Vientiane, Laos Climate & Monthly Averages
Vientiane has a tropical wet-and-dry climate. April is the hottest month, averaging 94° by day; January is the coldest at 81°.
Rain, not cold, divides the year in Vientiane
Vientiane's year is organised around rain rather than temperature. 59% of its 76.7 inches (1948 mm) annual total arrives in the July to September window, while December averages 5 mm (0.2 in). Temperatures move far less: 94°F (34°C) at the year's warmest against 81°F (27°C) at its coolest.
The wet-and-dry rhythm at a glance
January sits at the other end of the year: 81°F (27°C) by day, 64°F (18°C) at night. At its warmest, in April, Vientiane runs to 94°F (34°C) in the afternoon and back to 76°F (25°C) by dawn. Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 108°F (42°C) and the lowest daily minimum 49°F (9°C).
Average highs hold at or above 30°C for 7 months of the year, March through September being the unbroken run.
Rainfall is strongly seasonal: 59% of the annual total falls in the July to September window, leaving December at 5 mm (0.2 in). 3 months average under 20 mm of rain, the longest unbroken stretch running December through February.
More climate facts for Vientiane
- Hottest month: April - highs near 94°F (34°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 81°F (27°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 108°F (42°C) high · 49°F (9°C) low
- Wettest month: August (26 rainy days) · Sunniest: April (10.8 h sun/day)
- Climate type: tropical wet-and-dry
- Annual swing: 7°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 8°C
- Months averaging 30°C or hotter: 7
- Average humidity: 74%
Choosing the right part of the year in Vientiane
Choose dates by rain, not just temperature
The best time to visit Vientiane is generally November to March, when the rains have stopped and the heat has not yet peaked. Daytime temperatures in that window sit near 85°F (29°C), with rain on about 3 days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in November.
What the humidity changes
Pack for Vientiane with lightweight, breathable clothing and serious sun protection and proper waterproofs rather than an umbrella - wet days are the norm here. Even in April, lows of 76°F (25°C) make an extra layer worth the space.
Warm all year: the monthly rain pattern
Each card shows the average high and low. The bar places that month between Vientiane's coldest night and warmest afternoon.
January
- Rain
- 2 days
- Sunshine
- 10.0 h
- Daylight
- 11.2 h
February
- Rain
- 2 days
- Sunshine
- 10.4 h
- Daylight
- 11.5 h
March
- Rain
- 8 days
- Sunshine
- 10.5 h
- Daylight
- 12.0 h
April
- Rain
- 8 days
- Sunshine
- 10.8 h
- Daylight
- 12.5 h
May
- Rain
- 22 days
- Sunshine
- 9.6 h
- Daylight
- 13.0 h
June
- Rain
- 25 days
- Sunshine
- 8.6 h
- Daylight
- 13.2 h
July
- Rain
- 26 days
- Sunshine
- 7.8 h
- Daylight
- 13.1 h
August
- Rain
- 26 days
- Sunshine
- 7.1 h
- Daylight
- 12.7 h
September
- Rain
- 26 days
- Sunshine
- 8.4 h
- Daylight
- 12.2 h
October
- Rain
- 14 days
- Sunshine
- 9.8 h
- Daylight
- 11.7 h
November
- Rain
- 3 days
- Sunshine
- 10.1 h
- Daylight
- 11.3 h
December
- Rain
- 2 days
- Sunshine
- 9.8 h
- Daylight
- 11.1 h
Looking for warmer alternatives? Browse warm places by month, or compare Vientiane's coolest part of the year: January, December, February.
Monthly temperature and rain table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Daylight | Wet-day chance | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 81° | 64° | 2 | 0.7 in | 10.0 h/day | 11.2 h | 8% | 66% |
| February | 85° | 66° | 2 | 0.6 in | 10.4 h/day | 11.5 h | 8% | 64% |
| March | 90° | 73° | 8 | 1.9 in | 10.5 h/day | 12.0 h | 25% | 66% |
| April | 94° | 76° | 8 | 2.4 in | 10.8 h/day | 12.5 h | 27% | 64% |
| May | 91° | 78° | 22 | 8.4 in | 9.6 h/day | 13.0 h | 71% | 76% |
| June | 88° | 77° | 25 | 10.8 in | 8.6 h/day | 13.2 h | 84% | 83% |
| July | 87° | 77° | 26 | 14.6 in | 7.8 h/day | 13.1 h | 84% | 85% |
| August | 86° | 76° | 26 | 16.8 in | 7.1 h/day | 12.7 h | 85% | 86% |
| September | 86° | 76° | 26 | 13.9 in | 8.4 h/day | 12.2 h | 87% | 86% |
| October | 86° | 74° | 14 | 5.4 in | 9.8 h/day | 11.7 h | 44% | 79% |
| November | 85° | 71° | 3 | 1.1 in | 10.1 h/day | 11.3 h | 10% | 70% |
| December | 81° | 65° | 2 | 0.2 in | 9.8 h/day | 11.1 h | 5% | 65% |
How Vientiane compares for rain and warmth
- 59% of the year's precipitation falls in its wettest three months - more seasonal than 91% of the 3496 cities we track.
- Vientiane averages 79°F (26°C) across the year - warmer than 89% of the 3496 cities we track.
These comparisons use the same ten-year window for every city in the dataset.
How the calendar changes in warm-weather Vientiane
March through May
March through May in Vientiane runs at full heat, with daytime highs averaging 92°F (33°C) and nights around 76°F (24°C); rain falls on around 38 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 10.3 hours of sun a day. With the moisture factored in, afternoons feel hotter than the reading suggests - the humidity and dew point converter shows why.
June through August
Through June through August, Vientiane runs hot: 87°F (31°C) by day, 77°F (25°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 78 of the 90 days.
September through November
September through November sits firmly in the heat here - highs near 86°F (30°C), nights near 73°F (23°C), and rain falls on around 43 of the 90 days.
December through February
Through December through February, Vientiane runs hot: 82°F (28°C) by day, 65°F (18°C) after dark, and precipitation is sparse, near 1.5 inches (39 mm) for the season. Daylight is generous - around 10.1 hours of sun a day.
Questions about heat and rain in Vientiane
How cold does Vientiane get in winter?
How warm is Vientiane on average?
How humid does Vientiane get?
When is the dry season in Vientiane?
How sunny is Vientiane?
Is Vientiane warmer or cooler than most cities?
Vientiane temperature extremes in the 2015–2024 dataset
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ. Need another precipitation unit? Use the rainfall converter.