Month guide · Hanoi · Vietnam
Hanoi in December
What December is really like in Hanoi: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Clay Gilliland, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
December is one of the best months to visit Hanoi. Expect average highs of 22°C (72°F), lows of 16°C (61°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 10.9 hours of daylight. Cool and mostly dry, with occasional chilly spells; air pollution can be high on still days.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 22°C (72°F) / 16°C (61°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Hanoi: days average 22°C (72°F) against a yearly average high of 27°C (81°F), and nights fall to about 16°C (61°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with November (25°C (77°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:26
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:18
- Daylight
- About 10.9 hours
Winter (December–January). Cool, grey and damp with chilly nights; good for walking, but bring layers and check air quality.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in October). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas Eve crowds and decorations around St Joseph's Cathedral (24 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Architecture · Old Quarter
Long Biên Bridge
Built by French engineers between 1899 and 1902, this steel cantilever bridge of more than 2 kilometres over the Red River was bombed repeatedly during the American War and patched up.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Views
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Neighbourhood · Old Quarter
Old Quarter guild streets
Walk it in the morning when shops open and traffic is lighter, and look up to see the narrow façades above the shopfronts.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- History
- Photo spot
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Historic site · Ba Đình
Temple of Literature
Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this walled complex housed Vietnam's first university, the Imperial Academy.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Landmark · Ba Đình
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Ba Đình Square
Arrive early in the morning, dress with shoulders and knees covered, and leave large bags at the check-in; the mausoleum closes on some days and for maintenance periods, so check before you go.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours with the grounds
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
What to pack
For highs near 22°C, lows near 16°C and 5 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Hanoi?
One of the best months to visit Hanoi, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are March–April and October–November. Compare every month.
Hanoi in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Hanoi?
It is one of the best months to visit Hanoi. Cool and mostly dry, with occasional chilly spells; air pollution can be high on still days.
+How warm is Hanoi in December?
Average highs are around 22°C (72°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Hanoi in December?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.