Last updated: 13 November 2026
December is a good month to visit Vietnam, as long as you pick the right region. The north is dry and cool, the south is dry and hot, and the center (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An) is still in its rainy season until about the middle of the month. Hotel prices stay close to autumn levels until around 19 December, then climb steeply until early January.
My honest take: Vietnam in December in short
- Want a guaranteed beach week? Go to Phu Quoc or the south. Do not count on Da Nang or Hoi An for swimming.
- Hanoi is cool, often grey, and good for walking and eating. Pack a jacket.
- Central Vietnam gets better after about 15 December. Before that, expect rain and rough seas.
- The cheap part of December is the first three weeks. The expensive part is 20 December to 5 January.
- Book Christmas and New Year beds in Hoi An, Phu Quoc and Da Lat at least six weeks ahead. Everywhere else you can usually book a few days out.
- If your trip runs into late January or February, check the Tet dates first. Tet 2027 starts on 6 February.
What is the weather like in Vietnam in December?
Vietnam is long and thin, so December weather splits three ways. The table gives rough daytime figures from several weather sources, so treat them as a guide, not a forecast.
| Region | Daytime temperature | Rain | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| North (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa) | About 15-22°C (59-72°F) in Hanoi, colder in Sapa | Low | City walking, food, cool-weather trips |
| Center (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An) | About 20-25°C (68-77°F) | Still wet early in the month, easing after mid-December | Old towns, food, quiet hotels (not beaches) |
| South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc) | About 25-32°C (77-90°F) | Very low | Beaches, diving, Christmas lights |
Is December a good time to visit northern Vietnam?
Yes, if you like cool weather. Hanoi sits around the low 20s°C by day and mid-teens at night, and the sky is often grey rather than sunny. It is comfortable for walking the Old Quarter and eating your way through the city. Bring a light jacket for the evenings.
Ha Long Bay is cool and often hazy in December, so it is a moody trip rather than a swimming one. If you are deciding where to cruise, our Ha Long Bay vs Lan Ha Bay comparison covers the difference.
Sapa is the cold one. Expect a real chill, and frost is possible. Pack properly if you are heading up there. If you want mountain scenery without the Sapa crowds, see our guide to Pu Luong in December.
What is central Vietnam like in December?
This is the tricky region. Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An are at the tail end of the rainy season, and the first half of December can still be wet and windy. Several weather sites put the rain at roughly 19 days in the month for the main central towns. Things improve noticeably after about 15 December.
For a beach holiday, I would skip Da Nang in December. It is one of the cooler months there, the sea can be rough, and New Year fireworks have been canceled in past years because of wind. For a city break it is fine, and hotels are cheaper than in high season. Hoi An Ancient Town with lanterns and a few Christmas lights is quiet and pretty when the rain holds off. See our top things to do in Da Nang for rainy-day options.
One more warning: flooding is common in the central region in autumn, and some caves around Phong Nha can still be closed in December. Check conditions a few days before you go.
Our honest take: if you only have one week and want sun, put the center at the end of your trip, or skip it until the second half of the month.
Where is the best beach weather in Vietnam in December?
The south. Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc are in their dry season, with very little rain and hot days. Phu Quoc is the safest beach pick, and diving visibility there is usually at its best around now. Nha Trang is hit and miss early in the month and better after about the 20th.
Ho Chi Minh City is also the most festive city in Vietnam at Christmas. The streets around Notre-Dame Cathedral and Dong Khoi fill with people on Christmas Eve, and Nguyen Hue walking street is the main New Year gathering spot. Our guides to things to do in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam’s best beaches and islands have more detail.
What about Da Lat in December?
Da Lat is cool, around the low teens °C at night, and it starts to feel like Tet season early. The Da Lat flower festival is listed for December 2026, though I have not confirmed the exact dates. Our post on the Da Lat flower gardens is a good place to start. Book early if you want to be there over Christmas.
