Da Lat in December: Weather, the Flower Festival and Travel Tips

Weather in Da Lat in December

By December the rainy season is usually over. Most days are dry and sunny, with a clear blue sky and a light wind. Daytime is pleasant for walking and riding, often around 18–22°C, but December and January are among the coldest months of the year: nights and early mornings can drop to around 10–15°C, and it feels colder on open hills and on a moving motorbike. For the whole year, see our guide to Da Lat weather by month.

• Mornings: cold and often misty in the valleys — beautiful, but bring warm layers.
• Middle of the day: sunny and mild; the best time for longer rides.
• Evenings: cold — a proper jacket for the night market.
• Rain: rare compared with the wet season, though a stray shower is always possible.

The Da Lat Flower Festival 2026

The 11th Da Lat Flower Festival is planned for 19–31 December 2026, according to the organisers' announcement in October, with the opening and closing events around Lam Vien Square and flower displays across the city. These are planned dates and can change, so check the official announcements before you fix your trip. Our Flower Festival 2026 page has the venue map and the latest planned programme.

• Expect heavy traffic and full parking near Lam Vien Square and Xuan Huong Lake on festival evenings — park a few streets away and walk.
• Rooms and bikes are in high demand in the second half of December, so book early.
• Evening shows can finish after 21:00, when the rental day ends — renting for an extra day lets you return the bike the next morning.

What's in season in December

• The last wild sunflowers: dã quỳ usually fades during December; early in the month you can still find yellow roadsides. See our wild sunflower guide.
• Pink grass: some hills stay pink into December — our pink grass guide lists the directions.
• Strawberries: the dry season is strawberry season, and farms around the city get busy. See strawberry farms in Da Lat.
• Cherry blossoms: Da Lat's cherry blossom (mai anh đào) mostly blooms later, around January–February, but in some years a few early trees flower at the end of December.
• Christmas lights: the churches and the town centre are decorated for Christmas, and the evenings around 24–25 December are lively and crowded.

What to pack for Da Lat in December

• A warm jacket, a fleece or sweater and a long-sleeved layer — think layers, not one heavy coat.
• Gloves, a scarf or buff and warm socks for early rides.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and lip balm — the sun is strong at this altitude and the air is dry.
• A light rain jacket just in case.

Riding a motorbike in December

• Dry roads make December one of the easiest months to ride, but mornings are cold — dress warmly and give your hands time to warm up.
• Morning fog can be thick on the hills; switch on your lights and slow down until it lifts.
• For day trips to tea hills, waterfalls or Lang Biang, the Honda Air Blade 125cc is the most comfortable. The electric scooter is ideal for the centre and festival venues.
• Vietnam drives on the right. No alcohol or beer when riding, and strictly follow Vietnamese traffic law.

Is December a good time to visit Da Lat?

Yes, if you like cool, sunny weather and a festive atmosphere. The first half of the month is calmer; the second half — festival, Christmas and New Year — is the busiest time of the year, so plan and book ahead. Our November guide describes the month before.

Rent a bike for your December trip

At Văn Phú every bike — Honda Vision 110cc, Honda Air Blade 125cc or electric scooter — costs 150,000 VND per day, with a free helmet, a phone holder and no cash deposit (you leave your passport or ID card). The shop at 1/15/5 Thông Thiên Học opens at 4:30 am, and for rentals of 2 days or more we deliver free to hotels in central Da Lat. In the festival weeks, message us early to reserve your bike. See all bikes on our Da Lat motorbike rental page.

Written by Ngô Văn Phú (Phu) – owner of Van Phu Dalat, local travel services in Da Lat since 2018: motorbike rental, homestay and villa booking. About me →