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When to go · Vietnam

Vietnam in May

Mixed month. Heat builds in Hanoi and Saigon; the central coast is at its beach best.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Medium
Vietnam
Prices
Medium
Vietnam

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for Vietnam

Heat builds in Hanoi and Saigon; the central coast is at its beach best.

Is another month better than May?

May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in May

  • North · 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.

  • Centre · Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội An, Quy Nhơnbest weather

    Monsoon runs Sep–Feb, the opposite of the south; Hội An's old town floods most Octobers and Novembers.

  • South · Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong, Phú Quốcrainy

    Hot all year; wet May–Nov means a 1–2 h afternoon downpour, rarely a lost day.

  • Central Coast: Huế to Hội An · Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội Anbest weather

    Dry February–August; typhoons and floods September–December; Huế is wetter than Đà Nẵng.

  • Central Coast: South-central · Quy Nhơn, Nha Trang, Mũi Nébest weather

    Drier than the north of the coast; Mũi Né is one of the driest places in Vietnam.

  • Central Highlands: Đà Lạt plateau · Đà Lạtrainy

    Mild all year (highs 22–25 °C (72–77 °F)); dry December–March; rainy afternoons May–October.

  • Central Highlands: Dak Lak plateau · Buôn Ma Thuộtrainy

    Warmer than Đà Lạt; coffee harvest November–January.

  • North Vietnam: Hanoi and the Red River delta · Hanoi, Ninh Bình, Hải Phònghot

    Grey drizzle Feb–Mar; storms Jul–Sep; October–November clear and dry.

  • North Vietnam: Coast and bays · Hạ Long, Lan Hạ, Cát Bàbest weather

    Typhoon warnings cancel cruises Jul–Sep; winter haze.

  • North Vietnam: Northern mountains · Sa Pa, Hà Giangbest weather

    Near freezing in Dec–Jan; rice terraces green May–Jul, golden mid-Sep to early Oct; buckwheat flowers in Hà Giang Oct–Nov.

  • Northern Vietnam: Hanoi and the delta · Red River deltahot

    Oct–Dec is the driest and clearest; Feb–Apr is damp with drizzle; May–Aug is 35 °C (95 °F)+ and humid; Jul–Sep brings typhoons that can cancel bay cruises.

  • Northern Vietnam: Northern mountains · Sa Pa, Ha Giang, Lao Cairainy

    Cooler than Hanoi all year; Dec–Feb can drop near freezing at night; Sep–Nov is the clearest for terraces and passes.

  • Northern Vietnam: Coast and islands · Ha Long, Cat Ba, Hai Phonghot

    Mar–Jun and Sep–Nov are the best windows; Jul–Aug storms can ground boats and close beaches.

  • Southern Vietnam: Saigon and the delta · Ho Chi Minh City, Cần Thơ, Châu Đốcrainy

    Hot all year; wet May–November with afternoon storms; delta floods Sep–Nov raise the rivers.

  • Southern Vietnam: Islands · Phú Quốc, Côn Đảofine

    Phú Quốc's west coast is calm November–April; rough in the south-west monsoon.

