Vietnam is one of, if not the best, destinations in Southeast Asia that you must visit at least once in your life. Having a tropical climate, with an annual average temperature of 28°C – 34°C, Vietnam is the ideal spot for your next holiday. Especially during the colder months of December and January, it is best that you escape the winter breeze and come to Vietnam! Whether you are spending the next winter holiday travelling solo or with your family, here are some recommendations for planning the perfect trip to this wonderful tropical country. Follow this topic and get your suggestions for the top 5 best places for winter break in Vietnam!
What is the weather like in Vietnam during the winter?
November until February is actually the best period for you to visit Vietnam, as the whole country is endowed with pleasant weather.
During this time, the Northern region will experience winter weather, with an average temperature of 16°C. Mountainous areas in the North such as Sapa or Ha Giang has chilly winter and sometimes the temperature even drops to below 0°C. Sometimes you can catch a bit of snow falling down in these areas! Meanwhile, the Red Delta regions (Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Mai Chau) has milder weather, although it can be quite humid at times.
On the other hand, the Middle and Southern regions have an average temperature of 26°C to 28°C, with less intense heat and scorching sunlight than in the summer. Coming to the Southern region, you will experience pleasantly dry weather, with occasional drizzles every here and there. Come to the beaches or tropical islands and enjoy sunny days with a touch of light breeze in the ocean of Nha Trang, Muine or Phu Quoc.
Do keep in mind, however, that the weather varies considerably between each region. Thus this will bring you completely different experiences for your winter trip in Vietnam.
Best places to enjoy your winter holiday in Vietnam
Pu Luong
Remote, rustic and extremely beautiful, Pu Luong Nature Reserve is one of the off-the-beaten-track winter break destinations in Vietnam you should not miss. With its untouched landscape and serene location, Pu Luong is the perfect place to escape the freezing winter and immerse yourself in nature.
Pu Luong is located between Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa Province, about 160 kilometres from the centre of Hanoi. It’s a moderately popular weekend getaway for locals but sees little to no foreign tourists, making a nice change from the usual hustle-bustle of many popular tourist attractions. Established in 1999, Pu Luong Nature Reserve aims to protect the area’s natural resources and biodiversity. Upon entering, you will find pristine green forests, cultivated rice terraces and occasionally, some bamboo waterwheels. During the winter months, you’d see less of these lush rice fields and can experience light drizzles here and there. Nevertheless, this is a great time for trekking, as it adds more to the challenge!
It’s important to note that the area itself is quite secluded. There are no mobile networks or wi-fi here, so expect that you’d be joining a lot of outdoor activities! We recommend you do some trekking around the area or multi-day hikes here. In terms of accommodation, there is only one highly populated resort, called Pu Luong Retreat.
Hanoi
Without a doubt, Hanoi is another one of the best places to enjoy your winter break in Vietnam. Being a Buddhist and Confucianist country, Christmas is not a public holiday in Vietnam. However, it is still widely celebrated by both the Christian community and the locals. Come to Hanoi during the winter break, especially on Christmas’ Eve. You’ll find that tons of hotels, office buildings, and stores are adorned with sparkling ornaments, Christmas trees, and cute decorations. This along with the chilly weather will surely make you feel like home.
If you visit Hanoi during this time of the year, you will find that this festive atmosphere would last until as long as the beginning of February. This is when Tet Holiday (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) occurs. Visit the main Hanoi Walking Streets, the Old Quarter Streets such as Hang Ma, or the nearby shopping malls and immerse with the local life here. Additionally, you can take advantage of some holiday sales and bargains, and entertain yourself with some shopping!
Lan Ha Bay
When it comes to nature and sightseeing, Lan Ha Bay would always stay on top of our favourite list as one of the best places for winter break in Vietnam. If you’re not particularly fond of blending in with too many people in Hanoi, why not come to Lan Ha Bay? It is located in Cat Ba Town – a bit further away from Halong Bay but still sits in the same geological location. If Halong Bay is a bit overcrowded for your taste, then Lan Ha Bay is the best alternative solution for your winter getaway.
Lan Ha Bay abounds with small local fishing craft and water villages, gorgeous green karst limestones, and sparkling aquamarine water. It is a great spot for activities such as kayaking or rock climbing. Paddle through the open ocean, through a peaceful lagoon and the fishing villages, you will find some small beaches white powdery white sand and completely secluded. You can take a side trip to Cat Ba Island and enjoy your leisure time in one of its beach resorts, too!
Muine
Muine is a coastal city in Southern Vietnam, about 200 kilometres away from Ho Chi Minh City. Once a peaceful fishing village, Muine has now become a famous leisure destination amongst locals. If you are seeking something extraordinary this winter holiday, come visit Muine for its tranquil beaches and wonderful sand dunes.
Muine is generally sunnier and less stormy all year-round, so you can actually travel here anytime. Generally, Muine hosts a variety of lodging and accommodations, ranging from economical to more high-end ones that can cater to your budget. If you have an adventurous spirit, you can rent a motorbike and navigate around the area. You can find some gorgeous remote beaches with very few tourists. This guarantees that you’ll have the place all by yourself! Other activities you can enjoy include sand boarding and kite surfing.
Phu Quoc
Another highlight is Phu Quoc – the largest island of Vietnam. Nicknamed as the “Pearl Island” or “99-mountain-island”, Phu Quoc is deemed as the most beautiful island in Vietnam. It has breathtaking views, crystal clear water, porcelain-like sand, diverse sea creatures and a plethora of mouth-watering cuisine.
Escape the chilly weather of the North to enjoy the warm sunshine and sample delicious seafood. Additionally, you can participate in a variety of water activities such as surfing, snorkelling or scuba diving amongst the vibrant coral reefs. Phu Quoc is also home to a huge and diverse ecosystem, filled with many species of fish, birds and wild animals.
We hope you like our suggestions for the top 5 best places for winter break in Vietnam! A bit of a side note: if you want to thoroughly enjoy your winter holiday without fail, be sure to book everything at least 6 months earlier.
