Vietnam Weather in December: Temperature & Best Places to Visit

Vietnam is a special country with 2000+ miles of coastline and three different weather systems and December is the time you can see these differences precisely. Here are all you need to know about Vietnam's weather in December and a list of some places in Vietnam you should come to visit.

Overview of Vietnam weather in December

The average temperature in December is around 23ºC which means it’s the coldest month in a year here. There’s almost no rain throughout the country at this time but the monsoon comes from the North which contains humidity, decreasing the temperature in all regions.

Although it’s cooler all around the country, Vietnam weather in December is still the time that you can see clearly the difference in the climate of each region here. Let’s see the details below! 

 

Weather in North

In the North, this is the coldest time of the year, when North Vietnam’s average temperature in December is only 17ºC and sometimes the lowest can be down to -2ºC in the high mountains, resulting in frost and snow. 

Winters in major cities in northern Vietnam are cold, with highs of 20°C and lows of 15°C. As you travel further north or into the mountainous regions of the Northwest and Northeast, the temperature decreases dramatically. In the North, this is also the driest month of the year, with minimal rain and a low humidity level of 68%. Visiting North Vietnam in December, you should prevent yourself from flaky skin and chapped lips by moisturizing them frequently and drinking plenty of water.

Sapa in December

 

Weather in Central

The Central of Vietnam is divided into three smaller regions: the North Central Coast, the South Central Coast, and the Central Highlands depending on each region’s different weather characteristics. 

The weather in the North Central Coast is more similar to the North, it is cold with low temperatures and quite dry. On the other hand, the South Central Coast December is in the rainy season with the humidity remaining high at roughly 82% although the rain is not as heavy as in November. 

At the same time, Central Highlands weather in December is perfectly good for travelling. This month is when you can experience the 4 seasons in one day in this area as you wake up in spring and come to sleep in winter. In general, it’s always nice and cool in the Central Highlands during this time. Although the night would be very cold, it’s warm in the daytime with the clear sky and light sunshine.

 

Weather in South

South Vietnam enters the most beautiful season of the year in December as it’s the beginning of the dry season here. Warm weather reigns in the region, with temperatures ranging from 23°C to 31°C and an annual average temperature is about 27ºC. It’s almost no rain during this month in South Vietnam and the sunshine-filled days are galore so you can freely roam the region.

The average Vietnam temperature in December is around 23ºC which means it’s the coldest month in a year here. There’s almost no rain throughout the country at this time but the monsoon comes from the North which contains humidity, decreasing the temperature in all regions.

Infographic: Vietnam weather in December

 

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Less rain and cool weather in most regions are perfect for travelling.	Cold weather including monsoon in North Vietnam creates health and safety risks. High service prices in every region as December is in the peak season of tourism.

 

Best places to visit in Vietnam during December

In Vietnam, there are many tourist destinations worth visiting during winter. Following is the list of 6 must-visit destinations in Vietnam in the winter for you to reference and choose the best fit for your interests.

Sapa (Lao Cai)

Sapa is a very beautiful town with a fresh, cool climate, and many diverse shades. Travelling Sapa in December, visitors will discover this small town with dense fog, blurry scenery, and full of mysteries. There might be frost and snow when the temperature here reaches 0°C or lower and snowfall makes Sapa scenery more wonderful than ever.

 

Hanoi

Hanoi officially entered the cold, dry winter in December. The city becomes quieter with red leaves falling, thick mist, and the grey sky. But December comes along with Christmas and New Year, so you can see a lot of colourful decorations, twinkling lights hung out in the streets, or even in small alleys all in the name of the festival spirit.

Hanoi’s December is also famous for many delicious street foods that can warm you up on a numb cold day. Hot noodles soups like Pho/Bun/Mien, many types of hot pot, fried and grilled snacks, or hot sweet soups, you will find an amazingly tasty world of winter cuisine in Hanoi.

Hanoi's Chrismas in December

 

Halong Bay

December in Halong Bay is when the temperature fluctuates between 15°C and 23°C with an average rainfall of just 22 mm. In this month, the huge area of Halong Bay was covered in a thick and miserable fog. In the morning, all the towering limestone pillars will be wrapped around with a thin layer of fog. The cruise ships are unable to move fast in this weather condition, but that's so incredible as you slowly sail through the fog, pass through the towering limestone pillars and discover the scenery in front. It’s some kind of mysterious island that you only see on screen.

Halong Bay in December

 

Ho Chi Minh

The final month of the year is a transition phase between the dry and wet seasons: it rains less frequently, and the weather remains cool and humid. It is one of the best times to visit Ho Chi Minh City when Christmas arrives at the end of the month, and the most important National Holiday of Vietnam - Tet or Lunar New Year - is coming up in over a month. The whole city soaks in the festive vibe with colorful decorations everywhere which makes the city look so splendid.

 

Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta in December experiences sunlight days with a heavily overcast sky. Typically the temperature fluctuates around 30℃ and the wind is slightly breezy. During this month, Mekong Delta offers numerous activities suitable to all kinds of travellers. The special floating markets, vast tropical fruit gardens, and typical Mekong islet villages in the nice December weather will surely give you unforgettable memories.

 

Phu Quoc Island 

If you want to enjoy a warm winter, besides Con Dao, Phu Quoc is also an ideal destination. This is an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. In December, Phu Quoc island is influenced by the northeast monsoon with relatively strong intensity, the average humidity is 78%, and the average temperature is about 27°C - 28°C. During this time, the weather is less rainy, the waves are quiet and convenient for the ship to travel from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc. Coming to this gorgeous island in December, you can sunbathe, snorkel and swim at Long Beach and Ong Lang Beach. Phu Quoc National Park and Suoi Tranh Waterfall are great for picnicking, jungle-trekking, camping, and bird-watching.

Phu Quoc in December 

 

Tips for travel to Vietnam in December

• Pack all kinds of clothes for different weather conditions in each region you come.
• As the weather fluctuates roughly, don’t forget to drink a lot of water and keep fit. You are recommended to prepare some flu medicines also.
• The weather in Southeast Asia, in general, is not really good for your skin, so coming to Vietnam in December, you need to constantly apply moisturizer if travelling in the North and Northern Central, and sunscreen when in the South and Southern Central areas.
• The North Vietnam cold is harder than the temperature shown, it absorbs deeply into your skin. So even when the weather forecast says that it will be 18-20°C, don’t underestimate it because the real feeling is much colder.

In conclusion, Vietnam's weather and climate in December give a great time to explore both the sea and the mountains across the country. If you are planning for a Vietnam trip, December is always a good time! Hope this Vietnam weather guide will help you out to choose the best time to visit and enjoy the trip to the fullest.

You might want to know about Vietnam weather in January.

MinKJ

Image source: Internet