14 Places to Visit in Vietnam in Winter

Vietnam is one of the most versatile and rewarding destinations to visit during winter. Stretching over 1,600 kilometers from the North to the South, the country offers an incredible range of landscapes and climates from misty mountains and cultural cities to sun-soaked beaches.

Winter season, from November to February, is one of the best times to explore Vietnam. While Northern regions cool down with foggy charm and even occasional snow, the South enjoys warm tropical sunshine.

This guide will provide you with details of 14 best places of Vietnam to visit in the winter.

Why Vietnam Is Perfect for a Winter Vacation?

Unlike many destinations that offer only cold or warm weather, Vietnam provides both, making it ideal for travelers seeking variety.

In the winter, temperatures can drop to 6 – 15°C in mountainous areas in the North like Sapa and Ha Giang, creating a cozy atmosphere perfect for trekking and cultural exploration. Cities like Hanoi remain cool and comfortable, ideal for walking tours and enjoying street food. Meanwhile, Southern destinations such as Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding areas enjoy temperatures between 25°C to 33°C, offering perfect beach weather.

Another reason Vietnam stands out is its exclusive food culture, which is especially enjoyable in winter. Warm dishes like Pho and Hotpot are perfect for cooler Northern climates, while fresh seafood and tropical fruits thrive in the South.

Not only that, Vietnam is a great choice for travelers exploring in the winter thanks to:

• Affordable compared to many other destinations;
• Easy to travel, with public bus, shuttle bus, train, and flight networks;
• Culturally rich, offering history, architecture, and local traditions;

Whether you want adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Vietnam delivers all three in one winter itinerary.

14 best places of Vietnam to visit in the winter

Northern Vietnam: Mountains, Culture & Cool Weather

01. Sapa (02 – 03 Days)

Sapa is Vietnam’s winter wonderland, famous for misty valleys and occasional snowfall.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: Arrive, explore Sapa town, Cat Cat Village;
• Day 02: Trek to Lao Chai and Ta Van villages;
• Day 03: Visit Fansipan Peak by cable car;

What to eat:

• Salmon hotpot;
• Grilled skewers;
• Sticky rice;

How to get there:

• Fly to Noi Bai International Airport;
• Then travel to Sapa by overnight train, bus, or private car (05 – 06 hours):
  • Sleeper bus: Ha Son Hai Van (Hà Sơn Hải Vân), Inter Bus Lines, Sao Viet (Sao Việt), Green Bus, HK Buslines, etc.;
  • Train: there is no direct train to Sapa. You will need to take the train to Lao Cai, and then travel to Sapa;

02. Ha Giang (03 – 05 Days)

Ha Giang offers dramatic mountain landscapes and one of Vietnam’s most scenic road trips.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: Hanoi → Ha Giang Town;
• Day 02: Ha Giang Loop → Dong Van;
• Day 03: Ma Pi Leng Pass, Lung Cu Flag Tower;
• Day 04: Meo Vac, back to Ha Giang Town;
• Day 05: Return to Hanoi;

What to eat:

• Buckwheat cakes;
• Smoked meats;
• Corn wine;

How to get there:

• Fly to Noi Bai International Airport;
• Then travel to Ha Giang by overnight train, bus, or private car (07 – 08 hours):
  • Sleeper Bus: Sao Viet (Sao Việt), Cau Me (Cầu Mè), etc.;

03. Hanoi (02 – 03 Days)

Hanoi is the cultural heart of Vietnam and especially charming in winter.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake;
• Day 02: Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum;
• Day 03: Street food and café hopping;

What to eat:

• Pho (Chicken or Beef noodles);
• Bun cha;
• Egg coffee (Giang Coffee, Nhan Coffee, Dinh Coffee, etc.);

How to get there:

• Direct international flights to Noi Bai International Airport;

You also may need:

• Noi Bai Airport arrival guide;
• Public bus from Noi Bai Airport to Hanoi center;
• Transfer between International and Domestic Terminal Noi Bai Airport;

