December is the driest month in the north and in Hanoi you’ll be unlucky to get any rain. Travel in early December and the temperatures here should be around a comfortable 25°C, but as you get towards the end of the month it will probably be closer to 20°C as winter enters the equation. A perfect month for touring but an extra layer may be needed on Halong Bay and up in the hills of Sapa and Ha Giang where the walking conditions are still perfect.

Travelling to Hue and Hoi An on the central coast is still recommended as a flying visit to take in the UNESCO highlights as rain remains firmly on the menu, but head south and it couldn’t be better with an average temperature of 27°C and relatively low humidity in Saigon, Mekong Delta and your pick of beach resort. Again a great month to take a Mekong River cruise.