Key Takeaways
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Most travellers think of European destinations during Christmas vacation. This year, think of Vietnam for a budget holiday.
Although prices still rise with the festive season, they remain reasonable compared to many other countries, such as South Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, or Singapore.
With such advantages, you still need to prepare before you fly to Vietnam. Without a plan, Vietnam in December can also mean a mediocre hotel, paying triple for accommodation, buying expensive flight tickets, staying in a rainy place, and missing important festivals.
To avoid these unfortunate events, this blog explains which parts of Vietnam have good weather, places to visit, things to do, and festivals.
Vietnam Temperature in December: North, Central and South
Vietnam stretches more than 1,600 km from north to south, and the weather varies by region. So, the best time to visit Vietnam depends on where you plan your vacation. Take a quick look to see which region is right for you.
| Region | Places | December Temperature |
| North Vietnam | Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa | Around 5 – 23°C |
| Central Vietnam | Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Nha Trang | Around 19 – 28°C |
| South Vietnam | Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc | Around 23 – 32°C |
Note: Temperatures are approximate and vary by city, altitude, and weather conditions. Mountain destinations such as Sapa can be considerably colder than lowland northern Vietnam.
Best Things to Do in Vietnam in December
| Activity | Places |
| Street food, nightlife, and city sightseeing | Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh |
| Boat trip | Ninh Binh, Mekong Delta |
| Mountain and cable car ride | Sapa |
| Swimming and island hopping | Phu Quoc |
| Christmas markets and festive events | Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Sapa |
| Sand dune rides | Mui Ne |
Top Places to Visit in Vietnam in December
Below are the top places to visit in Vietnam for a December vacation. Choose the place based on the temperature and the activities you want to experience.
1. Hanoi
- Temperature: Around 15 – 23°C.
- Ideal Stay Duration: 3 days; if you include day trips, plan for 5 days.
There are a lot of outdoor activities in Hanoi, and December is a good time to experience all of them in cooler weather.
Start with the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake, then visit the Temple of Literature, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and Hanoi Train Street to watch the trains pass by.
Afternoons are pleasant, but nights in Hanoi are very cold. Even at 7 PM, the temperature is 18°C; in such a cool climate, enjoy a glass of beer on Ta Hien Street for approximately 70 INR. Then try Hanoi’s famous street food, such as Pho Bo, Bún Chả, Bánh Mì, Bánh Cuốn, and Xôi, to keep you warm in this weather.
2. Ninh Binh
- Temperature: Around 15 – 23°C.
- Ideal Stay Duration: One-day trip.
Along with your Hanoi plan, add a day trip to Ninh Binh. From pick-up and drop-off to a professional tour guide and lunch, everything will be taken care of for you throughout the day. You can expect to spend approximately 5,000 INR for all of this.
The activities usually include riding through beautiful villages and the rice fields. Then stop at King Dinh Temple and climb the steps to Hang Mua viewpoint. For lunch, you will be served Vietnamese food beside Tam Coc River.
After lunch, enjoy a bamboo sampan boat ride and cycle in the countryside; then you will be dropped back at your hotel in Hanoi.
December is cooler than the warmer months, so outdoor sightseeing and boat rides are easier to manage with no humidity.
3. Hoi An
- Temperature: Around 20 – 26°C.
- Ideal Stay Duration: 3 days.
If you are visiting Hoi An in December, rain can affect outdoor plans at times, so keep indoor activities as a backup.
Hoi An’s experiences are laid-back, with plenty of cultural activities. Spend your day in Ancient Town, walking the colourful merchant houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge. Visit local tailoring shops to get a custom suit, dress, or leather shoes measured and stitched within 24 hours.
The main reason most people visit Hoi An is for the Lantern Festival, which happens every month on the 14th day of the lunar calendar. During this time of the month, you will watch the entire town turn off its electric lights as the streets become illuminated by silk lanterns.
4. Ho Chi Minh City
- Temperature: Around 23 – 31°C.
- Ideal Stay Duration: 3 days; if including a Mekong Delta tour, choose 4 days.
If you want warm weather and city sightseeing, Ho Chi Minh City is a better December option than Hanoi. You can do most outdoor activities in Ho Chi Minh City during this dry season.
For Ho Chi Minh City nightlife, stay in District 1; the area is full of hostels, bars, and restaurants, and it is close to famous landmarks.
Start the day with the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace, and the Central Post Office. In the evening, head to Ben Thanh Market for local food and to buy Vietnamese souvenirs.
The whole city becomes colourful with Christmas decorations across shopping centres, hotels, streets and churches. You can also look for Christmas fairs and markets selling food, gifts and handmade products.
5. Mekong Delta
- Temperature: Around 24 – 31°C.
- Ideal Stay Duration: One day; stay overnight in Can Tho if you want to visit the floating market early in the morning.
You can easily add the Mekong Delta to your Ho Chi Minh City itinerary, especially in December when the region enters its dry season.
A day trip from Ho Chi Minh City costs approximately 2,500 INR. You get hotel pickup or meet at a designated point. Then you will visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda before boarding the boat for a cruise.
You will sail through smaller waterways, visit fruit orchards and see how local produce is transported along the rivers.