04. Ninh Binh (01 – 02 Days)

Known as “Halong Bay on land”, Ninh Binh offers serene natural beauty waiting for you to explore.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: Trang An boat ride, Mua Cave;
• Day 02: Tam Coc, cycling tour;

What to eat:

• Goat meat;
• Crispy rice;

How to get there:

• Fly into Noi Bai International Airport;
• Then travel to Ninh Binh by limousine bus, or private car (01 – 02 hours):
  • Bus Limousine: Hieu Vien (Hiếu Viện), Duc Duong Bus (Đức Dương), etc.
  • Private car: contact us for more details;

05. Moc Chau (01 – 02 Days)

A hidden gem known for tea plantations and seasonal flowers.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: Moc Chau Tea hills, Moc Chau dairy farms;
• Day 02: Waterfalls and flower fields;

How to get there

• Fly to Noi Bai International Airport;
• Then travel to Ninh Binh by limousine bus, or private car (03 – 04 hours):
  • Bus: Hai Van Express, Moc Chau Limousine, Hai Van (Hải Vân), Bac Son (Bắc Sơn), Ngoc Thuan (Ngọc Thuận), Xuan Trang (Xuân Tráng) Limousine, etc.
  • Private car: contact us for more details;

06. Ha Long City (01 – 03 Days)

Located around more than 100km from Hanoi, Ha Long is famous for access to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: Cruise in Ha Long Bay (kayaking, caves);
• Day 02: Sun World Ha Long or relax by the coast;
• Day 03: Ha Long Museum;

What to eat:

• Fresh seafood;
• Grilled squid (chả mực);

How to get there:

• Take a flight to Noi Bai International Airport or Cat Bi International Airport;
• Then travel to Ha Long by limousine bus, or private car (02 – 03 hours):
  • Bus: Phuc Xuyen, Kumho Viet Thanh, Ha Long Limousine ;
  • Private car: contact us for more details;

07. Hai Phong (01 – 03 Days)

A coastal port city and gateway to Cat Ba Island.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: Explore city, street food;
• Day 02: Visit Cat Ba Island or Lan Ha Bay, Viet Hai Village;
• Day 03: VinWonders Vu Yen, Royal Island;

What to eat:

• Crab noodle soup (Bánh đa cua);
• Spicy baguette (Bánh mỳ cay);
• Crab spring rolls;
• Soft steamed rice cakes;
• Seafood;

How to get there:

• Take a flight to Noi Bai International Airport or Cat Bi International Airport;
• Then travel to Hai Phong by limousine bus, train, or private car (02 hours):
  • Bus: Hoang Long (Hoàng Long), Hai Au (Hải Âu), Ket Doan (Kết Đoàn), etc.;
  • Limousine bus: Anh Vu (Anh Vũ), Hai Au (Hải Âu), etc.;
  • Train: Vietnam Railways (if you depart from Hanoi);

You may also need:

• Cat Bi Airport Arrival Guide;

Central Vietnam: Heritage & Coastal Charm

08. Hue (01 – 03 Days)

A peaceful city rich in imperial history.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: Imperial Citadel, Perfume River, Huyen Khong Pagoda;
• Day 02: Royal tombs (Khai Dinh Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb, etc.);
• Day 03: Bach Ma National Park;

What to eat:

• Spicy beef noodle soup (Bún bò Huế);
• Steamed rice cakes (Bánh bèo);
•  Salt coffee;
• Crispy pancakes;
• Purgatory rice (Cơm Âm Phủ);

How to get there:

• Take a flight to Phu Bai International Airport;
• Then travel to Hue city center by taxi (20 – 30 minutes):
  • Taxi: Mai Linh, Thanh Cong, etc.;

You may also need:

• Phu Bai Airport Arrival Guide;

09. Da Nang (02 – 03 Days)

A modern coastal city with easy access to attractions.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: My Khe Beach, Marble Mountains, Han Market;
• Day 02: Ba Na Hills;
• Day 03: Dragon Bridge, Son Tra Peninsula;

What to eat:

• Quang Noodle (Mỳ Quảng);
• Pork rice paper rolls;
•  Fishcake noodle soup;
• Green mango and rice paper salad;
• Seafood;

How to get there:

