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Ho Chi Minh City - Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City in January

Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City in January

January weather, activities, events & insider tips

January Weather in Ho Chi Minh City

32°C (90°F) High Temp
21°C (70°F) Low Temp
15mm (0.6 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is January Right for You?

Advantages

  • Driest month of the year with only 15mm (0.6 inches) of rainfall - you'll actually get full days of sunshine without the afternoon downpours that define the wet season. Those 10 rainy days are mostly brief evening showers that clear within 20-30 minutes.
  • Comfortable morning temperatures around 21-24°C (70-75°F) make early activities genuinely pleasant. The city's coffee culture is at its best when you can sit outside at 7am without immediately sweating through your shirt.
  • Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) typically falls in late January or early February, and the lead-up weeks transform the city. Flower markets pop up everywhere, particularly along Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and you'll see decorations that locals actually care about - not tourist performances.
  • Lower humidity than most months means your camera gear won't fog up constantly, clothes dry overnight, and that 70% humidity feels manageable compared to the 85-90% you'd get from May through October. Walking more than 2km (1.2 miles) doesn't feel like a punishment.

Considerations

  • Tet preparation chaos hits mid-to-late January - if the holiday falls in late January 2026, expect many local restaurants and shops to close 3-5 days before and after. Your favorite banh mi stall might just disappear for a week, and you'll be stuck with hotel food or the few tourist-focused places that stay open.
  • Prices spike 30-50% for accommodations if you're visiting during actual Tet week. That 800,000 VND room suddenly becomes 1,200,000 VND, and domestic tourists from Hanoi flood the city. Book at least 8-10 weeks ahead if traveling around Tet dates.
  • The 32°C (90°F) afternoon heat is real - from noon to 4pm, being outside in District 1 feels like standing in front of a hair dryer. UV index of 8 means you'll burn in 15 minutes without protection, and the concrete reflects heat back at you from every direction.

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Best Activities in January

Mekong Delta Day Tours

January's low water levels and minimal rainfall make this the absolute best month for delta exploration. The boat rides through narrow canals are smoother, you can actually walk through fruit orchards without mud up to your ankles, and the morning mist over rice paddies is genuinely photogenic. Water levels are predictable, so tours run on schedule instead of getting cancelled like they do during flood season. The cooler mornings mean cycling portions of tours are enjoyable rather than exhausting.

Booking Tip: Tours typically run 80,000-150,000 VND per person depending on group size and inclusions. Book 5-7 days ahead through your hotel or check current options in the booking widget below. Morning departures around 8am are worth the early start - you'll beat both heat and crowds. Look for tours that include Cai Rang floating market, which is most active 6-8am.

Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Trips

The dry season means the tunnel complex is actually accessible - during wet months, sections flood and close. January's lower humidity makes crawling through tight underground spaces less claustrophobic, though it's still warm and confined. The Ben Duoc site gets fewer tour buses than Ben Dinh and offers the same experience. Morning visits before 11am are crucial - after that, the heat above ground becomes oppressive and you'll be sharing tunnels with 200 other tourists.

Booking Tip: Half-day tours range 60,000-120,000 VND depending on transport type and guide quality. The site itself charges 110,000 VND entrance. Book through licensed operators (see current options in booking section below) and confirm whether entrance fees are included. Avoid weekend visits if possible - domestic tourism spikes Saturdays and Sundays.

Saigon Street Food Walking Tours

January evenings are perfect for food tours because you can walk 3-4km (1.9-2.5 miles) without overheating, and the dry weather means street vendors are fully set up every night. Tet preparation brings seasonal specialties like banh tet (sticky rice cakes) and mut (candied fruits) that you won't find other months. District 1 and District 3 neighborhoods are walkable after 6pm when temperatures drop to 24-26°C (75-79°F). The food scene is at full capacity before Tet closures hit.

Booking Tip: Group walking tours typically cost 400,000-800,000 VND for 3-4 hours including 6-8 tastings. Book 3-5 days ahead, though some operators take same-day reservations. Check the booking widget below for current options. Avoid tours that promise 10+ stops - you'll be rushed and won't actually taste anything properly. Evening tours starting 5:30-6pm work best for weather.

