Vietnam is a long country and has a diverse weather zone. In this article, we will be looking at the weather in Vietnam in December, best places to go, and some great things to do in each city.
Weather in Vietnam in December
North Vietnam and South Vietnam have dry weather, little rain, and lots of sunshine. While the South is warm, the North is getting colder than previous months.
Central Vietnam is still in the monsoon season, but it is the last month, so the rainfall is less than October and November. You still have some sunny days for beaches.
The weather is basically hot and dry in the south, cold and dry in the north), and a mix of rain and sunny days in the Central. The Temperature is around 18°C in the North, 23°C in the Central, and 26°C in the South. It can be colder in far North Vietnam like Sapa and Ha Giang.
I recommend bringing both breathable clothes, swimwears, and jackets for all kinds of weather if you plan to travel around the country.
Is December a good month to visit Vietnam?
Yes, December is a great month to visit Vietnam. South Vietnam has the best weather conditions, North Vietnam is getting into the cold winter season, and Central Vietnam still experiences rainy days.
If you want to enjoy warm weather, beaches, and minimal rain, head to Phu Quoc and Ho Chi Minh City in the South. If you want to experience cool/cold weather and the traditional side of Vietnam, head to North Vietnam for Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, and Ninh Binh.
Central Vietnam is also a good place to go in December. Even though it is in the rainy season, it rains less than peak rainy months, and has some nice sunny days for beaches and outdoor activities.
December is the festive season, so you can find some good deals for accommodations during the Christmas and New year period. I recommend booking in advance to have the best deals.
7 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam in December
1. Phu Quoc, best place in December for beaches
If you are looking for a beach holiday in Vietnam in December, Phu Quoc is the best place to go. This tropical island in South Vietnam has perfect weather for beach activities and outdoor explorations. The weather is warm with minimal rainfalls, and temperature ranging from 25°C to 30°C.
You can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing at the beaches. Famous beaches are Long Beach, Sao Beach, and Starfish Beach. Long Beach is known for its stunning sunset views. You can have a nice seafood BBQ on the beach or hang out with your friends at a trendy beach bar to watch the sunset.
There are many watersport activities to enjoy such as jet skiing, snorkeling, and diving. You can consider taking island hopping tours for more secluded beaches.
Phu Quoc is home to some of the most luxurious beach resorts in Vietnam. You can treat yourself by staying in a nice 5-star hotel, especially if you are visiting during Christmas and New Year. You can go swimming at their private beach, infinity pool, have relaxing massages at their spa, and enjoy the delicious breakfast buffets.
If you want to stay in the heart of the action, easy access to major tourist facilities, I recommend staying on the central west coast. Duong Dong Town and Long Beach are the most popular places for visitors to book their accommodations.
Beside the beaches, there are a range of activities you can do on the island. You can check out the night market in Duong Dong town, take a cable car ride to An Thoi island, Ho Quoc pagoda, and Phu Quoc prison. You can take a guided tour to Pearl Farm, Fish Sauce Factory, and Pepper Farm.
2. Ho Chi Minh City, best city for warm weather and urban experience
Ho Chi Minh City has beautiful weather conditions in December. It is in the dry season which is typically from November to April. You’ll have mild and pleasant weather with lots of sunny days, little rains, and a temperature around 26°C.
Ho Chi Minh City is a major city in South Vietnam, known for its vibrant nightlife and shopping, and westernized atmosphere. It is a great place to visit for nightlife and urban experience.
You can visit some famous cultural and historical attractions such as the war museum, Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Central Post Offices. You can go shopping at Ben Thanh market, Central Markets, and many modern shopping malls around the city.
At night, you can head to Bui Vien Walking Street or Nguyen Hue Walking Street to enjoy the nightlife. You can find cheap drinks and backpacker vibes in Bui Vien. In the Nguyen Hue area, you will have many trendy nightclubs and rooftop bars to try.
I also recommend taking a small group guided tour to Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta. You can explore both places in one day but it is best to make each destination in one day if you have time.
If you want to stay in the heart of the action, I recommend finding a hotel in district 1. This area is the heart of Saigon, where you will be within walking distance to many restaurants, bars, and shops.
The area around Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi is the post part of the city, while the area around Bui Vien is a more backpacker-friendly area.
3. Hanoi, cultural capital of Vietnam
Hanoi is one of the best places to go in Vietnam in December. The capital city is at the start of the winter with cool to cold weather but it remains dry with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for sightseeing.
December is one of my favorite times to try traditional hot food such as pho and hotpot. The cold weather makes it more delicious. If you are a fan of coffee, you must try the egg coffee.
