Hanoi in February

October through April delivers Hanoi's sweet spot. Temperatures hover around 20-25°C with minimal rain. December and January get chilly - pack layers. The city's outdoor dining culture shines during these months. Tet (Vietnamese New Year) shuts down the city in late January or February. Streets empty, restaurants close, and hotel prices double. But the decorations and family celebrations offer cultural immersion you can't buy. May through September brings heat, humidity, and monsoons. Temperatures hit 35°C with 80% humidity. Afternoon downpours flood the Old Quarter's narrow streets. But fewer tourists mean cheaper hotels and authentic experiences. Skip July and August unless you enjoy swimming through soup-thick air. The rainy season peaks, turning streets into rivers. Motorbikes plow through knee-deep water like it's normal. Because in Hanoi, it is.