If you’re planning a trip to Laos in the fall, the weather in Vientiane really shapes your whole experience. Fall in Vientiane means warm days, cooler nights, and a steady drop in rainfall as the wet season fades into the dry season.
This shift makes the city a lot more comfortable for exploring temples, markets, and those laid-back riverside views.
You’ll usually see daily highs in the upper 80s °F (around 30 °C). Lows gradually dip into the mid-60s °F (about 18–20 °C).
Heavy summer rains ease up quickly. Skies clear and humidity drops as the season moves forward.
By late November, conditions feel much drier and way more pleasant for outdoor activities.
With shorter daylight hours and shifting winds, Vientiane settles into a calmer rhythm. The balance of warmth, sunshine, and lower rainfall makes fall a practical time to enjoy both the city and the countryside.
Overview of Fall Weather in Vientiane
In fall, Vientiane gets less rain, clearer skies, and slightly cooler nights compared to the wet summer months.
You’ll notice warm days, less humidity as weeks pass, and shorter daylight hours.
Typical Fall Temperature Range
Daily highs during fall usually hover around 87°F (31°C). They don’t often drop below 79°F (26°C) or rise above 92°F (33°C).
Early October tends to be the warmest, with highs averaging around 88°F (31°C).
Nighttime lows change more noticeably. Early in the season, nights average about 76°F (24°C).
By late November, they can dip to 66°F (19°C). Cooler evenings make this period a lot more comfortable than peak summer.
The gap between day and night temperatures grows as fall moves on. You get warm days for sightseeing and milder nights that don’t require blasting the air conditioning.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
Rainfall drops off fast during fall. In September, you might still get heavy showers, with monthly totals near 8.5 inches (216 mm).
By November, rain falls below 0.5 inches (12 mm). Late fall turns into one of the driest times of the year.
Cloud cover shifts quickly too. Early in the season, skies are often overcast.
By the end of November, clear or partly cloudy days show up more than half the time. That makes being outside a lot more appealing.
Humidity follows the same pattern. Early September feels muggy almost every day.
By late fall, the chance of muggy conditions drops to about 46%. Winds stay light, generally around 4–5 mph, and shift from south to east.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall in Vientiane is less humid and much less rainy. Summer can dump over 13 inches (330 mm) of rain in a single month.
Fall brings a steady decline until things dry out.
Winter gets cooler, with daytime highs closer to 83°F (28°C) and nights sometimes dipping near 62°F (17°C).
Fall stays warm but skips the extremes of summer’s humidity and rain.
Spring heats up again and heads toward the wet season, with highs reaching 94°F (34°C) by April.
Fall sits right in the middle—warm but not sweltering, with clearer skies and less rain. It’s honestly one of the more comfortable times to visit Laos.
Monthly Temperature Trends During Fall
During fall, Vientiane’s temperatures shift from hot and humid to cooler and drier. Highs stay warm enough for outdoor plans, while lows get more comfortable as weeks go by.
September Temperature Patterns
September brings some of the warmest fall weather to Vientiane. Highs average around 87°F (31°C), with lows near 76°F (24°C).
It still feels muggy, thanks to leftover humidity from the rainy season.
Rain is common, with wet days more than half the time early in the month.
By late September, rain eases up, but the air can still feel thick.
Evenings cool off a bit, with temperatures dropping into the low 70s°F (21–23°C).
If you’re thinking about outdoor activities, mornings and late afternoons are usually the best bets.
October Temperature Patterns
October brings a real change in the air. Highs settle around 86–88°F (30–31°C), and lows dip to 70–72°F (21–22°C).
Humidity drops, so the air feels less sticky than in September.
Rainfall falls sharply, with monthly totals dropping from several inches at the start to barely anything by the end.
Most days turn dry, and skies get clearer as clouds thin out.
Travel feels easier this month. Afternoons are still warm, but nights cool down enough for lighter clothes.
