Thailand vs Bali vs Vietnam in November-December: Which One Has the Best Weather?
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17
Phuket vs Bali weather which is better in December? Thailand wins on weather, Vietnam wins on price, and Bali wins on vibe but floods in December can wreck your plans. The right choice depends on your priorities and budget.
This guide compares Thailand and Bali for Indian backpackers weighing November or December travel. The trade-offs come down to weather patterns, flight costs, and visa paperwork.
We also cover Vietnam as the third option in this comparison, because the price and food differences matter for budget-conscious Indian travellers.
This article is part of the SEA Backpacking Hub seasonal comparison series, covering everything you need to pick the right Southeast Asian destination for the November-December window.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Best weather November-December | Thailand (Andaman coast + Gulf) | , |
| Wettest of the three | Bali (still in wet season) | , |
| Cheapest dorm of the three | Vietnam (Hanoi, HCMC) | 600 |
| Most expensive flights from India | Bali (rare direct routes) | 25000 |
| Easiest visa for Indians | Thailand (visa-free 60 days) | 0 |
Month-by-Month Breakdown
| Month | Destination | Weather | Crowds | Cost Level | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | Thailand (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui) | Dry season starting, 28-32°C, low rain | Medium, climbing | Shoulder | Best value before peak |
| November | Bali (Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu) | Wet season, daily 1-2hr showers, 27-31°C | Low (green season) | Budget | Cheap but rain risk |
| November | Vietnam (Hanoi, Hoi An) | Dry season starts north, rainy south | Medium | Shoulder | North wins, south mixed |
| December | Thailand (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui) | Peak dry, 28-33°C, almost no rain | high (Christmas/NYE) | Peak | Book 2-3 months ahead |
| December | Bali (Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu) | Peak wet season, 200-300mm rain, flood risk | Medium (tourists still come) | Shoulder | Highest flood risk month |
| December | Vietnam (Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang) | North cool & dry (18-24°C), south dry | High | Peak | North is ideal, south great |
| Early Jan | Thailand | Peak continues through Jan 5 | Peak | Peak | NYE hangover crowds |
| Early Jan | Bali | Rain starts tapering late Jan | Low to medium | Budget | Good if you wait |
Subodh’s Pro Tip: If you can shift your trip by even 10 days, the December 20 - January 5 window in Thailand costs 40-60% more than the same beds on December 1-10 or January 8-15. Same weather, half the damage to your wallet. For a deeper look at the Christmas and New Year window across Southeast Asia, check our seasonal breakdown.
Thailand in November-December: The Reliable Choice
Weather Reality Check
Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, and Koh Phangan enter their dry window in mid-November. By December you get 28-33°C days, humidity around 65-70%, and rainfall drops to under 50mm for the month on the Andaman side (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi). Gulf islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) follow a slightly different pattern and stay drier through December before their own rainy window in October-November the next year. Either side of Thailand’s two coasts, December is a strong month. Our Thailand weather by month guide has the full regional breakdown.
Sea conditions for diving are at their best in the Andaman Sea, with 20-30m visibility around the Similan Islands and Koh Lanta. The east coast (Koh Tao, Koh Phangan) is calm in December. Check our Koh Phangan guide for details on the island beyond the Full Moon Party.
Visa for Indians
Thailand is the easiest of the three for Indian passport holders. The bilateral visa-free agreement grants 60 days on arrival, no fee, no embassy visit. You also need to fill the TDAC digital arrival card before boarding (free, takes 3 minutes at https://tdac.immigration.go.th). That’s the entire process. For travellers who need a physical visa stamp in their passport (for example, for employer travel-approval documentation or countries that require proof of a valid visa), the embassy TR tourist visa costs ₹7,225 (~75 USD) for 60 days single entry. Most Indians use the visa-free route instead since it covers the same duration.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Visa-free 60 days for Indians, easiest paperwork of the three destinations
- Reliable dry weather from mid-November through February
- Huge Indian food scene, especially in Phuket and Bangkok
- Direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai
- Full range of accommodation, ₹717 (~250 THB or ~$7.45) dorms in Bangkok to private pool villas
Cons:
- Peak season pricing December 20 to January 5, dorms double, flights 50-80% higher
- Koh Phangan Full Moon Party in late December draws large crowds, book transport and beds early
- Some Bangkok and Pattaya beaches are not swimmable in December due to boat traffic, not weather
Where to Eat in Phuket
If you end up on Phuket this winter, the shortlist has solid real options. Local Canteen Phuket (rating 4.9) is the kind of place where you point at the steam tray and pay ₹172-₹344 (~60-120 THB or ~$1.79-$3.57) for a plate of pad kra pao or gaeng keow wan. Cafe Delight Phuket Old Town (rating 4.8) is your breakfast spot with proper coffee and eggs at ₹430-₹717 (~150-250 THB or ~$4.47-$7.45). For street-food energy, Lao Pa Sat Phuket Town (rating 4.8) is a traditional market with local snacks and goods.
