Located in the mountains of the northern Vietnamese province of Lao Cai, close to the Chinese border, Sapa has a climate similar to that of the rest of the country. It lies in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, a series of mountains that is in essence part of the eastern foothills of the Himalays. Residing at 1,650 metres above sea level, Sapa is a town that has seasonal changing weather.
Tropical weather is the norm in summer, while milder temperatures occur in winter. More concretely, this means that the weather is humid and hot in summer and rather chilly and foggy in winter. In July and August, the hottest, wettest and also greenest months of the year, it tends to rain in the mornings, but clears up in the afternoons. January and February are the coldest months. The recommended periods to visit this mountain town are from March through to May, and from September through to November.
During those times of the year, Sapa is relatively cool with temperatures of around 15°C to 20°C. The humidity in the area can range from 75 percent humidity to highs of 91 percent humidity due to predominant winds and cloud formation close by. You can check the weather forecast for this beautiful town here.
Sapa and the surrounding areas are famous for their spectacular natural landscapes and fascinating cultural diversity. Most of the tourists that visit this town of approximately 35,000 inhabitants come to see the magnificent rice terraces that dot the area. Additionally, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts are attracted by the town's proximity to Hoang Lien Son National Park and Mount Fansipan, the tallest mountain in Vietnam. Sapa itself may be on the rise as a tourist town in this corner of the countryt's not quite there yet, thoughnd continue to receive a steady and reliable influx of visitors, but it is still completely possible to escape the increasing crowds in the spectacular natural scenery that surrounds it.
The town is also interesting because of its sheer diversity when it comes to ethnic groups and cultures. Most of the inhabitants belong to some ethnic minority group, but manage to live together in complete peace and understanding. It is this relaxed attitude of the local population that also adds to the ever-growing appeal of this gorgeous town in northern Vietnam.
Summer Weather In Sapa
In the highlands of Sapa, the climate can change very quickly, even in the course of a day. It's not unheard of for there to be spring-like weather in the morning and winter weather in the evening. The tropical region where Sapa is situated has a summer characterised by a rainy season. A total of at least 2,064mm of rain falls on average each year with the wettest months being July and August.
In summer, the weather is more pleasant than the hot conditions in the lower lying plains. Many visitors who come to see the beauty of Sapa experience its fast changing climate. Despite normally being humid, the climate is tempered by the prevalent cool temperatures of the highlands.
Temperature
Tourists who visit Sapa and are planning on going hiking or trekking in the nearby Hoang Lien Son National Park find that the summer climate is mild enough for those outdoor pursuitshey won't be held back by the scorching temperatures that prevail in other parts of the country. However, temperatures can still reach a maximum of 30°C in high summer. Generally speaking, though, the average high temperature in summer is not higher than 24°C, which is definitely comfortable by all accounts, but not too high to be restricting to outdoor activities. Summer nights are pleasant, even warm, as well, with the mercury not dropping below the average low of 18°C in the peak summer months of June, July and August. The nights in May and September are a tiny bit cooler.
Rain
Summer can arrive in Sapa as early as May and can last until September. During this five-month period, the total precipitation can amount to 1,995mm or almost 70 percent of the total annual rainfall.
Sunshine Hours
Because of its high and mountainous location, Sapa is subject to rain and fog and, therefore, the amount of sunshine hours is never spectacularly high. In summer, the days have about 5 hours of sunshine per day on average.
Autumn Weather In Sapa
Temperature
Autumn lasts only around two months in Sapa and at times can pass unnoticed except to local residents. Though, there does tend to be a dramatic drop in temperature of around four to six degrees when autumn does arrive. The classic autumn months are October and November, which still experience temperatures between 11°C at night and 20°C in the afternoon.
Winter Weather In Sapa
Winter in Sapa lasts from late November to late February and this is the coldest period in the area. This is a mountainous region and snow can fall on one to three days from December to February as the coldest temperatures are then recorded.
Fog
Winter in Sapa is cold, foggy and wet with drizzle and frost being common occurrences. Fog generally occurs on 137 days of the year on average and there have even been instances when hikers have been trapped due to the heavy fog.
Temperature
In winter, it is extremely common for sun to occur mid-morning in Sapa and for wet weather to arrive in the afternoon. Temperatures may go as low as 1°C during the night and there are instances when it can plummet to sub-zero with frost along the way. In winter, the temperatures average around 7°C to 8°C during the nights and between 13°C and 15°C in the afternoons, temperatures that are by all means bearable, and even invite visitors to head outside and enjoy the spectacular natural features of the region.
Rain
Rainfall is at its highest during January, which is also the coldest month, averaging 10°C and 140mm of precipitation. This precipitation can be attributed to drizzle, mist, frost and even snow.
Spring Weather In Sapa
Temperature
Spring arrives in the region in early March. The average temperature now gradually rises until its hits 20°C in early May and the summer season kicks off once again. Early morning drizzle may occur in early spring but the average daily temperature is normally around 16°C to 18°C.