War Remnants Museum and Historical Site Visits

Indoor museum time is valuable during January's midday heat. The War Remnants Museum takes 2-3 hours to see properly, and the air conditioning is a legitimate relief from 32°C (90°F) outdoor temperatures. January's clear weather is also ideal for photographing the outdoor military equipment displays without rain-blurred photos. Reunification Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral are within 1.5km (0.9 miles) walking distance, creating a manageable historical circuit if you time it for morning or late afternoon.

Booking Tip: Museum entrance is 40,000 VND, Reunification Palace is 65,000 VND. No advance booking needed for independent visits, though guided context tours (available through the booking widget below) cost 300,000-600,000 VND and add significant historical depth. Visit museums 9-11am or after 3pm to avoid peak heat and tour bus crowds. Wednesday through Friday are quieter than weekends.

Rooftop Bar and Night Market Circuit

January evenings are genuinely comfortable for outdoor drinking and walking. Rooftop venues in District 1 offer 24-28°C (75-82°F) temperatures with occasional breezes - rare for Ho Chi Minh City. Ben Thanh Night Market operates 6pm-midnight with full vendor turnout during dry season. The combination of lower humidity and clear skies makes evening exploration pleasant rather than sticky. Locals are out in force during January evenings, so night markets feel authentic rather than tourist-focused.

Booking Tip: Rooftop bars charge 150,000-400,000 VND per cocktail depending on venue tier. No booking needed for casual visits, though high-end spots like those in the booking widget below may require reservations on weekends. Night market food runs 30,000-80,000 VND per dish. Start at Ben Thanh around 7pm, then move to District 1 rooftops by 9pm. Budget 500,000-800,000 VND total for food and 2-3 drinks.

Cyclo Tours Through District 1 and District 3

The dry weather and cooler mornings make cyclo (pedicab) tours actually enjoyable in January. You're moving slowly enough to see architectural details but getting enough breeze to stay comfortable. Early morning tours 7-9am catch the city waking up - coffee vendors setting up, tai chi in parks, flower markets in full swing during Tet preparation. The French colonial architecture in District 1 photographs beautifully in January's clear light without rain-soaked streets or harsh wet season glare.

Booking Tip: Cyclo tours cost 200,000-500,000 VND for 1-2 hours depending on route and negotiation. Book through your hotel or check current organized tours in the booking widget below to avoid pricing disputes. Agree on total price and duration before starting. Morning tours are worth the early wake-up - after 10am, traffic and heat make the experience less pleasant. Routes covering the Opera House, Central Post Office, and Notre-Dame Cathedral take 90 minutes.

January Events & Festivals

Mid to Late January 2026

Tet Nguyen Dan Preparation Period

The 2-3 weeks before Lunar New Year transform Ho Chi Minh City completely. Flower markets take over Nguyen Hue Walking Street and parks throughout District 1 - you'll see kumquat trees, apricot blossoms, and chrysanthemums being sold by the thousands. Locals are actually shopping for their homes, not performing for tourists. The decorations are elaborate because they matter culturally. Markets get crowded but the energy is genuinely festive. Worth noting that many businesses close 2-3 days before Tet and don't reopen for 3-5 days after, so plan accordingly.

Late January 2026 (specific date varies by lunar calendar)

Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year)

If Tet falls during your January 2026 visit, expect a completely different city. District 1 becomes eerily quiet as locals return to home provinces - streets that normally have motorbike chaos are suddenly walkable. Most local restaurants and shops close entirely. The upside is that major tourist sites are less crowded, and the few restaurants that stay open are genuinely good. Fireworks displays happen along the Saigon River on Tet Eve, though viewing spots fill up hours in advance. The first three days of Tet are when locals visit family, so tourist areas feel abandoned.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket or packable poncho - those 10 rainy days bring brief showers, mostly evenings, that last 20-30 minutes. Not the all-day rain of wet season, but enough to soak you if caught outside.
SPF 50+ sunscreen and reapply every 90 minutes - UV index of 8 means you'll burn in 15 minutes of midday exposure. The concrete in District 1 reflects UV back at you from below.
Breathable cotton or linen shirts, not polyester - 70% humidity means synthetic fabrics trap sweat and never dry. You'll change shirts twice daily regardless, so pack extras.
Comfortable walking sandals with arch support - you'll walk 5-8km (3.1-5 miles) daily on uneven sidewalks. Closed-toe shoes get too hot for daytime, but bring one pair for evening venues with dress codes.
Small daypack with water-resistant lining - for carrying water, sunscreen, and protecting electronics during brief showers. The 15mm (0.6 inches) monthly rainfall sounds minimal but comes in concentrated bursts.
Wide-brimmed hat or cap - essential for midday walking. Locals wear them constantly for good reason. Baseball caps don't protect your neck and ears from reflected UV off pavement.
Power bank (10,000+ mAh capacity) - you'll use your phone constantly for maps, translation, and photos in 32°C (90°F) heat, which drains batteries faster. Not all cafes have accessible outlets.
Light scarf or shawl - for air-conditioned museums, restaurants, and buses that blast AC to uncomfortable levels. The temperature swing from 32°C (90°F) outside to 18°C (64°F) inside is jarring.
Modest clothing for temple visits - shoulders and knees covered. Many tourists underestimate how much time they'll spend at pagodas and historical sites. Lightweight long pants or maxi skirts work in the heat.
Vietnamese dong in small bills (20,000-50,000 notes) - for street food and markets. Many vendors don't have change for 500,000 notes, and you'll miss good food while searching for an ATM.

