When to go · Hanoi
Hanoi in May
Mixed month. Heat builds; Apr 30–May 1 holidays.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C) / 25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 14
- Crowds
- Medium
- Vietnam overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Vietnam overall
Verdict
Heat builds; Apr 30–May 1 holidays.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in May
- HanoiHighs around 32 °C (90 °F), lows around 25 °C (77 °F), rain on about 14 daysHighs around 90 °F (32 °C), lows around 77 °F (25 °C), rain on about 14 days
- North, Vietnam · Hanoi, Hạ Long, Ninh Bình, Sa Pahot
Four seasons: cool grey winters (Sa Pa can reach 0 °C (32 °F)), humid hot summers with storms Jul–Sep; Hạ Long cruises cancel on storm warnings.Four seasons: cool grey winters (Sa Pa can reach 32 °F (0 °C)), humid hot summers with storms Jul–Sep; Hạ Long cruises cancel on storm warnings.
Summer season
Lotus flowers on West Lake in June, lotus tea, short sharp storms that cool the evenings.
Watch: 33 °C with humidity; midday indoors.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Reunification Day and Labour Day
30 April – 1 May · Nationwide
Hanoi empties towards the coast and Hạ Long; city centre is calm, buses and coast hotels are full.
Hồ Chí Minh's birthday
19 May · Ba Đình
Long mausoleum queues and official events; plan Ba Đình for another morning.
Buddha's birthday (Phật Đản) check
15th of the 4th lunar month · Pagodas
Lanterns and processions at Quán Sứ and other pagodas.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Vietnam overall
- Medium
- Prices · Vietnam overall
- Medium
Vietnam overall: Heat builds in Hanoi and Saigon; the central coast is at its beach best.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Hanoi, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Apr: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 32 °C (90 °F)90 °F (32 °C)
Apr: 28 °C (82 °F)82 °F (28 °C)
Night low
May: 25 °C (77 °F)77 °F (25 °C)
Apr: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Rain days
May: 14
Apr: 13 (better)
Crowds
May: Medium
Apr: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Apr: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 3
Apr: 3
May: Heat builds; Apr 30–May 1 holidays.
April: Warm; good month.
Hanoi: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast