Climate in Sapa (Lao Cai, Vietnam)

The best time of year to visit Sapa in Vietnam

Sa Pa or Sapa has a special climate. It has all the characteristics of a tropical savannah climate. There are rainy seasons and dry periods. The temperature is very high in summer months. However, due to the altitude and the influence of the surrounding mountains, the temperature is considerably lower in winter. Average temperatures can even drop to freezing.

Although you can go at any time of the year, the best time to visit Sapa is March to May or September to November. During this period Sapa has many beautiful landscapes and the weather is pleasant. It can be a bit busy during this period so it is recommended to book a place to stay in advance.

During the months of January, February and December you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 26 degrees Celsius (79°F).

Other facts from our historical climate data:

When is the rainy season in Sapa?
Rainy season in Sapa occurs in the months of May, June, July, August and September.

Which is the warmest month in Sapa?
June has an average maximum temperature of 34°C (93°F) and is the warmest month of the year.

Which is the coldest month in Sapa?
The coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of 21°C (70°F).

Which is the wettest month in Sapa?
July tops the wettest month list with 286mm (11.3in) of rainfall.

Which is the driest month in Sapa?
January is the driest month with 28mm (1.1in) of precipitation.

Which is the sunniest month in Sapa?
April is the sunniest month with an average of 170 hours of sunshine.

No idea where to travel to this year? We now have a tool which suggests which destination suits your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.