Wintering in Vietnam: where to go, visas, housing and doctors
The easiest place to spend the winter in Vietnam is the south: from December to March it's dry on Phu Quoc, in Mui Ne and Ho Chi Minh City, and in Nha Trang from January. An e-visa covers up to 90 days. Find long-term housing in person and take medical insurance even though nobody asks for it.
The easiest place to spend the winter in Vietnam is the south. From December to March it's dry and warm on Phu Quoc, in Mui Ne and in Ho Chi Minh City; in Nha Trang the rainy season ends in December, and it's dry and calm from January into summer. Da Nang is cooler and damper in winter, about 21.5 °C in January. For a long winter, the e-visa from evisa.gov.vn covers up to 90 days.
| City | December | January — March | Why winter there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nha Trang | end of the rains, rough sea | dry, calmer sea from February | seaside city, lots of services, kindergartens |
| Phu Quoc | dry, about 30 °C by day | dry, calm sea on the west coast | beach island, resorts |
| Mui Ne | dry, windy season | dry, kitesurfing | wind and kites, quiet |
| Da Nang | rainy | cool and damp in January, warming by March | big city, Hoi An next door |
Where is best to spend the winter in Vietnam?
From December, Phu Quoc or Mui Ne: both are already dry. Nha Trang is better from January — before that the monsoon brings waves and boat trips get cancelled. In return, Nha Trang has the most services for long-stay visitors and easy trips to the islands. Da Nang suits people who aren't after beach time in winter. More in Da Nang or Nha Trang, Phu Quoc or Nha Trang and Vietnam in January.
What visa do you need to winter in Vietnam?
It depends on your passport. Citizens of 12 countries, including Russia and the UK, can stay 45 days visa-free under Government Resolution 44/NQ-CP, valid until 14 March 2028. For a longer winter, apply for an e-visa on the official evisa.gov.vn: up to 90 days, single or multiple entry. Staying longer than 90 days means leaving the country and re-entering — see visa extensions and visa runs and Vietnam visa and e-visa.
How do you rent a place for the winter in Vietnam?
Monthly flats are rented directly from the owner or through an agency with a real office. See the flat in person before paying anything, and put the deposit and meter readings in the contract — electricity and water are almost always extra. Your landlord or hotel must register your stay with the local police (tạm trú), so ask about it upfront. See Nha Trang neighbourhoods, renting in Nha Trang and agencies in Nha Trang and Da Nang.
Do you need insurance to winter in Vietnam?
Nobody checks for insurance at the border, but foreigners pay for their own treatment — for a stay of several months, get a policy with medical cover. Large private hospitals such as Vinmec and FV bill insurers directly if your company is on their partner list. See travel insurance for Vietnam and hospitals in Nha Trang.
How do you winter in Vietnam with children?
In Nha Trang you can place a child in a kindergarten for one to three months almost any time of year; bilingual kindergartens take children year-round, while international schools usually enrol by semester. See kindergartens and schools in Nha Trang and Vietnam with kids.
What should you do in your first days?
Buy a SIM card at an operator's store with your own passport: since 15 April 2026 subscribers are verified by face, and a SIM registered to someone else can be cut off. Everything in Vietnam is paid in dong — change money at a bank or at a licensed agent with a "Đại lý đổi ngoại tệ" sign. See internet in Vietnam, money in Vietnam and first days in Nha Trang.
Which vaccinations are advised before the trip and where there's no malaria: vaccinations for Vietnam.
FAQ
How long can I stay in Vietnam without a visa? Depends on your passport; citizens of 12 countries including Russia and the UK get 45 days (Resolution 44/NQ-CP).
Where is warmest in Vietnam in winter? The south: Phu Quoc, Mui Ne and Ho Chi Minh City. Nha Trang is dry from January.
Can I winter in Vietnam for three months? Yes, on an e-visa of up to 90 days; longer means leaving and re-entering.
Do I need to register my stay? Your landlord or hotel registers you with the police right after check-in.
Do I need insurance to winter in Vietnam? Not for entry, but treatment isn't free — take medical cover.