We are going to be in Vietnam Jan. 18th for a couple of weeks and doing the usual tourist route of Saigon, Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue and Halong Bay. It sounds like we have to pack for hot/humid to damp/cool weather but not ice cold temps and since we don't trust weatherbase.com anymore, any tips you might have to make our packing easier, we'd appreciate.

You should have no really cold weather unless you go to the Highlands, and I encourage you to do so. Sapa in the NW Highlands, and Dalat in the Central Highlands are two of Vietnam's most interesting stops. It is true that Hanoi could be a little cool and foggy at times, but certainly not freezing cold. The coastal areas will be rather mild to warm, and Saigon will be warm. Just bring one light jacket - I bring a hooded nylon shell and that does me fine. I just returned 2 weeks ago and I encountered both steaming hot temps in Hue and quite cool/windy in Dalat.

Bring a warm coat and a pullover for the northern part only. Save room of your lugages for other stuffs.

Thank you and since I will not be going to the highlands, but will go to Halong Bay and Hanoi, it sounds like a nylon shell and a sweater will be sufficient.

I was in Saigon (and the Mekong, but it doesn't seem to be in your itinerary so it doesn't matter) last Dec/Jan and it was not warm but HOT (over 35 celsius) and very humid every day, with occasional thundershowers (brief but torrential).

I had rain and damp weather in Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, and Halong Bay during the same period in 2007--I did not see the sun shine until I reached Saigon. I estimate temps were in the 50s-low60s. Never was it icy cold. I think I wore a cotton sweatshirt-type shirt and light/medium weight jacket.

Saigon was hot but by no means unbearable--is was easy to walk around even in the mid afternoon. GREAT city!

I hope that helps you and--more important-- that you have better luck, weather-wise, than I did.

Thanks all-will have to be prepared even for cold temps since we're going to Japan after but Vietnam doesn't sound like it should be too bad.