Advantages and disadvantages of visiting Halong Bay in December

It is well known that due to its geographical position and topography, Vietnam presents a great climatic diversity among the three regions. Northern Vietnam is strongly influenced by the northeast monsoon, resulting in harsher winters than the other two. This characteristic also impacts tourism in the northern provinces, including Halong Bay in Quang Ninh. This article will provide you with the weather conditions and what to do in Halong Bay in December, showing you the advantages and disadvantages of visiting this wonder in this month of the year.

Foreign visitors wouldn't find many Vietnamese people in Halong Bay in winter, and enjoy a relatively peaceful vacation in the bay, especially in December, due to these two reasons:

One, it's close to the Lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam, also known as Tet. Around this period, Vietnamese people are busy preparing for the biggest celebration of the year. Furthermore, most Vietnamese people would choose to return to their hometown and spend the holiday with their families instead of travelling.

Two, the weather in winter is widely considered too cold to go to the beach. Therefore, you won't see many Vietnamese visiting Halong Bay in December.

1. Weather in Halong Bay in December

In general, the weather in Halong Bay in December is quite cold with low humidity and rainfall. However, there has been a remarkable increase in average temperature in recent years, causing a small variation in Halong Bay.

1.1. Temperature

In recent years, the average temperature inHalong Bay in Decemberhas been around 19 degrees Celsius, with the highest measured temperature being around 21 degrees Celsius and the lowest potential being 15 degrees Celsius. 

Compared to the average temperature in winter in countries in temperate zones, this temperature is remarkably higher and is even equal to the average temperature in some countries in summer or autumn. Therefore, it is considered quite appropriate for foreign tourists to visit Halong Bay at this time.

1.2. Sunlight

Besides the temperature, sunlight presents as well an advantage oftravelling to Halong Bay in December for the sky is clear enough to admire the seascapes and the mild weather from the pleasant sun rays favours outdoor activities.

1.3. Humidity

Although Vietnam has a tropical climate, northern Vietnam, including Halong Bay, experiences a dry winter with low humidity of around 50-60% due to the strong influence of the northeast monsoon from China. For foreign tourists coming from temperate zones or cold countries, this is not a problem; however, for tourists coming from tropical zones or countries near the equator with high humidity, this kind of dry weather might cause fatigue or chapped skin.

1.4. Precipitation

Overall, December typically has some of the lowest rainfall of the year. In other words, it rarely rains in December in Halong Bay. The average rainfall measured in December is around 23mm over 7 days, which is considered dry, especially when compared to the wet summer months, which frequently bring over 250mm of rain per month.

With that being said, unexpected heavy rains may occur in December in Halong Bay. However, they are typically short-lived and will not significantly disrupt trips to discover Halong Bay, outdoor activities, and sports.

2. Advantages and disadvantages of visiting Halong Bay in December

2.1. Advantages

The weather in December is indeed cool for most foreign tourists, especially for those who come from countries with cold winters with ice and snow.

The low humidity and low rainfall make it possible to enjoy Halong Bay discovery trips perfectly and not be interrupted by rain.

Long hours of sunshine, but the sunlight is not too intense, which favours tourists to relax with plenty of outdoor activities.

December is not the peak season for domestic tourism; therefore, the number of tourists is not too high at this time.

2.2. Disadvantages

Although there has been a significant increase in the average temperature in Vietnam due to the phenomenon of climate change, there are still unexpected cold days with the lowest measured temperature of 12 degrees Celsius.

The water in the bay at this time is much colder than in summer. Therefore, it's not an ideal choice for certain underwater sports like swimming and scuba diving for some tourists.

>> Read more: A trip to Halong Bay in 1, 2 or 3 days - What to see and do?

3. What to do in Halong Bay in December?

With these climatic particularities, what sports or activities are strongly recommended to tourists during their trip to Halong Bay in December? Here are some suggestions for you.

3.1. Kayaking in Halong Bay

The first outdoor activity that we cannot fail to mention and is enjoyed by many tourists, is kayaking in Halong Bay. It is considered the best way to admire the majestic beauty of nature in one of the most beautiful bays in the world. You will slowly row your kayak through caves, around islets and stop at any island you wish to see. Moreover, this activity is really suitable for trips in December because when tourists are kayaking, they have to expend a lot of energy to control the kayak and their bodies will heat up naturally.

3.2. Visit fishing and floating villages

There are beautiful small old fishing and floating villages that still exist in Halong Bay and surrounding bays until now, such as Cua Van fishing village, located between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, which is considered the most beautiful fishing village in Halong Bay, or Vung Vieng Fishing Village, located in the centre of Bai Tu Long Bay, famous for pearl farming. All were founded at the beginning of the 19th century and many families have lived in these villages for three generations.

There is no difference between visiting these fishing villages in Halong Bay in December and other months of the year. Tourists can participate in the daily work with the locals, such as catching fish, and squid… or taste extremely fresh seafood which is grown in cages by the locals or admire the beautiful scenery around the villages.

3.3. Halong Bay cruise in December

Almost all tourists choose to visit Halong Bay in the summer; however, unlike the image of gloomy skies and rough seas that many people imagine, travelling to Halong Bay in December is such a new experience that is well worth trying.

