Hanoi in December is one of the most comfortable temperature periods of the year, wonderful for traveling. If you want to visit here, read Seni World’s guide to learn about the weather, the best places, and travel tips.
Is December A Good Time To Visit Hanoi?
December is commonly considered an amazing time to visit Hanoi, particularly for travelers who love cooler, drier weather than hot and humid weather. This month is the center of Hanoi’s Winter. The air is usually crisp and dry, with very little rainfall, clear skies, and more sunshine. Therefore, these conditions are wonderful for sightseeing and outdoor activities without the ugly heat or heavy downpours.
Although it is not too cold like winter in temperate climates, travelers must prepare layers and warm apparel for the quite chilly weather, specifically in the evenings and early mornings, or sometimes when a “damp bloodless” sets in. Moreover, Hanoi in December offers captivating, festive surroundings due to Christmas and the New Year. This is a perfect choice for those looking for a vibrant city to enjoy festivals in a clean climate.
What’s The Weather Like In December In Hanoi?
Hanoi in December is in the dry season, featuring cool and typically comfortable weather. Daytime temperatures are perfect for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Both evenings and early mornings can be quite cold, so you should prepare warmer apparel. The humidity levels are also lower, which is a pleasant and less stifling vibe in comparison to different months of the 12 months.
Rainfall is very low in December, so it is one of the driest months in Hanoi, with a few light showers or drizzles. Cloud is also low, with regularly clear skies that are cloudy to partly cloudy for almost the entire day. You can enjoy the masses of sunshine. This stable and mild climate makes December one of the best times to visit Hanoi’s historic and cultural sights, as well as experience its nature and the hospitality of local people.
| Weather Aspect | Details |
| Temperature |
|
| Humidity | 60% – 75% (much drier and more comfortable) |
| Rainfall | 20 – 30 mm over 6 – 9 rainy days (is one of the driest months in the year, and usually has light showers) |
| Cloud Cover | The sky typically goes from clear to partly cloudy, and about 50% to 68% of the time, experiences clear or partly cloudy features. |
| Weather Pattern | Hanoi temperature in December is stable, mild, and dry. The typhoon season is over, so sudden and strong showers are rare. Both evenings and early mornings in Hanoi in December are cool and crisp. |
Best 10 Places To Visit In Hanoi In December
Hanoi in December is wonderful for travelers to visit, both enjoying outdoor activities and indoor attractions. Here are the 10 famous destinations for you to investigate when taking a capital of Vietnam itinerary trip in the cool December:
Hanoi Old Quarter
Hanoi Old Quarter is an interesting place for travelers to explore the local Vietnamese culture and take free walks in the cool and comfortable weather. You will have a chance to wander through the “36 Streets” (also called 36 Pho Phuong), coming across ancient, unique structures, special highlight shops, as well as bustling and energetic street food stalls.
Hanoi Opera House And French Quarter
Arriving in Hanoi in December, you can admire the grandeur of the Hanoi Opera House and take a leisurely stroll through the elegant, beautiful French Quarter. The extensive boulevards and colonial structure of these two places are really attractive to travelers who love old vibe buildings and enjoy the romantic atmosphere when walking in the December climate.
Temple Of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam)
Discovering Hanoi, you can not miss out on visiting the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam). This is the first nationwide university in Vietnam, which was built in 1170. Coming to this attraction, you can feel tranquility alongside a historically wealthy place. Its beautiful courtyards and conventional pavilions are suitable for travelers to explore within the fresh December air.
Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre
If you want to enjoy the particular and historic Vietnamese artwork form in a traditional indoor setting, let’s book tickets to visit Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in this Hanoi itinerary. The water puppet display with folk songs and a traditional, unique performance is a cultural spotlight and a super enjoyment for a cool December nighttime with family and friends.
Ta Hien Street (Beer Street)
Being regarded for its energetic and dynamic beer scene, in December, both local people and international travelers frequently congregate here for fresh beer (known as Bia Hoi, one of the iconic drinks in Hanoi), delicious hot pot, and grilled roadside meals. You can have hospitable conversations, enjoying the friendly warmth of the Vietnamese people here.
Train Street
Train Street is a narrow residential alley in Hanoi where trains bypass mere toes from local people’s homes and cafes. Although the right of entry to this place may be limited, if you discover a beautiful viewing spot, it will be a thrilling and particular photographic opportunity for you to have memorable photos to share on social media platforms. However, let’s take a look at the real-time right of entry policies of Train Street.
Old House at 87 Ma May
Old House at 87 Ma May is one of the famous attractions in Hanoi that travelers should visit when going to Hanoi. Taking a step into the Hanoi Old Quarter, you will see a great preserved traditional tube residence. Via this old house, let’s get a glimpse into how the local people of Hanoi lived in the past, and learn more about the fascinating insight into local history.
