Hanoi · Month comparison
December vs April
April ranks #1 overall vs December at #8. The best weather month — warm, sunny, low crowds, and the Old Quarter at its most photogenic.
December
#8 of 12 months
Strong option
Cool and dry — Hanoi's winter character emerges; excellent for walking the Old Quarter and proper hot phở.
- ↑December is comfortably cool at 20°C with minimal rain — the Old Quarter in cool weather with rising mist over Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the most atmospheric urban experiences in Southeast Asia
- ↑Christmas in Hanoi is a surprisingly festive affair: the French Quarter's cathedral (St Joseph's) is lit up and the surrounding streets fill with young Hanoians celebrating; a very different Christmas atmosphere, entirely Vietnamese in character
April
#1 of 12 months
Best match
The best weather month — warm, sunny, low crowds, and the Old Quarter at its most photogenic.
- ↑April is the joint-best weather month in Hanoi: 26°C, 5.5 sunshine hours, and light rather than heavy rain — the Old Quarter is comfortable to explore for a full day without the humidity and heat of summer
- ↑Crowds are at their annual low outside the peak seasons; the Ngoc Son Temple at Hoan Kiem Lake and the Temple of Literature can be visited without congestion
| Factor | December | April |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 6 | 8 |
| Value score | 5 | 7 |
| Crowd score | 5 | 7 |
| Events score | 6 | 5 |
| Atmosphere | 7 | 7 |
| Avg high temp | 20°C | 26°C |
| Monthly rain | 22mm | 88mm |
| Daily sunshine | 3hrs | 5.5hrs |
December trade-offs
- ↓Sunshine hours drop to 3.0 daily and the sky is frequently overcast — the grey mist over Hoan Kiem Lake is atmospheric on day one and less welcome by day five
- ↓At 20°C (and 14°C at night), Hanoi is significantly colder than the rest of Southeast Asia; visitors arriving from tropical destinations often underpack
- ↓The city is building toward the Tet peak that begins in January — hotel prices start rising from mid-December as forward bookings for the festive season arrive
April trade-offs
- ↓Rainfall increases to 88mm — light but present; afternoon showers are possible; carry a small umbrella or poncho
- ↓April is starting to become more popular as word of the good weather spreads; hotels fill faster than in February-March and prices begin edging upward
- ↓The heat is building toward summer levels by late April — daytime sightseeing between 11am and 3pm can already feel warm
Scores compare months within Hanoi. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →