Fansipan is proud to be the majestic symbol of the Northwest mountains and forests, affectionately called “The Roof of Indochina” by the people. The mountain is up to 3,147 meters high, lying in the middle of the floating sea of clouds of Sa Pa, like being lost in paradise in the middle of everyday life. In particular, this place is known as the most beautiful place to hunt clouds in Vietnam, with beautiful views, romantic sunsets, and magical fog that make up the special attraction of Fansipan.
A panoramic view of Fansipan’s beauty from above
Overview of Fansipan’s location and climate
Fansipan Vietnam belongs to the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, one of the longest and most majestic mountain ranges in Vietnam. Fansipan is only about 9 km by car from the center of Sapa town, Lao Cai province, to the southwest. Fansipan has a high altitude, creating a unique climate, entirely different from other provinces in Vietnam. In particular, when Sapa is in the temperate season, the weather at Fansipan can still be cold, windy, foggy, and unpredictable.
Many people compare the weather in Fansipan to a young girl, changing constantly and quickly. Sometimes, this place only has sunshine, dense fog and strong winds and drizzle can appear in just one hour. This is why visitors should contact Lily’s Travel to know the weather situation in Fansipan right now and other important information.
Tourists are checking in at the 3.143m high Fansipan peak
In general, the Fansipan weather, Vietnam, is cooler than Sapa and much colder than its neighboring regions. Even in summer or winter, the temperature often drops below 10°C at the top of the mountain, bringing cold winds, icy roads, and occasional snowfall (a rare phenomenon in Southeast Asia).
Fansipan weather is always high humidity all year round because it is located in dense, congested cloud belts. This is one of the reasons why the weather at Fansipan, Sa Pa, Vietnam, is often foggy and humid, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. In addition, you should choose the time of the strongest sunlight, from 9am to 3pm, when the clouds temporarily dissipate, to visit and take pictures. Especially when taking pictures of Muong Hoa Valley from above or waiting for the dawn on the top of Fansipan.
Seasonal weather in Fansipan throughout the year
Weather Fansipan is one of the rare places in Vietnam that experiences four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn, winter. Each season brings a different impressive experience, from the climate to the scenery and the blooming peach blossoms to the sea of clouds, golden sunshine and majestic mountains.
Spring (January – March)
In spring, the temperature is warmer and the visibility is stable (the fog clears faster). The landscape is dyed in lush green and dotted with blooming rhododendrons, which are considered one of the seasonal highlights of Fansipan.
Fansipan’s weather in spring is mild, with temperatures usually fluctuating steadily from 8°C to 18°C at the top. Early in the morning, fog often appears and clears around noon. In this season, Fansipan often has light winds and less rainfall than in summer. Dawn usually appears early around 5:30–5:45 am, so visitors can spend more time exploring.
Spring in Fansipan through the eyes of a photographer
In addition, visitors often come to the “spring roads” with peach and plum blossoms blooming in the frost, gentle sunshine, brilliant yellow rapeseed flower fields, and elegant tulips in the Sun World Fansipan Legend tourist area. This is one of the most beautiful seasons on Fansipan for taking photos thanks to the clear blue sky and moderate humidity, which will definitely capture beautiful moments in this paradise.
Summer (April – June)
Summer in Vietnam is quite hot, so people often choose to travel to Fansipan as a way to “cool off the summer.” In addition, summer in Fansipan marks the rainy season in Lao Cai. Fansipan weather at this time has higher humidity, frequent showers, thunderstorms, and dense fog in higher areas. Although the weather in Fansipan is still cool and pleasant at this time, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C, it rains quite a lot. It is best for visitors to contact Lily’s Travel to receive information about the weather in Fansipan Vietnam and tours to explore interesting experiences in Fansipan Sapa.
Rhododendron flowers blend into the sea of clouds on Fansipan mountain
In July, Fansipan often has a lot of rain, slippery roads and some activities on trekking routes must be limited to ensure safety. Although the sun rises early this season, usually around 5:15 am, clouds often obscure the sun. The afternoon can be clear but not evenly. Although it rains, you will see the fun activities of the highland children because it is on school holidays and the trees are lush, sometimes you will see rainbows.
Autumn (July –Septemper)
Autumn is considered the best time for the weather in Fansipan Sa Pa. The landscape, trees, and flowers are in full bloom, lush, and dotted with poetic and romantic villages. As the air becomes fresh, the rainfall decreases and clouds move into the valleys, creating spectacular seas of clouds, extremely majestic.
Valley of Verbena flowers blooming in September
Fansipan in autumn usually has temperatures ranging from 7°C to 17°C, and the humidity is significantly lower than in summer. The sun rises later, at around 5:45–6:00 am. The view is great, making this season ideal for the famous Fansipan cable car ride. From above, you can admire the stunning beauty of this place, considered one of the most worthwhile wonders to visit in Vietnam.
