What's the Weather Like in Hanoi in December?
Temperature
Average temperatures are on the further decline in the last month of the year in Hanoi. These, in general, vary between 15C (59F) and 22C (71.6F), but deviations from these values do occur. In this regard, daily low temperatures tend to range from 9C (48.2F) to 21C (69.8F), even more, while highs usually remain between 15C (59F) and 28C (82.4F). This time of year, the capital of Vietnam features much lower daily temperatures than Yangon in Myanmar.
In this North Vietnamese destination, days usually feature pleasant temperatures in December. As the end of the year gets nearer, the interval of cool temperatures expands. At the beginning of the month, it feels comfortable from around 9 am until 4 am (19 hours). By the end of December, this period ranges from around 11:30 am to 7 pm.
Sunshine hours
The city of Hanoi features around 4 sunshine hours on average in December. The rest of the daylight hours, the sky over Ha Noi is overcast or mostly cloudy this time of year.
Rainfall
Typically, December is the second least rainy month throughout the year, January only receives 10mm of rain. The dry season is at full swing, and this destination receives between 20 mm/0.79 in and 30 mm/1.18 in of rainfall during the month on average. According to statistics, a chance of a rainy day is somewhat bigger at the beginning of December (8%) than at the month's end (6%). Overall, Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, features between 6 and 9 wet days in the year's final month. The precipitation, when it occurs, comes as light rain.
Wind speed
Essentially, the average strength of the wind is constant in Vietnam's capital in December. The average speed of the wind is 2.9 m/s throughout the month. In most cases, days feature stronger winds than nights.
Humidity
This destination in North Vietnam features pleasant conditions when it comes to humidity in December. The average relative humidity is around 67% during this period, which feels comfortable. From the statistical point of view, the chances of muggy or oppressive conditions decline from 31% on December 1 to 16% on December 31.
Sunrise and sunset
December 1 features the longest daylight in the month. Then, the sun rises at 6:16 am and sets at 5:14 pm (10:57 hours of daylight). December 22 is the day with the shortest daylight in the course of the year. Its duration on that day is 10:51 hours, with the sunrise and sunset taking place at 6:29 am and 5:20 pm. On December 1, daybreak occurs at 6:33 am while sundown takes place at 5:25 pm (10:52 hours of daylight).
Extraordinary weather occurrences
With the typhoon season over until late spring, the only potential hazard of nature Hanoi might experience this time of year is an earthquake. However, the chances of this happening are low, as suggested by the historical data. In the last 30 years, any fairly stronger earthquake that took place in North Vietnam failed to affect the city.
Albeit this destination features pleasant, or at least cool, temperatures in winter, these might decrease sometimes. On these occasions, Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital, may experience daily highs up to 10C (50F) during a few consecutive days.
Hanoi Hotels in December
Accommodation providers range from affordable guesthouses to exclusive hotels in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. And you can find a great many of them in the Old Quarter, the French Quarter and around West Lake. These areas are popular among travelers in particular since they feature close proximity to many key points of interest.
Heart Hotel
Heart Hotel is a 2-star property, located in Hanoi Old Quarter. Rooms dispose of air conditioning, safety deposit boxes, flat-screen TVs and bathrooms with toiletries. Some of them feature views of adjacent Hoan Kiem Lake. Free wireless internet is available throughout the hotel. Heart Hotel is around 26 kilometers (16.1 miles) away from Noi Bai international airport.
Calypso Premier Hotel
Calypso Premier Hotel is a 3-star hotel within a walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake and other popular attractions of the Old and French Quarters. The distance between the property and the international airport is, depending on the route, up to 30 kilometers (18.6 miles). Rooms and suites range in size from 25 m2 to 45 m2. Some in-room facilities are air-conditioners, TVs with flat screens and minibars. Guests of certain rooms dispose of a computer. Room service is an additional amenity.
