What's interesting about Hanoi in winter?

'Winter in Hanoi' - just the mention of this phrase is enough to stir the hearts of those living in Hanoi, and even those who hold a deep affection for the city. If you've fallen for Hanoi's winter charm, then quickly prepare for your trip, as this winter is predicted to arrive earlier than usual, with temperatures averaging lower than previous years.

1. What month does winter start in Hanoi?

Winter in Hanoi typically begins in late November and lasts until March of the Gregorian calendar. However, according to forecasts, this year's winter in Hanoi is expected to arrive earlier, with temperatures averaging around or lower than previous years. The average temperature ranges from 14 to 19 degrees Celsius, gradually dropping to around 11 degrees Celsius at night.

Winter weather in Hanoi boasts the distinct tropical climate of monsoon winds and drizzles, yet the cold here is bone-chilling and piercing, especially with the arrival of the Northeast monsoon. However, amidst the chilly gusts, one can still bask in the gentle golden sunshine, incredibly warm and soothing.

For winter travel in Hanoi, it's essential to prepare warm clothing such as wool coats, padded jackets, fur coats, skinny jeans, denim pants, long wool skirts, etc., along with full accessories like scarves, gloves, wool hats, sneakers, boots, as the seasonal winds can rush in unexpectedly.

2. Where to Go and What to Do in Hanoi Winter?

Hanoi doesn't lack beautiful sights during the winter transition. If you're a visitor unfamiliar with Hanoi, you can consider these suggestions:

2.1. Morning Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake

In winter, Hanoi welcomes the dawn with a piercing cold, as mist blankets the streets like entering a fairyland. If you truly desire to immerse yourself in the sensation of Hanoi winter slowly seeping into your skin, make an effort to wake up early and take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake.

Hoan Kiem Lake in the early morning of winter. Image: @nganshuu

During winter days, Hoan Kiem Lake is shrouded in a thin layer of mist, creating a tranquil and serene atmosphere, contrasting with the hustle and bustle of daily life. Walking around Hoan Kiem Lake in the early morning, you may easily encounter scenes of elderly people practicing Tai Chi, jogging in the mist, or modest street vendors huddled on the sidewalk, serving hot tea to early risers. All of these will make you appreciate the charm of Hanoi winter even more.

Modest street vendors on the sidewalk are also packed with people enjoying hot morning tea. Image: Collected

2.2. Embrace the Seasonal Breeze at West Lake

The chill of Hanoi winter is quite peculiar. It's not the piercing wind of the highlands nor the bone-chilling cold of Sapa with its frozen mist turning into icy sheets. It's a strange kind of chill, both cold and warm, that whenever the seasonal wind arrives, everyone wants to rush to West Lake to enjoy and breathe in this unique atmosphere.

West Lake on windy days of the season. Image: Duong Hai Ly

If you're lucky enough to visit West Lake in the afternoon on a warm winter day, you still have the chance to admire the magnificent sunset here. The winter sunset sky may not be as vibrant as in summer, leaving only faint orange rays shimmering against the indigo sky of the night, but it's enough to bring you wonderful feelings.

Winter sunset at West Lake. Image: @nganshuu

2.3. Immerse Yourself in the Winter Cherry Blossom Season

It's unclear when cherry blossoms became the 'specialty of Hanoi winter'. Just wake up one morning, step out onto the street, and see cherry blossoms carefully wrapped on bicycles, and you'll know winter has truly arrived. Those pure white, tiny blossoms make Hanoi winter gentle and incomparable.

Bicycles loaded with pristine white cherry blossoms. Image: Collected

Traveling to Hanoi in winter, especially in November, you can easily come across bicycles adorned with pure white cherry blossoms on streets like Giang Vo, Yen Phu, Phan Dinh Phung, Tran Nhat Duat,... Additionally, you can find cherry blossoms in familiar places like Nhat Tan flower village, Hong River rock beach, Tay Tuu flower village.

A garden of pristine white cherry blossoms. Image: Collected

2.4. Capture the Moment at Mustard Flower Gardens

Winter in Hanoi brings not only cherry blossoms but also vibrant mustard flower gardens bursting into full bloom, captivating everyone's attention. While cherry blossoms can be easily found in roadside stalls, tucked away in every nook and cranny of Hanoi, to fully admire the beauty of mustard flowers, you must venture into the gardens, and the farther from the city center, the more stunning they become.

A vibrant mustard flower garden. Image: Collected

Typically, from mid-December onwards is the time when mustard flowers bloom most beautifully. However, the blooming period is very short, lasting only about two weeks. So, if you have the chance to travel to Hanoi in winter, make sure to seize the opportunity to check in at Yen Vien Gia Lam mustard flower garden, Trau Quy mustard flower garden, Phu Dong mustard flower garden, mustard flower gardens in Thach Ban,...

Seize the chance to check in during the most beautiful blooming season. Image: Collected

2.5. Indulge in a steaming cup of coffee

They say “Hanoi doesn't rush” and in Hanoi's coffee culture, it's the same, “Drinking coffee in Hanoi, you can't rush”, especially on those bitterly cold winter days. When the winter wind blows, what could be better than immersing yourself in a warm space, leaving behind the chilly wind, and savoring each bitter drop falling softly into a fragrant, steaming cup of coffee?

