Ha Giang in January

Weather

January is the coldest month of the year. Days are mostly dry and often clear, but frost is possible on the high plateau around Dong Van and Meo Vac, and in the coldest spells ice can form — in January 2024 freezing rain left ice on plants and fences in Meo Vac. Nights are cold and many homestays have no heating.

Pack a warm hat, gloves, a down jacket and thermal layers — see what to pack.

What to see

• Clear winter views on dry days, from the Quan Ba Heaven Gate to Lung Cu.
• The first blossoms. Peach and plum blossoms, then yellow mustard flowers, open one after another on the stone plateau from late January to the end of March. In January it is still early — see spring blossom season.
• Quiet historic stops such as the Vuong family mansion.

Tet 2027

The Lunar New Year (Tet) 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February; the official holiday runs from 4 to 10 February 2027. The last week of January is the run-up: markets are busy and people travel home. During Tet itself many shops, restaurants and services close for several days — see Ha Giang in February and winter and Tet.

Driving in the cold

• Take care on frosty mornings: frost can make the high roads slippery. Start a little later and keep to daylight.
• Fog is common on cold mornings — drive slowly and stop only where there is space off the road.
• A car is much warmer than a motorbike in January; wind chill on the passes makes it feel far colder than the forecast. See Ha Giang by car and road safety.

Need a car and driver?

We can help arrange a licensed local driver and car for a warm, slow winter trip. See Hire a driver.