central Region had much nicer weather than normal with mostly sun every day.

Regional weather at the beginning of the first week of January 2026 was as follows :
- Northeast  (Halong Bay, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Ha Giang...):  sun, clouds, some light rain, 8-25 oC;
- Northwest : sun, clouds, some light rain, 12-24/10-21 oC in Hoa Binh, Yen Bai; sun, clouds, some light rain, 13/14-26/27 oC in Hoa Binh, Yen Bai, 13-23 oC Lao Cai; sun, clouds, some light rain, 12-26 oC in Son La, Dien Bien; sun mostly, some light rain, 9-21 oC in Lai Chau;
- Lowlands in Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Bac Ninh...) : sun, clouds, some light rain,  13-26/17-27 oC;
- North of the Central Coast (Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh): sun mostly, clouds in Thanh Hoa, some rain in Thanh Hoa, 17-26/27 oC ;

- Mid Central Coast to the north of Hai Van (Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue) :  sun 17-27 oC ;
- Mid Central Coast to the south of Hai Van (Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai) :  sun mostly, 18-26/28 oC.

- South Central Coast  (Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa, Nha Trang):  sun mostly, some light isolated rain, 21-27 oC mostly; sun, clouds, some light rain; sun, 20-28 oC in Nha Trang ;
- South Central Coast ( Ninh Thuan, Phan Rang-Thap Cham): sun, clouds, 20-29 oC;
- South Central Coast ( Binh Thuan, Phan Thiet Mui Ne):  sun, clouds, 21-29 oC ;

- Central Highlands (Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Dak Nong) : sun, clouds, 14/17-31 oC in Kon Tum, Gia Lai; clouds, rain, 17-28 oC in Dak Lak; sun, clouds, some rain, 15-28 oC in Lam Dong ;
- East of Southern Vietnam (Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai) : sun, clouds, 20/22-32 oC;
- West of Southern Vietnam (Mekong Delta : Long An, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Can Tho, Dong Thap, Kien Giang, An Giang) : sun, clouds, 22-29/31 oC.

Con Dao Islands: sun, clouds, 23-27 oC;
Phu Quoc Island: sun, clouds, some light rain, 23-28 oC;

4/ Fourth week and last days of January, 2026

In the last week and last days of January 2026, northern Vietnam had cold temperatures with mostly clouds; the Central Coast, the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam all had sun and pleasant temperatures.

Regional weather in the mid of the last week of January 2026 was as follows :
- Northeast  (Halong Bay, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Ha Giang...):  some sun, clouds, some light rain, 7/9-22 oC;
- Northwest : sun, clouds, some light rain, 12-26/11-24 oC in Hoa Binh, Yen Bai; sun, clouds, some light rain, 13/14-26/27 oC in Hoa Binh, Yen Bai, 8-22 oC Lao Cai; sun, clouds, 10/11-26 oC in Son La, Dien Bien; sun mostly, some light rain, 8-24 oC in Lai Chau;
- Lowlands in Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Bac Ninh...) : sun, clouds, some light rain,  11/12-24 oC;
- North of the Central Coast (Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh): sun, clouds some rain 13/14-26 oC ;

- Mid Central Coast to the north of Hai Van (Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue) :  sun 17-27 oC ;
- Mid Central Coast to the south of Hai Van (Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai) :  sun mostly, 18-27/28 oC.

- South Central Coast  (Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa, Nha Trang):  sun mostly, 21-27/28 oC mostly; sun, clouds, some light rain; sun, 20-28 oC in Nha Trang ;
- South Central Coast ( Ninh Thuan, Phan Rang-Thap Cham): sun, clouds, 19-30 oC;
- South Central Coast ( Binh Thuan, Phan Thiet Mui Ne):  sun, clouds, 21-30 oC ;

- Central Highlands (Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Dak Nong) : sun, 14-31 oC in Kon Tum, Gia Lai, 16-28 oC in Dak Lak; sun, 14-29 oC in Lam Dong ;
- East of Southern Vietnam (Tay Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai) : sun, clouds, 21/22-32 oC;
- West of Southern Vietnam (Mekong Delta : Long An, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Can Tho, Dong Thap, Kien Giang, An Giang) : sun, clouds, 21/22-31 oC.

Con Dao Islands: sun, clouds, 23-28 oC;
Phu Quoc Island: sun, clouds, 23-29 oC;

Disclaimer: Vietnam weather summary is for reviews of Vietnam weather by month on the basis as “it is” to the best of our knowledge. AdventureGreen does not guarantee the accuracy of our monthly reviews of Vietnam Weather. Our Vietnam Weather Reviews by month must not be used for making travel decisions or for any other purposes. AdventureGreen disclaims any liability in connection with with the use of our information.