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Weather in North VIetnam in december???

Replies: 9 - Last Post: Oct 9, 2012 4:54 AM Last Post By: mooslie

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Humanx

Humanx avatar

Oct 7, 2012 2:58 AM
Posts:  1

Weather in North VIetnam in december???

What is the weather in northern Vietnam in December? would expect temperatures? I'd like to get to the mountains of Laos. I've heard that it can be very cold. is this true?

Regards,
R.

ralphnhatrang

ralphnhatrang avatar

Oct 7, 2012 3:10 AM
Posts:  313

1

See Tripadvisor: http://www.vietnamtravelguide.com/weather/sapa-weather.html

Note that the average minimum temperature in ONE degree Celcius in Sapa.

In my experience, the mountains in December can be cold, wet and miserable, especially at night. Sapa does get SNOW during some winters, sometimes twice in the one winter.

quakered

quakered avatar

Oct 7, 2012 4:36 AM
Posts:  10

2

You have not bothered to fill in your country.

If you are a resident of Nothern Europe you will find Hanoi warm in December and swimming in Halong Bay will be invigorating!

If you live in Florida you may indeed find it cold.

We are from London and visiting Hanoi and Halong Bay in December and found the climate wonderful and enjoyed a good pre breakfast swim.

Captain_Bob

Captain_Bob avatar

Oct 7, 2012 6:33 AM
Posts:  2,412

3

Altitude makes a big difference. Halong Bay is obviously at sea level, but Sapa is over 1000m with surrounding peaks over 2000m. I've felt "cold" even in March/April (hot season) during nights at those altitudes in northern Laos. Also depends on your definition of "cold". Are you an Eskimo by any chance? In December it could get near freezing at night if you're up high. Here in Chiang Mai where I live December nights get down to around 15C but up on the hills more like 5C with occasional frosty mornings.

Otford1

Otford1 avatar

Oct 7, 2012 1:09 PM
Posts:  130

4

Arriving in mid December in Hanoi a few years ago the locals were dressed like it was snowing. It wasn't that cold but I suspect we just missed a very cold snap. We swam in Halong on Christmas Day,were rugged up at night in Sapa but T shirts in the day and the kids swam in the river a few times in Luangprbang northern Laos. I think we were lucky.

5leloi

5leloi avatar

Oct 8, 2012 4:43 AM
Posts:  721

5

I find Hanoi very cold, but I lived in Florida for a long time.

mooslie

mooslie avatar

Oct 8, 2012 7:16 AM
Posts:  2,222

6

Weather will be variable.
Cold relative-very warm for tourists from Iceland.

maureenm

maureenm avatar

Oct 8, 2012 7:52 AM
Posts:  251

7

Apart from altitude lowering the temperature, distance from the moderating influence of the sea also make the weather colder. Hanoi and SaPa are well inland as is northern Laos so expect them to be colder than Halong Bay.

Francois

Francois avatar

Oct 9, 2012 2:48 AM
Posts:  244

8

Also expect a lot of overcast clouds, although odds are you'll be spared the constant cold drizzle that starts in late December or January. And yes it can feel pretty cold in Hanoi and Sapa - I'm Canadian, but it's the dampness that gets me !

mooslie

mooslie avatar

Oct 9, 2012 4:54 AM
Posts:  2,222

9

@#8 yes weather will be dampish, but also intermittant periods of sunshine.
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