Is It Monsoon in Vientiane, Laos? Rainfall and Weather by Month

Vientiane, Laos JANUARY
24°
★★★
Peak season
18° to 29°
Driest Month
The driest month of the year, part of the coolest, most comfortable stretch.
🧥 Light layers for evenings☀️ Sunscreen
25°
★★★
Peak season
19° to 31°
Dry & Warming
Still dry, warming up as the month progresses.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
22° to 33°
Heat Builds
Still fairly dry, with the pre-monsoon heat building quickly.
🥵 Heat protection☀️ Sunscreen
30°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 35°
Hottest Month
The hottest month of the year, with highs that can reach 40°C.
🥵 Heat protection💧 Drink water often
29°
★★★
Shoulder season
25° to 33°
Monsoon Arrives
Rain increases sharply as the monsoon sets in, with heat easing only slightly.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
29°
★★★
Off-peak season
26° to 33°
Steady Rain
Rain becomes a near-daily fixture, hot and humid throughout.
☔ Umbrella essential🥵 Heat protection
29°
★★★
Off-peak season
26° to 32°
Very Wet
Among the wettest months of the year, with rain on most days.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Off-peak season
25° to 32°
Wettest Month
The rainiest month of the year, hot and humid with rain most days.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Still Very Wet
Still deep in the monsoon, similar to June.
☔ Heavy rain gear⚠️ Flash-flood aware
28°
★★★
Shoulder season
24° to 32°
Monsoon Withdraws
Rain drops off sharply as the monsoon retreats, sunny and comfortable again.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
26°
★★★
Shoulder season
22° to 31°
Dry & Pleasant
Dry and comfortable, easing toward the coolest stretch of the year.
☀️ Sunscreen✨ Best sightseeing weather
24°
★★★
Peak season
19° to 29°
Cool & Dry
Part of the best window, cool at night, mild and sunny by day.
🧥 Light layers for evenings☀️ Sunscreen
Drag through the year Jan
⭐️
Jan
⭐️
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
⭐️
Dec
This month
Rainfall
5 mm
2 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
64%
Comfortably humid
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
15 mm
2 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
61%
Comfortably humid
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
46 mm
5 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
61%
Comfortably humid
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
89 mm
7 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
64%
Comfortably humid
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
226 mm
15 rainy days this month
Sunshine
6 hrs/day
46% of daylight hours
Humidity
72%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
264 mm
18 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4.5 hrs/day
35% of daylight hours
Humidity
77%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
300 mm
20 rainy days this month
Sunshine
3.5 hrs/day
27% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
13 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
340 mm
21 rainy days this month
Sunshine
4 hrs/day
31% of daylight hours
Humidity
81%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
11 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
264 mm
17 rainy days this month
Sunshine
5.5 hrs/day
42% of daylight hours
Humidity
79%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
10 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
84 mm
8 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
71%
Air feels heavy and sticky
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
20 mm
2 rainy days this month
Sunshine
7.5 hrs/day
58% of daylight hours
Humidity
65%
Comfortably humid
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
Rainfall
5 mm
1 rainy day this month
Sunshine
7 hrs/day
54% of daylight hours
Humidity
64%
Comfortably humid
Wind
8 km/h
Light, barely noticeable
★★★ peak season, ★★☆ decent shoulder months, ★☆☆ true off-peak, based on rain frequency, heat, and haze.
Seasons at a glance
🌟
Peak season: Jan, Feb, Dec
Vientiane's best window, the coolest stretch of the dry season. January, February, and December are historically the most comfortable months, with mid-December to late January the single best stretch.
🌤️
Shoulder season: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
This tier spans March through May, plus September, October, and November. The heat builds fast from March, peaking before the monsoon, while November eases back toward the cool season.
☔
Off-peak season: Jun, Jul, Aug
The heart of the summer monsoon. June through August sees the heaviest rain of the year, with August historically the wettest month.
Good to know
🏞️
Sits on the banks of the Mekong
Vientiane sits at 175 meters elevation on the Mekong River, with Thailand directly across the water.
🥶
Winter nights can occasionally turn cold
The average December and January temperature is a warm 23.3°C, but nights have occasionally dropped much lower, including a record low of 6°C in December 1973.
🥵
The hottest stretch comes before the monsoon
March through May, before the rains arrive, is historically the hottest period, with temperatures reaching up to 40°C on the hottest days.
🌧️
August brings the heaviest rain
Vientiane's monsoon peaks in August, historically averaging around 340mm, with the sky often cloudy from June through September.
🌀
Typhoon remnants can reach Vientiane
Laos can be affected by the remnants of typhoons from the South China Sea and, more rarely, cyclones from the Bay of Bengal, which can bring heavy rain and occasional flooding along the Mekong.
Top attractions
1
Pha That Luang
A large gold-covered stupa considered the most important national monument in Laos, a symbol of both Buddhism and Lao sovereignty.
2
Wat Si Saket
Vientiane's oldest surviving temple, known for its cloister walls lined with thousands of small Buddha images.
3
Mekong Riverfront
A promenade along the river with night market stalls and sunset views across to Thailand.
Frequently asked questions
When is monsoon season in Vientiane?›
Vientiane's monsoon season historically runs from May through September, with August the wettest month, averaging around 340mm of rain.
What is the best time of year to visit Vientiane?›
November through February is historically the coolest part of the dry season, with mid-December to late January the single best stretch.
What is the least favorable time to visit Vientiane?›
June through August is historically the wettest stretch of the year.
Which month has the most rain in Vientiane?›
August is historically the wettest month, averaging around 340mm of rain.
Which month is the driest in Vientiane?›
January is historically the driest month, averaging around 5mm of rain.
How hot does Vientiane get?›
April is historically the hottest month, with highs that can reach 40°C before the monsoon arrives.
Does it get cold in Vientiane?›
Nights can occasionally turn cool or cold in winter; the coldest night on record was 6°C, set in December 1973.
What should I pack for Vientiane?›
Light clothing year-round, a light sweatshirt or jacket for cooler winter evenings, and a light raincoat or umbrella for the summer monsoon.
Is Vientiane the capital of Laos?›
Yes. Vientiane sits on the Mekong River, across from Thailand, and is home to landmarks including Pha That Luang and Wat Si Saket.
Can typhoons affect Vientiane?›
Yes, though indirectly. Vientiane can be affected by the remnants of typhoons from the South China Sea, which can bring heavy rain and occasional flooding along the Mekong.