But that is enough for the statistics. You come to Ha Noi to enjoy. And no matter what the weather is like, no matter what time of the year it is, there is always something that you can enjoy in seasons of Ha Noi.
Spring
It is that time of the year when love is in the air. I’m talking about love in general, not just from lovers or spouses. The Lunar New Year is the time to spend with your family, use that love as a fire pit to resist the cold. Valentine’s Day is usually close to Lunar New Year, so right after sharing the love with your family, those who are in a relationship should not forget about their partners.
And there are places to go just for these occasions. In new year’s day, naturally, there will be fireworks being fired at many locations of the city. If you don’t have family in Vietnam at that time, it might be nice to see the fireworks up-close-and-personal. These locations change every year, but Hoan Kiem lake is always on the list. Another attraction of the New Year is the flower festival, where freshly-blossomed flowers are arranged in patterns to create beautiful masterpieces.
Spring in Ha Noi is beautiful. Basically, everything in Ha Noi gets a little extra touch during this time of year. You are in luck if you come here this time of the year, enjoy everything that Ha Noi has to offer at its best.
Summer
Obviously, it is hot. But there are still ways to cool down in Ha Noi during the summer. This is the perfect time to hit the pools. The West Lake Waterpark is the first suggestion that comes to mind for most Ha Noi citizen. The first Waterpark of Vietnam provides a wide variety of aquatic entertainment for visitors to make sure that they have the best experience in the West Lake. However, since 2013, there are other aquatic entertainment centers that can provide similar service, if not better. The waterpark in Royal City is a destination that many young people tend to choose due to the range of choices, the modern look, and state-of-the-art technology.
I would personally NOT recommend a motorcycle trip to the outskirts of the city during this time of year. The summer sun can be violent. Your tires can blow up anytime due to the heat and the bumpy road. Many visitors had experienced sunburn in Ha Noi because they underestimated the sun. Sunrays in Ha Noi aren’t as friendly as in Miami. So visitors should occasionally take shelter in an air-conditioned building to retreat from the sun.
But an upside of summer is that the population of Ha Noi actually decreases during this time of year. Though it might be difficult to notice due to the heat, the number of people in Ha Noi reduces marginally if you look at the statistics. Summer is the season of vacations, which means it is time for a family getaway to tropical paradises, sandy beaches, and daring adventures. Students returning home for the summer helps lessen traffic jams in Ha Noi.
Autumn
This is the season for the kids. It is the time for students to come back to school, to see their friends and teachers again after a hot summer. Some might say that coming back to school is somewhat irritating, but after a long summer with little to do, coming back to school is a wonderful feeling.
The center of autumn is obviously the Mid-Autumn Festival. Like I said, this is the time for the kids, but it doesn’t mean that adults can’t have fun as well. For years, Hang Ma street has been the center of attention when Mid-Autumn arrives. They come here for the toys, because kids always love toys. And as this is the occasion for the kids, it is only fitting that they have something that they like to play with.
Even if you don’t have kids, just go out anyway. If you want to be a part of the crowd, who can stop you? The Old Quarter is usually exciting during the 2 weeks prior to the full moon, so pick a night and feel the atmosphere in the walking streets.
Winter
Ha Noi in the winter is not exactly a winter wonderland. For some people, it is not exactly cold. It is possible to wear shorts and T-shirts outdoor and feel like it is still autumn. Snow is obviously out of the question. So it is safe to say that it is impossible to enjoy the winter activities in the winter of Ha Noi. In that case, just enjoy other activities.
Christmas in Ha Noi is special. Year after year, there are more and more people attending Christian ceremonies. And even though Christmas is not celebrated as professionally as in Western regions, it is still a great time to go out and enjoy the atmosphere.
The New Year in Vietnam is not as hugely celebrated as the Lunar New Year. But it is still there, the parties are still there, the vibe is still there, and everybody still celebrates it. Every year, on December 31st, there is a Heineken countdown party in front of the Grand Opera House. In this party, there will be a stage set in the middle of the intersection where performances and appearances of some of the greatest artists in Vietnam take place.