Cozy Cafes for Egg Coffee
Hanoi is well-known for its special coffee culture, and don’t forget to enjoy a cozy cafe here. Searching for a warm and comfortable cafe, mainly inside the Hanoi Old Quarter, then you can revel in a hot egg coffee (also called Ca Phe Trung, one of the symbolic drinks in Hanoi) or any other hot drinks. This is a wonderful way to relax and stay warm in Hanoi in December.
Local Hot Pot Restaurants
Hanoi weather in December is cool, so hot pot is the best, the most popular, as well as a comforting meal for both local people and travelers. Through Google Maps or by asking for local people’s reviews, let’s seek out a neighborhood hot pot restaurant for a delicious and social eating experience. This will warm you completely from the inside to the outside.
Hanoi Weekend Night Market
Hanoi Weekend Night Market is a bustling market that stretches through the Hanoi Old Quarter and only celebrates on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. The cozy December evenings in Hanoi are perfect for you to browse unique stalls, buy traditional souvenirs, and try delicious street food with your family and friends. Let’s take some pretty photos to save memories.
What To Pack For Hanoi In December
Hanoi in December is a dry and cool winter, and has many pleasant and refreshing conditions for traveling. So, besides learning about things to do in Hanoi in December, let’s find out more about what to wear and what to bring in this month to have an exciting and convenient journey in this place with family and friends.
Many Layers
Find out what to wear in Hanoi in December, many layers are recommended. You can wear long-sleeved shirts made from lightweight cotton or slightly warmer blends in the afternoons. For added warmth in early mornings, evenings, and midnights, let’s add one more layer, like sweaters or cardigans made from wool, fleece, or cashmere blends.
Long bottoms
With bottoms, you can wear long pants consisting of pieces of denim, chinos, or other warm trousers in Hanoi in December for enough warmth. Saying no to shorts or short skirts, as the temperatures are commonly too low for bare legs to be comfortable.
Warm outerwear
Some travelers from tropical lands usually ask, “Is Hanoi cold in December?”, and the answer is “Yes”. Therefore, a warm jacket or a medium-weight coat is very important for Hanoi in December, particularly in the evenings, at midnight, and in the early mornings. Let’s choose a padded jacket, a wool coat, or maybe a down-filled vest combined with a thick sweater for you.
Suitable footwear
Comfortable, closed-toe boots or walking footwear are suitable for strolling and keeping your toes warm in the cool air in December. Besides, consider wearing warm socks, particularly wool or thermal materials, so your toes will be warm enough in the duration of cooler temperatures.
Essential accessories
If you want to be pleasant in the dry and cool weather of Hanoi in December, don’t forget to bring essential accessories like a warm headscarf, a hat or beanie, thick gloves, a scarf, sunglasses, sunscreen to avoid strong UV rays, and a small day bag or backpack.
Travel Tips For Visiting Hanoi In December
For a happy and safe journey to Hanoi in December, you need to understand carefully and deeply the important travel tips. Let’s see some hints from Seni World below:
Warm yourself up with Hanoi’s cuisine
Hanoi in December is very cool, especially in the evenings, so let’s enjoy hot, iconic cuisine like Pho (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup), Bun Rieu (Vietnamese Crab Noodle Soup), Lau (Hot Pot), and famous Ca Phe Trung (Hot Egg Coffee),… from a street seller.
Go to indoor points of interest
Not only visiting outdoor attractions, you can also spend time in indoor destinations like the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, the Hoa Lo Prison Museum,… for both cultural immersion and comfortable warmth in Winter. Contact Seni World for consulting on a customized trip with indoor activities in your Hanoi itinerary.
Book lodging with heating
No longer are all hotels or motels in Hanoi are absolutely equipped with heating systems for the cold climate of Winter. Therefore, you should find out and choose a lodging that has proper heating to ensure a warm stay.
Utilize a ride-hailing app for convenience
It is a smooth and cheap way for you to get around, while the climate is too cold for long walks. Let’s install these local apps once you arrive in Hanoi.
Take note of the traffic
The traffic in Hanoi is dense and very chaotic, irrespective of the climate, so you must be careful whenever passing streets and don’t forget to focus on the signs and traffic light signals on streets or corners.
Bargain politely in local markets
You can bargain when purchasing in traditional local markets in Hanoi, like the Hanoi Weekend Night Market or the Dong Xuan Market. Remember, do this action with a friendly, happy smile and a polite attitude.
Basic medicines
When coming to Hanoi in December, you need to bring cold treatments, ache relievers, and any private medications, because the fluctuating temperatures in this region can sometimes cause minor illnesses for you.
Stay hydrated
Even in a cool climate, it is still critical for you to drink enough water, especially in case you are active and transferring around frequently.
Final Thoughts: Why December Is a Great Month to Explore Hanoi
Hanoi in December is one of the best times for both Vietnamese and global travelers to explore the brilliant capital of Vietnam because it has dry, cool, and pleasant weather. If you want to learn more about Hanoi, as well as consult travel tips, and receive support for the visa process, let’s contact Seni World, a reputable tour operator. We are here to help you from A to Z on your beautiful Hanoi discovery journey.
