Taking a 15-day tour Vietnam in December offers ideal conditions for exploring a country rich in contrasts and traditions. From bustling cities to peaceful countryside and breathtaking natural sites, a 15-day Vietam itinerary lets you truly experience this country’s diversity. December in Vietnam is especially appealing thanks to its pleasant weather, perfect for cultural discoveries and genuine encounters. It’s also a chance to savor delicious cuisine and immerse yourself in a living heritage. Ready to plan your own adventure and see what a 15-day trip to Vietnam in December can reveal?
I. Is December a good month to visit Vietnam?
My name is Damirel, and last December, my wife and I, along with other couples of friends, decided to travel across Vietnam from South to North in 15 days. It was our first big trip together to Asia: we wanted authenticity, culture, and a bit of adventure… and we weren’t disappointed. Spending 15 days in Vietnam in December seemed like a gamble at first. We worried about rain, cold, or crowds. But in the end, it turned out to be the perfect month to visit.
In the
southern Vietnam, the dry heat and golden light greeted us as soon as we left the airport, we quickly had to shed our jackets and adapt to the tropical pace. In central, the temperatures in
Vietnam in December were milder, with a soft, sometimes hazy light that gave the old towns a mysterious charm. And in the
North Vietnam, we found mist and cold, like a dramatic backdrop for those untamed mountains and sculpted rice terraces.
A 15-day trip in Vietnam in December offers a whole palette of climates and atmospheres, perfect for a journey where we wanted to see, taste, and feel it all.
II. What to do in 15-day Vietnam itinerary in December?
➡️ Here’s an example of our 15-day itinerary in Vietnam, perfect for exploring the country in December. You can check it out here!
Day 1: Saigon Arrival
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh city tour
Day 3: Saigon - Mekong delta - Saigon
Day 4: Saigon - Flight to Da Nang – Hoi An
Day 5: Hoi An - Hue
Day 6: Hue - Visit Imperial City
Day 7: Hue - Flight to Hanoi - Night train to Lao Cai
Day 8: Lao Cai – Bac Ha market - Sapa
Day 9: Sapa - Trekking Lao Chai - Ta Van
Day 10: Sapa - Mu Cang Chai - Nghia Lo
Day 11: Nghia Lo - Hanoi - Duong Lam village
Day 12: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hanoi
Day 13 - 14: Hanoi - Halong bay (Overnight cruise) - Hanoi
Day 15: Hanoi Departure - See you again
1. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and the Mekong Delta
Our
15-day Vietnam tour in December started in
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): an absolute whirlwind. I’ve rarely seen a city so noisy and alive. There were eight of us, and I still remember our amazed faces as we watched the sea of scooters. Crossing the street became a game of laughter and mutual encouragement.
If you’re dreaming of an authentic tour, visiting Vietnam in December gives you perfect light and Ho Chi Minh City is the most vibrant stop on your 15-day Vietnam itinerary! We explored
Saigon, visiting the
Reunification Palace,
Notre Dame cathedral, and the old
Central Post Office. We all loved wandering through Ben Thanh market, it drew us in completely with its spices, colorful fabrics, and the smell of grilled food. We drank iced sugarcane juice and tried the famous Vietnamese coffee: so strong, so sweet. Everyone found their own little treasure: handmade jewelry, linen shirts, spices for home. One evening, we all shared dinner on a rooftop, raising a glass to the start of our adventure as the city lights twinkled below.
For a good rest and to recharge during your 15 days in Vietnam in December, make sure to check out Saigon best accommodations not to be missed! Next came the
Mekong Delta in our
2-week Vietnam itinerary. Here, everything slowed down. Wooden boats glided along coconut-lined canals, the water heavy and calm. It felt timeless and peaceful. My wife was captivated by the women in conical hats paddling so gracefully. We watched them row standing up on their sampans, visited a coconut candy workshop, and shared a grilled fish lunch on an island.
During our
15 days in Vietnam in December, that coconut candy workshop was a hit, sweet little gifts for our friends's kids back home. Our lunch on the island was a highlight: grilled fish, homemade spring rolls, shared laughter. The contrast between electric Saigon and the tranquil Mekong really struck us. Even the most talkative among us fell silent, mesmerized by the slow flow of the river. We felt we were entering another side of
Vietnam in 2 weeks: older, more authentic.
2. Hoi An – Hue – Da Nang: What to Do in central Vietnam?
Visiting Vietnam in December, after a short domestic flight, we found ourselves in a whole new setting:
Hoi An greeted us with its red and yellow lanterns. Explore
Hoi An at night, the old town felt almost unreal. We strolled as couples along the river, lit by thousands of glowing lanterns, whispering to each other : "It’s like a fairytale!" The charm was everywhere: in the faded yellow facades, the narrow cobbled lanes, the little restaurants serving steaming bowls of cao lau. Even our friends who usually "don’t like touristy places" admitted they were completely won over. We even took a cooking class to learn local recipes, a delicious way to connect with the culture.
Then came
Hue imperial city. It felt much more solemn.