  • Da Nang33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 7 rain days
  • Hanoi32 °C (90 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 14 rain days
  • Ho Chi Minh City34 °C (93 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 17 rain days
  • Hoi An33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 7 rain days
  • Hue34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days
  • Bac Ha22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 6 rain days
  • Bao Loc30 °C (86 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 18 rain days
  • Ben Tre35 °C (95 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 12 rain days
  • Ca Mau33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 18 rain days
  • Ca Na33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 10 rain days
  • Cai Be34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days
  • Cai Rong30 °C (86 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 8 rain days
  • Cam Pha31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 13 rain days
  • Cao Bang27 °C (81 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 12 rain days
  • Cat Ba31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Co Loa31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Co To Island30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Cu Chi33 °C (91 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 2 rain days
  • Cua Ong31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 13 rain days
  • Dien Bien Phu31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 14 rain days
  • Dong Dang31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 15 rain days
  • Dong Ha30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Gia Nghia32 °C (90 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 15 rain days
  • Giao Xuân32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 10 rain days
  • Ha Tien33 °C (91 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 12 rain days
  • Khâm Đức32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 13 rain days
  • Khe Sanh33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kon Tum30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 14 rain days
  • Lăng Cô33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 10 rain days
  • Lao Cai27 °C (81 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 12 rain days
  • Long Xuyen34 °C (93 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 12 rain days
  • Lý Sơn32 °C (90 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 6 rain days
  • Mong Cai30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 14 rain days
  • My Tho34 °C (93 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 7 rain days
  • Na Meo30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 12 rain days
  • Ngoc Hoi32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 15 rain days
  • Phan Rang–Tháp Chàm33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 10 rain days
  • Phan Thiet34 °C (93 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 2 rain days
  • Pleiku28 °C (82 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 18 rain days
  • Quan Lạn28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Quảng Ngãi33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days
  • Rach Gia34 °C (93 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 12 rain days
  • Soc Trang34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days
  • Tam Dao26 °C (79 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 16 rain days
  • Tam Kỳ33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 2 rain days
  • Tây Ninh31 °C (88 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 12 rain days
  • Thac Mo30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 12 rain days
  • Thái Nguyên33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 10 rain days
  • Thanh Hoa33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 5 rain days
  • Tra Vinh33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 15 rain days
  • Tuan Chau Island31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 15 rain days
  • Vinh Long35 °C (95 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 12 rain days
  • Vinh30 °C (86 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 4 rain days
  • Y Ty25 °C (77 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 18 rain days
  • Nha Trang32 °C (90 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 6 rain days
  • Da Lat26 °C (79 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 19 rain days
  • Sa Pa24 °C (75 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 19 rain days
  • Ha Giang31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 17 rain days
  • Hai Phong30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 13 rain days
  • Ha Long City30 °C (86 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 14 rain days
  • Can Tho33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 16 rain days
  • Phu Quoc32 °C (90 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 17 rain days
  • Quy Nhon32 °C (90 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 7 rain days
  • Mui Ne33 °C (91 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 10 rain days
  • Vung Tau33 °C (91 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 12 rain days
  • Dong Hoi32 °C (90 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 8 rain days
  • Ninh Binh City32 °C (90 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 14 rain days
  • Buon Ma Thuot32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 18 rain days
  • Chau Doc34 °C (93 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 15 rain days
  • Con Dao32 °C (90 °F) / 27 °C (81 °F), 13 rain days

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 + Labour Day big impact

    30 Apr – 1 May

    Beach towns and Hạ Long fully booked; book transport and beds early.

  • Ironman 70.3 and summer races check

    Spring weekends (check the year) · Da Nang

    Road closures on race mornings along the beach.

  • Buddha's birthday (Phật Đản) check

    15th of the 4th lunar month · Da Nang

    Lanterns and processions; busy pagodas.

  • Holiday weekend

    Apr 30–May 1 · Da Nang

    Domestic tourists fill the beach hotels.

  • Hồ Chí Minh's birthday

    19 May · Hanoi

    Long mausoleum queues and official events; plan Ba Đình for another morning.

  • Full-moon lantern night check

    14th of each lunar month · Hoi An

    Streetlights off and lanterns on from about 18:00, candles on the river, folk music and games; motorbikes kept out. The most crowded evening of the month.

  • Cù Lao Chàm island season check

    About March to September · Hoi An

    Speedboats run in calm seas; daily visitor caps apply (check).

  • Huế Festival check

    Main editions in even years; smaller events through the year (check) · Hue

    Court music, reenacted royal rites, lantern nights and street parades. Hotels fill on the main weekends; book early.

  • Huế Traditional Craft Festival check

    Odd years, spring or early summer (check) · Hue

    Craft villages show hats, bronze, embroidery and food.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Vietnam
Medium
Prices · Vietnam
Medium

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    May: Mixed

    Mar: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    May: Medium

    Mar: Medium

  • Prices

    May: Medium

    Mar: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    May: 9

    Mar: 12

May: Heat builds in Hanoi and Saigon; the central coast is at its beach best.

March: Best compromise for a north-to-south trip: north warming, centre and south dry.

Vietnam: 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

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in May

Rated best or good this month

  • Centre

    Best weather of the year (Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội An, Quy Nhơn)

  • Da Nang

    Beach season; Apr 30–May 1 crowds.

  • Hoi An

    Hot; beach season.

  • Ca Na

    Best months: Jan–Aug

  • Cam Pha

    Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

  • Cat Ba

    Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

  • Co To Island

    Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

  • Cua Ong

    Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

  • Giao Xuân

    Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov

  • Khâm Đức

    Best months: Feb–Aug (dry in the highlands)

  • Khe Sanh

    Best months: Feb–Aug

  • Lăng Cô

    Best months: Feb–Aug