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

Monsoons and General Weather Patterns in Vietnam in January

1/ The General weather patterns in Vietnam in January

In January, northern Vietnam has mostly windy weather with pleasant, chilly or cold temperatures. There are days with mild sunshine or clouds ; there is fog or mist in the mountain in the early morning or late afternoon.

There are rarely tropical depressions and/or typhoons in Vietnam in January, if any, it is more likely to have impact on southern Vietnam.

In the Central Coast of Vietnam, January is often the rainy season. The rain tends to be much lighter than December and there are days without rain but with clouds.

In January, the Northeasterly Wind blows through most of Vietnam. The wind causes rough sea all over the country.

The Central Highlands and South of Vietnam, it is more likely you get sunshine with pleasant temperatures in these two regions. The temperatures range from pleasant to chilly, cold in the Central Highlands, pleasant in southern Vietnam.

2/ Monsoons in Vietnam in January

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

- The Northeasterly Wind causes dry weather and cool or cold temperatures in northern Vietnam, rainy weather in the Central Coast of Vietnam, dry weather with pleasant temperatures in the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam.

There may be rain in the North when a spell of the Northeasterly Wind first hit.

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

1/ Hiking Tours, Mountain Trekking Tours

January is among the best time time for trekking tours or mountain hiking trips in northern Vietnam and in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Northern Vietnam enjoys winter weather with cold temperatures and very dry air (relative humidity of 40-45%). High mountains in the North often offers spectacular clouds and fog which make your photos more of unreal scenes. If you plan to take a hike or trek in the far-northern mountains, it is recommended to bring along warm clothes as it can get real cold on mountain tops. There may be frosts or snow in the first half of January.

It is often dry and pleasant temperatures in the Central Highlands in January which makes your trekking or hiking trips in this region a wonderful experience.

2/ Adventure Tours

The lowland of Northern Vietnam including Hanoi, Halong Bay and Ninh Binh is a great place for general adventure tours in January as the temperatures are more likely to be very pleasant or slightly cold in this region. And it is more likely that northern Vietnam has sunshine or cloudy weather in most of the month.

In the Central Coast of Vietnam it is more likely to be chilly or cold temperatures with light rain. There are days with clouds in the Central Coast in January.

In the Central Highlands, January is the dry season. The temperatures range from pleasant to chilly, or cold in certain places on high altitudes. This is the best time for adventure tours and all other outdoor travel activities.

Southern Vietnam is to experience pleasant temperatures most of the month. It is the dry season in this region and the strong Northeasterly Wind may cause cool temperatures in the early morning on some days of January.

3/ Birding Trips and Bird Watching Tours

January is among the best times for birding in the North of Vietnam, in the Central Highlands and in southern Vietnam.

January is not a great time to go birding in the Central Region of Vietnam, but it is possible to go on birding trips now as the rain tends to be much ligher than in November-December period.

In northern Vietnam, it is cold temperatures and most migratory bird species have been present. Birds including resident species and migratory ones are active and gregarious in January. Your birding in northern Vietnam is more likely to be wonderful experiences.

January is also a great time for birding in southern Vietnam given the dry season and pleasant temperatures, the presence of several migratory bird species.

In the Central Highlands of Vietnam,it is often great experiences to observe birds with representatives from native to migratory species.

In the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam, trees shed leaves in the dry season and foliage gets thinner : it is far easier to observe more bird species without much effort!

Birding sites in Vietnam in January :

- Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh) : : resident birds and migratory bird species.

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

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

- Da Lat, Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, Deo Nui Sam at Di Linh (Lam Dong, Central Highlands) : among the best time for birding and bird-watching tours.

- Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai, Southern Vietnam) : January is among the best times for birding and bird watching at Cat Tien National Park given the pleasant temperatures and presence of many bird species : resident and migratory species.

4/ Family Tours

Generally speaking, families should have a great time traveling in Vietnam in January from the top north to the bottom south of the country.

5/ Island Holidays

January is not really a recommended 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. If you do not plan much time for swimming or for sea exploration trips, then you are to have wonderful a time.

6/ Beach Vacations

In Northern Vietnam, Sam Son Beach, Cua Lo Beach or the beaches on islands in Northern Vietnam have cold temperatures ; rough sea is expected though. The beaches are empty this month.

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

If you travel to Southern Vietnam then you January try Vung Tau Beach, Long Hai Beach and Ho Tram Beach (all in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province). You can have pleasant temperatures with some sun and clouds, with no rain.

Below are reviews of the Weather in Vietnam in January 2025 Monitored by AdventureGreen

1/ First week of January, 2025

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.