The short answer
When to go to Vientiane
November to February is the best window, with dry skies and highs around 29 to 31 degrees C, comfortable for temples, Patuxai and Pha That Luang. March and April are hotter and hazier, and May to September brings the rains, with August the wettest. Older travellers will find the cool season much kinder, since most sights are open-air and have little shade between buildings. If you must travel in the wet season, plan short outings and carry an umbrella.
Month by month
Vientiane weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°C | 18°C | 7 mm | Cool, dry and sunny; the easiest month for temples and walking | |
| February | 31°C | 19°C | 17 mm | Dry and warm; farm-burning haze can appear late in the season | |
| March | 33°C | 22°C | 44 mm | Hot and hazier; keep sightseeing to early morning | |
| April | 35°C | 24°C | 89 mm | Hottest month, around Lao New Year in mid-April; showers start | |
| May | 34°C | 25°C | 226 mm | Humid and wet; carry an umbrella and plan short outings | |
| June | 33°C | 25°C | 264 mm | Rainy season; green and quieter, heavy afternoon downpours | |
| July | 32°C | 25°C | 300 mm | Wet and humid; flooding on low streets is possible | |
| August | 31°C | 25°C | 341 mm | Wettest month; Buddha Park and walking days are miserable | |
| September | 32°C | 25°C | 265 mm | Still wet, easing late in the month | |
| October | 32°C | 24°C | 87 mm | Rain tapers off; humid but increasingly pleasant | |
| November | 31°C | 22°C | 15 mm | Dry and comfortable; the start of the best season | |
| December | 29°C | 19°C | 5 mm | Coolest and driest; bring a light layer for mornings |
Temperatures and rainfall are long-term monthly averages. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.
Seasons at a glance
Vientiane seasons for families and seniors
The easiest months: January, November and December
- January: Cool, dry and sunny; the easiest month for temples and walking
- November: Dry and comfortable; the start of the best season
- December: Coolest and driest; bring a light layer for mornings
Good, with small trade-offs: February and October
- February: Dry and warm; farm-burning haze can appear late in the season
- October: Rain tapers off; humid but increasingly pleasant
Possible, with planning: March, April, May, June, July and September
- March: Hot and hazier; keep sightseeing to early morning
- April: Hottest month, around Lao New Year in mid-April; showers start
- May: Humid and wet; carry an umbrella and plan short outings
- June: Rainy season; green and quieter, heavy afternoon downpours
- July: Wet and humid; flooding on low streets is possible
- September: Still wet, easing late in the month
Best avoided with parents or children: August
- August: Wettest month; Buddha Park and walking days are miserable
Useful answers
Best time to visit Vientiane: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Vientiane?
January, November and December are the best months to visit Vientiane, with February and October also good. November to February is the best window, with dry skies and highs around 29 to 31 degrees C, comfortable for temples, Patuxai and Pha That Luang. March and April are hotter and hazier, and May to September brings the rains, with August the wettest. Older travellers will find the cool season much kinder, since most sights are open-air and have little shade between buildings. If you must travel in the wet season, plan short outings and carry an umbrella.
Which months should I avoid in Vientiane with elderly parents?
August is the month to avoid with older travellers. Wettest month; Buddha Park and walking days are miserable
When does it rain most in Vientiane?
August is the wettest month, with about 341 mm of rain on average. The hottest month is April, with average highs around 35°C.