Top 10 Places to Spend your Christmas in Vietnam

If you are planning for your vacation this winter, here are some recommendations for your perfect Christmas in Vietnam.

As the year draws to a close, winter is coming, as well as Christmas and New Year. It’s the best time of the year for a holiday to unwind, change scenery, shop, gather with loved ones, and savor delicious meals. Christmas in Vietnam is the perfect time to explore this captivating country. Travelers discover not only stunning landscapes and rich cultures but also streets adorned with dazzling decorations and countless festive events.

St. Joseph’s Church in Hanoi beautifully illuminated for Christmas.

What is the weather like during Christmas in Vietnam?

Christmas and New Year are ideal times to travel to Vietnam since the whole country is endowed with pleasant weather. December brings pleasantly mild weather across Vietnam, with average temperatures of 16°C in the north and 26–28°C in the center and south. You’ll escape the scorching heat and heavy rains of summer. There is still a considerable variation in the weather between different regions; the North, Centre, and South will bring different experiences for your Christmas holiday in Vietnam.

Winter in Vietnam runs from December to February, with temperatures dropping to 0°C in the northern mountains, such as Sapa and Ha Giang. You may witness the romantic scenery of snow covering all mountains, hills, terraced rice fields, and stilt houses. Meanwhile, the weather is more tolerable in the Red Delta region (Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Mai Chau) where the lowest temperature ranges from 8–10°C.

If you are thinking of a tour to Central or Southern Vietnam, you will be rewarded with a pleasant dry season in December. There may be some drizzles in Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An, but overall it will be sunny and warm all day. Beaches in Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Da Nang come alive with a gentle breeze, ideal for some water sports in Vietnam, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and kite surfing.

How is Christmas celebrated in Vietnam?

Since the country is more influenced by Buddhism and Taoism than Christianity, Christmas is not a public holiday in Vietnam. Yet the festival is still vibrant and celebrated by most Vietnamese people because of its joyful and warm atmosphere, especially in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The Christmas celebration in Vietnam lasts 2 days: the Christmas Eve on 24^th December and the following day. From early December, many hotels, office buildings, and stores are decorated with Christmas trees and sparkling ornaments, which makes foreign tourists feel like they are at home. Many shopping malls offer special promotion campaigns to boost sales.

The pedestrian street by Hoan Kiem Lake is filled with Christmas carol performances.

On Christmas Eve, Christian people gather at a local church, pray for peace and happiness, and listen to Christian Hymns. Two most beautiful and crowded churches in Vietnam on this occasion are St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi Old Quarter and Notre-Dame Cathedral in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. For non-Christian people they dress up nicely to go out. The locals often spend time together with their family and lovers, hold hands while strolling colorful streets, or enjoy Christmas dishes at a restaurant. Christmas markets, open-air concerts, and fireworks complete the festive mood of Christmas in Vietnam.

Best places to enjoy your Christmas in Vietnam

Christmas falls in the middle of the peak tourism season, and there are numerous places you can spend time during Christmas in Vietnam.

1. Sapa

Sapa takes you into an Asian Christmas fairy tale, where white snow may dust the terraced rice fields. Upon arrival, the majestic Fansipan looms, while ethnic villages such as Cat Cat, Ta Phin, Lao Chai, or Ta Van feel like living postcards. The stone church, built in 1895 by the French, stands proudly with its intact Gothic architecture. Its square buzzes nightly: Hmong and Dao dance in embroidered costumes, selling silk scarves and silver bracelets under electric garlands.

Snow day in Sapa.

On December 24, Sapa hosts its ethnic Christmas in Vietnam market: stalls of hot rice wine, coconut-stuffed sticky rice cakes, and local choirs singing classic Christmas songs in Vietnamese. Nighttime temperatures will decrease by 0°C, so pack a down jacket, scarf, and beanie for dawn treks on snowy paths. Short hikes to waterfalls or hamlets reveal breathtaking white valleys. At night, retreat to a stilt-house homestay: crackling fire, local beef fondue, and elders’ tales of mountain spirits giving you a cozy feeling in a completely foreign country.

2. Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh escapes the Christmas in Vietnam crowds, offering serene respite before peak season. The UNESCO-listed Trang An landscape unfolds limestone peaks amid lotus seas and golden rice fields. Board a rowboat in Tam Coc: it glides through caves, brushing vine-draped cliffs, while rowers paddle with their feet, a quirky, poetic sight. Bai Dinh Pagoda, Vietnam’s largest, awes with 500 Arhat statues and a 100-ton Buddha. Nearby, Phat Diem Cathedral shines as a Viet-Gothic gem: rice-stone façades, curved tile roofs, and carved wooden pillars echoing pagodas. On December 24, a bilingual Mass fills the vaults with Gregorian chants. Local hotels in Ninh Binh serve authentic dinners of stuffed carp and bird’s nest soup. You can rent a bike to Mua Caves: 500 steps lead to a 360° panorama over the “terrestrial Halong Bay.” At dusk, floating lanterns light the rivers, and cafés serve creamy egg coffee. Ninh Binh is Christmas in Vietnam in zen, contemplative mode.

3. Halong Bay

December is a great time for a cruise to Halong Bay as the weather is drier than it is in the summertime. The bay could get foggy sometimes, which creates mysterious and majestic scenery. Celebrating Christmas on the bay, you can immerse yourself in the captivating landscapes with stalagmites and stalactites of various shapes and sizes, as well as emerald beaches. Exotic wood cabins offer panoramic views of limestone peaks. Mornings bring kayaking through natural arches, while in the afternoon, you can explore lit caves where stalactites and stalagmites form underground cathedrals. Emerald beaches on Titov Island stay deserted, perfect for a private picnic.

Enjoy the Christmas and New Year countdown on a Halong Bay cruise.

Aboard renovated traditional junks, Christmas Eve preparations begin: garlands on masts, a mini tree on the upper deck, and Franco-Vietnamese fusion menus—tamarind foie gras, cheese spring rolls, green tea yule log. Also, there are several exhilarating activities, from kayaking, rowing boats, and sightseeing to a cooking demonstration class. Some operators offer special cooking classes during Christmas in Vietnam: crab spring rolls and revisited chicken pho. In the Evenings, a bubbling jacuzzi under the stars offsets the chill (the water in the bay will be at 20°C, that’s too cold for swimming). With Christmas-themed decorations, the junks glow like giant lanterns, the bay’s silence broken only by lapping waves.

4. Hanoi

Hanoi is where you can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere entirely, thanks to its cold weather. From the beginning of December, the whole city is decorated with sparkling Christmas patterns, turning Hanoi into an elegant street fair. Here are our suggestions for some places you can visit around for Christmas in the capital city:

Hanoi Walking Streets

Hoan Kiem Lake beats at the heart: its pedestrian banks host a pop-up Christmas in Vietnam market, with roasted chestnuts, gingerbread, and hand-painted baubles. The walking streets attract tourists every weekend for numerous folk performances. You can understand Vietnamese culture and relax from the stressful workplace when coming to this area. On Christmas, the festive environment around the lake with glittering lights and twinkling ornaments will delight all travelers.

Hang Ma Street

Hang Ma Street contains several local vendors which sell ornaments for special occasions such as International Children’s Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, Halloween Day, Christmas and Tet holiday. Since early December, the street erupts in red and gold: plastic Santas, mini trees, LED garlands, bamboo postcards. The cafes and restaurants in the area are decorated with Christmas themes, along with a cup of hot chocolate and classic Christmas Jazz music to create an even cozier feeling.

Christmas decorations in Hang Ma Street.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral

Located in the heart of the Old Quarter, west of Hoan Kiem Lake, St. Joseph’s Cathedral (Nha Tho Lon) is one of the oldest colonial buildings in Hanoi. The colonial gem from 1986 draws crowds: its neo-Gothic façade glows at dusk, and Midnight Mass on December 24 unites locals and expats in reverence. You can arrive early on Christmas night for Latin hymns.

