Christmas in Vietnam brings festive streets and church services to major cities. December also features lantern nights and year-end events. The country moves into the year-end holiday season with Christmas celebrations, cultural festivals, flower displays, sporting events and New Year activities.
Is Christmas a public holiday in Vietnam? No. December 25 is a normal working day, but major cities celebrate Christmas in Vietnam with decorations, church services, special menus and evening events, so expect crowds around central areas on December 24.
December is also one of the best months to explore different parts of Vietnam because the weather changes dramatically from north to south. Hanoi and northern Vietnam are usually cooler and drier, while southern Vietnam is warmer and increasingly dry. Central Vietnam can still be wet, particularly around Hoi An and Hue.
This guide focuses on the December events that are most useful and interesting for travelers, including confirmed events, major recurring celebrations and large activities that continue into December from November. Dates marked TBC may change, so confirm details with the organizers before you book non-refundable travel.
If you are still deciding when to visit, start with our Best Time to Visit Vietnam Guide and then check the regional weather before booking your route.
Christmas in Vietnam: December Events at a Glance
| Event | Date | Location | Status | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoi An International Lantern Festival | December 3–6 | Hoi An | Confirmed | First-ever international lantern festival with installations along the Hoai River |
| Vietnam National Games | Opening ceremony November 20; closing December 12 | Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam | Confirmed (opening date may shift) | Large-scale national sporting event |
| Da Nang Christmas Market | December 4–6 | Da Nang | Scheduled, confirm hours with organizers | Food, shopping, crafts and Christmas entertainment |
| Hoi An Full-Moon Lantern Night | Around December 22 | Hoi An | TBC, lunar calendar | Lanterns, traditional culture and evening atmosphere |
| Christmas celebrations | December 24–25 | Major cities nationwide | Fixed date | Lights, church services, restaurants and festive atmosphere |
| Da Lat Flower Festival | Opening planned December 19; closing December 31 | Da Lat | Planned, program details TBC | Flowers, exhibitions and cultural activities |
| New Year’s Eve celebrations | December 31 | Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and other cities | Fixed date, programmes TBC | Countdowns, concerts and fireworks |
Da Nang Christmas Market
Date: December 4–6, 2026
Location: Ariyana Convention Centre Da Nang
Type: Christmas market, food, shopping and entertainment
The Da Nang Christmas Market is one of the clearest December events for travelers looking for a Christmas atmosphere in Vietnam.
The market is listed for December 4–6, 2026 at the Ariyana Convention Centre, with more than 80 stalls. Confirm opening hours with the organizers before planning around it.
The event is planned around food stalls, Christmas gifts, handicrafts and entertainment, creating a festive atmosphere for both local residents and visitors.
For travelers, the main advantage is its location. Da Nang is already one of Vietnam’s easiest destinations for an international holiday, with beaches, restaurants, resorts and convenient access to Hoi An.
Why Visit?
- Experience Christmas in a tropical Vietnamese city.
- Try food from local and international vendors.
- Shop for gifts and handicrafts.
- Enjoy Christmas-themed entertainment.
- Combine the event with a beach holiday in Da Nang.
If you are visiting Da Nang for the first time, see our Da Nang to Hoi An Guide for an easy side trip to the Ancient Town.
For accommodation planning, our Best Places to Visit in Vietnam Guide can help you build a wider itinerary.
Christmas in Vietnam: Where to Celebrate
Date: December 24–25, 2026
Location: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An and other cities
Type: Religious and cultural celebration
Christmas in Vietnam is not one of the traditional national holidays, but it has become a major seasonal celebration in the country’s large cities.
During the weeks before December 25, shopping streets, hotels, restaurants, cafés and public spaces are decorated with Christmas trees, lights and festive displays.
For travelers, the most interesting places to experience Christmas are usually the major city centers and Catholic churches.
Christmas in Vietnam: Hanoi
Hanoi’s Old Quarter and the area around St. Joseph’s Cathedral are among the most atmospheric places to experience Christmas in Vietnam. The cathedral streets and the lanes of the Old Quarter fill with families and photographers in the evening, so go after dark for the lights and expect crowds on December 24.
The city is usually cool in December, which makes an evening walk around the Old Quarter particularly pleasant.
Hanoi is also one of the best places to combine Christmas activities with museums, historic buildings, street food and traditional Vietnamese culture.
See our Hanoi Airport to City Center Guide if you are arriving in the capital for the holidays.
Christmas in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City offers a completely different Christmas atmosphere.
