Vietnam Hanoi Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Hanoi is high
December is high for Hanoi.
December continues Hanoi's cool dry season — 15-21°C / 59-70°F, humidity stable at 75%, dry (only 25mm rainfall over 6 days). Christmas-New Year week (December 22-January 2) brings the year's maximum hotel pricing surge — Sofitel Metropole + Capella +50-100% above shoulder, Old Quarter 3-stars +30-50%.
The Old Quarter takes on European-influenced Christmas atmosphere — lights, decorations, Christmas markets at Sofitel Metropole. New Year's Eve celebrations at Hoan Kiem Lake (fireworks + countdown + Vietnamese folk music). Halong Bay overnight cruises sell out 3-4 weeks ahead.
Travel score
Cool dry season + Christmas-NY peak — year's biggest crush
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 70°F / 21°C highs and 59°F / 15°C lows with 6 rainy days and 25mm rainfall — dry cool. Humidity 75%. UV 5. Sunshine 4 hours. Sunrise 6:35 AM, sunset 5:20 PM. Conditions virtually identical to January cold-dry pattern.
December Travel Advice
Christmas-NY week (Dec 22-Jan 2): book 8-12 weeks ahead, expect +50-100% premium. Dec 1-19 is the smart window — same weather, 60% of holiday pricing. Halong Bay overnight cruises 3-4 weeks pre-booking. Christmas markets at Sofitel Metropole + Capella. New Year's Eve Hoan Kiem Lake fireworks + countdown.
Flying In from Overseas
Year's peak inbound from all major Asian + Western markets: Korean winter break, European Christmas escape, Australian summer vacation, Russian tourists. Direct flights from Seoul $500-900 NYE week, Tokyo $400-700, London $700-1300, Sydney $450-800.
December Pricing Trends
Year's peak pricing Dec 22-Jan 2: Old Quarter 3-star $110-220/night, Sofitel Metropole $700-1100, Capella $700-1100. Halong Bay overnight cruise $250-500. Flights from Seoul $600-1000. Dec 1-19 is 40-50% less expensive than holiday week.
Hanoi December Weather Stats
Avg High
21°C
Avg Low
15°C
Rainy Days
6
25mm total
Sunshine
4h
Daily avg
Humidity
75%
moderate
UV Index
5
Moderate
Wind
10 km/h
Gusts 25
Sea Temp
0°C
no swimming
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
45 μg/m³
PM10
65 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
21°C
Nighttime
14°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
10 km/h
Max gust 25 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cool dry weather reliable
- Halong Bay 90%+ reliability
- Christmas-NY festive atmosphere
- Hanoi Christmas markets
Cons
- Maximum pricing Dec 22-Jan 2 (+50-100%)
- Year's biggest tourist crush
- Halong Bay cruises 3-4 weeks pre-booking
- Cool damp drizzle possible
December Events & Festivals
- Christmas-NY peak (Dec 22-Jan 2 maximum pricing)
- Year's coldest month transition
- Korean winter vacation week
Hanoi in December — Full Picture
December continues Hanoi's cool dry season — 15-21°C / 59-70°F, humidity stable at 75%, dry (only 25mm rainfall over 6 days). Christmas-New Year week (December 22-January 2) brings the year's maximum hotel pricing surge — Sofitel Metropole + Capella +50-100% above shoulder, Old Quarter 3-stars +30-50%.
The Old Quarter takes on European-influenced Christmas atmosphere — lights, decorations, Christmas markets at Sofitel Metropole. New Year's Eve celebrations at Hoan Kiem Lake (fireworks + countdown + Vietnamese folk music). Halong Bay overnight cruises sell out 3-4 weeks ahead.
The weather is reliable and pleasant for sightseeing (cool enough to walk all day). The trade-off: maximum pricing + maximum crowds vs reliable weather + festive atmosphere. December 1-19 is the smart-money window — same weather, 60% of holiday-week pricing.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cool winter — jacket + sweater + scarf. Long pants standard. Closed-toe walking shoes. Hat for windy evenings.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
27.7°C
21°C
13/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
32.7°C
26°C
15.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
28.3°C
21.7°C
9.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current20°C
14.7°C
7.3/mo
Hanoi Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19° | 14° | 7d·25mm | 3h | 80% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 20° | 15° | 9d·30mm | 2h | 82% | 4 | Moderate | Peak | |
| 23° | 18° | 13d·45mm | 2h | 85% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 28° | 21° | 11d·90mm | 4h | 84% | 7 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 24° | 15d·190mm | 6h | 84% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 33° | 26° | 14d·240mm | 6h | 83% | 10 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 33° | 26° | 16d·270mm | 6h | 84% | 10 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 26° | 17d·320mm | 6h | 85% | 9 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 24° | 14d·250mm | 6h | 84% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| October (Best) | 29° | 22° | 9d·100mm | 5h | 80% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| November (Best) | 25° | 19° | 6d·50mm | 5h | 75% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| December (Best) | 21° | 15° | 6d·25mm | 4h | 75% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Hanoi December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Hanoi?
Hanoi in December is high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Hanoi in December?
Hanoi December averages a high of 21°C and a low of 15°C.
Does it rain much in Hanoi in December?
Hanoi December averages 25mm of rainfall over about 6 rainy days.
What should I wear in Hanoi in December?
Cool winter — jacket + sweater + scarf. Long pants standard. Closed-toe walking shoes. Hat for windy evenings.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Hanoi in December?
Hanoi December sunrise is 06:35 and sunset is 17:20, with 10h 45min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Hanoi in December?
Hanoi December air quality (AQI) averages 100, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 45μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Hanoi in December?
In December, Hanoi is great for Old Quarter walking, Halong Bay overnight cruise (peak reliability), Christmas markets Sofitel Metropole.
Is December peak season in Hanoi?
Hanoi December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Hanoi
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.