Vietnam December Itinerary for Australians: The Ultimate 10–12 Day Route (2025)
I’m Dennis Obel. This is the exact Vietnam December itinerary for Australians I’d book again after travelling with Amen in 2025. We run north in a clean line: Ho Chi Minh City → Nha Trang → Hanoi → Bai Chay (Ha Long Bay). Short hops, realistic weather, zero fluff.
Why a Vietnam December itinerary for Australians works
South is warm, central coast is mixed-but-manageable, north is cool and atmospheric. That pattern is perfect for food first, beach second, and a calm finish on the bay. Flights between stops are frequent; you can stay carry-on only.
Vietnam December Itinerary for Australians: Ho Chi Minh City (Days 1–3)
Revellers in Bui Vien Street, Saigon | Dennis Obel
Touch down late, sleep near District 1 or 3, and keep day one loose. I start with bánh mì + cà phê sữa đá, then Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Ben Thanh Market, and the War Remnants Museum. Evenings are rooftops in D1.
Logistics: Many Aussie flights arrive at night—book 24-hour reception or an airport pickup. Cross streets steadily; traffic flows around you. DO NOT walk backwards when crossing streets in Saigon!
Nha Trang (Days 4–6)
We continue the Vietnam December itinerary for Australians north to Nha Trang by short flight (time-smart) or coastal train (scenic). December brings sun breaks plus the odd shower. On blue-sky days, island hop to Hon Mun for snorkelling; on grey days, go mud baths, spa, cafés, and seafood along the promenade.
Optional pivot: Swap a night for Da Lat (highlands, coffee culture, cooler air), then return to Nha Trang for your flight to Hanoi.
Hanoi (Days 7–8)
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Hanoi in December is cool mornings at Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, Temple of Literature, and the Vietnamese Women’s Museum. Amen votes hotpot + bia hơi after long walks.
Tip: Not every hotel is winter-ready—check for heating or solid insulation.
Vietnam December Itinerary for Australians: Bai Chay → Ha Long Bay (Days 9–10)
Bai Chay is the mainland base where most cruises board. Don’t race from Hanoi at dawn—bus over the afternoon before, sleep in Bai Chay, and stroll to the marina fresh. Winter turns the bay cinematic: silver water, low cloud, quiet lagoons. Day cruise if you’re tight on time; overnight if you want sunrise and calmer coves.
Exit plan: Back to Hanoi by evening; I always leave one final night in the city before an international flight.
10–12 day plan (simple & bookable)
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Days 1–3: Ho Chi Minh City — food walks, museum, optional Cu Chi Tunnels day trip.
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Days 4–6: Nha Trang — beach when it shines; spa/mud baths/cafés when it rains. (Optional 1 night Da Lat)
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Days 7–8: Hanoi — Old Quarter, lakes, museums, hotpot.
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Days 9–10: Bai Chay → Ha Long Bay — day or overnight cruise; sleep in Bai Chay before/after.
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Days 11–12: Buffer for weather + coffee/shopping in Hanoi.
Costs (realistic, per person, per day)
Vietnam is cheap. Cheaper than Cambodia. Cheaper than Thailand. Probably cheaper than most of its neighbours. A$1 = 30,000 vnd. That can buy you a cap of coffee in a local store.
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Shoestring: A$40–70 (guesthouse, street eats, local transport)
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Comfort: A$90–150 (mid-range hotel, cafés, a tour or two)
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Treat yourself: A$200+ (resort, private transfers, premium bay cabin)
Practical tips for a Vietnam December itinerary for Australians
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Visa: Apply for the e-Visa early; keep a printed copy. Aussies are not exempt (big lesson that excited Amen).
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Baggage: Domestic carry-on limits are strict (7–10 kg). Do laundry mid-trip.
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Connectivity: eSIMs are cheap; airport counters are fine for physical SIMs.
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Money: Cards in cities; small notes for markets and taxis.
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Safety: Generally safe—watch bags in busy areas.
- Airport transfer: The Saigon Airport is absolutely busy, plan ahead.