Winter (October – December)
Winter is the coldest and harshest season (this place is also known as the coldest place in Vietnam). Sapa Fansipan weather in December often brings cold winds and frost. But on the top of Fansipan, the temperature can drop to -2°C to 8° C. Visitors should prepare warm clothes and thick clothes to keep their bodies warm. Although this is the coldest place in Vietnam, snowfall is extremely rare, but it can still happen, especially in late December and January. Note that visitors will see dense fog in the early morning, and the wind on the mountaintop can be very strong.
Sapa Vietnam weather in December, makes everywhere covered in white snow
In winter, dawn often appears late, around 6:20–6:35 am (GMT+7). The dry air helps to enhance visibility on clear days, bringing picturesque panoramas. You will admire the snow-covered houses as beautiful as in a fairy tale, a rare scene in Vietnam.
Fansipan weather by month
Below is a detailed, in-depth article about the Vietnam Fansipan weather by month. Mainly talking about temperature, humidity, rainfall, sunrise time during the day, the possibility of fog, and special climate features. Make sure your trip is safe and fully enjoyed.
January
January is very cold and dry, the Fansipan temperature ranges from -1°C to 7°C. This month often has a lot of frost, and sometimes snow can be seen during strong monsoons. At this time, the humidity rises and remains at about 70–80%, with cold winds making the air much colder. In January, the sun rises quite late, around 6:30 am, and there is a lot of fog, so visitors should go around noon for better visibility.
Explore Fansipan mountain train
February
The weather starts to get warmer; the temperature increases slightly (0°C to 9°C). However, the fog is still thick and gradually dissipates at the end of February. Although spring brings little rain, the humidity increases to about 80–85%. This month, the Fansipan weather is quite nice, sometimes with clear skies, ideal for cloud hunting. However, the sun often rises quite late at 6:20 am, but the weather is quite nice, suitable for traveling or exploring beautiful trekking routes.
March
This month, the temperature starts to be more pleasant because it is late spring. The weather is quite nice, suitable for sightseeing, exploring, and hiking. In March, the temperature ranges from 5°C to 13°C and there is little fog, only appearing before 9am. The air has moderate humidity, little rain, and stable weather. At this time, dawn appears around 6am, fog mainly appears before 9am. Humidity is moderate, and rainfall increases slightly. Dawn at 6:00 am, bringing soft yellow light, ideal for photography.
April
April has wonderful weather, with mild temperatures (8°C to 15°C), little rain, and humidity maintained at about 75–80%. Suitable for visitors to participate in trekking activities and take photos of the cable car. At this time, dawn appears at 5:45 am, visitors can come early and enjoy the cool air amidst the majestic mountain scenery.
The beautiful blooming season of rhododendron flowers on Fansipan mountain
May
It is best for visitors to go in early May, because the weather is warmer and drier at this time. Late May has a lot of rain, and some trekking activities will be affected. May has warm and dry weather. Fansipan temperatures in May range from 10°C to 18°C, with a lot of fog in the late afternoon. Dawn usually appears at 5:30 am, early mornings are quite cold and not cloudy.
June
June is wet and rainy, Fansipan ranges from 11°C to 19°C. The mornings are clear, but the afternoons often have long thunderstorms and limited visibility. This month is foggy and some activities are limited due to bad weather and poor visibility. Dawn usually appears early at 5:20 am, visitors should take advantage of this time to visit Fansipan. In addition, you should also contact Lily’s Travel to check Mount Fansipan weather now as well as safe tours to ensure you enjoy the best trip this month.
July
July is the peak rainy month in Fansipan, with bad weather and poor visibility. Expect daily showers, high humidity (85–95%), and frequent fog. Therefore, visitors should limit hiking due to slippery roads and poor visibility. Temperatures on the top of Fansipan range from 12°C to 20°C, cool. Although it is a rainy month, the sun rises early at 5:15 am. Visitors can take advantage of the morning, with little rain and early sunshine, to hike and admire the natural scenery of the mountains and forests.
August
In August, the rain gradually decreases, and the landscape is also dry. However, early August is still rainy and gradually dries up towards the end of the month. However, visitors should be careful of slippery roads and unpredictable fog. There is a lot of rain, but the temperature is not too cold, ranging from 11°C to 19°C, and there is high humidity. The sun rises at 5:20 in the early morning; you will have plenty of time to admire the sea of clouds with the cool air of Fansipan.
Fansipan cable car weather, always at a stable level to ensure safe travel for tourists
September
September is autumn, with a landscape like being lost in a flower prairie. The ideal climate conditions are cool temperatures from 9°C to 17°C, low rainfall, humidity down to 70–75%, and beautiful views. The sun rises at 5:35 am. This is the beginning of the cloud hunting season, the most sought-after place for tourists when arriving in Fansipan.
