Vietnam in Winter (2027): Weather, Where to Go & Best Tips

Vietnam in winter (December to February) means 3 different climates. The north is cool and often grey, with Hanoi at about 15 to 22°C (59 to 72°F) and Sapa dropping to 6 to 8°C (43 to 46°F) at night; the central coast is still wet in December but dries out by February; and the south is dry and sunny at 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F). Plan by region and you can pair sunshine in Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta or Phu Quoc with misty bays and crisp cities in the north. This guide covers the weather by region, the 8 best places, month-by-month tips, Tet and what to pack.

Vietnam in Winter Weather: Region by Region

Vietnam stretches about 1,650 km from north to south, so winter feels very different depending on where you are. This comparison shows what to expect in each region:

For month-by-month advice beyond winter, see our guide to the best time to visit Vietnam.

North Vietnam in Winter: Cool, Misty and Atmospheric

Hanoi’s winter days average 20 to 22°C (68 to 72°F), but damp air and grey skies make it feel colder, and cold snaps can push nights below 10°C (50°F). January is usually the coolest month, while February brings more drizzle as spring approaches. Ha Long Bay is cool and often misty, which suits photography more than swimming, and the cruises run all winter.

In the mountains, it is properly cold. Sapa averages about 12 to 14°C (54 to 57°F) by day and 6 to 8°C (43 to 46°F) at night, and frost is common on the highest slopes. Snow is rare but possible: in January 2016, Sapa was covered in snow as temperatures fell to about -2°C (28°F). Our Sapa travel guide explains what to expect in each season.

Central Vietnam in Winter: Wet December, Brighter February

The central coast has its own calendar. December is still part of the rainy season, with rain on about 20 days and around 350 mm in Hue. Rain eases in January and falls to about 12 days in February, when Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang become pleasant at about 24°C (75°F). Nha Trang follows a similar pattern and is usually dry from January. Our guide to the rainy season in Vietnam explains the wet months in detail.

South Vietnam in Winter: Dry Season Sunshine

Winter is the best time of year in the south. Ho Chi Minh City has highs of 32 to 33°C (89 to 91°F) but only 1 to 5 rainy days a month, and lower humidity than in summer. The Mekong Delta is green and dry, and Phu Quoc enjoys calm, clear seas. In the Central Highlands, Da Lat has spring-like days of about 22°C (72°F) and chilly nights of around 12°C (54°F).

8 Best Places to Visit in Vietnam in Winter

These places are at their best, or most atmospheric, between December and February. The first 4 are in the warm south; the last 4 are in the cool north.

1. Phu Quoc – The Best Beach Escape in Winter

Phu Quoc is a perfect option for relaxing after a long trip

Phu Quoc is in its peak season in winter. The west coast has flat, clear seas and a sunset every evening, the east coast is quieter, and there are only 4 to 6 rainy days a month. It is the easiest place in Vietnam for a winter beach holiday, and the island has visa-free entry for all foreign tourists staying up to 30 days, provided they fly in directly from abroad.

Spend your days on Long Beach or Sao Beach, take a boat trip to the islands of the An Thoi archipelago for snorkelling, and finish with seafood at the night market in Duong Dong. Our Phu Quoc travel guide covers beaches and day trips.

• Winter weather: 30 to 31°C (87 to 88°F), sunny and dry
• Do not miss: a sunset on the west coast and an island-hopping boat trip
• Tip: book Christmas and New Year stays early, as the island’s best hotels fill up first

>>> Make a trip of it: add our 3-day Phu Quoc break to a longer winter trip.

2. Ho Chi Minh City – Dry Days and Festive Streets

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Saigon’s dry season makes walking tours comfortable, and the city glows with Christmas lights from late December until Tet. Nguyen Hue walking street hosts a flower street in the days before the Lunar New Year, and rooftop bars are at their best on clear winter evenings.

It is also the best starting point for a south-to-north winter trip, with day trips to the Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta. Our Saigon city tour covers the main sights in a day, from $47 per person.

3. Mekong Delta – Floating Markets in the Dry Season

Sunset over the flooded season in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, where sugar palms line the water and wooden sampans are still the everyday way to get around.

The delta is at its calmest in winter, with dry paths for cycling between orchards and early-morning boat trips to the floating markets around Can Tho, where traders hang samples of their produce from bamboo poles. Before Tet, flower villages such as Sa Dec fill with potted blooms for the holiday.

>>> Stay at least one night to see the markets at dawn, when they are busiest. Our 3-day Mekong journey follows the canals from Ben Tre to Long Xuyen.

4. Da Lat – Spring Weather in the Highlands

Da Lat at sunset

At about 1,500 m, Da Lat stays spring-like through winter, with sunny days, chilly nights and pine-scented air. Flower farms, coffee plantations, waterfalls and French-era villas make it a favourite with Vietnamese travellers, and the cool evenings are perfect for the city’s night market and hot soy milk stalls.

It is a good break between the heat of Saigon and the beaches of the south-central coast, and is easily reached by a short flight from Ho Chi Minh City.

5. Hanoi – Street Food Weather

Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi and one of the city’s best spots to catch the sunset.

Cool weather is perfect for Hanoi’s hot dishes: a steaming bowl of pho, grilled pork with bun cha and the city’s famous egg coffee. The Old Quarter is comfortable to walk all day, the lakes are wrapped in mist in the morning, and the city fills with peach blossoms in the weeks before Tet.

Learn to cook these dishes yourself on our full-day Hanoi cooking class, from $102 per person.

6. Ha Long Bay – Moody Karsts and Quiet Cruises

Majestic Ha Long Bay — where emerald waters meet towering limestone cliffs, offering one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking natural wonders.