The central districts become heavily decorated, shopping centers create large Christmas installations and streets around major churches become particularly busy on Christmas Eve. The area around Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and the Nguyen Hue Walking Street are the usual gathering points, so evening is the best time to walk through and traffic nearby can be slow.
The city remains warm in December, so Christmas celebrations here feel much more tropical than in Hanoi.
If you are deciding between Vietnam’s two largest cities, compare them with our Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City Guide.
Christmas in Vietnam: Da Nang and Hoi An
Da Nang combines Christmas activities with its beach-resort atmosphere. The Han River promenade and Dragon Bridge area are popular for evening walks, while Hoi An adds its famous lantern-lit streets to the holiday season. Opening hours and programmes vary, so check locally.
Christmas is therefore an interesting time to combine both destinations in one trip.
Keep in mind, however, that Central Vietnam can still experience rain in December.
Our Vietnam Weather by Month Guide explains the regional differences.
Christmas in Vietnam: Hoi An Lantern Night
Date: Around December 22, 2026 (lunar calendar, confirm locally)
Location: Hoi An Ancient Town
Type: Recurring cultural event
Hoi An’s monthly full-moon lantern celebration is one of the easiest cultural experiences to add to a December itinerary.
During the evening, the Ancient Town becomes especially atmospheric as traditional lanterns dominate the streets and the area around the Thu Bon River.
Visitors can expect traditional performances, lantern displays and riverside activities, although the exact programme can vary from month to month.
This is not a special one-off December festival, but it is worth planning around if you want to experience Hoi An at its most atmospheric.
Weather is the main consideration. December falls within the wetter part of the year in Central Vietnam, so heavy rain can affect outdoor activities.
If you are staying in Da Nang, you can easily make Hoi An a day or evening trip. See our Da Nang vs Hoi An Comparison if you are deciding where to stay.
Christmas in Vietnam: Da Lat Flower Festival
Date: December 19–31, 2026 (individual program dates to be confirmed)
Location: Da Lat
Type: Flower, cultural and tourism festival
The Da Lat Flower Festival is one of Vietnam’s best-known seasonal events. The 11th festival’s peak period runs from December 19 to 31, with the opening planned for 8 p.m. on December 19 at Lam Vien Square and a closing arts program welcoming 2027 planned for the evening of December 31. Individual event schedules should be confirmed locally.
The festival turns Da Lat into a huge celebration of flowers, landscaping, horticulture, art and local culture.
Typical festival activities include flower displays, exhibitions, cultural performances, music programmes, decorative installations and events around Xuan Huong Lake and the city center.
The main programs include the Vietnam Jazz Festival on the surface of Xuan Huong Lake, an international art flower exhibition, an orchid exhibition, the third Vietnamese Brocade Culture Festival and a carnival of bands and modern dance groups around the lake. Flower displays are also spread into wards and communes across the province, so decorations appear outside the city center too.
Accommodation should be booked well in advance during the festival period.
The detailed programme is still to be confirmed, so check with the organizers before planning a trip around an individual ceremony or performance.
Why Visit Da Lat in December?
- See extensive flower displays throughout the city.
- Enjoy Da Lat’s cool highland climate.
- Explore cafés, gardens and surrounding countryside.
- Combine the festival with waterfalls and mountain attractions.
- Experience one of Vietnam’s most distinctive seasonal tourism events.
Da Lat can become very busy during major festival periods, so booking accommodation and transport early is sensible.
If you are traveling from Nha Trang, our Nha Trang to Da Lat Guide explains the main transport options.
Vietnam National Games in Ho Chi Minh City
Date: Opening ceremony November 20, closing ceremony December 12, 2026
Location: Ho Chi Minh City and other southern venues
Type: National multi-sport competition
The Vietnam National Games are another major event continuing into December.
The Games are scheduled for November 14 to December 12, with the opening ceremony on November 20 and the closing ceremony on December 12. They include 48 sports and 973 events.
The event is centered on Ho Chi Minh City, with some competitions held in Dong Nai and Dong Thap.
For most international tourists, the National Games will not be a reason to plan an entire trip. However, if you are already staying in Ho Chi Minh City during early December, selected competitions can provide an opportunity to see Vietnamese athletes competing at national level.
The scale of the event also means that accommodation and local transport demand can be higher around major venues and competition dates.
For practical city transport, see our Grab Vietnam Guide.
Christmas in Vietnam and New Year’s Eve
Date: December 31, 2026
Location: Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and other major destinations
Type: New Year celebration
Vietnam celebrates the Gregorian New Year on January 1, and the night of December 31 is one of the biggest nightlife events of the year.