Hanoi Pearl Hotel
Hanoi Pearl Hotel is a 4-star establishment featuring rooms and suites of various sizes (from 25 m2 to 68 m2). Located next to Hoan Kiem Lake, the property is within walking distance to the top tourist points of interest in the city. The equipment of the accommodation units consists of safes, TVs with flat screens, air-conditioners, minibars and tea/coffee makers. A restaurant and a lounge bar are available on site, as well as a spa and a gym. Wi-Fi is free of charge. Depending on the route, the distance between the airport and Hanoi Pearl Hotel varies from 25 km/15.5 mi to 30 km/18.6 mi.
Somerset Grand Hotel
5-star Somerset Grand Hanoi is located near Hoan Kiem Lake and other city's top attractions. Large apartments (from 64 m2 to 162 m2) feature utmost comfort and floor to ceiling windows, which provide panoramic views of the city. Units dispose of kitchens, flat-screen TVs, DVDs, home entertainment systems and complimentary toiletries. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel's premises. Some accompanying facilities are a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, gym, children's playground and a tennis court. A business center is also at disposal.
Bars and Restaurants
The capital of Vietnam features many outdoor cafés where you can enjoy pleasant weather this time of year. Sitting on the seats that are half the height of your knees is an essential part of the authentic experience. Other hospitality facilities you should check out are quite diverse, ranging from street stalls and food trucks to upscale dining venues. Finally, Vietnamese cuisine features some extraordinary dishes, including bun cha, whose main ingredients are noodles and pork meat. But if you prefer something more extravagant, certain eateries serve specialties based on snake meat.
Xofa Cafe & Bistro
Xofa Café & Bistro is a café serving various international specialties, including Italian, French and Mexican. Touristy areas of Hanoi Old Quarter are nearby. An additional convenience for potential customers is that Xofa works 24 hours a day.
Newday Restaurant
Newday Restaurant is a budget-friendly eatery, located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital. The restaurant serves dishes of Vietnamese cuisine and is extremely popular among tourists and locals. Consequently, it tends to get very crowded, so don't hesitate to take a seat if the opportunity presents itself. Opening hours of Newday Restaurant are from 9:30 am to 11 pm.
Apron Up Restaurant
Apron Up Restaurant is a traditional Vietnamese eatery located in the downtown area. Prices are moderate, and the restaurant caters to gourmands and vegetarians. Some dishes in the menu are fish cakes, spring rolls, noodle salads and seafood. Apron Up organizes cooking classes. The restaurant is open from 8 am until 10 pm.
Press Club
Press Club is an exclusive restaurant in the French Quarter in Ha Noi. Set in a pleasant ambiance, Press Club serves seasonal food and steaks. It also has a great wine list. If you need to get some job quickly done, make use of available Wi-Fi. Happy Hours last from 5 pm to 7 pm, while on Thirsty Thursdays, you get 2 drinks for 1 paid. The dining venue is open from 8 am to midnight.
Things to do in Hanoi in December
Temple of Literature
The Temple of Literature is one of the top attractions of the city of Hanoi. Behind the recognizable gate, you will find an oasis of calm no matter how many people happen to be inside the complex. This attraction is an ideal place for observation of the traditional Vietnamese architecture, which comprises tiles and wood for the most part. More so, the Temple of Literature consists of 5 separate courtyards, each with its own story and significance. One of them honors famous Chinese philosopher Confucius, to whom the construction of the temple was devoted to.
Cyclo
Getting around in a cyclo, a three-wheel vehicle, is a popular activity among tourists in Hanoi. If you visit this destination and Ho Chi Minh City during your stay in Vietnam, the difference between the types of cyclos and prices will strike you immediately. In general, deals that you should accept for an hour's ride in Ha Noi are around 100 000 VND (approx. 4.5 USD). Two passengers pay somewhat more.
Christmas
Maybe Vietnam and its capital aren't the places most people identify with the Christmas. Yet, this popular religious event throughout the world introduces beautiful decoration on the city's streets. In churches, you can attend concerts of classical music and examine reconstructions of the nativity scene. Go to the Saint Joseph's Cathedral for the premium experience. Visiting shopping areas and malls is another activity suitable for this time of year. Some shopping centers you shouldn't leave behind are Savico Magamall, Ruby Plaza and Garden Mall.
