Things to Do in Vietnam in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Vietnam
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + The north, Sapa, Ha Giang, Mai Chau, finally drops its monsoon cloak. Crisp, clear days arrive, tailor-made for motorbike loops and village treks. Mist lifts off terraced rice fields like steam from a morning bowl of pho.
- + Central Vietnam, from Hue to Hoi An, dries out at last. September's flood warnings give way to sunny afternoons. The Perfume River shimmers, and lanterns in Hoi An's Old Town glow without the threat of a downpour.
- + Southern beaches from Phu Quoc to Mui Ne hit their stride. The sea flattens to a pane of glass, good for snorkeling trips. Water visibility stretches to 20 meters (65 feet), and the relentless summer heat eases into tolerable warmth.
- + December marks the start of the dry season across most of the country. Your plans, a cruise in Halong Bay, a day cycling through the Mekong Delta, are far less likely to be washed out by sudden, torrential rains that define other months.
- − This is peak season for a reason, and you will feel it. Flights and hotels in Hoi An, Hanoi's Old Quarter, and Ha Long Bay book solid months ahead. Prices climb to reflect the demand.
- − While the south is glorious, the far north (Sapa, Ha Giang Loop) can dip into cold territory, at night. Expect 10°C (50°F) in the highlands, a shock if you packed only for tropical Saigon.
- − Variable conditions mean a perfect, blue-sky day in Hue can be followed by a moody, drizzly one in Danang just 100 km (62 miles) away. Packing demands flexibility for multiple microclimates.
Year-Round Climate
How December compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23°C | 16°C | 1.5 inches (38 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C | 17°C | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C | 17°C | 1.5 inches (38 mm) |
| Apr | 29°C | 21°C | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| May | 31°C | 23°C | 6.7 inches (170 mm) |
| Jun | 31°C | 23°C | 8.9 inches (226 mm) |
| Jul | 30°C | 23°C | 9.7 inches (246 mm) |
| Aug | 30°C | 23°C | 10.0 inches (254 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C | 22°C | 10.4 inches (264 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C | 21°C | 9.2 inches (234 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C | 19°C | 6.6 inches (168 mm) |
| Dec | 24°C | 16°C | 3.0 inches (76 mm) |
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December offers the best odds for the postcard shot. Still, jade-green waters sit under clear, pale blue skies. Humidity drops, so sitting on the sundeck is a pleasure, not a punishment. Morning mist over the limestone karsts is thick and photogenic. The water stays calm enough for kayaking into hidden lagoons without fighting chop. This is the month when the bay looks most like the myth.
The ancient town is magical year-round, but December's drier weather means lantern-lit evenings are spent strolling, not dodging puddles. The air carries the scent of tailoring shop cotton, wood shavings from souvenir carvers, and the faint brine from the Thu Bon River. It is cool enough to enjoy a ca phe sua da at a streetside table without sweating through your shirt. The light is softer, golden, good for photography in the narrow yellow-walled alleys.
This is the clear-window season for the northern highlands. The rice harvest is in, leaving a golden stubble and bare earth against emerald hills. Views from the mountain passes, like the Ma Pi Leng Pass, are unobstructed, stretching for dozens of kilometers (miles). The air is crisp, often cold in the morning, demanding a jacket. Riding conditions are arguably the year's best: dry roads, minimal fog, and impressive visibility.
Water levels recede slightly in December, making boat navigation to the famous floating markets like Cai Rang near Can Tho more predictable. Morning air on the river is cool and fresh, carrying the sound of longtail boat engines and the calls of vendors trading pineapples and pomelos. It is the perfect climate for a homestay. Evenings are cool enough to sleep comfortably without AC, often spent on a veranda overlooking a quiet canal.
Exploring Hue's large Imperial Citadel and royal tombs is a test of endurance in the summer heat. In December, it becomes a pleasure. Wander the vast, flagstone courtyards of the Citadel or climb the green hillside to the Khai Dinh Tomb under a mild sun. The Perfume River, which you will likely cross by dragon boat, has a gentle, reflective calm. Light slants beautifully through the ruined gateways, good for photography.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
In the major cities, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Christmas Eve is celebrated with a lively, secular energy. Cathedral areas become pedestrian-only parties. In Saigon, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the surrounding Dong Khoi Street are packed with thousands of young Vietnamese posing for photos under fairy lights, eating street food, and soaking in the festive atmosphere. It is less a religious observance and more a massive, joyful street festival with a soundtrack of pop music.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Vietnam Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Book Experiences in Vietnam
Top-rated things to do in Vietnam this December
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