15 jours in December in Vietnam mist gave the citadel an almost melancholy atmosphere: massive gates, still moats, carved dragons. We visited the imperial tombs scattered along the Perfume river. There was a hushed, respectful silence. You felt small in the face of so much history.
These days in our two-week Vietnam tour brought a more cultural, introspective touch to the trip. We moved from the laughter of Hoi An to the quiet contemplation of Hue, a perfect balance.
3. Hanoi – Sapa – Ninh Binh – Ha Long Bay: What to do in the North?
During our
15 days in Vietnam in December trip,
Hanoi welcomed us with packed sidewalks and endless honking, a real cultural shock. But soon we were off on an overnight train heading north. What an interesting experience! We cracked jokes in our cramped cabins, rocked to sleep by the rhythmic sway.
Take advantage of your 15-day Vietnam itinerary in December to see all Hanoi must-visit sites:-> Hanoi Old Quarter 15 days tour in Vietnam, in the early morning, the cold hit us hard. At
Bac Ha sunday market, it was an explosion of color: Hmong women in pleated skirts, stalls overflowing with vegetables, piglets tucked under arms. We were fascinated, maybe even a little self-conscious at how foreign we felt, but always greeted with warm smiles.
Then
Sapa, with its terraced rice fields, even in the dry season, they formed an endless patchwork on the mountain slopes. We hiked for hours through Lao Chai and Ta Van, crossing paths with buffalo, giggling children, and spent the night in a homestay on thin mattresses but under warm blankets.
Finally
Mu Cang Chai and Nghia Lo: winding roads, dramatic photo stops, rice terraces like natural amphitheaters glowing gold. The air was crisp, clean, almost biting. In the evenings, we toasted with rice wine, laughing at our cheeks reddened by the cold.
Explore northern Vietnam with your 15-day December Vietnam tour. Wondering what to do in Sapa and Mu Cang Chai? Don’t miss our tips on the best activities, recommended stays, and must-try dishes to make your trip to Northern Vietnam even more special. These stops on our
15-day Vietnam trip in December really brought our little group closer. We discovered new sides of each other through shared challenges and wonder. We made our way back to Hanoi with a stop in
Duong Lam ancient village: old laterite houses, quiet lanes, a true journey back in time.
And are you ready to feel the emotion of an authentic 15-day Vietnam itinerary adventure? Request a free quote to start planning your December discovery of Vietnam. There’s truly no better time!
Then on to
Halong bay. We boarded our junk boat: comfortable cabins, friendly crew. An unforgettable cruise among mist-shrouded karst formations and hidden caves. In the evening, we sipped drinks on the deck. Our friends exclaimed, "It feels like we’re the only people in the world!"
Our last morning on the bay: coffee on deck, watching the early mist lift. Back on land, we continued to
Ninh Binh. We took a sampan ride in Trang An, gliding between limestone cliffs, ducking under low caves. We visited the temples of Hoa Lu, the ancient capital, full of sacred atmosphere. Our final night in Hanoi, we walked around Hoan Kiem Lake, savored egg coffee, and said goodbye to Vietnam with big smiles.
III. 15-day tour Vietnam in December – What should notice?
What to do in Vietnam 15 days? Visiting 15-day in Vietnam in December is perfect: dry and warm in the south, mild in the center, cool in the north. Bring a light sweater for the mountains!
- Group travel: Sharing these moments really deepens friendships. As couples, we enjoyed the laughter, the heartfelt conversations, the shared dinners.
- Respect local culture: Learn a few words of Vietnamese (Xin Chào, Cảm ơn, Không có gì,..), smile, stay humble.
- Varied transport: Domestic flights, overnight trains, private cars, boats. Don’t fear the occasional discomfort—that’s part of the adventure. --> Read more How to get around Vietnam?
- Choose a good guide or local agency: They make travel easier, translate, explain. We got to focus on enjoying and discovering.
- Taste everything: Pho, bun cha, exotic fruits, Vietnamese coffee. Even if not everything suits your taste, that’s the joy of travel. --> Explore more must-try dishes in Vietnam.
- Be open to others: Talk with locals, listen to their stories. That’s what moved us the most.
Our 15 days in Vietnam in December revealed a country full of contrasts, vibrant yet peaceful, spiritual yet wild. We shared laughter with friends, stood in awe before stunning landscapes, and quietly absorbed moving moments. This 2-week itinerary in December in Vietnam brought us blue skies, gentle mists, authentic encounters, and a glimpse into timeless traditions. If you're wondering what to visit in Vietnam in December, don’t overthink it go. Vietnam may not be a perfect destination, but it’s a profoundly real one. That’s what makes you come back changed!
A huge thank you to the entire
Autour Asia's team –
Vietnam local travel agency for giving us the most beautiful memories of this
15-day Vietnam tour. A special thanks to Duy, Joseph, and Eliese, and to everyone on the team. We look forward to seeing you next year for new adventures in Vietnam. Happy travels to you all!
Toulouse, 29th June 2025
LUCAS DEMIREL
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ITA