How Cold Is the Hanoi Winter? Hanoi Tours & Budget Tips

Hanoi Winter Temperature Breakdown (Month-by-Month)

When does winter start and end in Hanoi?

Winter in Hanoi Winter in Hanoi starts in November and finishes by the end of February. The coldest period lasts from the middle of December into late January, but cool weather can linger as late as early March. This is the best time to visit Hanoi based on affordability, choice of accommodations, weather, and the number of tourists you can expect to find as you explore the city.

Monthly Temperatures at a Glance

November - around 20.5°C (68.9°F):  The temperature cools some more. A good option for sightseeing, Hoan Kiem Lake, sampling hot street food, or checking out Thang Long Imperial Citadel without breaking a sweat. 

December - around 18°C (64.4°F): Now this is winter! You’ll encounter misty mornings, people in coats, and festive lights galore, particularly near St. Joseph’s Cathedral and West Lake. Here are the best Hanoi tourist places in December.

January – around 15°C (59°F):  It gets the coldest this month. It’s even more frigid because of the humidity. Sip on egg coffee to warm up, stop by the Temple of Literature, or opt for an afternoon water puppet show out of the rain.

February – around 16°C (60.8°F): Still a bit cool, but warmer. They are supposed to take place now, around Tet (the Lunar New Year). It’s an ideal season for cultural festivals, firework displays by Hoan Kiem Lake, and traditional markets. A true cultural experience.

Humidity, Wind Chill & What It Feels Like

Though the figures might not seem low at all, Hanoi Winter can be much colder than you expect. This is due to high humidity (around 80%) and cool breezes. That all adds up to a damp cold that gets into your bones, especially if you’re walking around Red River, West Lake, or open spaces.

Bring layers: a thermal shirt, sweater, and a windproof jacket. Wear gloves and a scarf, especially at night.

Packing Checklist – What to Wear in Hanoi Winter

Essential Winter Items

Here’s your essential packing checklist to survive Hanoi Winter in style and comfort:

• Windbreaker or insulated jacket – something light but wind-proof is best. 
• Scarf, gloves, beanie – mornings and evenings can be colder than you bargain for, especially in uncovered places such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum or Tet outdoor markets.
• Waterproof shoes or boots – Hanoi’s ancient streets are often wet, especially just after a morning dew.
• Thick socks – essential for when we are on walking tours around Hanoi attractions in December, and keeping your toes warm on cooler days!

Pro tip: Locals bundle up, too, since you’ll spot Hanoians in puffer jackets, scarves, and cozy headwear at 16°C!

Skincare & Health Must-Haves

Hanoi Winter air is not just cold, it’s dry and humid all at once, a combination that can take its toll on your skin and energy levels. Be prepared:

• Moisturizer & lip balm – necessary to combat dry, chapped lips and hands.
• Basic meds – pack solutions for cold, flu, allergies, and minor stomach issues. Local food is amazing, your body just may need to adjust to all the street food delights!
• Thermos bottle – it is a good idea to bring something hot to drink, even hot water, when there may be some cafés closed on Tet days.
• Heating pads (optional) – especially if you’ll be sitting for hours at St. Joseph’s Cathedral for Christmas Mass or ambling through open-air markets in the evening.

How Much Does a Winter Trip to Hanoi Cost?

Flight Costs (Regional vs International)

Chances are, your flight to Hanoi is your largest expense, but with the right kind of planning, it doesn’t have to be painful.

• Regional flights (from Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, etc): $60-150 return
• International long-haul flights (including Europe, the U.S., and Australia) usually cost $500-$900+ round-trip, depending on the booking period.

Tip: Reserve early for Hanoi Winter, especially if you want popular Christmas or Tet dates. And let’s not forget winter is off-peak season for some airlines, perfect timing for smart travelers.

Hotel Pricing by Budget Level

This is the list of budget accommodations in Hanoi Winter is varied and budget. Here’s a quick guide:

• Hostel (dorms or basic rooms) – $6-15/night: Ideal for backpackers looking to meet others at Hoan Kiem Lake or Ta Hien Street.
• Mid-level hotels – $25-50/night: Some heating and daily breakfast included, short walk to many Hanoi attractions in December.
• Boutique hotels (heating) – $60-120/night:  These are often very nice, warm, and we found great views (West Lake, Red River, or colonial streets near St. Joseph’s Cathedral).

Average Daily Spending

Here’s what you can expect per day, depending on your travel style (all prices in USD):

• Backpacker: $25-35/day: Dorm bed, street vendors, bus tickets, and local meals.
• Mid-range traveler: $40-60/day:  Private room, occasional Grab/taxi, entrance fees to sights such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, or water puppet show.
• Comfort-focused traveler: $70-100/day: Boutique sleep, tours and excursions, and après-dinner drinks at the Hanoi Opera House or live music bars.

Food, Coffee, Transport & Entrance Fees Breakdown

Let’s break it down so you can budget smart:

• Street food: $1-2 (pho, bun cha, banh mi)
• Mid-range meal: $3-6
• Egg coffee or hot tea: $1-2 at iconic cafés
• Grab/motorbike taxi: $1-3 per ride
• Attraction entry fees:
• Temple of Literature: ~$1.50
• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: Free
• Water puppet show: ~$3-7
• Thang Long Imperial Citadel: ~$2

Tips to Save Money in Winter

Would you like to save money and have happy memories in Hanoi Winter?

