Weather is always of the top concerns of all travelers when visiting Halong Bay. In December, winter comes. Although it is not the best for a Halong bay trip, December is a festive month with a vibrant atmosphere. That is not to mention the dry weather is ideal for activities such as kayaking, discovering the cave, visiting a fishing village, or riding a bike on Cat Ba Island. That explains why December is among the peak months in the UNESCO heritage site.
Halong Bay’s weather in December
Autumn is changing to Winter in December in Halong Bay. The cold weather comes more frequently. The highest temperature is just 21°C while the lowest drops to 15°C only.
Sunshine remains stable at 8 hours per day. There are around 7 rainy days per month. The rainfall is just a bit higher than November at 22mm but still among the lowest levels of the year. Light rain may not affect your trip and outdoor activities very much.
The chance to see cloudy days is 56%, a bit higher than the previous month. It is regularly foggy in December as well. However, the lowest humidity of 66% makes it very pleasant for travelers to enjoy the atmosphere instead of the muggy climate in the summertime.
The sea in December is cold at an average temperature of 21°C. It may not be a good time for swimming in Halong bay but other activities such as kayaking, bamboo boat riding, and soaking in a four-season jacuzzi pool (in some boats) are still favorites.
Pros of traveling to Halong in December
- Less rainfall and dry weather are convenient to travel and participate in outdoor activities.
- Low temperatures but Halong Bay does not have snow like some mountainous areas in Vietnam and other places in the world. So, it is ideal for a lot of international travelers.
- The bay is calm. Almost no chance of storms, thus no trip cancellation.
Cons of traveling to Halong in December
- It is cold in December. It may be just 15°C.
- There might be heavy fog and drizzles some days.
- Higher demand by international tourists. Thus, boats are fully booked more quickly.
- Halong is busier due to the peak season.
- Peak season surcharge is applied for Christmas and New Year.
Tips to make a perfect trip to Halong in December
- Bring warm clothes because it is cold in December.
- Book the trip in advance to make sure there is room availability.
- Check with the tour operator about peak season surcharges if any.
What festival you can join in December
Christmas (24 December): It is not a national holiday in Vietnam. At first, Christmas was an important festival for Catholics in Vietnam. Gradually, this is the occasion for every Vietnamese to hang out and do meaningful activities such as decorating houses in Christmas style and presenting gifts for children, family members, friends, or loved ones. In Halong, many cruises celebrate Christmas with exciting activities. There might include a gala dinner, a sweet party, a BBQ by the pool, and a live music performance. It is a nice way to see the worldwide festival in the special space of Halong Bay.
New Year's Eve (31 December): The big festival all over the world, including Vietnam. Like Christmas, travelers can join a New Year's Eve celebration on Halong Cruise with many festive activities - a special candle-lit dinner, live music, a countdown party, and more.