Similar to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is a great city to experience urban life. It is also the traditional side of Vietnam, so you can explore many ancient temples, pagodas, and attractions.
You can explore the vibrant old quarter by walking or taking a cyclo ride. You can check out Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hoa Lo Prison, Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, and the train street. St. Joseph’s Cathedral is especially beautiful on Christmas Eve when it is illuminated with light and a Christmas tree.
You can go shopping at many shop houses in the old town, the night market, and Dong Xuan market. At night, you can visit the Ta Hien beer street for fresh beer and people watching. For a more local atmosphere, you can check out trendy expat bars in Tay Ho district.
To be in the middle of everything, I recommend booking a hotel in the old quarter. This area has many backpacker hostels and cozy mid-range hotels to choose from. There are some luxury options in the French Quarter.
4. Halong Bay, best place for taking overnight cruises
Halong Bay is a good place to visit in December for sightseeing and fewer domestic tourists. It may not be the best time for swimming and diving.
Similar to Hanoi, December is the beginning of winter season in Halong Bay. The bay experiences cold weather with a low chance of rain and lots of sunshine hours during the daytime.
You can take one or two nights on the cruises. You can enjoy sightseeing, kayaking, exploring the caves, and visiting the floating villages.
5. Sapa, best town for trekking and experience cold winter
Sapa is located 6 hours drive from Hanoi and will be very cold, especially at night. Temperature ranges from 14°C to 17°C. The misty fog can limit visibility but als create a mystical atmosphere.
In some years, you can experience snow in Sapa. If there is snowfall in Sapa, people from all over Vietnam will head to this mountain town to check it. It will be crowded and you’ll be stuck in traffic jams. So plan in advance if the town has snow in December.
Be sure to bring warm and waterproof clothes if you are in Sapa in December. You can go checking to see different minority ethnic villages.
6. Dalat, popular city in highland center of Vietnam
Da Lat has chilly and dry weather in December, making it perfect for outdoor activities. The temperature will drop at night, so be sure to bring a light jacket with you.
This is a great time to explore the city of flowers. You can stroll around Xuan Huong Lake, and check out some attractions like the cable car ride, Crazy House, Linh Phuoc pagoda, and Bao Dai palace.
You can explore famous waterfalls such as Datanla with its alpine coaster ride. For more countryside experience, you can head to Me Linh Coffee Plantation, Pongour Waterfall, Elephant Waterfall, and Linh An pagoda.
At night, you can check out the night market and many trendy bars and nice restaurants in the city center. I recommend Goc Ha Thanh and Nem Nuong Phuong.
The most popular area to stay in Dalat is the city center. This city has many basic guest houses, homestays, and backpacker style accommodations. The cost of accommodation here is quite high compared to other parts of the country though.
7. Da Nang and Hoi An, famous cities in central Vietnam
Da Nang and Hoi An is not at its best weather conditions in December but is still a good place to visit. This region is in the rainy season in December, but the rain is generally less compared to October and November. You’ll still have some sunny days for full outdoor activities.
In Da Nang, you can visit Bana Hill with its Golden Bridge, wander around Han River, explore Han Market, Dragon Bridge, and Marble Mountain. You can go cafe hopping and try regional food like My Quang and Banh Cuon Thit Heo.
In Hoi An, you can explore the ancient town, go shopping, have your custom clothes made, or take a cooking class. You can check out the night market and enjoy the nightlife atmosphere along Hoai River.
This is the low tourist season in Danang and Hoi An, so you can have some advantage of low price on accommodations and fewer tourists. If you are visiting central Vietnam in December, I recommend bringing both a light jacket and raincoats with you.
The best location to book your hotel in Da Nang is in the city center near Han River. In Hoi An, I recommend you book your stay near the ancient town on An Hoi island or Cam Pho.
See more:
- Vietnam in January
- Vietnam in February
- Vietnam in March
- Vietnam in October
- Vietnam in November
- Best Time to Visit Vietnam
So, Where to go in Vietnam in December?
In my opinion, North, South, and highland central Vietnam are the best places to go in Vietnam in December. These regions have dry weather and little rain, which is ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. You can explore big cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, go trekking in Sapa, take a cruise on Halong Bay, visit Da Lat – the city of flowers, and enjoy the beach in Phu Quoc.
Central Vietnam is not at its best weather condition, but you can still find more sunny days towards the end of the month. This is the low tourist season in the region, so you’ll have some good deals on accommodations when visiting places like Hoi An, Da Nang, and Hue.