Shopping Malls

Christmas is the best time of the year for shopping lovers. Malls, such as Vincom, Times City, and Royal City, compete with giant trees, children’s choirs, and special deals for the event. Do not forget to take advantage of this time to buy some brand clothing at a favorable price.

5. Hoi An

Hoi An lights for Christmas, turning the Thu Bon River into a starry mirror. UNESCO cobblestone lanes glow with red-and-gold silk lanterns. The Japanese Covered Bridge, strung with garlands, is the ultimate photo spot. Local tailors sew custom red and gold attire, perfect for memorable evenings. At night, thousands of floating lanterns drift; children light them with wishes. From December 20–31, the lantern festival in Hoi An will double the magic: decorated boat processions, traditional music concerts, and foie gras banh mi stalls. For a touch of Vietnamese cuisine, try lemongrass chicken rice or cao lau (thick noodles sautéed with crispy pork). Riverside cafés serve authentic Vietnamese coffee and hot chocolate. You can rent a bike to cycle to An Bang Beach, where white sand, palms, and candlelit seafood restaurants offer a romantic setting. Boutique hotels erect Christmas trees and host candlelit dinners. On December 24, a Mass is held in the small chapel on Tran Phu Street.

6. Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc, nicknamed as ‘Pearl Island’, promises a paradisiacal Christmas holiday in Vietnam. Visiting this island on Christmas, you can escape from the chilly weather of Northern Vietnam, enjoy the warm sunshine, sample delicious seafood, and participate in fishing, snorkeling, surfing, and diving the coral reefs. Besides the beaches, Phu Quoc Natural Park is where you can explore a rich and diverse ecosystem with a large number of natural resources.

The giant Christmas tree installed in Sunset Town Square in Phu Quoc.

Luxury resorts in Phu Quoc compete in splendor: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay builds a giant Christmas village with artificial ice rink; Premier Village erects a 12m seashell tree; Vinpearl Resort fires synchronized seaside fireworks nightly from Dec 24–31, and their private beaches glow with torches and LED garlands at night. Theme parks invite for a memorable family tour in Vietnam: VinWonders Phu Quoc becomes “Winter Wonderland”, with giant puppet shows, Santa-costumed character parades, and a polar train through snowy sets. Kids will definitely love the Phu Quoc Safari opens special Christmas night: stargazing, campfire tales, gift-giving by costumed guides.

7. Da Lat

Considered as the best place to spend a honeymoon vacation in Vietnam, Da Lat has never become boring for couples. The city of eternal love becomes a Christmas garden. Admiring the landscapes associated with faithful and loyal love, sipping morning coffee at dreamy Ho Xuan Huong Lake, and holding hands on the quiet street in Da Lat when night falls in the colder air will make your love more sublimated. Hotels and homestays across the city are all decorated, and often host candlelit romantic dinners with Dalat wine. The flower festival will also be held during the Christmas days (Dec 20-Jan 5), exploding in color: roses, hydrangeas, cascading mimosas. Da Lat will be a little bit cold in the evening, so make sure you bring warm clothes.

8. Ho Chi Minh City

Although it is warm in Ho Chi Minh City on Christmas, you can still fully enjoy the festive season here since there are many places for entertainment in this city. Check out some of the most exciting places to celebrate Christmas in Ho Chi Minh City:

Notre-Dame Cathedral

One of the must-visit attractions in Saigon during Christmas in Vietnam is the splendid Notre-Dame Cathedral. Located in the city centre, the cathedral is surrounded by various decorated restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, and clubs. On Christmas night, the cathedral is illuminated by twinkling lights and hosts Midnight Mass, attracting locals and travelers to celebrate the joy.

Although under renovation, Notre-Dame Cathedral is still beautifully decorated in anticipation of Christmas.

Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Nguyen Hue walking street becomes an open stage. On Christmas, locals often gather at Nguyen Hue Walking Street to immerse themselves in the cozy atmosphere of this occasion as well as enjoy dancing, singing, and light water music performances, and cultural exhibitions. Along both sides of the road, there are food stalls, bubble tea shops, fast food restaurants, and convenience stores.

Bui Vien Street

Praised as ‘the street that never sleeps’, there is no kind of entertainment that you cannot find at Bui Vien Street. This is where the locals, expats, and tourists can meet each other. This street is filled with cafes, restaurants, sports bars, pubs, and nightclubs. You can tantalize your taste buds with local Vietnamese food, such as snails and grilled meat, or just grab some craft beer while enjoying the buzzing DJ sets till dawn.

Takashimaya Centre

Inaugurated in 2016, Takashimaya Centre has soon become one of the best shopping malls in Ho Chi Minh City, where you can find products from luxury brands and try some delicious food. Remember to take a selfie in some elegantly ornamented stores here.

9. Da Nang

Da Nang blends modern city and endless beaches for Christmas in Vietnam. The Dragon Bridge spits fire and water nightly in December, synced with red-and-gold lights. My Khe Beach, 30 km long, hosts pop-up Christmas markets: banh trang nuong, ginger mulled wine, and coconut-carved ornaments. Five-star hotels such as Furama, InterContinental, and Hyatt erect giant Christmas trees and host beach galas with grilled seafood, tamarind foie gras, and Vietnamese coffee yule log.

On December 24, the pink Rooster Church holds bilingual Midnight Mass; stained glass casts color on áo dài-clad worshippers. Downtown pedestrian streets burst with LED décor: scooter Santas, neon reindeer, children’s choirs singing Jingle Bells in Vietnamese.

Theme parks transform into a Christmas wonderland: Asia Park becomes “Christmas Fantasy”, featuring lit Ferris wheel, garland-draped rides, and a nighttime Mickey parade. Ba Na Hills offers a winter feel in a medieval village, with French-inspired structures covered in artificial snow, and a Christmas Mass ringing out at Saint-Denis Church. Evenings in Da Nang bring Han River fireworks synced to Christmas classic songs. You can visit a rooftop cafe/bar, and from above, you can admire the glittering skyline.

Christmas in Ba Na Hills brings the feeling of a bustling medieval town.

10. Nha Trang

When it comes to a beach vacation in Vietnam, Nha Trang should be on your bucket list. The city offers a variety of beautiful landscapes as well as numerous dining options, bars, pubs, and clubs. Dai Beach stretches 7 km, lined with palms and seafood restaurants. You can take a boat trip to some islands, such as Hon Mun, Hon Mot, Hon Tam, and Hon Tre to enjoy a tranquil atmosphere and take part in diving and snorkeling sessions: colorful corals, turtles, and parrotfish schools. The Po Nagar Cham Towers, a Cham empire relic, will also light up for the occasion. Beach bars play Christmas jazz and serve fresh cocktails. Five-star hotels across the city erect seashell trees and host lobster buffets. December 25 brings a floating brunch on bamboo platforms. Downtown streets overflow with street food stalls and coconut ice cream vendors.

Experience the magic of Christmas in Vietnam with Paradise Travel

Christmas is the perfect time for a Vietnam tour, as the country reveals itself in an endless array of delightful shades. If you dream of romantic chill and snowy vistas, allow Sapa and Ninh Binh to envelop you in mist and pristine white fields. For a memorable Christmas dinner, Halong Bay cruises remain utterly unmatched. Those who adore glittering urban energy will lose themselves joyfully in the illuminated markets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Families seeking sunshine, endless beaches, and whimsical theme parks will be charmed by Nha Trang, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc, where enchanting resorts and children’s activities await.

Paradise Travel will thoughtfully craft the journey that truly resonates with you. Allow us to weave an unforgettable Christmas in Vietnam, custom-designed amid this land of a thousand captivating faces.