When you need Indian food (and you will, after a week of rice and noodles), Amritsr Restaurant at Kalim Beach (rating 4.9) has the signature stuffed Amritsari Kulcha at ₹574-₹1,435 (~200-500 THB or ~$5.96-$14.89) per person with a sea view. Amritsr Restaurant Patong (rating 4.9) is closer to the action if you are based in Patong, aloo kulcha with chole at similar prices. PAPAJI BANGKOK in Phuket (rating 4.9) is on Patong Beach Road with biryani at roughly ₹861 (~300 THB or ~$8.94) per person, North Indian and Arabic dishes.
Bali in November-December: Cheap, Beautiful, and Genuinely Risky
Weather Reality Check
Here is the part most comparison articles skip: Bali is still in its wet season in November and early December. The rains peak December through February, with monthly rainfall hitting 200-350mm depending on which side of the island you are on. Rainfall in Bali is usually 1-3 hour afternoon downpours, not all-day grey skies like Kerala monsoon. But the intensity is what causes problems. Our Indonesia December guide covers this in depth.
Is Bali flooded in December? Yes, parts of it, and this is the gap other comparison articles do not cover. Ubud sits in a river valley and floods cut off access to town when the river bursts its banks, which has happened multiple times in recent Decembers. Canggu floods on key roads, the shortcut to Tanah Lot temple gets closed, and reaching some surf breaks becomes impossible. Sanur and parts of Denpasar flood when heavy rain coincides with high tide. Nusa Penida day trips get cancelled when the fast boat operators judge the swell unsafe, which can be 3-5 days in a row during December wet spells.
The airport itself is on higher ground and almost never closes, so your flight is fine. It is the day-to-day movement around the island that breaks.
Weather pros: Lush green rice terraces (the reason Ubud looks its best), fewer tourists than July-August peak, surf is consistent on the east coast, prices are 30-40% lower than European summer peak.
Weather cons: A real risk of a 2-3 day stretch where you cannot reach the beach or temple you planned to visit. Some island hopping to the Gilis and Nusa Penida is cancelled by operators when conditions are unsafe.
Visa for Indians
Indonesia does not offer visa-free entry to Indians. The e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) is the standard route, applied for online before flying at https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id. The fee is IDR 500,000 (~$35 / ~₹2,918) for 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days at an immigration office for IDR 500,000. You also pay a tourism levy of IDR 150,000 on arrival.
If you are overlanding from Singapore or Malaysia, a Visa on Arrival (VoA) is available at the airport for the same IDR 500,000, but you queue longer at the counter instead of arriving pre-approved.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Cheaper than July-August peak season by 30-40%
- Lush scenery, rice terraces at their greenest
- Strong coworking and digital nomad scene in Canggu and Ubud
- Good surf on the east coast, consistent waves in November-December
Cons:
- Flood risk in Ubud, Canggu, and parts of Denpasar, check recent reports before booking inland stays
- Nusa Penida and Gili fast boat cancellations during December swells
- Higher flight cost from India, few direct routes, usually via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore
- E-VOA required for Indians, paperwork the other two destinations do not need
Vietnam in November-December: Best Price, Best Food, Mixed Weather by Region
Weather Reality Check
Vietnam’s weather in November-December splits cleanly by region. Our Vietnam weather by month and region guide has the full details.
