December marks the return of Hoi An’s dry season — the town is festive, the weather is getting more reliable, and the Christmas and New Year holiday period adds an international energy to the usual mix of culture and beach. Temperatures are at their most comfortable of the year. The Ancient Town at Christmas — decorated lanterns, illuminated shopfronts, and the usual lantern-lit streets — is one of Vietnam’s most photogenic holiday settings.
Weather in Hoi An in December
- Temperature: 21–24°C (69–76°F) — pleasantly cool and comfortable
- Rainfall: Moderate (53% chance) — still possible, especially early December
- Humidity: 85%
- Wind: 13.1 mph — the windiest month alongside November
- Daylight: 11.2 hours
Early December can have rainy days; mid-to-late December is more reliably dry. Wind is the most noticeable December characteristic — cool and refreshing during the day, requiring a layer in the evenings.
Events in December
- Christmas (24–25 December): The Ancient Town and riverside area are decorated with lights and lanterns; the local Catholic church holds midnight mass; international restaurants run special menus
- New Year’s Eve (31 December): Riverside celebrations along the Thu Bon, fireworks, and the monthly Lantern Festival (if dates align with the lunar calendar) make this one of the most festive New Year’s Eve settings in Vietnam
Best Things to Do in Hoi An in December
Hoi An Ancient Town
December is one of the Ancient Town’s most beautiful months — the comfortable temperatures, the clear dry-season evenings, and the Christmas and New Year decorations add seasonal colour to the year-round lantern display. The assembly halls are at their most peaceful in the morning; the riverside promenade and the lantern streets are most enjoyable in the cool December evenings. Visit on a lantern festival night if the lunar calendar aligns. Ancient Town ticket: 120,000 VND, valid 3 days.
Japanese Covered Bridge
December’s comfortable temperatures mean the Japanese Covered Bridge can be visited at any time of day without the heat penalty of summer months. Visit in the early morning for the quietest experience, or in the late afternoon when the low December sun lights the wooden facade from a low angle. The bridge is decorated for Christmas and New Year with additional lanterns; the canal reflections in December’s still water are excellent for photography. Included in the Ancient Town ticket.
My Son Sanctuary
December’s dry weather and cool temperatures make the My Son day trip one of its most comfortable months — the jungle valley site can be explored at any hour without the intense heat of the summer months. The Cham temples are at their most accessible in December’s clear light; the intricate stone carvings on the tower facades are particularly vivid without the humidity haze of the wet season. Entry: 150,000 VND; allow 3 hours including the drive from Hoi An.
An Bang Beach
An Bang in December is at its most pleasant — cool temperatures (21–24°C), calm sea, and the beach restaurant strip in full swing with the Christmas holiday crowd. The wind keeps it fresh rather than hot; morning swims are invigorating rather than just cooling. The cycle route through the rice paddies is beautiful in December’s clear morning light. Plan for a morning swim, a long beach lunch, and a sunset stroll along the sand before cycling back to the Ancient Town.
Also Worth Doing
- Cham Islands snorkelling: December’s calming seas make the boat trip viable again — the best visibility for snorkelling around the coral reefs returns mid-month
- Cooking class: A festive-season cooking class learning holiday Vietnamese recipes is a popular December activity — book ahead as classes fill for Christmas week
- Street food tour: December’s comfortable temperatures make the evening street food tour — banh mi, cao lau noodles, white rose dumplings — particularly enjoyable; the night market is at its most atmospheric in the festive season
- New Year’s Eve on the riverside: The Thu Bon River bank is one of Vietnam’s best New Year’s Eve settings — secure a riverside restaurant table well in advance for the fireworks and celebrations
Practical Tips for December
- Christmas and New Year: Book accommodation, restaurants, and cooking classes weeks ahead for 24–25 December and 31 December
- Wind: The windiest month — pack a light jacket or cardigan for evenings; the river breeze can be cool after dark
- Early vs late December: Mid-December onwards has significantly more reliable dry weather — the first two weeks can still have rainy days
Tours & activities in Hoi An
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