Seasons in Hanoi & the north

The easy months are October to November

Right now · November

Hanoi & the north is in an easy stretch right now, October to November. Nothing extreme is running: pack for the temperature and stop worrying about the season.

The year in Hanoi & the north

Pick a month to see what it means for your bag.

Going in March

Easy monthsMarch to April

Mild but famously drizzly — a fine persistent damp rather than real rain.

What this means for your bag

  • A packable rain shell

    Not a winter coat — it stays warm through the rain. A light hooded shell that folds into its own pocket ends up in the day bag instead of the hotel room.

    See the Weather Protection pack
  • Room for humidity

    Everything stays slightly damp. Pack fewer clothes and plan to wash them, and keep anything that must stay dry in a sealed bag.

    See the Summer Sun Kit pack

When to go

The months with no rain, storm or haze season running:

March, April, October, and November

Packing for Hanoi & the north?

Build a packing plan around the season you are actually travelling in.

Plan my packing
Seasonal ranges are typical, not guarantees — a monsoon can arrive early and a dry season can break. Check the forecast before you seal the bag.