Winter brings fewer boats and soft, misty light over the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, giving the bay a moody beauty that photographers love. It is too cool for most people to swim, but kayaking, cave visits and sunrise tai chi on deck all continue, and typhoons are not a risk at this time of year.

>>> Choose an overnight cruise with heated cabins and an indoor dining room, and pack a warm layer for the sun deck. For a quieter winter sail in Bai Tu Long Bay, see the 8-cabin Emperor Cruise.

7. Sapa – Mountain Mist and the Chance of Frost

Sapa

Sapa in winter trades green rice terraces for mist, open fires and the occasional frost on Fansipan, Indochina’s highest peak. The terraces are bare, but trekking between Black Hmong and Red Dao villages is pleasant on dry days, and the views on clear mornings are some of the best of the year.

>>> Many homestays have no heating, so bring proper warm clothes, or choose a hotel with heaters. Our 3-day Sapa trek walks through the terraces of Lao Chai and Ta Van villages.

8. Ha Giang – Clear Mountain Views and Spring Blossoms

Ha Giang

The far north has some of the clearest skies of the year in winter, and plum and peach blossoms appear in the villages around Tet. The road through the Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark, is one of Vietnam’s great journeys, with limestone peaks, deep gorges and weekly ethnic markets.

>>> Nights are cold, and the mountain passes can be icy after a cold front, so travel with a local driver rather than riding a motorbike yourself. Our 4-day Ha Giang loop crosses Ma Pi Leng Pass to Dong Van and Meo Vac with a local driver.

Vietnam in December, January and February: Month by Month

Vietnam in December

December is festive and busy. The south and Phu Quoc are dry and sunny, the north is cool and mostly dry, but the central coast is still wet. Christmas lights go up in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and hotels in Phu Quoc fill up over Christmas and New Year, so book early. Best for: the south, Phu Quoc and Hanoi.

Vietnam in January

January is usually the coldest month in the north, with Hanoi’s average high at about 20°C (68°F), and Sapa at its chilliest. The south is at its driest, with about 2 rainy days in Ho Chi Minh City, and central Vietnam begins to dry out. Best for: the whole south, Da Lat and city sightseeing in Hanoi.

Vietnam in February

February brings Tet, the Lunar New Year, on 6 February 2027. The days before Tet are colourful, with flower markets and decorations everywhere, but transport is fully booked and many shops close during the holiday from 4 to 10 February. After Tet, festival season begins, and the central coast is dry enough for beach days. Best for: festivals and travelling the whole country from south to north.

Planning to travel around Tet? Ask us to secure trains, flights and hotels well ahead.

Winter Festivals and Holidays in Vietnam

• Christmas (25 December): not a public holiday, but cathedrals, malls and streets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are decorated, and crowds gather around St Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi on Christmas Eve.
• New Year’s Day (1 January): a public holiday with countdown events in the big cities.
• Tet (6 February 2027): the biggest holiday of the year, with public holidays from 4 to 10 February. Expect closed shops, full trains and planes, and higher prices in the week around it.
• Perfume Pagoda Festival: Vietnam’s largest pilgrimage opens on the 6th day of the lunar new year (11 February 2027) and runs for about 3 months. Visit the Perfume Pagoda on a weekday to avoid the biggest crowds.

Suggested Itineraries for Vietnam in Winter

In winter, travelling from south to north lets you start in the sun and reach the north once you have adjusted, and central Vietnam is drier later in the trip.

Itinerary 1: 8 Days from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

• Best for: a first winter trip with Vietnam’s main heritage sites
• Best time: January and February, when the central coast is drier
• Should avoid: the Tet holiday week, when transport is full

Days 1-2 | Ho Chi Minh City

Explore the city’s French-era landmarks, markets and museums in dry, sunny weather, with an optional trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Days 3-5 | Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue

Fly to central Vietnam for Hoi An’s lantern-lit old town and Hue’s Imperial City; by February, the rains have usually eased.

Days 6-8 | Hanoi and Ha Long Bay

Finish in cool, atmospheric Hanoi with its street food, then cruise among the misty karsts of Ha Long Bay.

>>> See the full itinerary: World Heritage tour in 8 days. From $697 per person; we can add a night in Ninh Binh if you have more time.

Itinerary 2: 15 Days from the Mekong to Ha Long Bay

• Best for: travellers who want sun, highlands, beach and the north in one trip
• Best time: late January and February, after the central coast’s rains
• Should avoid: December, when Nha Trang and Hoi An can still be wet

Days 1-4 | Saigon, the Mekong Delta and Da Lat

Start in the dry south with the city and the delta’s waterways, then cool down among the pine hills of Da Lat.

Days 5-9 | Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue

Work up the coast via the beaches of Nha Trang, the old town of Hoi An and the royal capital of Hue.

Days 10-15 | Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay

End in the north with Hanoi’s food scene, the rice-field karsts of Ninh Binh and a Ha Long Bay cruise.

>>> See the full itinerary: Wonders of Vietnam in 15 days. From $1,181 per person; ask us to swap Nha Trang for Phu Quoc for a longer beach stay.

What to Pack for Vietnam in Winter

Most winter trips cover more than one climate, so pack layers rather than one heavy coat. This table shows what you need where:

Plan Your Winter Trip to Vietnam with IDC Travel

Vietnam in winter rewards travellers who plan by region: sun and beaches in the south, crisp city days in Hanoi, and misty mountains for those who pack warm clothes. Time the central coast for late January or February, and book early if your dates touch Christmas or Tet.

Ready to go? Create your winter itinerary with our local team, and we will match each stop to the weather.

Read more:

• Vietnam in November: Where to Go
• Top Things to Do in Phu Quoc
• Lunar New Year in Vietnam: Pros, Cons and Tips