Vietnam is long and thin, so it never has one single weather pattern. December shows this better than any other month: you can need a warm jacket in Sapa and sunscreen in Phu Quoc in the same week. That is not a problem; it simply means the order of your route matters.
December weather at a glance
| Region | What to expect in December | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi, Ninh Binh | Cool, often grey, little rain; evenings feel chilly | Good for sightseeing and walking |
| Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay | Cool and sometimes misty; calm seas on most days | Good for cruising, not for swimming |
| Sapa, Ha Giang | Cold, especially at night; frost is possible on high ground | Good with warm clothes and the right hotel |
| Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang | End of the rainy season; showers and grey days still likely | Possible, with flexible planning |
| Nha Trang | Rain is still possible early in the month | Better from late in the month |
| Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta | Dry season begins; warm and sunny | Very good |
| Phu Quoc | Dry season, calm sea on the west coast | Very good for a beach finish |
Northern Vietnam: crisp days and quiet bays
Hanoi in December is pleasant for walking: the heat and humidity of summer have gone, and the Old Quarter is lively. Pack a light jacket for the evenings. In Ninh Binh the rice has been harvested, so the fields are not green, but the limestone scenery and the boat trips are as good as ever. On Halong and Lan Ha Bay the water is cool, so plan to enjoy the scenery from the deck and the kayak rather than from the water.
The mountains are a different story. Sapa and Ha Giang can be genuinely cold, with damp, misty days. Homestays and simple hotels may not be heated, so in December we choose hotels with proper heating and plan shorter walks. If you are deciding between northern mountain regions, our guide to the best time to visit Sapa gives more detail.
Central Vietnam: keep the plan flexible
Hue and Hoi An receive most of their rain from autumn into early winter. By December the heaviest weeks have usually passed, but grey, drizzly days are still common and sea conditions can stop boat trips to the islands. We keep central Vietnam in December itineraries, but we add a buffer day and plan indoor alternatives, such as a cooking class or museum visits, so a wet day changes the order of the trip rather than spoiling it.
Southern Vietnam: the easy part of the trip
The south enters its dry season in December. Ho Chi Minh City is warm, the Mekong Delta’s waterways are full after the rains, and Phu Quoc has calm seas on its west coast. If you want a beach at the end of a December trip, this is where we usually send guests.
Christmas and New Year: plan early
The last two weeks of December are one of the busiest periods for international travellers. Popular cruises, beach resorts and flights between Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City fill up early, and some hotels set minimum stays over the festive dates. If you plan to travel then, we recommend confirming the trip several months ahead. Christmas is not a public holiday in Vietnam, but you will see decorations and Christmas Eve celebrations in the cities and around churches.
A December route that works
- Hanoi (2–3 nights) for the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature and street food.
- Ninh Binh (1–2 nights) for boat trips between the limestone peaks.
- Halong or Lan Ha Bay (1–2 nights) on a cruise.
- Hoi An (2–3 nights) with a flexible day for weather.
- Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta (2–3 nights).
- Phu Quoc (3–4 nights) to finish in the sun.
What to pack
Layers are the key: a warm jacket and fleece for the north and the mountains, a light rain jacket for the centre, and summer clothes for the south. Our article on what to wear in Vietnam covers temple dress codes too. For the rest of the year, see our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Vietnam.
Typical temperatures and rainfall in December
December is cool in the north, still damp in the centre and dry and sunny in the south. Typical figures:
| Place | Typical daytime high | Typical night low | Typical monthly rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | 22°C | 16°C | about 20 mm |
| Hue | 23°C | 19°C | about 320 mm |
| Hoi An & Da Nang | 25°C | 20°C | about 200 mm |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 31°C | 22°C | about 50 mm |
| Phu Quoc | 30°C | 23°C | about 50 mm |
Rounded long-term averages from public climate records, not a forecast. Any single December can be warmer, cooler, wetter or drier, so we check the outlook for your exact dates when we plan your trip.
Want to compare December with the months either side? Use our quick tool below: it opens on December, and you can tap any other month.
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Pick your month to see the weather by region, or estimate your budget — then get a private itinerary from our Hanoi team.
Typical seasonal patterns; weather varies year to year. Our team checks your exact dates when we prepare your itinerary.
