Situation today (27 October 2026)
- Storm season: it runs from May to November; tropical storms can seriously disrupt travel and you should follow the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting and the Japan Meteorological Agency (FCDO Vietnam, updated 21 September 2026).
- Forecast for October 2026: the national weather service expects fewer storms and depressions than average in October, without ruling out an impact on the coast; it mentions about 11 storms or depressions in the South China Sea by the end of 2026, 4 to 5 of which could hit Vietnam directly, mostly the centre in October and November; cold air may also descend on the North (VietnamPlus, October 2026). In the centre, heavy rain flooded Huế and Đà Nẵng on 8 and 9 October 2026 (over 800 mm in three days in Huế, more than a metre of water in places in Đà Nẵng; AP, 9 October).
- Current storm: no active storm aimed at Hanoi found on 27 October 2026 in our sources. National forecast for 27 October (vietnam.vn): very heavy rain from Thanh Hóa to Huế, sunny weather in the North, then rain and thunderstorms, locally very heavy, from the evening of 28 October. Precedent: Typhoon Matmo flooded Hanoi in October 2025.
- Strikes and protests: none announced in our sources; the UK advice mentions none.
Calendar to the end of January 2027
| Date | Event | What it means for you | Status and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 2026 to Jan. 2027 | Strike or protest in Hanoi | Nothing to report for now | None announced on 27 October |
| Late October to November | End of the typhoon season, floods in the centre | Flights and trains cancelled near an impact, roads cut in the centre | Very heavy rain forecast for 27 October from Thanh Hóa to Huế; check daily |
| Nov. to Feb. | Cold air, drizzle and mist over the North | Reduced visibility on Ha Long Bay, some trips cancelled | Usual winter season |
| 24-25 December | Christmas | Crowds in the Old Quarter, full restaurants | Usual calendar |
| 1 January 2027 | New Year | Public holiday, offices closed | Usual holiday |
| Saturday 6 February 2027 (outside the period) | Tết, Lunar New Year | Closures lasting several days, trains and buses full well ahead | Lunar New Year date; official leave to be confirmed |
Storms, floods and safety
- Storms: when a typhoon is announced, Ha Long and Lan Ha cruises are suspended and flights cancelled; the operator must offer a new date or a refund.
- Floods: they mostly hit the centre (Huế, Hội An, Đà Nẵng) from September to December; the North also has river floods and mountain landslides (Sapa, Hà Giang).
- Road: in rain, scooters and motorbikes are dangerous; prefer Grab or a driver.
- Scams and safety: see our guide; no specific warning is in force in the UK advice.
What to do: refunds, insurance, alternatives
- Before leaving: book cruises and flights with free cancellation; keep a spare day before a return flight from Hanoi.
- On a rainy day: indoor visits and food tours (the train street tour, for example) can be booked with free cancellation.
- Nội Bài airport: a fast-track service or a private transfer avoids the taxi queue in case of delay.
Keep your tickets, receipts and a screenshot of the announcement. For a flight, the airline must offer a refund or rerouting; the fixed compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 depends on the cause of the disruption and only applies to flights leaving the EU, or arriving in the EU with a European airline. Before booking anything non-refundable (hotel, train, excursion), read the cancellation terms.
What if you fall ill or get hurt during the trip? A disruption does not help when there is an accident. SafetyWing (bought online, for the length of the trip) covers medical costs and evacuation; it is not cancellation insurance, so read its trip-interruption terms before counting on it for a strike or a missed flight. See our travel insurance guide.
See also our safety and scams guide.
What to do safely during a typhoon or floods
Here is a plan B when the storm rules out a bay or mountain trip.
- A low-risk outing: food tour with Train Street, in town and sheltered, free cancellation if weather worsens.
- A low-risk outing: Michelin-guide street-food walking tour, covered stops in the Old Quarter.
- Private transfer: fast-track service at Noi Bai Airport, skips the queue after delays or bunched flights.
- Hotel with free cancellation: See hotels in Hoan Kiem (free cancellation), central, walkable district, refundable if the typhoon changes your plans.
FAQ
Is there a typhoon in Hanoi right now?
None is announced for northern Vietnam in our sources as of 27 October 2026; the day's forecast shows dry weather in the North. The season lasts until November: check the national weather service.
When is Tết 2027?
Lunar New Year falls on Saturday 6 February 2027. Official leave is announced later; book trains and flights well ahead.
Should I avoid central Vietnam in November?
Not always, but floods are frequent there from October to December: keep bookings flexible. Huế and Đà Nẵng were flooded on 8 and 9 October 2026.
Sources checked on 27 October 2026: FCDO Vietnam (21 September 2026), VietnamPlus (October 2026, National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting outlook), vietnam.vn (forecast of 27 October 2026), AP (9 October 2026), international press (October 2025). This page will be updated if a storm is announced.
