January is the winter in Halong bay. It is cold or extremely cold but acceptable for most travelers, especially international ones. January is among the driest months of the year. Hence, although you cannot see a lot of sunshine all day long, nothing is too much trouble for you to join a bunch of onboard and offboard activities.
If you are wondering if you can visit Halong Bay in January, this article is for you.
Halong Bay’s weather in January
Temperature falls down deeply in January with an average of 17°C. The lowest can drop to 12°C while the highest can just reach 19°C. But rest assured that the atmosphere on the bay seems to be much warmer on the mainland, and mountainous areas in the Northwestern area of Vietnam.
In January, there are drizzles but they do not matter very much. The rainfall level is very low at 15mm, spreading out over 10 days. Winter is the dry season in the Northern region and traveling is very convenient and easy. Furthermore, the low humidity makes travelers very comfortable while enjoying outdoor activities. Compared with the high average humidity in a year which is 90%, the humidity in this month is 65% only.
Although it can get dark more quickly in winter, there is an average of 7 sunshine hours per day in January. It might be foggy some days but it is a chance for travelers to enjoy a mystical Halong bay with limestone karsts appearing and disappearing.
The temperature of the sea is 19°C on average. The cold seawater is not very suitable for swimming activities. However, watching the bay from the leisure sampan boat, and discovering the limestone mountains on a kayak should not be missed in Halong in January.
What you will like about Halong Bay’s weather in January
- Comfortable staying outdoors for long thanks to the low humidity and dry weather.
- No worry about too much rain affecting your trip.
- No harsh sunshine, lower chance of getting sunburn and dehydration.
- Stable weather with a low chance of typhoons, so there might be no cruise cancellations due to bad weather.
What you may not like very much
- Although you may not see many domestic travelers, Halong Bay is still busy this time because it is the high season for international travelers.
- Not ideal for swimming due to the low sea temperature.
- It is mainly cloudy and foggy in winter, which may not be ideal for photo-hunters.
- Peak season surcharge may be applied for some festivals.
Halong in January - What to note?
- Check the room availability and make a reservation in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Check with your travel agent about the holiday surcharge if any.
- Bring warm clothes, hats, or proper jackets for outdoor activities.
Local festival you can enjoy in January
Lunar New Year (1st Lunar January): It usually falls in late January or early February. Lunar New Year or Tet Holiday is the biggest and most important holiday in Vietnam. Most Vietnamese come back to their hometown to reunite with their family while some travel on this occasion. Not all Halong cruises operate on Tet. Some will offer traditional activities such as making Chung Cake, a countdown party, a champagne toast, a special Gala dinner, and giving best wishes or lucky money on the first new day of the year. Here is a chance for travelers to learn about the tradition and culture of Vietnamese.