"From" prices published on our Vietnam tour cost guide: per person per day, 2 travellers sharing, private guide & driver, hotels, listed activities. International flights, e-visa, insurance and tips not included. Final price is confirmed in your written quote.
Where to go and where to think twice in December
Good choices in December:
- Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc for sunshine
- Hanoi and Halong Bay for crisp, quiet days
- Hoi An with a flexible plan as the rains ease late in the month
Think twice about:
- Swimming in the north or on the central coast
- Sapa without warm clothes: nights are cold
- Booking Christmas and New Year late: resorts and flights fill early
Dates to note in December
- 22 December 2026 and 11 December 2027: full-moon Legend Nights in Hoi An.
- 24 to 25 December: Christmas is not a public holiday, but cathedrals in Hanoi and Saigon and many hotels hold celebrations.
- 31 December: New Year’s Eve events in the big cities; 1 January is a public holiday.
Lunar-calendar dates are calculated for Vietnam’s time zone. Event programmes change from year to year, so check before travel.
Three private tours for December
December trips work best when they finish in the dry south. These private tours fit:
10 days 9 nights · private
10-Day Vietnam Honeymoon Tour Package & Relax On Phu Quoc Beach
From US$1,400 per person
Halong Bay, Hoi An and Hue, then three nights on Phu Quoc in its dry season.
11 days 10 nights · private
Vietnam Cultural Heritage Tour 11 Days 10 Nights
From US$1,540 per person
Eleven days of heritage sites from Hanoi and Halong to Hue, Hoi An and the Mekong Delta.
8 days 7 nights · private
Vietnam Highlights 8 Days Tour | Explore Culture & History
From US$1,120 per person
Eight days for a first trip: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong, Hoi An and the Mekong Delta.
Prices are the published "from" prices on each tour page, per person, based on 2 travellers sharing. Every tour is private and can be re-timed for your dates; the final price and hotels are confirmed in your quote, subject to availability.
None of these quite right? Every Metta Voyage tour is private, so we can shorten it, add beach days or change the hotel level. You can also browse all our Vietnam tours.
What a December trip costs
Our published “from” prices for a private Vietnam tour are about US$140 per person per day at Comfort (4★) level, US$180 at Superior, US$250 at Deluxe and US$350 at Luxury. They assume 2 travellers sharing a room and include a private guide and driver, hotels and the activities listed in the itinerary (see our Vietnam tour cost guide). A 10-day December trip at Superior level starts at about US$1,800 per person; at Luxury level about US$3,500. International flights, visas, insurance and tips are extra. Hotels charge more over Christmas and New Year, and some require minimum stays; we show this in your quote. Final prices and hotels are confirmed in your quote, subject to availability.
Ready to plan? Send us your dates and our team in Hanoi will reply within 24 hours with a free day-by-day itinerary for December. A 30% deposit confirms the trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Vietnam?
Yes, if you plan by region. The south is dry and warm, the north is cool and mostly dry, and central Vietnam is at the end of its rainy season, so a north-to-south route works well.
Is it cold in Vietnam in December?
The north is cool, with chilly evenings in Hanoi and cold nights in Sapa and Ha Giang. The south stays warm.
Can you swim in Vietnam in December?
Yes, in the south. Phu Quoc is in its dry season with calm seas on the west coast. The water in Halong Bay is too cool for most swimmers.
Does it rain in Hoi An in December?
Showers and grey days are still common in December, though the heaviest rain usually falls earlier in the season. Keep a flexible day in your plan.
Is Christmas a busy time to travel in Vietnam?
Yes. The last two weeks of December are busy for international travellers, so cruises, beach resorts and domestic flights should be booked well in advance.
Which tours do you recommend for Vietnam in December?
December routes should end in the south. We suggest the 10-day honeymoon tour with Phu Quoc, the 11-day cultural heritage tour and the 8-day highlights tour.
How much does a private Vietnam tour cost in December?
Our published "from" prices are about US$140 per person per day at Comfort level, US$180 at Superior, US$250 at Deluxe and US$350 at Luxury, for 2 travellers sharing. Christmas and New Year dates are priced individually in your quote.
Plan this trip
- Vietnam North To South (10 days, from US$1,400 per person)
- Unforgettable Vietnam Family Tour: A 14-Day Adventure (14 days, from US$1,960 per person)
See Vietnam tour packages for your dates for itineraries and prices, from US$140 per person per day for two travellers.
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