The best times to visit Lai Chau for ideal weather are
February 26th to May 13th
or
October 8th to November 25th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Lai Chau Travel Guide
Other Lai Chau Travel Info
Weather in Lai Chau
Temperature
Average temperatures in Lai Chau vary greatly. Considering humidity, temperatures feel very enjoyable all year with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year. The area is somewhat temperate — in the 59th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Lai Chau, the hottest months are June, May, and then July. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally mid May where highs are regularly around 76.9°F (24.9°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 64.8°F (18.2°C) at night.
Lai Chau Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Lai Chau Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Lai Chau Perceived Temperature (F)
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Lai Chau Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Lai Chau Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52.1 | 46.6 | 42.1 |
| Feb | 59.5 | 53.1 | 47.3 |
| Mar | 67.2 | 60 | 53.8 |
| Apr | 69.8 | 63.2 | 57.9 |
| May | 74.2 | 68.2 | 63.2 |
| Jun | 73.3 | 68.4 | 64.1 |
| Jul | 72.2 | 67.2 | 63.5 |
| Aug | 72.7 | 67 | 63 |
| Sep | 69.8 | 64.6 | 60.9 |
| Oct | 65.5 | 59.9 | 55.9 |
| Nov | 61.6 | 56.4 | 52.3 |
| Dec | 53.3 | 47.8 | 43.7 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11.2 | 8.1 | 5.6 |
| Feb | 15.3 | 11.7 | 8.5 |
| Mar | 19.6 | 15.6 | 12.1 |
| Apr | 21 | 17.3 | 14.4 |
| May | 23.4 | 20.1 | 17.3 |
| Jun | 22.9 | 20.2 | 17.8 |
| Jul | 22.3 | 19.6 | 17.5 |
| Aug | 22.6 | 19.4 | 17.2 |
| Sep | 21 | 18.1 | 16.1 |
| Oct | 18.6 | 15.5 | 13.3 |
| Nov | 16.4 | 13.6 | 11.3 |
| Dec | 11.8 | 8.8 | 6.5 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Lai Chau are February, January, and then March. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around late January. For example, on the week of January 22nd there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early September with an average of 6 days of significant precipitation the week of September 3rd.
When can you find snow in Lai Chau? Weather stations report no annual snow. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Lai Chau.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Lai Chau (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15% | 0 | 3 |
| Feb | 15% | 0 | 2.2 |
| Mar | 20% | 0 | 2.4 |
| Apr | 42% | 0 | 8 |
| May | 46% | 0 | 10.5 |
| Jun | 58% | 0 | 12.2 |
| Jul | 64% | 0 | 17.5 |
| Aug | 52% | 0 | 17.9 |
| Sep | 49% | 0 | 10.9 |
| Oct | 26% | 0 | 5.7 |
| Nov | 26% | 0 | 4.3 |
| Dec | 21% | 0 | 4.6 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15 | 0 | 7.6 |
| Feb | 15 | 0 | 5.6 |
| Mar | 20 | 0 | 6.1 |
| Apr | 42 | 0 | 20.3 |
| May | 46 | 0 | 26.7 |
| Jun | 58 | 0 | 31 |
| Jul | 64 | 0 | 44.5 |
| Aug | 52 | 0 | 45.5 |
| Sep | 49 | 0 | 27.7 |
| Oct | 26 | 0 | 14.5 |
| Nov | 26 | 0 | 10.9 |
| Dec | 21 | 0 | 11.7 |
Humidity and Wind
Lai Chau has some extremely humid months, and high humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is March (73.4% relative humidity), and the most humid month is September (88.4%).
Wind in Lai Chau is usually extremely calm. The windiest month is February, followed by March and April. February’s average wind speed of around 5.2 knots (6 MPH or 9.6 KPH) is considered “a light breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early February where average top sustained speeds reach 9.4 knots, which is considered a gentle breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Lai Chau.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 3.1 | Barely noticeable | 6.3 | Light breeze |
| Feb | 5.2 | Light breeze | 8.1 | Gentle breeze |
| Mar | 5 | Light breeze | 7.7 | Light breeze |
| Apr | 4.5 | Light breeze | 7.4 | Gentle breeze |
| May | 4.3 | Light breeze | 6.8 | Light breeze |
| Jun | 4.1 | Light breeze | 6.3 | Light breeze |
| Jul | 3.1 | Barely noticeable | 5.5 | Light breeze |
| Aug | 2.7 | Barely noticeable | 4.7 | Light breeze |
| Sep | 1.9 | Barely noticeable | 4.4 | Light breeze |
| Oct | 1.3 | Barely noticeable | 3.4 | Barely noticeable |
| Nov | 2.8 | Barely noticeable | 5.5 | Light breeze |
| Dec | 3 | Barely noticeable | 5.9 | Light breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 82.7% |
| Feb | 77.1% |
| Mar | 73.4% |
| Apr | 74.4% |
| May | 75% |
| Jun | 79.4% |
| Jul | 85.6% |
| Aug | 86.3% |
| Sep | 88.4% |
| Oct | 86.5% |
| Nov | 86.5% |
| Dec | 86.6% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Lai Chau?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings for Vietnam; exercise a high degree of caution. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 27, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Lai Chau, Vietnam is October, followed by January and June. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Lai Chau in February. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Lai Chau Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderate. Highs range from 76.9°F (24.9°C) and 63.9°F (17.7°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is very common with 6 to 14 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the slowest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the most precipitation with 16 to 20 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the second busiest season for tourism in Lai Chau, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 70.7°F (21.5°C) and 58.2°F (14.6°C), which will feel comfortable given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a good amount: 8 to 15 days per month. Tourism is the busiest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be higher priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is too cold this time of year in Lai Chau to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 67.7°F (19.8°C) and 46.1°F (7.8°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 4 to 6 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› Vietnam › Lai Chau, Vietnam