If in summer the sun rises early and the temperature rises quickly in one day, in winter, tourists can comfortably enjoy their cruises for a whole day without worrying about the heat of the sun. Also, for cruises that depart early, it is possible for tourists to see the fairy-tale scenery of Halong Bay. In the early morning, the boats glide on the misty sea among huge green limestone mountains and islets, which creates an extremely romantic sight resembling the fairy-tale landscape we usually see in movies. Islets with enormous different shapes suddenly become more shimmering in the thick fog.

3.4. Discover the natural caves of Halong Bay

Not only Halong Bay is famous for its complex of limestone mountains, and islets, but the bay also has a reputation for a system of beautiful natural caves, which attract many tourists at first sight. All formed naturally thousands of years ago and are still expanding at a very slow rate. Many tourism companies have added visiting Halong Bay caves to their itinerary offered to tourists when visiting the bay. Below are some well-known caves that are highly recommended for tourists to visit.

Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave)

Sung Sot Cave, located in the centre of Halong Bay, considered the heart of the bay, was discovered by French settlers in 1901. The name of the cave means that every tourist will be surprised when visiting it. This cave is considered to be part of the top 10 most beautiful caves in the world; therefore, tourists had better not miss this destination when travelling to visit Halong Bay.

Thien Cung Cave

Thien Cung Cave was discovered in 1993 at 10,000 square metres. The cave first makes a big impression on tourists with huge stalactites of different shapes, the high ceiling and the large space inside the cave.

Dau Go Cave

Dau Go Cave is only 5,000 square metres in width, the entrance is 17 metres in width, 12 metres in height, and is located at a height of 27 metres from the sea surface. The cave is divided into three parts and each part also has huge stalactites of different shapes and sizes.

Trinh Nu Cave and Trong Cave

Trinh Nu Cave is located on Bo Hon Island and the opposite is Trong Cave, about 750 metres from Trinh Nu Cave. These two caves not only attract tourists with the majestic beauty of nature, but they also attract tourists with sad love stories around the meaning of their name and the stalactites formed inside the two caves.

Me Cung Cave

Me Cung Cave is also one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay, located on Lom Bo Island. This cave has a small entrance but the deeper tourists descend, the larger the space. Its name means a labyrinth since Me Cung Cave has a multi-compartment structure with many compartments naturally divided by limestone walls, it’s like a huge labyrinth.

>> Read more: The top 6 most beautiful caves to visit in Halong Bay

3.5. Go scuba diving or swimming

Normally, when people mention going to the beach or travelling to destinations near or on the sea, people always think of outdoor activities such as swimming, windsurfing, scuba diving, etc. However, when travelling to Halong Bay in December, these activities, including diving in Halong, are not highly recommended due to the moderately cold water temperature. But honestly, that's not much of a problem with Western tourists who come from countries with extremely cold winters. Therefore, tourists can always consider scuba diving in the coral reefs of Halong Bay or going swimming on the pristine beaches of the islands in the bay.

Some areas have coral reefs concentrated mainly in Bai Tu Long Bay and near Co To Island. At present, tourist companies also offer scuba diving services in the coral reefs of the bay at a favourable price.

3.6. Climb mountains

Halong is a huge complex of islets and limestone mountains set over the sea. It is also home to abundant endemic flora and fauna that suit those who love to experience nature or ecotourism. The average height of the mountains in Halong Bay is only 50 metres, and from the top of the mountains, tourists will have a new look and fully feel the marvellous beauty of the bay.

>> Read more: 15 attractions of Halong Bay that are a must-see

4. Tips for taking a trip to Halong Bay in December

+ Bring sunscreen, and sunglasses even when it is still winter in Vietnam because you must not forget that Vietnam is a country in the tropical zone.

+ Bring a cardigan or jacket in case unexpected monsoons make the day too cold, sometimes there will be rain too.

+ Waterproof bag for your camera especially if you travel to Halong at the end of December (at the change of season) because the air will become too humid and your electronic devices may be affected.

+ Prepare books, music, and internal games when you relax on board, just in case it gets too cold outside and you can't go out for activities.

+ Prepare for trip cancellation. Your trip to Halong Bay will be cancelled due to storms, cyclones, thunderstorms, monsoons and other unexpected natural phenomena; therefore, directly following the weather forecast or seeking advice from tourist companies is really necessary.

+ Remember to warm up your body before practising outdoor activities such as kayaking, swimming, etc.

>> Read more: How to choose your cruise in Halong Bay? [2023]

5. Frequently Asked Questions

+ Is December a good time to visit Halong Bay?

Yes, December is really a good time to visit Halong Bay, especially if you are a Western tourist. First of all, the price of the service is cheaper than in the summer months because the number of tourists in December is not as crowded as at that time. Second, for Western tourists, the temperature in Halong Bay in December is cold enough for them to play outdoor activities (around 19 degrees Celsius). Third, tourists will get a new look at the bay, which they cannot experience at other times of the year.

+ What should I wear in Halong Bay in December?

You should wear warm clothes in Halong Bay in December. You can choose a thin shirt, jeans, sneakers if you plan to climb mountains, flip-flops, and a cardigan or jacket, a scarf is also necessary.

+ How is the weather in Halong Bay in December?

In general, the weather is sunny but still cold (average temperature is 19 degrees Celsius), dry and not very humid. At the end of December, the weather will become more humid and it will rain more and the temperature will rise a little but will remain cold.

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