Large cities normally organize concerts, countdown events, entertainment programmes and, depending on the official city programme, fireworks.
The biggest celebrations are usually concentrated around major central areas.
New Year’s Eve in Hanoi
Hanoi’s central districts become busy on New Year’s Eve, with people gathering around major public spaces for countdown activities.
The cooler December weather makes Hanoi particularly comfortable for spending the evening outdoors.
New Year’s Eve in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is usually one of the busiest places in Vietnam on December 31.
The central area around Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a major gathering point, while rooftop bars and hotels offer views over the city.
Expect significant crowds and heavy traffic around central districts.
New Year’s Eve in Da Nang
Da Nang has increasingly developed a year-end programme combining Christmas and New Year activities.
The city’s previous official New Year festivals have included public entertainment, food spaces, decorations and countdown activities around the Han River and Dragon Bridge area.
The 2026–27 New Year Festival runs from December 30 to January 3 along Bach Dang Pedestrian Street and around the Dragon Bridge, with street art, food zones and a countdown program, and the Hoi An and Tam Ky areas also host events. Countdown events on December 31 are planned at East Sea Park, Tam Thanh Square and Tay Giang Square. Check closer to the date for fireworks and concert details.
More Cities Celebrating New Year’s Eve
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang aren’t the only options for a December 31 countdown. For hotel-by-hotel picks with the clearest fireworks sightlines, see our guides for Nha Trang, Ha Long and Phu Quoc, plus our separate roundup of Quy Nhon and Da Lat, two smaller cities that also run their own countdown shows.
December 3–6: Hoi An International Lantern Festival
Date: December 3–6, 2026
Location: Hoai River square, Hoi An
Type: First-ever international lantern festival
Hoi An is holding its first-ever international lantern festival, named “Hoi An – Colours of Heritage,” from December 3 to 6, 2026, centered on the Hoai River square.
Unlike the regular monthly full-moon lantern night, this is a dedicated multi-day festival with lantern installations that are expected to remain on display into early 2027, extending the atmosphere well beyond the four main festival days.
Venues include Hoai River Square, the An Hoi Sculpture Garden and the pedestrian streets of the Ancient Town. The program features lantern installations, lantern-making workshops, culinary experiences and folk performances, and it overlaps with a Hoi An cultural heritage series, running until December 5, that includes a national workshop on the town’s trading-port history and heritage exhibitions.
Tourist tip: If your trip falls in early December, this is a good reason to time a Hoi An visit for the first week of the month rather than waiting for the regular full-moon night later on December 22.
Things to Do in Vietnam in December by Region
The best things to do in Vietnam in December depend on your destination, the weather and the local festival calendar. Our Vietnam weather by month guide has the full climate picture, so here is the short version.
- North (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay): cooler and relatively dry. Walk the Old Quarter, see Christmas lights near St. Joseph’s Cathedral and take a scenic cruise.
- Central coast (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue): changeable and sometimes wet. Plan the Hoi An International Lantern Festival (December 3–6), the Da Nang Christmas Market (listed for December 4–6) and the Full-Moon Lantern Night, with flexible outdoor plans.
- Highlands (Da Lat): cool, with the Da Lat Flower Festival scheduled in December (programme TBC).
- South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc): warm and increasingly dry. Christmas Eve in the city center, New Year’s Eve on Nguyen Hue Walking Street and beach time.
Christmas in Vietnam: December Weather
December is one of the clearest examples of how different Vietnam’s regions can be.
Northern Vietnam
Hanoi and northern Vietnam are generally cooler and drier in December.
Evenings can feel surprisingly cool, particularly in the mountains.
This is a good time for walking tours, cultural sightseeing and exploring northern cities.
See our North Vietnam Travel Guide for destination ideas.
Central Vietnam
Central Vietnam can still be wet in December.
Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue may experience periods of heavy rain, so outdoor activities should remain flexible.
If your trip is centered around Central Vietnam, allow some spare time in your itinerary in case weather affects transportation or sightseeing.
Southern Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam are generally warmer and increasingly dry in December.
This makes the south a strong choice for travelers looking for warmer weather during the Christmas and New Year period.
For a wider southern itinerary, see our South Vietnam Travel Guide.
