North
Cao Phong oranges
Oranges from Cao Phong (formerly Hoa Binh, now part of Phu Tho) ripen in force from about November through Tết. Juicy and gently sweet, they’re great for squeezing or for an end-of-year fruit tray.
Seasonal Calendar
December, the season of oranges, pomelos and hot tea
Monsoon winds sweep across the North, Saigon enters its dry season, and city streets light up for Christmas. The last month of the year brings oranges, pomelos, strawberries, winter greens and get-togethers over cups of hot tea.
Weather across Vietnam
One month, three weather rhythms
Northern Vietnam is truly in winter: dry air, with waves of northeast monsoon pulling temperatures down, bitter cold spells in the mountains and frost in some places. On the tea hills, buds come out more slowly, and each winter flush takes longer to pick than the main season.
Da Nang, Hoi An and Duy Xuyen are in the last weeks of Central Vietnam’s rainy season, with cool weather and rain that sometimes lasts for days. Saigon is in its dry season, with mild sunshine and slightly chilly early mornings and late nights; Da Lat and the Central Highlands are also in the dry season, with cold mornings and misty fog.
- North: cold and dry, so dress warmly for early outings
- Central: rainy and cool, so bring a light rain jacket
- South: dry season, mild sunshine, cool nights
Seasonal produce
December delicious in December?
Six signature items for the last month of the year. Exactly when they ripen depends on each year’s weather and each orchard.
Hanoi
Diễn pomelos (bưởi Diễn)
Medium-sized and round, with golden skin when ripe and dry, sweet, cooling segments. From around the full moon of the 11th lunar month, many orchards start picking pomelos in time for Tết.
Red River Delta
Winter vegetables
Kohlrabi, cabbage, cauliflower and carrots hit their peak when the weather turns cold. Crisp and sweet, winter greens are great in soups, boiled with a dipping sauce, or quickly stir-fried.
Lam Dong
Da Lat strawberries
With Da Lat’s dry season, many people start waiting for beautiful strawberries; they’re usually best from January to March. Da Lat strawberries are among the seasonal fruits Nhà An chooses for its fruit teas.
Mekong Delta
Lò Rèn star apples (vú sữa Lò Rèn)
A specialty of Vinh Kim (formerly Tien Giang, now part of Dong Thap), ripening in force around November–December. Glossy green skin, white flesh and a milky sweetness; best when the fruit has just softened.
Harvest season
Central Highlands coffee
From around October–November through the end of the year, the Central Highlands are in coffee-picking season, with drying yards glowing red with ripe cherries. At Nhà An, phin coffee features in a few drinks, such as the salted phin coffee at Tan Binh.
Holidays & special days
Memorable days in December 2026
Gregorian dates for 2026, with Vietnamese lunar dates alongside to help you plan family tasks and get-togethers.
- 9/12
First day of the 11th lunar month
Wednesday. Many families burn incense and eat vegetarian on the first day of the lunar month; a vegetarian meal with hot vegetable soup is a warming choice on a winter day.
- 22/12
Winter Solstice (Đông chí)
Tuesday, the 14th of the 11th lunar month. The shortest daylight of the year in the Northern Hemisphere; for many Hoa families, it is a time to gather over bowls of chè trôi nước (sweet glutinous rice balls in ginger syrup). That evening is the 14th night of the lunar month, when Hoi An usually holds its Old Town Night, with lanterns and floating lights on the Hoai River.
- 23/12
Full-moon day of the 11th lunar month
Wednesday. On full-moon days, many people choose to eat vegetarian. Nhà An’s kitchen cooks entirely vegetarian dishes, with broth simmered from vegetables and no MSG.
- 24–25/12
Christmas
Thursday and Friday. The streets light up; Nhà An plans to have a Christmas tree, string lights, a holiday photo set and an acoustic Noel night on Friday evening, Dec 25.
- Late November
Final exams and year-end parties
Many schools head into first-semester exams, while friend groups and companies get together to wrap up the year. The Deadline Room is open 24/7; the Chatter Courtyard hosts small parties of up to 30 guests, booked at least 2 days ahead.
- 31/12
New Year’s Eve
Thursday, the 23rd of the 11th lunar month. A countdown to 2027 with acoustic music and hot tea (planned); Nhà An is open all night, so no one has to rush home.
Seasonal picks
What to drink and eat at Nhà An in December
Seasonal suggestions; specific items depend on the branch and the day’s batch of ingredients.
Hot oolong, gently brewed
Wood-fired aroma and a honey-sweet finish for a monsoon morning, plus a croissant fresh from the oven.
Hot milk tea
Tea base brewed fresh every 4 hours; start at 0% sweetness and switch to oat milk if you like.
Hot lotus tea and jasmine tea
A gentle floral aroma for long end-of-year conversations, poured in small cups to warm your hands.
Winter fruit tea
Oranges or Da Lat strawberries may feature in the seasonal fruit tea; ask the barista about this week’s special.
Piping hot vegetarian dishes
Vegetarian mì Quảng in Central Vietnam and vegetarian hủ tiếu Nam Vang (Phnom Penh-style noodle soup) in Binh Thanh, with broth simmered from vegetables.
Late-night vegetarian bites for exam season
From 22:00 to 04:00, the kitchen serves late-night vegetarian dishes for year-end exam cramming and deadline nights.
Little tips
Shopping, staying strong and planning your year-end
Choosing winter fruit
- Oranges: heavy for their size, with taut skin and a fragrant citrus-oil scent when lightly rubbed
- Pomelos: firm in the hand with smooth skin; a few more days in a cool, airy spot usually makes the segments drier
- Strawberries: evenly red up to the stem, with fresh green stems and no bruises; wash only right before eating
- Star apples: glossy, taut skin, and a gentle press that gives slightly means they’re ripe
Staying warm, keeping your rhythm
- Keep your neck, hands and feet warm for early mornings and late evenings
- You feel less thirsty in cold weather, but still drink enough water
- Get enough sleep; if you’re sensitive to caffeine, skip strong tea close to bedtime
- If you study for long stretches, stand up and walk for a few minutes every hour
Planning your year-end
- Small parties of up to 30 guests at the Chatter Courtyard: book at least 2 days ahead
- Order birthday cakes 2 days ahead; book tea-and-cake gift boxes early around the holidays
- Mark full-moon and first-of-the-month dates with the lunar-solar date converter
- Heading to Central Vietnam: bring a light rain jacket and check the forecast first
Moments
December through the lens
Quick questions about December
Which lunar dates should I remember in December 2026?
The first day of the 11th lunar month is Wednesday, Dec 9, and the full moon of the 11th month is Wednesday, Dec 23. Into the new year, the first day of the 12th lunar month is Friday, Jan 8, 2027, and the first day of Tết Đinh Mùi is Saturday, Feb 6, 2027.
When is the Winter Solstice in 2026?
In Vietnam time, the 2026 Winter Solstice falls on Tuesday, Dec 22. It is the day with the shortest daylight of the year in the Northern Hemisphere; after the solstice, days grow longer.
Does it rain in Da Nang and Hoi An in December?
December is still part of the rainy season in Central Vietnam, with some days of long rain and cool weather. Bring a light rain jacket and a light coat, and check the forecast before each trip.
Is Nhà An open on Christmas Eve and on Dec 31?
Once open, all 5 Nhà An branches are open 24/7, including holidays. The schedule for the Noel music night and the countdown will be announced on the website and on Zalo.
A new season of flavor every month
Browse the full 12-month seasonal calendar, or book a table ahead for your year-end get-togethers. Nhà An’s 5 branches are being finished and opening soon.
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