Vietnam in December: Go North and South, Time the Centre

Vietnam in December is three trips in one country: a cool, dry winter in the north, the wet tail of the rainy season in the centre, and the first weeks of beach season in the south. Most December plans go wrong in the middle, on the stretch from Hue to Hoi An, and in the last ten days of the month, when prices jump. This guide gives you the verdict city by city, the order to travel in, the week to book and two routes that work.

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Vietnam in December at a Glance: The Verdict by City

This section gives you the one table you need: what each stop is like in December and whether to go. Vietnam is about 1,650 km long, so the north and the south sit in different climates. The figures are long-term station averages from Jungle Boss Tours’ city-by-city December guide, cross-checked with Local Vietnam’s December weather guide. A single December can run a degree or two either side.

If you’re still choosing a country for winter sun, our guide to warm-weather escapes for December compares Southeast Asia with the Caribbean, the Canaries and the Middle East.

The North in December: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay and Sapa

This section covers northern Vietnam, which is in its dry winter. December is one of the most comfortable months to walk Hanoi’s Old Quarter and to see the limestone scenery of Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay. It’s also colder than most visitors expect, because the north has a real winter.

Hanoi and Ninh Binh: cool days and grey skies

Hanoi averages about 21 °C by day and 14 °C at night in December, with little rain. Local Vietnam notes that the air is dry and humidity low, which makes long walking days easy. Skies are often overcast rather than blue, and a cold north-east wind can hold daytime temperatures in the low teens for a few days at a time.

The cold feels sharper indoors. Many older buildings and small guesthouses in the north have no heating, so a room that sounds cosy can be chilly at night. When you book, look for “heater” or “air-conditioning with heating” in the room description.

Ninh Binh, two hours south of Hanoi, is at its calmest in December. The rice fields are harvested, the rivers are still high from the wet season, and the boat trips through the karst landscapes of Tam Coc and Trang An are pleasant in a jacket. Go early in the day for the clearest light.

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Ha Long Bay: dry, hazy and good for cruises

Ha Long Bay is dry in December, with about 22 °C by day and 15 °C at night. Views are often hazy, so the famous karsts fade into the distance more than in photographs, but the storm season is over and cruises rarely cancel. That makes December a dependable month for an overnight cruise.

The water is too cold for most people to swim, and open decks get chilly after sunset. Kayaking and cave visits still run, so pack a windproof layer and dry shoes rather than a swimsuit.

Sapa and the northern mountains: cold, clear, quiet

Sapa is properly cold in December, with days around 15 °C and nights that can fall to a few degrees above freezing. Frost is possible, and snow is rare, usually only on the summit of Fansipan and more likely in January. Fog comes and goes, with clear days in between.

The rice terraces are harvested by December, so the fields are bare and brown rather than green or gold. If the terraces are the reason you’re going, September and early October are better. If you want clear mountain air, quiet trails and a log fire, December works well.

Central Vietnam in December: Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang in the Rain

This section is the one most December guides skip. The central coast gets its rain later in the year than the rest of the country, and December is still part of that rainy season. The worst flooding usually comes in October and November, but December is wetter and cooler than many visitors expect.

Hoi An and Hue: go for the towns, not the beach

Hoi An is at its coolest in December, and Local Vietnam’s Hoi An guide describes the month as still rainy, with rain easing toward the end of it. Showers often come in bursts rather than all day, so you can usually walk the old town between them. Hue is the wettest major city in Vietnam in December, with about 20 rain days on long-term averages.

There are upsides. Both towns are much quieter than in spring, the lanterns of Hoi An look their best on damp evenings, and the tombs and citadel of Hue are atmospheric in mist. Bring a light raincoat, waterproof sandals and a flexible plan for the day trips.

Da Nang and Nha Trang: skip the swim

The north-east monsoon brings heavy swell to the central coast in December, and red flags are common on the beaches of Da Nang. Nha Trang, further south, is rough until about the middle of the month and improves later. If a beach is the point of your trip, take it in the south.

