Quick answer
Vietnam in December means the south: Mui Ne/Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc, Vung Tau and Con Dao are in their dry season, while Nha Trang and Da Nang are still in their wettest weeks. In November only the far south is reliable, and Phu Quoc is still changing over. January is the month Nha Trang turns good. By February every resort from Nha Trang southwards works; Da Nang dries out but stays cool until March.
Last checked 12 October 2026 · next review 1 December 2026 (winter flight programmes, Tet 2027 holiday decision)
Vietnam in December is one of the most frequent winter requests, and one of the most often sold wrong. Clients see “Vietnam, dry season, 30 °C” and book a beach that is in the middle of its monsoon. The country is long, and between November and February the coast is split in two: the south is dry, the central coast is wet. This page is a resort chooser for those four months. For the regional overview see our Vietnam winter weather guide; here we only answer one question: which beach, in which month?
All figures are long-term monthly averages from Vietnam’s national building-climate standard, QCVN 02:2022/BXD, measured at the nearest weather station. A “rain day” is a day with measurable rain, often a short shower.
Average rain days by resort, November to February
| Resort (station) | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Avg. high Dec–Jan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mui Ne (Phan Thiet) | 6.5 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 29–30 °C |
| Vung Tau / Ho Tram (Vung Tau) | 6.8 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 29–30 °C |
| Phu Quoc | 13.8 | 6.2 | 4.6 | 3.7 | 30–31 °C |
| Con Dao | 12.3 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 28 °C |
| Cam Ranh / Bai Dai (Cam Ranh) | 14.8 | 11.6 | 5.6 | 2.6 | 28 °C |
| Nha Trang | 18.0 | 14.4 | 8.6 | 4.3 | 27 °C |
| Da Nang / Hoi An (Da Nang) | 20.3 | 18.7 | 12.0 | 5.6 | 25 °C |
November: the changeover month
November is the hardest month to sell. Mui Ne and Vung Tau average about seven rain days, mostly showers, and Phan Thiet still logs some 216 hours of sun. Phu Quoc is in transition, with almost 14 rain days and 164 mm on average, so treat November there as a changeover month, not a safe bet. Nha Trang is at its wettest: 18 rain days and 382 mm, the highest of the year. Da Nang is no better. For a guaranteed beach week in November, Mui Ne is the safest pick, and it is only three to four hours by road from Saigon. If the client can move the dates, Vietnam in December is the safer bet.
Vietnam in December: the south only
Vietnam in December is easy if you stay south of Nha Trang. Mui Ne drops to three rain days, Phu Quoc to six, Vung Tau to three and a half, Con Dao to five and a half. Nha Trang still averages 14 rain days and 191 mm, and Da Nang 19 rain days with average highs of only 25 °C. Over Christmas and New Year, book Phu Quoc early: it is Vietnam’s largest island and the main island resort, and this winter it also has new direct flights from Russia (see our winter 2026–27 flight guide). Mui Ne has the same dry weather and is reached by road from Saigon.
January: Nha Trang comes back
For clients who could not travel in Vietnam in December, January is the best month for the far south: Phan Thiet averages fewer than one rain day and 266 hours of sun, the highest of the four months. It is also when Nha Trang turns usable. Rain days fall to under nine and rainfall to 43 mm, and Cam Ranh, where the Bai Dai resorts are, averages under six. Island trips in Nha Trang Bay become a realistic plan again; our Nha Trang travel guide covers the beaches. Da Nang still averages 12 rain days.
February: almost everywhere works
Compared with Vietnam in December, February adds Nha Trang to the list, and the choice becomes about the client, not the weather. Nha Trang has four rain days, Cam Ranh under three, Mui Ne and Vung Tau almost none. Da Nang dries to under six rain days, but highs of about 26 °C make it a better choice from March for swimming. Tet falls on Saturday 6 February 2027; domestic travel peaks around it, so book that week well ahead.
Agent Insight
Mui Ne has a steady wind from November to April, which is why kitesurfers love it. The wind usually builds through the day, so families with small children swim in the morning. Clients who want flat water and little wind are better on Phu Quoc, where Vietnam’s official tourism site describes the November–April dry season as bringing calm seas.
Which resort for Vietnam in December? A quick chooser
Most winter requests fall into one of four client types, and each points to a different coast.
- Families, short trip from Saigon: Mui Ne. The Mui Ne Beach Escape (4 Days) includes the transfer from Saigon, the cable car up Ta Cu Mountain, a sunrise jeep ride on the White Sand Dunes and three nights by the sea. More detail in our Mui Ne travel guide.
- Calm sea and an island feel: Phu Quoc from December, our first choice for Vietnam in December when the client wants an island. We do not publish a Phu Quoc package; we quote it to order.
- Quiet and remote: Con Dao, best from December.
- City, nightlife and boat days: Nha Trang, from mid-winter on. Book the Nha Trang full-day island tour from January, not in November.
FAQ
Where is the best beach in Vietnam in December?
Mui Ne/Phan Thiet and Phu Quoc. Both are in their dry season; Mui Ne averages three rain days in December, Phu Quoc six.
Is Nha Trang good in November or December?
Not for a beach holiday. November is Nha Trang’s wettest month (18 rain days on average) and December still averages 14. January is the turning point.
What is the weather like in Vietnam in December?
It depends on the region. Vietnam in December is dry and warm in the south (average highs of 29–31 °C in Mui Ne and Phu Quoc), wet and cooler on the central coast (about 25 °C in Da Nang) and cool in Hanoi, with average highs around 22 °C.
Is Da Nang a beach option in winter?
Not before late February. December and January still bring 19 and 12 rain days on average, and highs around 25 °C.
Book winter sun where it actually shines
VietOne Travel is a Vietnam-based DMC led by a founder with 33 years of local expertise. Whether it is Vietnam in December or a February escape, tell us the travel month and the client, and we match the resort.
