When to go · Vientiane

Vientiane in May

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Mar–May (very hot, often 38–40°C (100–104°F), seasonal haze) and Jul–Sep (Mekong flooding, heavy rain).Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Mar–May (very hot, often 100–104°F (38–40°C), seasonal haze) and Jul–Sep (Mekong flooding, heavy rain).

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Crowds: Low; Laos overall
Prices: Low; Laos overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Vientiane

Listed as a month to avoid: Mar–May (very hot, often 38–40°C (100–104°F), seasonal haze) and Jul–Sep (Mekong flooding, heavy rain).Listed as a month to avoid: Mar–May (very hot, often 100–104°F (38–40°C), seasonal haze) and Jul–Sep (Mekong flooding, heavy rain).

Is another month better than May?

May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in May

Centre, Laos · 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.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Laos overall: Low
Prices · Laos overall: Low

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

Compare two months

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

First month

Second month

Verdict
May: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 1

May: Listed as a month to avoid: Mar–May (very hot, often 38–40°C, seasonal haze) and Jul–Sep (Mekong flooding, heavy rain).

January: Inside Vientiane's best window: Nov–Feb (cooler, dry, low humidity).

Vientiane: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Laos in May →