Lai Châu, Vietnam

Full City Profile

42,973 Population 590/sq mi density

3,015 ft Elevation 919 meters

67°F Avg Temperature 20°C

Lai Châu enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 220 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 65.8 inches. The area receives 0.0 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

56°F Jan (13°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	67.1°F
	24% above US avg
January Average	56°F (13°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	220 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,015 ft (919 m)
Area	72.8 sq mi (188.5 km²)
Population Density	590/sq mi
Coordinates	22.3964°N, 103.4582°W
Timezone	Asia/Bangkok

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 65.8"

73% above US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Jul) 14.25"

Driest Month (Dec) 0.31"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

40 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.2. Most recent: M4.5 on May 16, 2025.

Apr 24, 1995	73 km SSW of Gejiu, China	M5.2	68 km
Feb 19, 2001	31 km W of Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam	M4.9	135 km
Mar 29, 1993	53 km N of Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam	M4.6	69 km
Jul 19, 2014	19 km NNE of S?n La, Vietnam	M4.6	114 km
May 4, 2016	19 km SE of Gejiu, China	M4.5	96 km
Mar 4, 2001	10 km WSW of Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam	M4.5	127 km
Apr 30, 2001	97 km WSW of Gejiu, China	M4.5	142 km
Oct 6, 1991	33 km E of S?n La, Vietnam	M4.5	138 km
Apr 22, 2016	37 km NE of Phôngsali, Laos	M4.5	126 km
Jun 16, 2020	100 km NNE of Phôngsali, Laos	M4.5	90 km
Feb 24, 2016	55 km WSW of Sa Pa, Vietnam	M4.5	26 km
Apr 12, 2002	94 km NE of Phôngsali, Laos	M4.5	84 km
May 16, 2025	27 km S of Mường Lay, Vietnam	M4.5	81 km
May 4, 2016	20 km ESE of Gejiu, China	M4.5	102 km
Mar 5, 1991	106 km WSW of Gejiu, China	M4.4	146 km
Apr 2, 2001	74 km WSW of Sa Pa, Vietnam	M4.4	43 km
Nov 9, 1995	76 km ENE of Phôngsali, Laos	M4.4	84 km
Oct 4, 1992	49 km WNW of Gejiu, China	M4.4	145 km
Mar 30, 1993	55 km N of Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam	M4.4	70 km
Mar 7, 2016	92 km N of Phôngsali, Laos	M4.3	139 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Hurricane History

1 hurricane (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 1.

Year	Name	Category	Closest
2024	Yagi	Category 1	279 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	56°F (13°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	59°F (15°C)	1.7 in
March	65°F (18°C)	1.7 in
April	70°F (21°C)	4.2 in
May	73°F (23°C)	8.0 in
June	75°F (24°C)	11.5 in	Warmest
July	75°F (24°C)	14.3 in	Wettest
August	74°F (23°C)	12.4 in
September	72°F (22°C)	6.2 in
October	68°F (20°C)	3.7 in
November	62°F (17°C)	1.3 in
December	57°F (14°C)	0.3 in	Driest

Lai Châu has a seasonal temperature swing of 19°F / from 56°F in January to 75°F in June. Total annual precipitation is 65.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (14.3") and December the driest (0.3").

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