Indulging in a steaming cup of coffee on a winter day. Image: Collected

It could be a perfectly brewed “brown hot” made with a ratio of 2 parts coffee and 1 part condensed milk, offering a distinct and rich flavor; it could also be a piping hot egg coffee, served in a simple, humble cup, sweet and creamy with a tantalizing aroma; or simply a hot cocoa to warm your belly and feel the breath of Hanoi's winter.

Steaming hot egg coffee. Image: Collected

3. What to eat in Hanoi during winter?

3.1. Hot rice cake

The golden face in Hanoi's winter culinary world undoubtedly belongs to the legendary hot rice cake. A bowl of hot rice cake is always steaming, filled with the smooth white color of the chewy rice cake, the brown of minced meat, the fragrant sautéed wood ear mushrooms, the golden color of fried tofu, fried shallots, and the green of aromatic herbs, coriander. All are immersed in a flavorful dipping sauce, blending with other ingredients to create a distinctive taste of winter that you won't easily forget. When winter comes to Hanoi, enjoying a steaming bowl of hot rice cake is truly unmatched.

Steaming hot rice cake. Image: @linhmoon

3.2. Floating dumplings

Floating dumplings are also among the dishes created specifically for Hanoi's winter, because when winter arrives, you will easily come across vendors selling floating dumplings wafting with the scent of burning charcoal wandering all over the capital. Floating dumplings are made from glutinous rice flour, filled with fragrant black sesame or finely mashed green beans, warm flavors of fresh ginger, and the sweetness of cooked sugarcane juice. There are also some places that offer unique variations with meat-filled floating dumplings. Meat-filled floating dumplings may sound a bit unusual, but thanks to the mild filling and fresh meat, eating them with the broth is quite pleasant and not difficult at all.

Floating dumplings. Image: @khanhhuyenh2

Eating rice dumplings won't make them disappear in one bite because they're really hot. The pot of dumplings is always simmering on the stove to keep the warmth for winter. No matter how cold Hanoi's winter gets, just a sip of ginger-infused water with rice dumplings will warm you up again and again.

3.3. Boiled snails

On the chilling days of Hanoi's winter, just passing by a boiled snail stall will surely make you stop because of the billowing smoke. Boiled snails are always piping hot, each one golden and plump, richly fragrant with lemongrass, offering a perfect blend of crispiness and chewiness. The dipping sauce is sour, spicy, salty, and sweet enough with ginger and chili, mingling with the crunchy texture of the small snails. Just a touch on the tongue and the rich aroma spreads down the throat, warming and invigorating.

Boiled snails. Image: Collection

3.4. Snail vermicelli, crab noodle soup

Snail vermicelli and crab noodle soup are also among the distinctive winter delights of Hanoi, elaborately prepared and favored by food enthusiasts. Actually, these are not exclusive to winter. Hanoians enjoy snail vermicelli, crab noodle soup, and more all year round. However, when winter comes, these dishes become even more exceptional.

Hanoi's snail vermicelli. Image: @bachuaviahe

Snail vermicelli and crab noodle soup in Hanoi have a quite robust flavor, with a balance of sourness and a slightly salty taste. The piping hot vermicelli, crunchy snails, soft noodles, abundant greens, and glossy golden broth make it perfect for a cold day.

3.5. Sweet potato cakes, corn cakes, banana cakes

When winter arrives, fried cakes like sweet potato cakes, corn cakes, and banana cakes inevitably take the spotlight. You can spot them on street corners, at school gates, where aunties start selling fried sweet potato cakes, banana cakes, and corn cakes - with giant frying pans and stacks of golden crispy, fragrant, and piping hot cakes piled up right in front of you.

Hanoi's fried cakes. Image: Collected

3.6. Taro sweet soup

Taro sweet soup might just be the most deserving of the title 'Hanoi's winter specialty,' as this dessert only appears in winter; in other seasons in Hanoi, you'll find it challenging to find a shop selling taro sweet soup. The best time to enjoy taro sweet soup is when it's freshly scooped out of the pot, piping hot with evenly cut taro pieces, cooked with ginger water, and topped with some freshly grated coconut, all blending into the golden creamy soup. Enjoying taro sweet soup in winter must be done quickly, so it stays warm; letting it cool down will diminish its delicious flavor.

Hanoi's Taro sweet soup. Image: Collected

3.7. Rib porridge

Rib porridge is a Hanoi dish for chilly winter evenings. Hanoi's rib porridge is made from finely ground rice, smoother and creamier than regular porridge. The porridge is very smooth, with the pork ribs stewed until tender and shredded finely, becoming more fragrant the longer it's cooked. Holding a steaming bowl of rib porridge in your hands, you'll feel the gentle fragrance of ground rice blending with the sweetness of the pork rib broth and the savory, aromatic flavor of minced pork, shrimp paste, and ground pepper, all of which will captivate you right from the first taste.

Hanoi's Rib Porridge. Image: Collected

Winter is approaching Hanoi very soon. What are you waiting for? Gather your friends, plan a trip to explore Hanoi with the winter outfits you've prepared and stored all year long, and discover all the wonderful things about Hanoi's winter!

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