Northern Vietnam in winter?

[CTB]

Can anyone tell me what the temps. are in Northern Vietnam in the winter. I did some preliminary research and I'm finding that it can get to -5C. in the hills (night temp). I'm looking to go late Dec. early Jan. - what are the day temps like? sounds pretty cold.

Thanks
Christopher

[KTMmartin]

It has been known to snow in SaPa. So -5 does not sound unreasonable.

[CTB]

Any takers on what daytime riding temps might be like? Dec/Jan

[deaninkl]

CTB North Vietnam and the china border are very pleasent even in winter, daytime temps can be as high as 25c but can also be only 15c this is in the low areas, at altitude it can be colder depending on clear sky or overcast, but frankly nowhere there is really cold. At night especially in the hilly areas temps can drop considerably and as there is almost no heating in the area you need to sleap in your sleaping bag as the cheap hotels offer only thin blankets.

Basically think of Europe in a good spring, thats as bad as it gets.

[GypsyRider]

CTB,
You can certainly expect freezing temperatures in the evening, night and mornings up in the mountains of northern Vietnam. Middle of the day temperatures should be mild on clear sunny days. If you count on making early morning starts on your bike trip than you better come prepared with winter riding gear.

[glennoi]

The northern Vietnamese winter was especially cold this year, and only a few days before I crossed the pass into Sapa there had been black ice on the road. I was lucky enough to enjoy a few warm, sunny days in Sapa in February after a cold, misty ride up from Hanoi.

While the temperatures are never that low, even high in the mountains, the humidity is still high so it feels hell cold. I wear full textile riding pants and jackets over the winter here, with one or two scarves and ski gloves, and sometimes have to wear thermals and a windstopper.

There is usually a lot of fog at high elevations during the winter, so visibility is poor and the mist cuts right through to your skin.

My advice is to ride in southern Laos or Cambodia in February, when those countries are in the dry season, and save northern Vietnam for April to June and September through to about mid-December.