The South in December: Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong and Phu Quoc

This section covers the part of Vietnam at its best in December. The south has only two seasons, and December is the start of the dry one: sunny days, little rain and lower humidity than the rest of the year.

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Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta

Ho Chi Minh City averages about 32 °C by day and 24 °C at night, with about 5 rain days. That’s hot, but drier and more comfortable than the wet months. Plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and late afternoon, and use the midday heat for museums and markets with shade.

The Mekong Delta is dry and green, with the rivers still high after the wet season. That combination makes December one of the best months for boat trips, floating markets and cycling between orchards. Can Tho is the easiest base for an overnight stay.

Phu Quoc: Vietnam’s December beach

Phu Quoc is the most reliable beach in Vietnam in December. Long-term averages give about 30 °C days, around 6 rain days and calm, clear water on the west coast, which is where the sunset beaches are. It’s peak season, so the island is busy and prices are higher than in the rest of the country.

If Phu Quoc is full or too busy for you, travel in the first half of December, when the island is warm and dry but not yet at its holiday peak. Mui Ne, on the south-central coast, is dry in December but windy, which suits kitesurfers more than swimmers.

Christmas, New Year and Prices in Vietnam in December

This section shows you the expensive dates and how to work around them. Christmas isn’t a traditional Vietnamese holiday, but it’s a big night out in the cities, and the end of December is the busiest stretch of the month for international visitors.

Until about 19 December, prices in most places stay close to autumn levels, except on Phu Quoc. From about 20 December to 5 January, rates in the popular places rise sharply, and flights into Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City get more expensive week by week. Hue, Phong Nha and the central highlands change little.

Combining Vietnam with a neighbour? Our guide to Thailand in December shows which Thai coast is dry, and Southeast Asia in December on a budget compares costs across the region.

Two Routes for Vietnam in December

This section gives you two ready-made plans built around December’s weather. Both run north to south, so the weather improves as you travel.

Route 1: north to south in 14 days

Route 2: the south in 8 days

Fly into Ho Chi Minh City for two nights, take a night or two in the Mekong Delta around Can Tho, and finish with four nights on Phu Quoc. If you want a change of air, swap one city night for Da Lat, which is dry and cool in December. This route stays in the dry south the whole time.

When NOT to Go, and the Better Month If You Want X

This section is the honest part. December suits most trips, but not every one. You can also check whether your month is a bad one with our free tool, or read the When NOT to go hub.

Tet usually falls in late January or February, and trains and flights for that week often sell out before Christmas. If your trip runs into the new year, check the Tet dates and book transport early. For more on timing busy weeks, see our tips on avoiding December crowds.

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Common Mistakes People Make in Vietnam in December

This section covers the errors that even experienced travellers make in December.

1. Packing only for the tropics

Hanoi nights are around 14 °C and Sapa can approach freezing. One warm jacket, a hat and a base layer weigh little and turn a cold night into a comfortable one.

2. Planning a beach stay on the central coast

Da Nang’s long beaches look ideal in photos, but in December the sea is usually rough and red flags are common. Plan the centre for towns and food, and save the beach for Phu Quoc.

3. Travelling south to north

Starting in the south and finishing in Hanoi means ending your trip in the coldest, greyest weather. Going north to south puts the sun at the end, when you want to relax.

4. Booking Phu Quoc at the last minute for Christmas

The island fills over the holidays, and rates rise sharply from about 20 December. Book around six weeks ahead, or move your beach days to early December or after New Year.

5. Leaving no spare day in the centre

A late storm can close roads, river caves or boat trips for a day. Keep half a day of slack between Hue, Hoi An and Phong Nha, and don’t book a tight onward flight from Da Nang.

Vietnam in December: FAQ

The Bottom Line

Vietnam in December works best as a north-to-south trip: cool, dry Hanoi and Ha Long Bay first, the central towns with a raincoat, and Phu Quoc’s calm sea at the end. Travel before about 20 December if you can, and book the beach early if you can’t. For more ideas, browse our December travel guides and the Southeast Asia guides.