Laos in May

First rains clear the smoke; Boun Bang Fai rocket festivals in villages.

May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• NovemberGreatDry and green; That Luang festival in Vientiane (lunar, check).
• DecemberGreatCool and clear; book Luang Prabang beds and train seats early.
• JanuaryGreatDry, clear, cool mornings in the north; peak season in Luang Prabang.
• FebruaryGreatStill dry; the burning season can start late in the month — check air quality.

• North · Luang Prabang, Nong Khiaw, Luang Namtha, Phonsavanhot

  Cool, misty mornings Dec–Jan (near 10 °C (50 °F) at altitude); the burning season (Feb–Apr) brings thick smoke; rains wash roads May–Oct.Cool, misty mornings Dec–Jan (near 50 °F (10 °C) at altitude); the burning season (Feb–Apr) brings thick smoke; rains wash roads May–Oct.

• Centre · Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Thakhekhot

  Dry and pleasant Nov–Feb; April tops 37 °C (99 °F); the Thakhek Loop is hard in the rains.Dry and pleasant Nov–Feb; April tops 99 °F (37 °C); the Thakhek Loop is hard in the rains.

• South · Pakse, Bolaven Plateau, 4,000 Islandshot

  Hottest region in April; the Bolaven Plateau is cooler and wettest; river islands flood partly at high water.

• Central Laos: Vientiane / Vang Vieng · Mekong plain and karst valleyrainy

  Nov–Feb is dry and cool; March–May hits 35 °C (95 °F)+; the wet months bring afternoon downpours and slick karst trails.Nov–Feb is dry and cool; March–May hits 95 °F (35 °C)+; the wet months bring afternoon downpours and slick karst trails.

• Central Laos: Phonsavan / Sam Neua · Xieng Khouang and Huaphan highlandsrainy

  Higher and colder than the lowlands; nights drop sharply Nov–Feb and morning fog slows mountain roads.

• Southern Laos: Mekong plain (Pakse, Savannakhet) · River valleysrainy

  Dry season Nov–Feb is the comfortable window; March–May pushes past 35 °C (95 °F); the wet season runs roughly May–Oct with afternoon downpours.Dry season Nov–Feb is the comfortable window; March–May pushes past 95 °F (35 °C); the wet season runs roughly May–Oct with afternoon downpours.

• Southern Laos: Bolaven Plateau · Above 1,000 mrainy

  Mild year-round; cold nights Nov–Feb. Best visited in the dry season.

• Luang Prabang33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 15 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 15 rain days
• Ban Nahin35 °C (95 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days95 °F (35 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
• Ban Nakasang34 °C (93 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 15 rain days
• Bolaven Plateau35 °C (95 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 9 rain days95 °F (35 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 9 rain days
• Boten34 °C (93 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 14 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 14 rain days
• Champasak35 °C (95 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 13 rain days95 °F (35 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 13 rain days
• Don Det36 °C (97 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 8 rain days97 °F (36 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 8 rain days
• Don Khon33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 15 rain days
• Don Khong33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 17 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 17 rain days
• Huay Xai33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 15 rain days
• Luang Namtha32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 16 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 16 rain days
• Muang Khua30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
• Muang Long33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 16 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 16 rain days
• Muang Ngeun33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 14 rain days
• Muang Ngoi Neua36 °C (97 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days97 °F (36 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
• Muang Sing30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
• Muang Xay32 °C (90 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 18 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 18 rain days
• Nong Khiaw32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days90 °F (32 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 12 rain days
• Pak Lay33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 14 rain days
• Pakbeng34 °C (93 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 7 rain days
• Paksan33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 14 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 14 rain days
• Paksong30 °C (86 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 8 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 8 rain days
• Phongsali29 °C (84 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 16 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 16 rain days
• Phonsavan29 °C (84 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 16 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 16 rain days
• Plain of Jars33 °C (91 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 8 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 8 rain days
• Sam Neua29 °C (84 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 14 rain days84 °F (29 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 14 rain days
• Savannakhet34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 15 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 15 rain days
• Sayabouly36 °C (97 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days97 °F (36 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
• Thakhek33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 15 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 15 rain days
• Vang Vieng33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 369 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 369 rain days
• Vieng Xai34 °C (93 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 12 rain days
• Xieng Kok33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 14 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 14 rain days

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.

• Boun Bang Fai (rocket festival)

  May (lunar — check)

  Village rocket launches to call the rains.

• Visakha Bucha check

  Full moon of the 6th lunar month · Luang Prabang

  Candle-lit temple processions.

Crowds · Laos

Low

Prices · Laos

Low

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Laos, side by side.

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

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