Christmas in Vietnam: Places to Visit
| Destination | Best December Experience | Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | Christmas, New Year and cultural sightseeing | Cool and relatively dry |
| Ha Long Bay | Scenic cruises and northern winter atmosphere | Cooler and generally drier |
| Da Nang | Christmas Market and year-end celebrations | Can be wet |
| Hoi An | Lantern nights and Christmas atmosphere | Wet and changeable |
| Da Lat | Flower Festival and highland scenery | Cool |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Christmas and New Year’s Eve | Warm and increasingly dry |
| Mekong Delta | Southern culture and year-end travel | Warm and generally drier |
Tips for Vietnam Events in December
- Book Christmas and New Year accommodation early: the last two weeks of December can be one of the busiest travel periods.
- Expect higher prices: hotels and resorts can charge more around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
- Check the weather by region: December does not mean the same weather across Vietnam.
- Pack layers for Hanoi and Da Lat: both destinations can feel cold in the evening.
- Carry rain protection in Central Vietnam: Hoi An and Da Nang can still have heavy rain.
- Expect crowds on December 31: city centers can become extremely busy.
- Book transport ahead: domestic flights and trains can become busy around the year-end holiday period.
- Use cash in smaller towns: local markets and small businesses may not accept international cards.
Our Vietnam Currency: Cash or Card Guide explains when you should carry Vietnamese cash.
If you are flying between destinations, our Vietnam Domestic Flights Guide explains what to expect when booking and taking domestic flights.
Christmas in Vietnam and December Events: Quick Calendar
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| December 3–6 | Hoi An International Lantern Festival | Hoi An |
| Until December 12 | Vietnam National Games | Ho Chi Minh City and other southern venues |
| December 4–6 | Da Nang Christmas Market | Ariyana Convention Centre, Da Nang |
| Around December 22 | Hoi An Full-Moon Lantern Night | Hoi An |
| December 24–25 | Christmas celebrations | Major cities nationwide |
| December 19–31 | Da Lat Flower Festival | Da Lat |
| December 31 | New Year’s Eve celebrations | Major cities nationwide |
Which Vietnam December Event Is Best for You?
Best for Christmas in Vietnam: Da Nang
Da Nang is one of the easiest places to combine a tropical beach holiday with Christmas activities.
The Christmas Market, listed for December 4–6, is a particularly easy event to add to an existing trip.
Best for Flowers: Da Lat
Da Lat is the obvious choice if your main interest is flowers, gardens, photography and cool mountain weather.
Accommodation should be booked early if the official festival programme creates a major visitor peak.
Best for Lanterns: Hoi An
Hoi An remains the best choice for travelers who want a traditional lantern atmosphere.
The regular full-moon celebration provides a reliable cultural experience without requiring a special international festival.
Best for Warm Weather: Ho Chi Minh City
Southern Vietnam is the strongest option if you want warm weather during December.
Ho Chi Minh City also offers some of the country’s biggest Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Best for Cool Weather: Hanoi
Hanoi is ideal for travelers who prefer cooler temperatures and cultural sightseeing.
December is a particularly pleasant time for exploring the Old Quarter, museums and historical attractions during the daytime.
Bottom Line
Vietnam events in December make it one of the best months to experience the country’s year-end atmosphere.
Da Nang has a Christmas Market listed for December 4–6, while Hoi An offers its regular lantern celebration and Da Lat remains one of the country’s major flower destinations.
Christmas itself brings festive decorations, church services, special menus and evening events to major cities, while December 31 is the biggest night of the month for countdown celebrations.
The Vietnam National Games also continue through December 12, giving sports fans an additional reason to check what’s happening in Ho Chi Minh City and other southern venues.
The most important thing to remember is the weather. Northern Vietnam is cool, southern Vietnam is warm, and Central Vietnam can still be wet.
If you are planning around Vietnam events in December, use our Best Places to Visit in Vietnam Guide to choose the right destinations and then build your route around the events that interest you most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main Christmas in Vietnam events?
The Hoi An International Lantern Festival (December 3–6), the Da Nang Christmas Market (listed for December 4–6), the Vietnam National Games (until December 12), Christmas on December 24–25, the Da Lat Flower Festival (scheduled in December) and New Year’s Eve on December 31.
Is Christmas in Vietnam a good time to travel?
Yes. The north is cooler and drier, the south is warm and increasingly dry, and Central Vietnam can still be wet. Book accommodation early for Christmas and New Year.
Are Christmas in Vietnam event dates confirmed?
Some are, such as the Hoi An lantern festival. Others, including the Da Lat Flower Festival programme and local New Year’s Eve events, are still to be confirmed, so check with the organizers before you book.
Where can I celebrate New Year’s Eve in Vietnam?
Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang hold the largest countdowns, and smaller cities such as Nha Trang, Ha Long, Phu Quoc, Quy Nhon and Da Lat have their own celebrations.
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