The first day of Spring?

A lot of people seem to find my blog by Googling “Hanoi weather” but although I’ve lived through all the seasons twice I’m still a little hazy on it all.

I have, of course, asked local people but they too aren’t exactly clear in their recollections. All in all it’s very difficult to get a specific idea of what to expect.

But what I do know is this – December to March it can get quite cold, regularly down below 15 degrees centigrade and I’ve know it as low as seven. Okay so not exactly the North Pole but remember there are no heaters.  Typing in gloves can be tricky.

Towards the end of this time – often as early as the Lunar New Year (Feburaryish) it all gets very damp.  So damp that it’s hard to tell if it’s raining or not. So humid that you’re more likely to get wet on the inside than the outside of your waterproof jacket.

Yesterday I noted mould on my toothbrush.

April onwards I know it starts to get hot with three four days at a time over 40 degrees centigrade. It’s weather where you just have to hide yourself away and it goes on and on before it even starts to cool in late September.

Somewhere in the middle of that is a wet season, not to be confused with the early dampness.  Then others refer to a stormy season which happens a little later. But no on seems exactly sure when that starts.

But who knows what we are in for? We got summer weather right the way through most of the winter this year and last year Vietnam saw some of the biggest storms on records – albeit it mostly in the central regions.

Today?

Well today felt like the first day of spring. The pictures may not look like it but there was a definite blue hue in the skies and a warmth to the air that was different to the humid clammyness of late.

Much like Hanoi itself the awkward unpredictability of the weather actually seems to add to the fun.

But, all the same, long may it stay like this.

Oh and when is it best to visit Hanoi?  Hey, it’s all good.  Come when you can.

Like most people I’d choose November but better to suffer extreme temperatures or brief downpours than miss out altogether.

Pics were taken today – see here for the full set.