• Take a flight to Da Nang International Airport;
• Then travel to Da Nang city center by taxi, public bus (20 – 30 minutes):

You may also need:

• Arrival Guide at Da Nang Airport;
• Public bus from Da Nang Airport to Da Nang city center;

10. Hoi An (02 – 03 Days)

A beautifully preserved ancient town with lantern-lit streets.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: Hoi An Ancient Town;
• Day 02: Cooking class, beach visit (Cua Dai);
• Day 03: Cycling or enjoying lantern festival;

What to eat:

• Pork noodles (Cao lầu);
• Chicken rice;
• Baguette Sandwich (Bánh mỳ Phượng, Bánh mì Madam Khánh);
• White rose dumplings;

How to get there:

• Take a flight to Da Nang International Airport;
• Then travel to Hoi An by taxi, public bus (20 – 30 minutes):

You may also need:

• Da Nang Airport Arrival Guide;
• Public bus from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An;

Southern Vietnam: Tropical Warmth

11. Ho Chi Minh City (02 – 03 Days)

A vibrant city full of history and modern life.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Landmarks 81, Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral;
• Day 02: Cu Chi Tunnels;
• Day 03: Ben Thanh Market, City Food tour;

What to eat:

• Bánh mỳ;
• Crispy pancakes (Bánh xèo);
• Fresh spring rolls (Gỏi cuốn);
• Broken rice (Cơm tấm);
• Caramelized fish in claypot;

How to get there:

• Take a flight to Tan Son Nhat International Airport;
• Then travel to Ho Chi Minh City center by taxi, public bus (20 – 30 minutes):

You may also need:

• Tan Son Nhat Airport Arrival Guide;
• Public bus from Tan Son Nhat Airport to HCMC;

12. Mekong Delta (01 – 03 Days)

A unique region shaped by rivers and floating markets.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: Travel to Can Tho, river cruise;
• Day 02: Cai Rang floating market visit;
• Day 02: Ben Tre – the coconut capital;

What to eat:

• Fresh fruits;
• Fish hotpot;

How to get there:

• Take a flight to Tan Son Nhat International Airport;
• Then travel to Mekong Delta by taxi or public bus. However, it is recommended that you register for a 02 – 03 days land tour for your convenience.

13. Phu Quoc (02 – 04 Days)

Vietnam’s top tropical island destination in winter.

Suggested itinerary:

• Day 01: Beach relaxation (Khem Beach, Sao Beach, Rach Vem, Ong Lang, etc.);
• Day 02: Hon Thom Cable Car, VinWonders theme park;
• Day 03: Vinpearl Safari Phu Quoc;
• Day 04: Ho Quoc (Hộ Quốc) Temple;

What to eat:

• Seafood;
• Herring salad (Gỏi cá trích);
• Stirred noodles (Bún quậy);
• Fish sauce specialties (Khải Hoàn, Phụng Hưng, Thịnh Phát, Nam Ngư, Thanh Phương, Ông Kỳ, etc.);

How to get there:

• Take a flight to Phu Quoc International Airport;
• Then travel to Phu Quoc Island center by taxi or public bus.

You may also need:

• Phu Quoc Airport Arrival Guide;

14. Tay Ninh (01 Day Trip)

A unique spiritual destination near Ho Chi Minh City.

Suggested itinerary:

• 01 Day trip: Cao Dai Temple and Black Virgin Mountain;

How to get there:

• Take a flight to Tan Son Nhat International Airport;
• Then travel to Tay Ninh by taxi or public bus, or register for 01 day land tour;

Vietnam is a rare destination that offers three travel experiences in one winter trip. With efficient transport options, it’s easy to explore multiple regions in a short time.

Combined with its rich cuisine, affordability, and diverse landscapes, Vietnam stands out as one of the best winter destinations in the world. Whether you’re trekking in Sapa, exploring lantern-lit streets in Hoi An, or relaxing on the beaches of Phu Quoc, Vietnam promises a journey full of contrast, flavor, and unforgettable memories.

Disclaimer: While we put an effort to ensure that the provided information is correct and up-to-date, there are probably changes which we are unaware of.