Christmas and New Year in Vietnam: what to expect
Vietnam is not a Christian-majority country, but Christmas is a big night out in the cities. It is not a public holiday, and the Western New Year is not a major one either. The real new year is Tet, which falls on 6 February in 2027.
The prices are the part to plan around. December is two months in one. Until about 19 December it is a quiet shoulder period, and hotel prices are close to autumn levels almost everywhere except Phu Quoc. From about 20 December to 5 January, rates jump and flights into Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City get more expensive week by week. Hue, Phong Nha and the central highlands barely change.
Some luxury resorts in Phu Quoc and Ha Long Bay make a gala dinner on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve compulsory, and add it to your bill. Check the booking terms before you pay.
Also, Tet 2027 trains and flights start selling out before Christmas. If your trip runs into late January, read our Tet 2027 guide now. We also have a short post on Christmas in Vietnam.
Events in December 2026
- 3 to 6 December: first Hoi An International Lantern Festival, announced by Da Nang city. (reported by one source, so check the dates before you plan around it)
- 24 December: Christmas Eve crowds at Notre-Dame in Ho Chi Minh City and St Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi.
- 31 December: fireworks and countdown events in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang (weather permitting).
Where I would go in Vietnam in December
If I had two weeks, I would start in Hanoi for the cool weather and food, spend a couple of nights in Hue or Hoi An for the old towns, then finish in the south for beach days. That order puts the wetter center in the middle of the month, when it is already improving, and ends with the driest weather. If I had one week and wanted a guaranteed beach, I would fly straight to Phu Quoc.
What to pack for Vietnam in December
- A light jacket or fleece for Hanoi evenings
- A warmer layer if you are going to Sapa or Da Lat
- A light rain jacket for the center
- Swimwear and sunscreen for the south
- Comfortable shoes that can handle wet pavements
Packing only summer clothes means buying an overpriced jacket from a street stall in Hanoi. Packing only warm layers means suffering in the Mekong Delta heat.
Good to know before you go
Weather apps: check Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An forecasts a few days before you arrive, not weeks ahead. The rain can change a lot.
Visas: rules for tourists have been changing in 2026, so check the official e-visa portal or your country’s Vietnam page before you book.
Flights: book internal flights early if you are traveling between 20 December and 5 January.
Cash: keep some small notes for Christmas Eve crowds and street food.
Final thoughts: is December worth it?
Yes, if you plan around the regions. The south and north are both reliable, and the first three weeks of the month are cheap. The center is the part that needs care, and the New Year week is the part that costs the most. Skip December if you want hot beach weather in the north or center, or if you want to avoid cool, grey weather in Hanoi.
FAQ: Vietnam in December
Is December a good time to visit Vietnam?
Yes, for most regions. The north is dry and cool, and the south is dry and hot. The center is still wet in early December, then improves.
Is it too cold in Hanoi in December?
It is cool, not freezing. Daytime highs are around the low 20s°C (low 70s°F) and nights can drop to the mid-teens °C. A light jacket is enough.
Will it rain in Da Nang and Hoi An in December?
Probably, especially in the first half. The center is at the end of its rainy season, and conditions improve after about 15 December. Plan indoor backups.
Is Ha Long Bay worth visiting in December?
Yes, if you accept cool, hazy weather. It is not a swimming trip. Check forecasts a few days before you go.
When do hotel prices go up in December?
From about 20 December to 5 January. Before that, prices are close to autumn levels in most places, though Phu Quoc is already busy.
Should I visit Vietnam in December or around Tet?
December is easier. Tet 2027 starts on 6 February, and many shops close while transport sells out. December avoids both problems, apart from the New Year week.
Read more
- Weather in Vietnam: month by month
- Christmas in Vietnam: what to expect and where to go
- Traveling Vietnam during Tet 2027
- Things to do in Hanoi
- Vietnam beaches and islands guide
Tours & activities in Vietnam
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