Vietnam in December: where it's dry and warm — Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh City — and where it still rains
In December Vietnam is dry and warm in the south: Phu Quoc is about 30 °C by day with around 6 rainy days, Mui Ne is dry and windy for kitesurfing, Ho Chi Minh City enters its dry season. Nha Trang and Da Nang are in their last month of the rainy season.
In December Vietnam is dry and warm in the south — Phu Quoc, Mui Ne and Ho Chi Minh City. Phu Quoc is about 30 °C by day and 23 °C at night, with around six rainy days in December and a calm sea on the west coast. Mui Ne is dry and at the peak of its kitesurfing wind season. Ho Chi Minh City starts its dry season. In Nha Trang and Da Nang December is the last month of the rainy season: monsoon, waves and frequent boat-trip cancellations. Highland Da Lat is dry but about 13 °C at night. New Year's Day, 1 January, is a one-day public holiday; Tet 2027 falls on 6 February. For November, see Vietnam in November.
| City | December weather | Sea | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phu Quoc | 30.3 °C by day, 23.4 °C at night, about 6 rainy days | calm on the west | busy, book early |
| Mui Ne | 29.9 °C by day, 22.2 °C at night, about 3 rainy days | windy | peak kitesurfing season |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 27.3 °C average, little rain | — | dry season begins |
| Da Lat | 16.4 °C average, 13.2 °C at night, about 6 rainy days | — | bring a warm jacket |
| Nha Trang | rainy season until the end of December | waves, boat trips cancelled | city works; sea from February |
| Da Nang and Hoi An | 25 °C by day, 20 °C at night, 218 mm rain, 19 rainy days | rough | rain eases late in the month |
Where is it warm and dry in Vietnam in December?
In December it's warm and dry in southern Vietnam: Phu Quoc is about 30 °C by day with only about 6 rainy days in the month, Mui Ne about 30 °C with about 3 rainy days, and Ho Chi Minh City enters its dry season. For swimming in December, go to Phu Quoc: the sea on the west coast — Long Beach, Ong Lang — is calm. More in Phu Quoc month by month and Phu Quoc beaches.
Can you go to Nha Trang in December?
You can go to Nha Trang in December, but not for the sea: it's the last month of the rainy season, the monsoon lasts until the end of the year, and boat trips, fishing and diving are often cancelled because of waves. It is surf season, though, and pagodas, markets, museums and mud baths run as usual. If you're coming for the winter, save the sea for February onwards. More in Nha Trang in December.
What's the weather in Da Nang and Hoi An in December?
Da Nang in December is about 25 °C by day and 20 °C at night, with about 218 mm of rain over 19 rainy days. The rain eases towards the end of the month, but the sea is still rough; the swimming season starts in April. People go to Hoi An in December for the old town and lanterns, not the beach. More in when to go to Da Nang.
Is Mui Ne worth it in December?
Mui Ne in December is mainly for kitesurfers: it's the peak of the wind season, dry, about 30 °C by day with only about 3 rainy days in the month. For calm swimming the wind gets in the way — waves and blowing sand are common every afternoon. More in Mui Ne month by month.
What about New Year and holidays in December?
New Year's Day in Vietnam, 1 January, is a one-day public holiday; Christmas isn't a public holiday but is celebrated in tourist towns. The country's main holiday is Tet, the Lunar New Year: in 2027 it falls on 6 February, and tickets for that period sell out early. Over the New Year dates, flights and resort accommodation are also booked weeks ahead. More in New Year in Vietnam and public holidays in Vietnam.
FAQ
Where is it warm in Vietnam in December? In the south: Phu Quoc about 30 °C by day, Mui Ne about 30 °C, Ho Chi Minh City 27 °C on average.
Can you swim in Vietnam in December? Yes, on Phu Quoc: the sea on the west coast is calm. Nha Trang and Da Nang have waves and rain in December.
What's the weather in Nha Trang in December? The last month of the rainy season: monsoon, waves, boat trips cancelled. Dry from January, calm sea from February.
Is Vietnam cold in December? Not in the south. Da Lat drops to about 13 °C at night, Da Nang about 20 °C.
When is Tet in 2027? 6 February.