Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City in December
☀️ Dry seasonHot, humid and mostly dry.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · quick-dry fabrics · sunglasses & hat
Why December scores 8.0What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort8.0
- ✓Hot (32°C highs / 24°C lows)
- !Very humid/sticky (dew point 21.9°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~41 mm rain)
- Air quality6.2
- !Elevated (PM2.5 ~31 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline7.5
- ·Increased caution
| Dec | Mar | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.0 Very good | 8.4 Very good |
| Season | ☀️ Dry season | 🔥 Hot dry season |
| High / low | 32° / 24° | 34° / 25° |
| Rain | 41 mm | 18 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 22° | dew pt 20° |
| PM2.5 | 31 µg/m³ | 19 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Ho Chi Minh City weather-station normals. Rainfall: Ho Chi Minh City weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
No long holidaysNo long public-holiday weekends this month. School holidays aren't counted, so check those if you want to avoid family crowds.
No national public holidays in Vietnam this month.
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore Ho Chi Minh CityEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyVietnam's largest city, still widely called Saigon, a fast-moving commercial hub with French colonial buildings, war history and outstanding street food.
No major events on our calendar for December.
Coming up later
Tet and Nguyen Hue Flower StreetDate variesLunar calendar - late January to mid-February, date moves each year
The Lunar New Year, when Nguyen Hue becomes a flower-filled walking street.
Why go: Many businesses close for several days and the city empties as people go home.
Where: Nguyen Hue Boulevard and citywide
Reunification DayEvery year30 April every year, followed by Labour Day on 1 May
Marks the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 with flags and fireworks.
Why go: Domestic travel is very busy over this holiday.
Where: Citywide
Rainy seasonDate variesUsually May to November
Heavy afternoon downpours that usually pass quickly, with occasional street flooding.
Why go: Carry a rain poncho and plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings.
Where: Citywide
War Remnants Museum
A museum documenting the Vietnam War, including its effects on civilians.
💡 Some exhibits are graphic.
Independence Palace
The former presidential palace of South Vietnam, preserved with 1960s interiors.
Saigon Central Post Office
A French colonial post office with a vaulted iron-framed hall.
Ben Thanh Market
A central covered market selling food, clothes and souvenirs.
💡 Agree prices before buying.
Cu Chi Tunnels
A network of wartime tunnels north-west of the city, visited on day trips.
Jade Emperor Pagoda
An atmospheric Taoist temple filled with carved figures and incense.
Com tam
Broken rice with grilled pork chop, shredded pork skin and egg meatloaf.
Banh mi
Baguette sandwiches with pâté, cold cuts, pickles and herbs.
💡 Street stalls
Hu tieu
Noodle soup with pork, seafood and herbs, with southern Chinese-Khmer roots.
Banh xeo
Crispy turmeric pancakes filled with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts, wrapped in herbs.
Ca phe sua da
Strong iced coffee with condensed milk.
Vietnamese coffee
Robusta beans and phin filters.
Lacquerware
Lacquered boxes, trays and artwork.
Ao dai
Vietnam's traditional long tunic, often made to measure by tailors.
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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