Instead of a day trip, consider an overnight stay in Can Tho. Wake up early for a boat ride to Cai Rang Floating Market. Visit around 5 AM to see local trade from the boat; later, they sell fruit, vegetables, breakfast, food, and coffee on the river.
6. Phu Quoc
- Temperature: Around 23 – 30°C.
- Ideal Stay Duration: 3 – 4 days.
For a beach vacation in Vietnam, Phu Quoc should be at the top of your list. December falls within the island’s clearer and sunnier period, making it better suited to swimming, snorkelling and island-hopping.
Long Beach is one of the best places to stay in Phu Quoc for easy access to island-hopping trips, diving, snorkelling and resort facilities.
If you are travelling around Christmas, expect more demand for hotels and resorts, especially for beachfront properties.
7. Sapa
- Temperature: Around 5 – 18°C.
- Ideal Stay Duration: 2 – 3 days.
Sapa is best for travellers who don’t mind cold weather and want a mountain experience.
The whole town becomes misty and cloudy in December, and visibility can change day to day, so mountain views are not guaranteed. Most people visit Sapa to experience this cold weather in the mountain villages.
Take the cable car to Fansipan, visit local markets, and spend time around Cat Cat or Ta Phin villages.
December also gives Sapa a Christmas atmosphere you won’t find in warmer southern destinations. You can also expect occasional snow in Sapa in late December and January.
8. Mui Ne
- Temperature: Around 23 – 30°C.
- Ideal Stay Duration: 2 days.
Mui Ne offers warm weather in December, making it ideal for beaches and outdoor activities such as sand dune sledging, kitesurfing, jet skiing, and jeep tours.
Start early with the White Sand Dunes, then visit the Red Sand Dunes later in the day. You can also visit the fishing village, walk along Fairy Stream and try kitesurfing or other water sports when the wind conditions are suitable. For travellers looking for adventurous activities in Vietnam, Mui Ne is one of the best places to visit.
December Festivals in Vietnam
December is not the month for Vietnam’s biggest traditional festival such as Tet, as Vietnamese Lunar New Year falls in January or February. However, Christmas and New Year offer a festive holiday.
Christmas in Vietnam
Christmas is celebrated across Vietnam, especially in major cities.
In Hanoi, St. Joseph’s Cathedral and the Hoan Kiem Lake area become popular places to visit on Christmas Eve. The cooler December weather also makes your evening walk around the Old Quarter more comfortable.
In Ho Chi Minh City, shopping centres, streets, and churches are beautifully decorated for Christmas. If you are staying in District 1, combine the evening celebrations with Ben Thanh Market for shopping and street food.
Sapa is another option if you want a colder, sometimes snowy Christmas. Sapa Stone Church holds Christmas services on 24 December, and the mountain weather can make the trip feel more like a winter holiday.
New Year’s Eve in Vietnam
If you are in Vietnam on 31 December, stay in a major city for the exciting countdown.
Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City usually host New Year’s Eve countdown events, but the programmes vary each year.
Ho Chi Minh City is a good option if you want a festive New Year’s Eve atmosphere. Many travellers visit the city, and restaurants, markets, and rooftop bars come alive with music.
Hanoi works better if you want cooler weather and a more compact evening around the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake.
For Indian travellers, this also means higher hotel demand around the final week of December. If New Year is part of your plan, book your stay before the last-minute rush.
Conclusion
With a better plan, you can save money and visit uncrowded places, or experience Vietnam’s Christmas atmosphere. December offers a lot of options, and you have to choose what kind of holiday you want.
For cool weather and sightseeing, plan Hanoi, Ninh Binh or Sapa. For warm weather and beaches, choose Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, and Ho Chi Minh for a city vibe. Central Vietnam can still receive rain, so keep some flexibility if Hoi An, Da Nang or Hue is on your itinerary.
If you are travelling around Christmas or New Year, book your flights and hotels early because December is a busy travel period. Contact Dimaak Tours; we will make your trip easy by booking hotels, activities, and flights, and customising your Vietnam trip to suit your style.
FAQs on Vietnam in December
1. Is December a good time to visit Vietnam?
December can be one of the best times to travel to Vietnam, depending on the region you visit. Northern Vietnam is cool, Southern Vietnam is warm and dry, while Central Vietnam can still have occasional rain.
2. Which is the best month to visit Vietnam from India considering climate and travel deals?
Different regions in Vietnam have different weather, and December is a good option if you plan well. Northern Vietnam is cold and attracts fewer travellers, so you can get a cheaper holiday with fewer crowds. Central Vietnam rains occasionally, so it is not peak time, and places aren’t as crowded. Southern Vietnam has the best weather in December. However, if you are planning to visit for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, book hotels, activities, and flights months in advance to get better deals.
3. What is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
November to April is a good time to visit Ho Chi Minh City, with warm and drier weather. It is ideal for sightseeing, market visits, rooftop bar parties, and walking around street food areas.
4. What are some of the best beaches in Vietnam in December?
Phu Quoc and Mui Ne are the two best options for a beach holiday in December. Phu Quoc is better if you want swimming, snorkelling, and island-hopping, while Mui Ne is better for beaches, sand dunes, and kitesurfing.
