Weather in Hanoi / Nha Trang last week Dec / first week Jan

My wife and I are currently planning our trip away to the far east for last week December / first week Jan. We have two choices - (1) Hanoi 2nights, Halong Bay (junk, 1 night) Hanoi 1 night and Nha Trang 9 nights or (2) Phnom Penh 2nights, down the Mekong to Chau Doc 1night, HCMC 2nights and Nha Trang 8 nights.

Number one seems favourable - especially the Halong bit - although the reports on the weather seem very vaiable. We visited Mui Ne/ Phan Thiet / HCMC / Siem Reap last year - good weather, nice places but it does appear that the weather is cool and rainy Nha Trang upwards at this time of year (Dec / Jan) - 20deg?. Also though Nha Trang looks good for bars and restaurants which we like!

We are not too bothered on the beach scene - swimming pool and sun, food and wine sufficient. Any advice here please would be welcome. Thanks and Best Regards Tim

Weather in Hanoi / Nha Trang last week Dec / first week Jan

Hi Tim

We were in Hanoi and Nha Trang in December, from the 17th - to 29th. The weather in Hanoi was sunny, but cool at nights, definitely long pants and long sleeves. In Nha Trang the weather was rainy, it rained very heavily in times, other times just a drizzle. But it was much warmer, nice when it didn%26#39;t rain!

Btw, both places are good for food and wine!

We also went to HCMC, Chau Doc and Phnom Penh in January. Weather was hot, sunny and a bit humid.

Weather in Hanoi / Nha Trang last week Dec / first week Jan

Hi Ramblergirl,

Thanks for your reply. Seems like we have a choice - hot and humid or colder (not too cold) and a bit rainy (maybe). Our holiday is due to start 29th Dec so perhaps the rain in Nha Trang will be a lot less.

Maybe we should look at it a different way - Halong Bay or Mekong Delta? Perhaps that will sway us.

Anyway thanks for your input!!

Tim

We travelled those areas during Dec/Jan and found Hanoi/Halong Bay are quite cool in the evenings. Nha Trang was wet new year%26#39;s eve otherwise fine.

Personally, 8 days would be way too long in Nha Trang for me and it is such a shame that you%26#39;re missing Hue and Hoi An, both very charming cities.

We have some pics and stories here... www.bobandjanette.com that may prove useful.

Happy %26amp; safe travels

Thanks BobnJanette

What an excellent website - great to see first hand stories. Noted that you visited the Dead Fish Tower in Siem Reap - we thought that was great!

Perhaps you are right about the length of time in Nha Trang - but we are living fairly hectic lives at the moment - and relish the chance to occasionally put down some roots for a while and just chill (quite lazy of us really). We spent a lazy few days in Phan Thiet last year on the back of Siem Reap and HCMC - a real tonic.

Anyway thanks again and good luck on your next trip.

Thanks for the comments. We understand the hectic lives, live hard - play hard.

We loved Hoi An and they have a lovely beach there also where you can sit and watch the world go by while sipping on a cocktail or two. Food in Hoi An is to die for.

Good luck with your holidays.

Cheers from Oz.

If you are on the coast (and on halong bay) be aware that even during the day the wind can be quite chilly. The sun, when its out, is warm but it isn%26#39;t enough. Definitely take a jumper/light coat. Bring or buy a rain coat when necessary.

I don%26#39;t think you will be swimming in the pool either in hanoi/halong bay and probably not relaxing by it either unless you find a sheltered sunny spot. It is too cold, though you may get the odd warm 22 deg day.

Thanks Skeggles - again good advice. I guess we may have to pay a price in temperature just to see Halong Bay. And tonight we are sitting here in -2 degrees (southern England) so I suppose you could say that we will find it infinitely warmer.

Looks like Nha Trang weather reports now don%26#39;t read as bad - checked on www.wunderground.com - great site for weather. So this leg of our tour should be a bit warmer.

Cheers for your advice.

-2 deg? Yep, you will find it really quite a lot warmer. And in HCM it will be a toasty 30. that should get the icicles off you. you won%26#39;t need a coat there;-)