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What to know before you go to Vietnam in January

Traveloka Team

3 min read

January in Vietnam is like travelling through three seasons in one trip. Jumpers up north, linens in the middle, swimmers down south. Hanoi’s streets smell of pho and fresh flowers, Hoi An glows red and gold at night, and Phu Quoc is alive with that barefoot-holiday energy.

It’s one of the best months to see the country end to end, and it's full of life before the Lunar New Year rush. Whether you’re riding the Ha Giang Loop, floating through Halong Bay, or café-hopping in Hue, January gives you the perfect range.

Is January a good time to visit Vietnam?

Yep, it’s the month that rarely lets you down. January brings steady weather and a festive edge as the country gears up for Tet, the Lunar New Year.

In Northern Vietnam, mornings are crisp and the light gentle. It’s trekking season in Sapa and Ha Giang, where rice terraces fade into mist and markets spill with winter produce. Hanoi’s Old Quarter runs on pho steam, and Halong Bay is calm and cool for cruising.

Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue, Phong Nha) is in dry-season form — perfect for cycling, temples, and cave tours. The air’s warm but not sticky, and the Hoi An Lantern Festival brings full-moon magic to the river.

Down south, from Ho Chi Minh City, it's warm but not sweltering, the Mekong Delta’s busy with morning boats, and Phu Quoc’s beaches are in full shine.

Is January a cheap or expensive time to visit Vietnam?

January is high season across most of the country, with good weather and pre-Tet travel pushing up hotel and flight prices. Expect higher rates in Hoi An, Hanoi and Phu Quoc, especially towards the end of the month.

It’s high season, especially near Tet, which is held in February in 2026, so book ahead as prices bump up in Hoi An, Hanoi and beach resorts. But it’s Vietnam… always easy on the wallet once you’re there. Meals for under a tenner, local flights that cost less than a fancy dinner back home, and great guesthouses still in play if you’re early enough.

For lower rates, aim for early January before the Tet crowds roll in. You’ll still score warm beaches and clear skies without paying festival premiums.

Weather in Vietnam in January

Vietnam’s long, thin stretch gives you three very different climates this month:

North (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh): 10–20 °C, crisp, misty, and mostly dry. Great for walking and photography.

Central (Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang, Phong Nha): 20–27 °C, mild and dry, ideal for sightseeing and caving.

South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, Con Dao): 25–32 °C, hot, sunny and still, that’s perfect for splashing and island-hopping.

Humidity stays low, and rain is relatively rare.

Where to go in Vietnam in January

Hanoi

Sapa

Halong Bay

Hoi An

Hue

Ho Chi Minh City

Phu Quoc

Festivals and events in Vietnam in January

Tet Preparations (nationwide): Markets bloom with chrysanthemums and kumquat trees, calligraphers paint red paper wishes, and homes fill with the smell of banh chung rice cake cooking. It’s Vietnam’s biggest holiday in the making.

Hoi An Lantern Festival: On full-moon nights, electric lights switch off and the whole Old Town glows by candle and paper lantern. Locals make wishes as lights float down the Thu Bon River.

Da Lat Flower Festival: Parades of floral floats and exhibitions turn the highland town into a garden in motion if the event extends into January (dependent on blooming times)

Best things to do in Vietnam in January

Cruise Halong Bay

Hike Sapa

Explore Hoi An’s Ancient Town: Lanterns swing over tiled roofs, the air smells of incense and noodles, and tailors measure you up between riverside drinks.

Tour Hue’s royal sites: Days free of rain make it easy to wander the Imperial Citadel, cycle between tombs, and watch monks light incense along the Perfume River.

Go underground in Phong Nha: Drift by boat into caves of marble-blue water and stalactites the size of trees. The air’s cool and still, a relief from any heat.

Island-hop in the south: Phu Quoc, Mui Ne and Con Dao roll out white sand and serene surf. Snorkel coral and devour grilled squid by the water.

Sail the Mekong Delta: Catch the floating markets before sunrise, when traders swap goods by boat. Go past stilt houses, rice paddies and riverfront temples.

Taste the season: Hunt down banh chung wrapped in banana leaves, and candied fruits at Tet stalls.

Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels (Ho Chi Minh City)