Hoi An & Da Nang Guide
Christmas in Hoi An and Da Nang: A Holiday Guide
By Ngo Thu Thuy (Jenny), founder of Anamoi Villa · Updated
Christmas in Hoi An means lantern-lit streets, a slower pace and mild weather, with the beaches and city life of Da Nang only 45 minutes away. December is also the tail end of the rainy season in central Vietnam, so a little planning makes the difference between a great holiday and a damp one.
The short answer
Hoi An and Da Nang are a good choice for a warm-ish Christmas with lanterns, food and family time, but not a guaranteed beach holiday: December can bring heavy rain and rough seas. Base yourself in Hoi An for the Ancient Town atmosphere, or in Da Nang’s An Thuong for restaurants and the beach — and choose a villa with an indoor space your group enjoys on a rainy day. Booking direct for 3+ nights includes free Da Nang airport pickup until 31 January 2027.
What to expect in December
Central Vietnam has a different climate from Hanoi and Phu Quoc. The rainy season runs roughly from October to December, and some of the heaviest rain can still fall in December. Temperatures are mild — usually in the low to mid 20s Celsius — so you will want a light jacket in the evening rather than a winter coat.
- Expect some grey or rainy days. Many days are dry in between, so keep plans flexible and check the forecast each morning.
- After heavy rain, the Thu Bon River can rise and flood the lower streets of Hoi An Ancient Town for a day or two. It usually passes quickly, but it can change your plans.
- The sea at My Khe and An Bang can be rough. Only swim where the lifeguards and flags show it is safe, and keep children close.
- Pack a light rain jacket, quick-drying shoes and a warm layer for the evenings.
If you mostly want sunshine and calm sea over the holidays, the south is more reliable in December — see our best time to visit Phu Quoc guide.
Christmas in Hoi An
Hoi An does not need extra decorations to feel festive. Every evening the Ancient Town glows with silk lanterns, and the Japanese Covered Bridge and the riverfront are lit up after dark. Around Christmas, hotels, restaurants and cafés add trees and lights, and many restaurants serve Christmas menus — book ahead if you want a table on the 24th or 25th.
- Walk the Ancient Town in the evening, when the lanterns are lit and the air is cooler.
- Take a short boat ride on the Thu Bon River and float a small paper lantern on the water — a favourite with children.
- Cook a Christmas feast at the villa and eat together at one long table, or grill by the river at our Hoi An riverside pool villa.
Christmas in Da Nang
Da Nang is a modern city with a long beachfront, and it feels more like a city Christmas. Shopping centres and hotels put up big displays, and the pink Da Nang Cathedral in the city centre is busy and beautifully lit on Christmas Eve.
- An Thuong, the neighbourhood behind My Khe beach, is packed with international restaurants, cafés and bars — easy for a Christmas dinner out. Our An Thuong area guide has more on the area.
- Dragon Bridge across the Han River is lit up at night, and on some weekend evenings it breathes fire and water; check the current schedule locally.
- Son Tra Peninsula and Marble Mountains make good half-day trips between showers.
New Year’s Eve in Hoi An and Da Nang
New Year’s Eve is lively in both places. In Hoi An, the riverfront and Ancient Town are crowded and festive; in Da Nang, the riverside and beachfront areas draw big crowds.
1 January is a public holiday in Vietnam. For a group, the main challenge is getting home after midnight: agree on a meeting point and arrange a car in advance, because ride-hailing apps get very busy.
Our villas keep quiet hours from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Many groups enjoy a long dinner or a BBQ at the villa, then walk or drive out for the countdown.
Hoi An or Da Nang for Christmas?
| Hoi An | Da Nang (An Thuong) | |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Lanterns, old streets, slower pace | City Christmas, beach, busy restaurant streets |
| Rainy days | Riverside streets can flood after heavy rain | Fewer flood worries; plenty of cafés and indoor options |
| Getting around | Walk into the Ancient Town | My Khe beach a 4–5 minute ride; Hoi An about 45 minutes |
| Best for | Families and groups who want a classic Vietnam Christmas | Groups who want nightlife, food and a short drive to the airport |
Still deciding? Our where to stay in Hoi An guide compares each area, and Hoi An with kids and large groups has practical tips for families.
Where to stay: two private villas for groups
Anamoi Hoi An Pool Villa Riverside
Anamoi Hoi An Pool Villa Riverside sits on the Thu Bon River, a 3-minute ride or about a 15-minute walk from the Ancient Town. It has 7 bedrooms and sleeps up to 16, from 7,000,000 VND per night. A swimming pool, pool table, large projector screen and a BBQ area overlooking the river give the group plenty to do at home, and the fully equipped kitchen and long dining table are made for a Christmas dinner. Check-in is from 2:00 PM and check-out by 11:00 AM.
Being on the river is the reason guests love it, but it also means the area can be affected when the river rises after very heavy rain, so check the forecast before you travel and keep a flexible day in your plans.
Anamoi Jacuzzi Pool Villa in An Thuong, Da Nang
Anamoi Jacuzzi Pool Villa in An Thuong is a 4-storey villa with 6 en-suite bedrooms, sleeping up to 12, from 7,800,000 VND per night. There is an indoor pool and pool table on the ground floor, a 100-inch TV, an elevator to floors 1–4 and a rooftop with a jacuzzi, a sunset bar and a BBQ area — plenty of indoor space for a rainy afternoon. Both the indoor pool and the rooftop jacuzzi have warm water, so a swim still feels good on a cool December evening. My Khe beach is a 4–5 minute ride away.
See our villas in Da Nang and our villa in Hoi An for photos and prices.
Booking tips for the holidays
- Book early: Christmas, New Year and Tet are the busiest dates, and larger villas for groups are booked first.
- Book direct for 3 nights or more between now and 31 January 2027 and your Da Nang airport pickup is free.
- Free early check-in or late check-out is offered subject to availability, and stays of 5+ nights get 5% off room charges (10% off for 7+ nights).
- Tet, the Lunar New Year, falls on 6 February 2027 — a good second holiday if you are planning a longer trip.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Hoi An worth visiting at Christmas?
- Yes, if you come for the lanterns, food and atmosphere rather than for the beach. December is mild but can be rainy in central Vietnam, so keep plans flexible and choose a villa with good indoor space.
- Does it rain in Hoi An in December?
- Often, yes. The rainy season in central Vietnam runs roughly from October to December, and after heavy rain the Thu Bon River can rise and flood the lower streets of the Ancient Town for a day or two. Many days in between are dry.
- Is the pool warm at the Da Nang villa in December?
- Yes. At Anamoi Jacuzzi Pool Villa in An Thuong, both the indoor pool and the rooftop jacuzzi have warm water.
- Should I stay in Hoi An or Da Nang for Christmas?
- Stay in Hoi An for a classic, lantern-lit Christmas and evenings in the Ancient Town. Stay in Da Nang's An Thuong area for the beach, lots of restaurants and nightlife, with Hoi An about 45 minutes away by car.
- Is airport pickup free over Christmas and New Year?
- Yes. Booking direct for 3 nights or more, with bookings until 31 January 2027, includes free pickup from Da Nang Airport to our Hoi An and Da Nang villas.
Send us your dates and group size — we’ll check availability in Hoi An and Da Nang over Christmas and New Year.
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