Asia

Vietnam in December

High season builds, especially on Phu Quoc, which is at its beach best December through March. Christmas and New Year weeks price up.

GoodSouth entering its sunny prime near 88F (31C); north cool, highs near 70F (21C)

Limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam — VietnamPhoto: Fré Sonneveld fresonneveld, CC0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Vietnam. High season builds, especially on Phu Quoc, which is at its beach best December through March. Christmas and New Year weeks price up.

Weather: South entering its sunny prime near 88F (31C); north cool, highs near 70F (21C)
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What December is like in Vietnam

December brings the south into its sunny prime, with highs near 88F (31C). The north is cool, with Hanoi highs near 70F (21C), and Sapa gets cold and misty. High season builds, especially on Phu Quoc, which is at its beach best from December through March. Christmas and New Year weeks price up.

This month suits beach lovers heading south and families on winter break. Pack for two climates if you are doing the whole country, since you may go from a jacket in Hanoi to a swimsuit in the south in one day. For clearer northern views, wait for March or April.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Vietnam this month.

Phu Quoc beach season

The island's calmest, sunniest stretch begins, great for families.

Saigon in the dry season

Warm, dry days make the city's food scene and war history sites easy to explore.

Cozy Hanoi

Cool evenings make street-side bowls of pho feel just right.

What to pack for December

A warm layer for Hanoi and Sapa
Swimsuit and sunscreen for the south
Light, breathable clothes
Comfortable walking shoes

Our timing tip

Book Phu Quoc and flights for Christmas and New Year weeks early, as prices climb fast.

Book Vietnam for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Vietnam
Opens a hotel search for Vietnam in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Vietnam
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Vietnam
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Vietnam for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival

The 14th night of each lunar month, year round

The old town dims its electric lights and glows by lantern and candle. Beautiful and busy; book a riverside table early.

Things to do in Vietnam

Full guide

Ha Long Bay overnight cruise

Sleeping among the karsts beats any day trip. Book a mid-range or better boat; October, November, March, and April offer the clearest odds. Summer storms can cancel sailings.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Hoi An's Old Town

Lantern-lit streets, tailor shops, and riverside cafes. Best February through August; the monthly full-moon lantern nights are magical and busy.

Tickets and tours →

Hanoi's Old Quarter and street food

Thirty-six ancient trade streets of motorbikes, pho steam, and egg coffee. Take a guided street-food walk your first night and eat braver every day after.

Tickets and tours →

Sapa and the northern terraces

Trek village to village among some of the world's great rice terraces. Green in late summer, golden at the September harvest, cold and misty in winter.

Tickets and tours →

Hue's Imperial City

The Nguyen dynasty's citadel and royal tombs along the Perfume River. Pair it with the Hai Van Pass drive to or from Hoi An.

Tickets and tours →

Cu Chi Tunnels and Saigon's war history

The tunnel network and the War Remnants Museum are sobering, essential context. Mornings beat the afternoon tour-bus surge.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Run the country north to south or south to north in one direction; backtracking through hub airports wastes days and doubles your exposure to the busiest routes.
Book an overnight Ha Long cruise midweek and skip the one-day bus loops, which all arrive at the same caves at the same hour.
In Hoi An, do the old town at 7am and after 9pm; between those hours, rent a bike for the rice paddies and An Bang beach while the day-trippers hold the bridge.
Avoid intercity travel during Tet week and the April 30 holiday cluster unless booked long in advance; those are the nation's own travel peaks.

Know before you go

Tet (late January or February, shifting yearly): for several days museums, restaurants, and shops close and intercity transport is either sold out or empty. Cities are decorated and calm; just stock your plans accordingly.
Central Vietnam's typhoon and flood season (roughly September through November) periodically closes Hoi An's riverside streets, cancels boat trips, and delays flights. Late-fall central itineraries need flexibility.
Ha Long Bay cruise sailings are suspended by the port authority during storms, most often in summer and early fall; itineraries build in refunds or reroutes, but a buffer day protects your onward flight.
Sapa and the high north are cold December through February, with mist that can erase the views for days; trekking runs year round, but winter is for atmosphere, not panoramas.

Vietnam in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Vietnam?

December is a good month to visit Vietnam. High season builds, especially on Phu Quoc, which is at its beach best December through March. Christmas and New Year weeks price up.

What is the weather like in Vietnam in December?

South entering its sunny prime near 88F (31C); north cool, highs near 70F (21C).

Is Vietnam crowded in December?

Crowds in Vietnam are moderate in December; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Vietnam in December?

Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival (the 14th night of each lunar month, year round).