Month guide · Ho Chi Minh City · Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City in January
What January is really like in Ho Chi Minh City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Ho Chi Minh City. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 22°C (72°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 11.6 hours of daylight. Dry, sunny and slightly less humid, one of the most comfortable months; Tết preparations fill markets with flowers.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 11.6 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in January
January is the 5th-warmest month in Ho Chi Minh City: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 22°C (72°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 of its 31 days. Compared with December (31°C (88°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 33°C (91°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 06:15
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:49
- Daylight
- About 11.6 hours
Late rains (November). Rain eases through the month as the dry season starts; a pleasant time with fewer crowds.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Tết (Lunar New Year) — Nguyễn Huệ Flower Street displays, then many businesses close for several days (late January or February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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Viewpoint · Bình Thạnh
Landmark 81 SkyView
Go late in the afternoon to see the city in daylight and after dark on one ticket.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- After dark
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Zoo · District 1 (Đồng Khởi)
Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Founded in 1864, one of the oldest zoos in the world combines shaded botanical gardens, animal enclosures, playgrounds and the Museum of Vietnamese History, which covers prehistory to the Nguyễn dynasty and stages short water puppet shows.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
- History
Park · District 1 (Đồng Khởi)
Tao Đàn Park
Arrive around 6–7am to see the park at its liveliest, then have breakfast nearby.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
Experience · District 1 (Đồng Khởi)
Saigon River by waterbus
Public waterbuses leave from the Bạch Đằng pier at the end of Nguyễn Huệ and run up the Saigon River past Thủ Thiêm, Landmark 81 and Thảo Điền, giving river views of the skyline for a low fare.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours return
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 32°C, lows near 22°C and 2 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
One of the best months to visit Ho Chi Minh City, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are February–March and December. Compare every month.
Ho Chi Minh City in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
It is one of the best months to visit Ho Chi Minh City. Dry, sunny and slightly less humid, one of the most comfortable months; Tết preparations fill markets with flowers.
+How warm is Ho Chi Minh City in January?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Ho Chi Minh City in January?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.