October
October is ideal for visiting and exploring Sapa Fansipan, because the sky is clear and the view is beautiful. The weather on the top of Fansipan brings fresh, dry air and bright sunshine, from here you can admire the majestic natural mountain scenery. This month, the average temperature is from 8°C to 16°C, with little fog, except at dawn. At this time, the sun rises at 5:45–6:00 am, and the early morning Fansipan weather is freezing.
November
In November, Fansipan is covered with vast, endless seas of clouds. The Fansipan temperature ranges from 6°C to 15°C. Although the humidity is low and there is little rain, it is difficult for visitors to admire many beautiful scenes this month, except for lucky hunting. Dawn often appears late at 6:00 am, with very cold air in the morning.
The early morning, the Fansipan mountain weather is always cool, with a vast sea of clouds
December
December is considered to be extremely cold, sometimes with snowfall. Sapa Vietnam weather December often has temperatures down to -2°C–8°C. Making everything around frozen, and the snow-covered houses look like fairy tales. In winter, dawn often appears quite late at 6:30 am. A magical month for winter lovers.
Best time to visit Fansipan
The best time to visit is from September to November. The sky is blue, the sun is light, and there is almost no heavy rain. This helps visitors have a clear and far-reaching view, which is ideal for sightseeing, checking in, and cloud hunting.
There are some suggestions for the ideal times to visit Fansipan, based on the advantages of each month.
The best time to take pictures of the sea of clouds:
October – November and March – April: is the season of the sea of clouds with beautiful weather, the most stable visibility, and ideal cloud density. The thick, floating clouds drift slowly just below the mountaintop, considered a rare sight. This time is suitable for cloud hunting photography activities at the top of Fansipan.
Tourists are posing playfully together on the sea of clouds at Fansipan
Some suggestions for taking photos of cloud hunting at Fansipan:
- Take advantage of the dawn light – the “golden hour” of Fansipan
Dawn on Fansipan, from 5:30 to 6:30 am, is when a thick sea of clouds appears on the top with soft light and light purple-yellow. You should pose standing with your back to the sun so that the light shines on the clouds in front, the photo will be extremely shimmering, magical, and have natural depth.
- Shoot from a low height down to the sea of clouds
The photographer stands at a high point, pointing the camera down at the clouds, to create the feeling that you are standing in the middle of “heaven.” The shooting angle from above helps to capture the entire giant cloud and creates a feeling of being overwhelmed with a vast and vast scene of clouds.
- Some basic poses with floating clouds
– You stand straight, your hands lightly leaning on the railing, your lips smiling, and your eyes looking towards the photographer.
– Your arms outstretched, your body facing the sea of clouds. The person taking the photo from behind will capture you as if you are spreading your arms to embrace the vast sky.
– You can walk lightly to create a “travel vibe” pose, with a slight smile on your face, creating the feeling of enjoying the cool air at Fansipan.
Extremely chill check-in corner at Fansipan
The weather Fansipan is mild and easy to move in (suitable for outdoor activities):
April – May and September – October are the ideal times to participate in outdoor activities. The sky is clear, the temperature is cool, and the humidity is relatively low, suitable for trekking activities. Visitors can contact Lily’s Travel to refer to the beautiful trekking routes at Fansipan and long-term Fansipan tours at reasonable prices.
Tourists are trekking with the group
Romantic winter scenery and watching snowfall:
Late December – January, although the weather in Fansipan Vietnam is very cold, everywhere is covered with white snow, beautiful like scenes in fairy tales. Vietnamese people also compare Fansipan peak to the only snowy city in Vietnam.
The season of blooming flowers (especially rhododendrons):
March – October 5, when Fansipan mountainside is dyed pink and red by beautiful rhododendron flowers. The poetic scenery is like stepping into a fairyland, visitors should go early in the morning to have the most beautiful pictures.
No matter what time you arrive, it is necessary to contact Lily’s Travel to check the Fansipan weather today and the operation of the Fansipan cable car to limit accidents due to heavy rain, fog, or strong winds.
Weather tips for Fansipan visitors
The Fansipan area is extremely high, so it is very important to prepare the necessary things for the trip:
- Prepare a lot of thick clothes and some extra clothes with thinner fabrics. Because the temperature changes rapidly when traveling between Sapa town and Fansipan peak.
- Check the weather information for Fansipan, because the Fansipan Sapa Vietnam weather can change in just a few minutes.
- Avoid going during the rainy months (July-August) if you plan to climb the mountain or go sightseeing on foot. In addition, the cable car operation may be interrupted during storms and heavy rain.
- Buy a waterproof bag to protect your equipment. Due to the cold temperature and high humidity, thick fog can damage cameras and phones.
- Update the weather forecast to be able to see the sunrise fully. In addition, the fog will gradually clear between 9am and 12pm, helping to make visibility clearer.
- Bring enough drinking water when participating in outdoor activities. Cold weather will cause dehydration, especially for mountain climbers.
- You should also prepare non-slip shoes. Especially when using the cable car, the path near the top of the mountain can be wet and slippery.