You’ll notice less muggy nights and more steady sunshine.
November Temperature Patterns
By November, Vientiane feels cooler and drier. Highs drop to about 84–85°F (29°C), and lows fall further to 66–68°F (19–20°C).
This is when the cool season really starts.
Humidity drops a lot, making time outside much nicer. Rain is rare, and skies stay bright and clear.
Evenings and early mornings can feel cool, so you might want a light layer if you’re out at night.
November really brings some of the most comfortable weather of the year for exploring the city.
Rainfall and Humidity in Autumn
In autumn, Vientiane gets a sharp drop in rain as the wet season ends and humidity slowly eases up.
You’ll see a clear switch from heavy monsoon rains in September to much drier weather by November, which is pretty typical for the city’s tropical climate.
Precipitation Levels by Month
September still brings a lot of rain, with about 7.5 inches (190 mm) spread over 14 rainy days.
It’s the end of the monsoon, so you should still expect frequent showers and the occasional heavy downpour.
By October, rainfall drops to around 3.2 inches (80 mm) and only 5 rainy days.
Storms aren’t as intense, and the dry spells last longer, making it easier to get outside.
In November, rain bottoms out at about 0.5 inches (12 mm) across just 1 rainy day.
Skies stay mostly clear, and this month really kicks off the dry season.
| Month | Rainfall (inches) | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|
| September | 7.5 | 14 |
| October | 3.2 | 5 |
| November | 0.5 | 1 |
This drop in rain changes daily life, from muddy streets in September to dry, dustier roads by November.
Humidity Fluctuations
Vientiane’s tropical climate keeps humidity high almost all year, but autumn brings a slow drop.
In September, relative humidity often sits above 80%, especially after rain. That makes the air feel heavy and keeps nights warm.
By October, humidity falls closer to 70–75%, which is noticeably less oppressive.
You’ll still get sticky afternoons, but evenings become more comfortable for a stroll or dinner outside.
November brings the biggest change. Humidity averages nearer 65%, and the air finally feels lighter.
This, along with less rain, makes for better visibility and less mold or dampness in homes and hotels.
These shifts really matter if you plan to be outside—your comfort level can change a lot from early to late autumn.
Impact of the Monsoon Transition
The autumn months mark the shift from wet monsoon to dry season. September still feels the monsoon’s influence, with heavy showers and soaked ground.
Flooding can still happen in low-lying areas near the Mekong River.
By October, the monsoon backs off. Rain comes less often, and cloud cover thins out.
You start seeing more sunshine, which helps dry out fields and city roads.
In November, the monsoon is over. Dry northeast trade winds take over, bringing clearer skies and lower humidity.
Farmers get busy with rice harvests, and travelers enjoy more predictable weather.
This seasonal change really shapes both daily life and travel experiences in Vientiane during autumn.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
Fall in Vientiane brings shorter daylight hours and fewer daily sunshine hours than the dry season.
You’ll definitely notice changes in how long the sun is up and how much light actually reaches the ground.
Average Daily Sunshine
During fall, cloud cover increases as the wet season winds down, cutting down the number of bright hours each day.
In September, you’ll get about 4.5 to 5 hours of sunshine daily. October brings closer to 6 hours.
By November, skies clear up, and you might see 7 to 8 hours of sunshine each day.
This gradual increase makes late fall a lot better for outdoor activities.
The difference between September and November feels pretty big, especially if you’re planning sightseeing or day trips.
| Month | Avg. Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|
| September | ~4.5–5.0 |
| October | ~6.0 |
| November | ~7.0–8.0 |
So, plan for cloudier days early on, but expect clearer skies as November rolls around.
Seasonal Changes in Daylight
Daylight hours in Vientiane slowly get shorter through fall.
In September, days last about 12.2 hours. October drops to around 11.7 hours.
By November, you only get 11.3 hours of daylight.
The longest days are in June, with over 13 hours, so fall really does trend shorter.