- North (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh): Cool and dry. 18-24°C, low humidity, occasional drizzle. This is the peak season for the north.
- Central (Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Nha Trang): Mixed. November can still see typhoon-influenced rain, especially early November. By mid-to-late December it dries out, 22-28°C. Hoi An’s lantern-lit old town is at its best in this window.
- South (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc): Dry season in full swing, 28-33°C, low rain, high humidity. This is peak season for the south.
If you want consistent December weather, base yourself in Hanoi, Da Lat, Hoi An, or Ho Chi Minh City. Avoid the central coast in early November if typhoon risk worries you (it is a real but manageable risk, not a deal-breaker).
Visa for Indians
Vietnam offers e-Visa for Indians at https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn, ₹2,408 (~25 USD) for 30 days single entry or ₹4,816 (~50 USD) for 30 days multiple entry. Processing is 3 working days. You can also get a visa on arrival if you have a pre-approved letter, but e-Visa is simpler.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Cheapest of the three, dorms from 80,000- in Hanoi and HCMC
- Best food in Southeast Asia, full stop
- Strong internal transport network, sleeper buses, cheap domestic flights
- Cool, pleasant weather in the north during peak Indian summer
- Visa is cheap and online
Cons:
- Weather splits by region, you need to pick a side
- Fewer direct flights from India than Thailand, most routes via Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur
- Less English in rural areas compared to Bali or Thailand
- Internal travel between regions eats time, the country is long and skinny
Subodh’s Pro Tip: If you have 10-14 days and want one country that gives you the most varied December experience, do Vietnam north-to-south (Hanoi, Hoi An, HCMC). You get cool weather up north, beach weather in the middle, and tropical dry weather at the bottom, all within a 2-hour domestic flight between each.
Weather Costs Comparison
| Item | Peak Season (Dec 20 - Jan 5) | Shoulder Season (Nov 1 - Dec 19) | Low Season (Sep - Oct) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight India to Thailand | 25000 | 18000 | 12000 |
| Flight India to Bali | 25000 | 20000 | 15000 |
| Flight India to Vietnam | 22000 | 16000 | 11000 |
| Dorm Bed Bangkok (THB) | 900 | 800 | 580 |
| Dorm Bed Phuket, Patong (THB) | 1200 | 900 | 700 |
| Dorm Bed Bali, Canggu (IDR thousands) | 1000 | 800 | 600 |
| Dorm Bed Hanoi (VND thousands) | 800 | 600 | 500 |
| Thai street meal (THB) | 80 | 80 | 60 |
| Indonesian warung meal (IDR thousands) | 60 | 60 | 50 |
| Vietnamese street meal (VND thousands) | 50 | 50 | 40 |
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Bali flights from India are the most expensive of the three year-round, often ₹25,000-₹35,000 (~$259.53-$363.34) even in low season. The reason: no direct routes, almost all flights route through Kuala Lumpur or Singapore on Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, or Scoot. If you are flexible, fly into Kuala Lumpur (often ₹15,000 (~$155.72) round trip) and grab a separate AirAsia to Denpasar for ₹6,000-₹9,000 (~$62.29-$93.43). Total lands lower than a single ticket through an aggregator.
What to Pack for November-December in This Region
The three destinations look similar on a packing list but have one or two sharp edges each:
- Quick-dry shirts (3-4): works for all three, especially Bali and central Vietnam where afternoon rain is possible
- Light rain jacket or packable poncho: essential for Bali, useful for central Vietnam in early November
- Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+): UV is intense across all three, even in cloudy Bali
- Mosquito repellent (DEET 20%+): dengue is present in all three destinations, November-December is a peak mosquito window in Bali
- Flip flops AND closed walking shoes: Bali and Thailand temple visits require covered shoes, and flooded sidewalks are a real thing
- Dry bag (10-15L): for boat days in Thailand and Bali, cheap insurance against phone damage
- Light layer for Hanoi and Da Lat nights: Vietnam north drops to 15-18°C in December nights, surprising if you packed only for the tropics
Getting Connected
A working data connection is the difference between catching a flood warning before you book that Ubud villa and finding out after you are stranded there. AIS and True (formerly TrueMove and DTAC, now merged under True Corporation) tourist SIMs work across Thailand, available at every airport for ₹858-₹1,719 (~299-599 THB or ~$8.91-$17.84) for 8-15 day packages with 15-30GB. Telkomsel and XL Axiata cover Bali and Indonesia, 100,000- for tourist SIMs at the airport or convenience stores. Viettel and Mobifone are the Vietnam picks, 100,000- for similar packages.