Insider Knowledge

The week before Tet is when locals shop for new clothes, decorations, and gifts - if you want to see authentic Vietnamese culture rather than tourist performances, hit the markets in Districts 5 and 10 (Chinatown area) during mid-to-late January. You'll see what families actually buy and how they prepare.
Book accommodations at least 8-10 weeks ahead if Tet falls during your dates. Hotels know they can charge 30-50% premiums, and the good mid-range places (800,000-1,500,000 VND) sell out to domestic tourists from Hanoi and Da Nang. Prices normalize immediately after Tet week.
The new Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien) started limited operations in 2024 and should be fully functional by January 2026. This actually changes navigation significantly - you can avoid motorbike taxis for the District 1 to District 9 route. Fare is around 15,000-20,000 VND versus 80,000-120,000 VND for Grab.
Locals escape the midday heat at shopping malls - Vincom Center, Saigon Centre, and Takashimaya aren't just for buying things. They're air-conditioned public spaces where you can walk around, use clean bathrooms, and eat at food courts with posted prices. This is what residents do between noon and 3pm.
The Saigon River ferry from Bach Dang Wharf to Binh An costs 15,000 VND and gives you the same river views as expensive dinner cruises. It runs every 30 minutes until 7pm, takes 15 minutes, and locals use it for commuting. January's clear weather makes this worth the detour.
Street food prices are standardized by neighborhood - if someone quotes you 80,000 VND for banh mi when the locals are paying 25,000 VND, walk away. Watch what Vietnamese customers pay, or ask your hotel what dishes should cost. Tourist pricing is obvious and negotiable.
The afternoon heat from noon to 4pm is genuinely oppressive - plan museum visits, shopping mall exploration, or long lunches during this window. Locals don't fight the weather, and neither should you. Save outdoor activities for before 11am or after 4pm.
Vietnamese SIM cards (Viettel, Mobifone) cost 100,000-200,000 VND for 30 days with 3-4GB daily data. Buy at the airport or any convenience store. You'll need this for Grab (ride-hailing), Google Maps, and translation apps. Hotel wifi doesn't help when you're lost in District 5.

Avoid These Mistakes

Visiting during actual Tet week expecting everything to be open - if the holiday falls in late January 2026, most local restaurants, shops, and even some attractions close for 3-5 days. You'll be stuck with expensive hotel restaurants or the handful of tourist places that stay open. Check the lunar calendar before booking flights.
Walking around District 1 from noon to 3pm and wondering why you feel miserable - the 32°C (90°F) temperature plus concrete heat reflection plus 70% humidity is brutal during peak hours. Locals don't do this. Plan indoor activities during midday or you'll spend the afternoon recovering in your hotel.
Assuming the 15mm (0.6 inches) monthly rainfall means you won't need rain protection - those 10 rainy days bring concentrated evening showers that can soak you in minutes. The rain is brief but intense, and you'll be caught outside when it hits. Bring a packable rain jacket.
Booking tours through random guys on the street instead of checking reviews or using established platforms - you'll end up on a bus with 40 people, rushed through sites, and pressured to buy things at commission shops. Tours booked through your hotel or reputable platforms (like the booking widget below) cost slightly more but actually deliver the experience advertised.
Wearing new shoes or sandals for the first time - you'll walk 5-8km (3.1-5 miles) daily on cracked sidewalks, and blisters will end your trip early. Break in footwear before arriving, and bring blister treatment just in case.

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