This change affects how much time you’ve got for outdoor plans, especially if you like early evening activities.
Even with shorter days, the balance of daylight and sunshine gets better toward November. Less rain and fewer clouds mean you can actually use the daylight before the cooler dry season sets in.
Regional Climate Influences
Vientiane’s fall weather comes from both its tropical setting and the influence of nearby provinces.
The mix of savanna and monsoon effects shapes the patterns for rain, humidity, and temperature. Surrounding areas like Nati and Hinngon add their own twists, so your travel experience might shift a little depending on where you go.
Savanna and Tropical Climate Effects
Vientiane sits in a savanna climate zone with strong tropical influences.
You basically get two main seasons: a long wet season and a shorter dry one.
Fall lands just as the rainy period ends, so you’ll still see frequent showers in September before things dry out in October and November.
Average highs go from 31°C in September to about 30°C in November. Lows drop from 24°C to 20°C.
Humidity stays high at the start, often above 80%, but it gets more comfortable as the rain lets up.
The tropical climate also means big changes in cloud cover. September skies are overcast more than 80% of the time.
By November, things clear up, with less than half the days heavily clouded.
Late fall feels a lot better for outdoor plans, with more sunshine and cooler evenings becoming the norm.
Nearby Locations: Nati and Hinngon
Regional geography does make a difference in how you experience fall weather.
Nati, in Vientiane Province, shares the city’s tropical savanna climate but usually runs a bit cooler at night because of its elevation.
That can make evenings more comfortable than in the city itself.
Hinngon, another nearby spot, has similar rainfall but often higher humidity.
The air feels warmer and heavier there, especially early in the season.
By November, Hinngon also dries out, matching the regional shift toward the dry season.
If you’re planning a trip, keep these small differences in mind. Cooler nights in Nati might appeal to you, while late fall in both Hinngon and Vientiane offers clearer skies and milder weather if you want to dodge the heavy humidity.
Travel Tips for Visiting Vientiane in the Fall
Rain finally lets up after the wet season, leaving behind cooler air and clearer skies. You’ll probably enjoy outdoor sites with fewer downpours, though it’s smart to pack for occasional showers and warm afternoons.
Best Activities During Autumn
Fall in Vientiane goes from September through November. The wet season fades out during these months.
September sometimes brings steady rain, but October and November feel drier and way more comfortable. This change makes exploring temples, riverside paths, and open-air markets a lot easier.
You can check out Pha That Luang, the city’s most important monument, during the That Luang Festival in November. The weather stays mild enough for walking tours around the city center.
French colonial buildings and Buddhist temples sit close together, making strolls pretty interesting. Evenings by the Mekong River get especially pleasant in late fall.
Temperatures dip a bit, and the riverside night market buzzes with food stalls and local crafts. If you’re into cycling, you’ll find the flat terrain and lighter rainfall in October and November make bike rides around the city a solid choice.
Day trips outside Vientiane, like heading to Buddha Park, work well in fall. Roads usually aren’t as muddy as they get during the peak rainy months.
What to Pack for the Weather
Get ready for both lingering rain and bursts of warm sunshine. I’d toss in a light rain jacket or maybe a small umbrella, especially if you’re coming in September or early October.
Rainfall drops off by November, but honestly, those sudden showers still pop up now and then.
Go for breathable clothing—think cotton shirts and lightweight pants. With daytime highs floating between 24°C and 32°C, you’ll want to stay cool while keeping things modest, especially if you’re stopping by temples.
Don’t forget comfortable walking shoes. You’ll probably spend hours wandering through temples, markets, or along the river. If you’re heading out for day trips, pick shoes with decent grip in case you hit wet or bumpy paths.
Definitely pack sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent. Even in the fall, the sun’s no joke, and mosquitoes love hanging out near water.
A small backpack makes life easier. You can stash water, snacks, and your rain gear, so you’re always ready for whatever the city throws at you.