If you want to skip the airport SIM counter, Get Nomad eSIM for Southeast Asia works across all three countries on one purchase, useful for the real-time flood and weather alerts you need in December.
Safety Alert: Before booking any Bali accommodation inland (Ubud, Sidemen, Munduk), check recent traveller reports on r/bali and Bali-specific flood monitoring channels for the past 14 days. The risk pattern changes year to year and we cannot tell you which December will be the wet one. For Thailand and Vietnam weather risk, the Indian MEA travel advisory at mea.gov.in is worth a check before you fly.
FAQ
Is Bali flooded in December, or is that overblown?
It is not overblown. Ubud regularly sees multiple flood events in December, Canggu floods cut road access, and fast boats to Nusa Penida and the Gilis get cancelled on 3-5 day stretches during heavy rain. The airport stays open, but day-to-day movement breaks. If your Bali plan depends on day trips to Nusa Penida or specific Ubud sites, December is the wrong month. If your plan is to sit in a Canggu coworking space or a villa with a pool, the rain rarely matters.
Should I pick Thailand or Vietnam for a first-time Southeast Asia trip in December?
Thailand, unless you have specific reasons to pick Vietnam. Easier visa (free 60 days vs ₹2,408 (~25 USD) e-Visa), direct flights from more Indian cities, larger Indian food scene, and the weather is more predictable across regions. Vietnam rewards a second or third SEA trip when you know what you want from the country.
How bad is the December rain in Phuket compared to Bali?
Not bad at all. Phuket in December averages under 50mm of rain for the month, mostly short overnight showers. Bali in December averages 200-350mm with multi-hour downpours. The two are not in the same category. Phuket is one of the driest places in Thailand in December, Bali is at peak wet season.
Can I do all three countries on one trip in November-December?
Yes, and many backpackers do. A common routing: Bangkok (3 nights) to fly to Bali (5-7 nights), fly back to Hanoi or Bangkok, train or fly down Vietnam (7-10 nights). AirAsia and VietJet connect all three cheaply. Expect ₹35,000-₹50,000 (~$363.34-$519.05) total for the regional flights if booked 30+ days ahead. Visa-wise, Thailand is free. Vietnam needs the ₹2,408 (~25 USD) e-Visa. Bali needs the e-VOA at IDR 500,000 (~$35 / ~₹2,918).
When is the cheapest week in December across all three?
The first 10 days of December, before Christmas week kicks in, is the consistent sweet spot. Same weather, same flight options, 30-50% lower prices on accommodation. Book flights 6-8 weeks ahead for this window, beds 3-4 weeks ahead is fine.
Should I book Bali flights now or wait for a December sale?
Book now. December is peak Bali season for Australian and European travellers even in the wet months, and Indian route fares climb steadily from October onwards. Waiting for a sale on a route with limited daily flights is a losing strategy.
What is the single best destination for an Indian solo female traveller in December?
Thailand, specifically Chiang Mai or Koh Lanta. Both are safe, walkable, have established backpacker infrastructure, low harassment compared to other SEA spots, and large enough Indian food scenes that you will never feel stranded on a veg day. Bali Canggu is also strong if flood risk is low the year you go. See our Chiang Mai guide for a full breakdown of the city.
Subodh’s Take
Pick Thailand if you want the path of least resistance and best weather odds. Pick Vietnam if you have more time than money and want to eat your way through one of the world’s great food countries. Pick Bali only if you have done the other two and want something different, or if you are going specifically for the surf, yoga, or coworking scene and have a backup plan for the days the boats do not run. December is Thailand’s month to shine. If you can do it, do it.