Logistics: Most Aussie flights land late; book a hotel with 24-hour reception and airport pickup.
Do/Don’t: When crossing the streets, do not walk backwards to dodge a bike or car. Scary, huh?
Stop 2 — Nha Trang: sunshine therapy… with a rain plan
We go north by train or plane. The coastal train is romantic in theory; in practice, I’d do Saigon → Nha Trang by a short flight if time’s tight – it saves you 9 plus hours on the road.
Nha Trang’s long crescent beach is the exhale you came for.
Real talk on December: Pack a light rain jacket and keep flexibility in your plan. A café hop with ocean views still beats your office air-con.
Optional pivot — Da Lat instead of Hoi An
December can be wet in central coastal towns. If you want variety, swap a night from Nha Trang and bus up to Da Lat (highlands). Cooler air, pine forests, great coffee culture. Then return to Nha Trang for your flight north.
Stop 3 — Hanoi: cool air, warm bowls of pho
Hanoi in December is a vibe — Hoan Kiem Lake, mist over old rooftops, and bowls of pho that make you rethink your life priorities. Amen and I wander the Old Quarter in the mornings, then duck into museums: Temple of Literature, Vietnamese Women’s Museum. Evenings are for bia hơi (fresh beer) and hotpot with friends. Keep a jumper handy; nights get nippy.
Pro tip: Book a hotel with heating or at least good insulation. Not all rooms are winter-ready.
Final act — Bai Chay (Ha Long Bay): board stress-free, sleep better
Here’s where many travellers trip up: Bai Chay is the mainland area where you actually board most Ha Long Bay cruises. Instead of a 5am dash from Hanoi, I bus over the afternoon before, sleep in Bai Chay, then stroll to the marina fresh. The bay in winter can be moody — silver water, low cloud, quiet lagoons. We kayak when there’s a lull and embrace the stillness when there isn’t. If you’re short on time, a day cruise works; if you can spare it, the overnight version gives you sunrise and calmer coves.
Back to reality: Return to Hanoi by evening. If your international flight is next morning, I always book one last night in the city — no “airport at dawn from the bay” chaos.
A tight 10–12 day outline (easy to book)
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Days 1–3: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) — food walks, museum, optional Cu Chi day trip.
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Days 4–6: Nha Trang — beach days + rain-friendly backups (spa, cafés, mud baths). (Optional: 1 night Da Lat)
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Days 7–8: Hanoi — Old Quarter, museums, hotpot.
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Days 9–10: Bai Chay → Ha Long Bay — day or overnight cruise, sleep Bai Chay before/after.
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Days 11–12: Buffer days (weather wiggle room) + shopping/coffee in Hanoi.
Costs (per person, per day — realistic)
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Shoestring: A$40–70 (guesthouse, street eats, local transport)
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Comfort: A$90–150 (nice hotel, cafés, a tour or two)
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Treat yourself: A$200+ (resort, private transfers, premium cabin on the bay)
Practical bits for December travellers
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Visa: Apply for the e-Visa early and keep a printed copy with your passport.
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Bags: Domestic carry-on limits are strict (7–10 kg). Pack smart; do laundry mid-trip.
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Connectivity: Buy an eSim at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
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Cash vs card: Cards are fine in cities; carry small notes for markets and taxis. I prefer cash. Withdraw and keep millions.
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Safety: Vietnam’s generally safe. Watch for bag snatching in crowded areas.
FAQs
Is Nha Trang worth it in December?
Yes — plan for mixed weather. You’ll still get swim windows, and the city has great rainy-day backups.
Bai Chay vs Ha Long Bay — which is which?
Bai Chay is the on-land gateway (hotels, promenade); Ha Long Bay is where you cruise. Sleep in Bai Chay the night before to board stress-free.
Note: Although beautiful, Bai Chay feels like a ghost city. Beautiful infrastructure and sea with no occupants.
Train or flight from Saigon to Nha Trang?
Flights save time. Take the train only if you love the journey as much as the destination.
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