Sapa is located in the north of Vietnam, so it is already quite far from the tropical areas around the equator and the local weather varies quite significantly throughout the year.
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The weather here is most pleasant in spring and autumn, when temperatures are not unbearably high and there is also less rain. Winters are dry, but the mountains can be uncomfortably cold, especially on treks. Typical summers are distinctly hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms and downpours.
Weather and temperatures throughout the year
Do you plan to travel to Sapa at a particular time of year? Check below to see what weather you can expect...
Weather in January
January is the second coldest month of the year, so expect temperatures between 5 and 15°C. On the other hand, it rains relatively little, so the cold is rather dry. On rare occasions, there may be light snowfall.
Weather in February
In February, average temperatures are between 8 and 14 °C, rainfall is minimal and the sky is often very clear, so visibility is excellent. Expect colder night-time weather, however, which will be especially noticeable when staying in traditional homestays.
Weather in March
As temperatures slowly rise with March, March is also the last dry month before the long rainy season. The average daily temperature is usually 15°C, but it can be considerably warmer in the sunshine. Mountain flowers start to bloom and the whole landscape takes on a colourful hue.
Weather in April
April sees the first rains, but also the first really warm days. April is the ideal time for hiking and other sporting activities with temperatures around 20 °C. The rice fields around Sapa are also filling up with water, so you can enjoy unique scenery.
Weather in May
May is characterised by pleasant high temperatures between 25 and 33 °C. Particularly towards the end of the month, humidity increases significantly and there is more rainfall and summer thunderstorms. While it's getting hot down in Sapa, you may still need a light jacket in the mountains above.
Weather in June
June marks the start of the summer season in northern Vietnam, which is hot and often rainy. On the other hand, Sapa has the greenest rice fields of the year, making the whole area really photogenic.
Weather in July
July is the rainiest month of the year in Sapa, with an average rainfall of over 230 mm. Expect average temperatures between 26 and 33 °C. Due to thunderstorms and heavy downpours, landslides and traffic complications can occur on the narrow roads in northern Vietnam.
Weather in August
The rainy season continues in Sapa in August, with an average of 23 days of rain per month, some of which can be quite intense. Rain and the ubiquitous mud can make hiking particularly difficult.
Weather in September
September in Sapa is still hot, but it is much less rainy. It also has one unexpected advantage - in September the rice harvest approaches and the fields start to turn an extremely photogenic golden colour.
Weather in October
Expect average air temperatures between 22 and 29°C in October, and with average rainfall for the month now averaging just under 100mm, the chances of blue skies and good visibility are much higher than in previous months. The rice fields are beautifully golden.
Weather in November
With November, the rainy season completely stops and the rice harvesting season peaks, when you can watch the locals at work. Temperatures oscillate between about 20 and 27°C, and the average monthly rainfall is only 44 mm.
Weather in December
December is the first cold month before the coming winter. Snow may occur sporadically, but temperatures usually hover around 12 °C. Rainfall is minimal and visibility is usually good, but you may encounter frequent fog.
When to go to Sapa
Choosing the best time of year to travel to Vietnam is quite complicated, as the weather varies quite significantly across the large country.
However, if you choose the most suitable time to travel around Sapa, or the whole of northern Vietnam, we recommend the spring (March - April) or autumn (October - November) period, when temperatures are not excessively high, but not too cold either. Rainfall totals are not minimal, but the rainy season is avoided.
If you're heading to Sapa for hiking and your main requirement is minimal rainfall, you'll definitely enjoy a trip in winter.
But you'd better pack a warm jacket and a hat. The summer season can be quite complicated in terms of traffic, as landslides occur in the mountains due to high rainfall.
Rice terraces in Sapa during the year
One of the most beautiful things about Sapa are the beautiful and very photogenic rice fields around the town. You can enjoy the views of the rice paddies at any time of the year, but they are usually most interesting between March and November.
In the spring (March and April) the rice fields are filled with water, making the whole mountain valleys shine beautifully and you can see reflections everywhere. This is also a great time of year to watch the locals preparing rice seedlings and establishing new rice nurseries.
From May onwards, planting begins, with the greenest and most lush rice fields in Sapa around June and July. As the rice starts to turn golden in September, October is the ideal time to see the golden rice fields with the blue sky in the background. The harvest season ends in November, when you can learn more about the harvesting process.
