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Personally, I'd probably choose April because I detest the cold (cool, even!). In December Hanoi will be cool, and it will probably be damp and grey in the central areas. If you want to swim on the beaches it will be too cold and the water will most likely be too rough, with low visibility, for diving or snorkelling. On the other hand, it will be pretty hot in the south.
Having said that, I know the traditional tourist advice is to go in December because the temperature is generally pleasant throughout the country. As yous said, there's no definite answer.
Cheers,
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1
I went in April, weather was generally fine, did rain in Halong Bay and was getting pretty hot at end of April early MAy with thunder storms in Hanoi. Weather was good in highlands around Sapa/Bac Ha. Did not go to the south around HCMC/Mekong, could be hot there. December could be a bit cold/damp in the north but fine in the south.3
Went in November/December and was OK in the South, but very heavy rain in the Central area, especially Nha Trang, then cool and sunny in the North..4
I recommend December, when the weather is cool in the north and the 'cool, dry' season in the south. It does not usually flood in Central Vietnam in December. As a previous poster says, November is the most likely time to get heavy rain and floods in Nha Trang, but this does not happen every year.6
It depends a bit on what you want to do and how you cope with heat.Personally, I'd probably choose April because I detest the cold (cool, even!). In December Hanoi will be cool, and it will probably be damp and grey in the central areas. If you want to swim on the beaches it will be too cold and the water will most likely be too rough, with low visibility, for diving or snorkelling. On the other hand, it will be pretty hot in the south.
Having said that, I know the traditional tourist advice is to go in December because the temperature is generally pleasant throughout the country. As yous said, there's no definite answer.
Cheers,
11
The weather in Sapa for us was horrendous in December, we had an awful trip. Hanoi is cold, but normally crisp and dry13
If it is cold in Dec, you cannot swim in Halong Bay. However, it is dry and almost tour is cool throughout the country. April is the beginning hot season in Central Vietnam. No affect for Dec or Apr. You choose which month that you are looking for for your trip activities14
I vote for April. I don't like to be cold. It's rather hot but cold. Anyway it may be not hot at all in april. And Sapa is good in almost everytime in a year. You should include in your trip or replace Hoa Lu by Sapa ;) But it may ne a little wet in april but dry and no rain in december since i had experience with vietnam tour booking in Hanoi and Halong in december last year. Just came back from Sapa :)