• Jet and lodge as much as possible, particularly at Tet (late Jan to early Feb).
• Avoid weekends for sites such as Hoan Kiem Lake or St.Joseph’s Cathedral (less crowded = better photos)
• Go for street food over sit-down restaurants - authentic and cheaper
• Travelling with a group of friends and splitting the cab and tour fare costs
• Take free walking tours for a lifetime opportunity to bond with various cultures for free

3-Day Hanoi Winter Itinerary Sample

Day 1: Culture & Warm Food

Morning:

• Begin with a hearty bowl of pho at a sidewalk stall in the vicinity of Hoan Kiem Lake.
• See the historic Temple of Literature – Vietnam’s first university, dating to the 11th century, quiet and poetic in the chilly air.
• Move on to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Presidential Palace. Dress warm, it can be quite cool and overcast in the morning.

Lunch:

• Give bun thang and banh duc, two soul-warming winter dishes at a snug neighborhood restaurant, a shot

Afternoon:

• Visit the UNESCO-listed landmark of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, replete with ancient and royal history
• Get warm at Café Giang with a cup of the authentic egg coffee, thick, creamy, and ideal for winter!

Evening:

• Water puppet show – The quintessential northern cultural experience
• For dinner, enjoy a traditional meal of Vietnamese barbecue at an area eatery with meats grilling up and dipping sauce at the ready.

Day 2: Walking Tour & Flower Photography

Morning:

• Morning walk around West Lake – Watch locals practicing Tai Chi and soak in the views from Tran Quoc Pagoda
• Take a walk around the Red River and its flower farms, or take a stroll on streets such as Phan Dinh Phung and Giang Vo, full of white daisies – top Hanoi attractions in December.

Midday:

• Snack on grilled corn or sweet potatoes from street vendors and relish the slow winter pace.
• Visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral, an imposing neo-Gothic edifice that is especially striking in winter fog

Afternoon:

• Purchase Tet decorations and local handicrafts at Dong Xuan Market or Hang Ma Street.
• Stop for a steaming hot cup of tea or Vietnamese-style coffee at a snug café with a view.

Evening:

• See some winter live music. Head to the Hanoi Opera House, or a smaller venue, for some winter live music activity, a perfect way to end the day.

Day 3: Museum Visit + Tet Shopping

Morning:

• Head to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or Hoa Lo Prison Museum for a deeper look at local history and culture
• If you’re after something unique, take a detour to the Mosaic Wall near the Long Bien Bridge, a record-breaking piece of art.

Lunch:

• Lunch set classic Vietnam flavors are on offer here- tuck into dishes such as goi cuon and ca kho to, which are spring rolls and caramelized fish, respectively.

Afternoon:

• Stroll the Tet markets – lots of flowers, calligraphy, and symbolic lucky red trinkets.
• Talk to locals about how they prepare themselves for the Lunar New Year

Evening:

• Cap your time with a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake at dusk, where the lights twinkle off the water and the city gently vibrates with Tet’s approach.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Hanoi Winter Trip

When to Book to Avoid Tet Closures for Hanoi Winter

In the video above, we look at why Tet (Lunar New Year) is one of the most magical times to visit – and yet one of the trickiest to plan for. Between late January and mid-February, businesses and markets, even museums, can close for several days.

• If you’re traveling close to Tet, book your hotels and transportation at least 3-4 weeks in advance.
• It may not be worth turning up on Tet Eve or the first two days, when even street vendors down tools. 
• Play tourist and visit highlights such as the Temple of Literature, Thang Long Citadel, or Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum prior to Tet, when decorations are hanging and the city feels lit up.

Done well, Tet can be one of the best times to visit Hanoi for real local culture and once-a-year traditions.

How to Stay Warm on a Tight Budget for Hanoi Winter

Hanoi Winter can freeze you to the bone, with that sly, damp wind off the Red River or West Lake. But staying warm doesn’t have to break the bank.

• Pile on the layers with vintage jackets from local stores or weekend flea markets.
• At Dong Xuan Market, buy warm socks, scarves, and gloves for a few bucks.
• Sip hot tea from roadside stalls or egg coffee from the tucked-away cafes of the Old Quarter.

Pro tip: Grilled sweet potatoes, roasted chestnuts, and hot banh cuon are not only delicious; they’re cheap as chips as well!

Where to Find Heating (Cafes, Hotels, Public Spaces) for Hanoi Winter

The homes in Vietnam are not always equipped with heating, so it’s handy to know where to go to warm up during your Hanoi Winter adventure…

• Cafes like The Note, Loading T, or Cafe Giang will frequently offer heated indoor seating, and the coffee is nothing short of mythical.l
• Many of the mid-range and boutique hotels around Hoan Kiem Lake or St. Joseph’s Cathedral have heating, or from warm blankets. Reserving ahead of time during winter is recommended.
• Public buildings like the Vietnam National Museum, the Hanoi Opera House, or even some of the newer shopping malls, for example Vincom, provide inviting, warm shelters when you feel the need to rest up.

Local Etiquette in Winter for Hanoi Winter (Gifting, Greetings, Customs)

In Hanoi, the long-awaited cold of winter comes not only with the temperature but with endearing traditions, especially the ones centered on Tet.

• Gifting: To the hosts or elders at Tet, offering small gifts (candy, tea, red envelopes, etc) is normal. Even a modest gift is respect.
• Greetings: Smile and whisper “Chuc Mung Nam Moi” (Happy New Year) to people over Tet. Urbanites are especially happy and warm this time of year.
• Shoes off indoors: Always remove your shoes when entering homes and some temples.
• Respect traditions: If you’re invited to a local celebration, consider bringing a small gift; flowers or fruit are best.

Conclusion

Put simply, Hanoi Winter is tranquil, cultural, and utterly charming. From snug little cafes to Tet markets, misty lakes to lively street food scenes, this is a season that encourages you to slow down and take it all in. If you want cool, tradition, and memories, then there’s no best time to visit Hanoi. Wrap up warm, get yourself out, and experience the magic that is Hanoi Winter!