In December the weather is at its best in 11 of the 15 destinations we cover. Here is where to go, region by region.
SouthGreatSoutheast coast
Saigon's weekend beach, with sunrise and sunset over the sea.
CentralGreatCentral Highlands
Volcanoes, lava-tube caves and a lake dotted with green islands.
SouthGreatMekong Delta
Floating villages, Cham mosques and Khmer pagodas on the Cambodian border.
SouthGreatSouth Central Coast
Red and white sand dunes, kitesurfing winds and a fishing fleet at dawn.
SouthGreatMekong Delta
Coconut country: canals, orchards and islands in the Mekong.
SouthGreatSoutheast
Rainforest, gibbons and crocodile lakes in Cat Tien National Park.
SouthGreatMekong Delta
Lotus fields, flower villages and red-headed cranes.
SouthGreatSoutheast
Craft villages, fruit orchards and temples just north of Saigon.
Cool and mostly dry. Hanoi is pleasant in a jacket; the mountains get cold, with possible frost at altitude.
| Destination | Avg high | Rain | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bac Ninh | 22°C | 34 mm | Great |
| Hanoi | 22°C | 34 mm | Great |
| Ba Be Lake & Bac Kan | 21°C | 39 mm | Good |
| Cao Bang | 20°C | 39 mm | Good |
Rain continues, but less intensely late in the month. Cool and grey in Hue; the highlands are entering their dry season.
| Destination | Avg high | Rain | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dak Nong Geopark | 27°C | 32 mm | Great |
| Quy Nhon | 26°C | 239 mm | Good |
| Da Nang | 24°C | 338 mm | Fair |
Dry, sunny and comfortable. High season begins for Phu Quoc and the Mekong Delta.
| Destination | Avg high | Rain | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vung Tau | 29°C | 55 mm | Great |
| Chau Doc & An Giang | 31°C | 71 mm | Great |
| Mui Ne & Phan Thiet | 31°C | 61 mm | Great |
| Ben Tre | 30°C | 88 mm | Great |
| Dong Nai & Cat Tien | 31°C | 66 mm | Great |
| Dong Thap | 30°C | 85 mm | Great |
| Binh Duong | 31°C | 65 mm | Great |
| Bac Lieu | 29°C | 110 mm | Great |