Hanoi

• Winter Pollution & Cold-Damp Season · Jan 1 – Jan 31 · festival

  Hanoi's winter brings its worst air quality of the year — waste burning, no rain to scrub the sky, and mountains that trap filthy air over a city with no central heating.

• New Year's Day · Jan 1-7 · holiday

  A nationwide public holiday - many businesses close and the city takes on a festive note.

• Tết (Lunar New Year) · Jan 29 – Jan 18 · religious

  Vietnam's biggest holiday - the city empties of locals, many shops close for a week, peach blossoms and red banners everywhere.

• Chinese New Year · Feb 12 – Feb 25 · festival

  The spring festival - lion dances, red lanterns and family reunions; the calendar’s biggest celebration and busiest travel week.

• Reunification & Labour Day · Apr 23 – May 6 · holiday

  Two back-to-back public holidays - domestic travel surges, Ha Long Bay packed.

• Hot & Rainy Monsoon Season · Apr 30 – Apr 30 · festival

  May through September brings oppressive heat, clinging humidity, and near-daily downpours — the price of Hanoi's lush green season.

• Vesak · May 28-Jun 3 · religious

  Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing marked in one day - temple visits, lantern-lit processions and acts of merit.

• Typhoon season risk · Aug 6 – Sep 2 · holiday

  Northern coast and inland flights vulnerable to typhoons rolling in from the east - Halong cancellations common.

• National Day · Aug 27 – Aug 9 · holiday

  Hoan Kiem lake decorated; tank parades and military aircraft over the city, then a long weekend of family travel.

• Mid-Autumn Festival · Sep 10-16 · festival

  Mooncakes and lanterns; the old quarter taken over by paper-lantern markets for a magical few nights.

• Western Christmas · Dec 17 – Dec 31 · religious

  Western influence - Hoan Kiem's old quarter lit up; cooler weather, atmospheric drizzle, domestic tourists.

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