When to go · Phongsali
Phongsali in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (check). Across Laos: First rains clear the smoke; Boun Bang Fai rocket festivals in villages.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C) / 20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 16
- Crowds
- Low
- Laos overall
- Prices
- Low
- Laos overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (check). Across Laos: First rains clear the smoke; Boun Bang Fai rocket festivals in villages.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- NovemberGoodOutside the best window (check). Across Laos: Dry and green; That Luang festival in Vientiane (lunar, check).
- DecemberGoodOutside the best window (check). Across Laos: Cool and clear; book Luang Prabang beds and train seats early.
- JanuaryGoodOutside the best window (check). Across Laos: Dry, clear, cool mornings in the north; peak season in Luang Prabang.
- FebruaryGoodOutside the best window (check). Across Laos: Still dry; the burning season can start late in the month — check air quality.
Weather in May
- PhongsaliHighs around 29 °C (84 °F), lows around 20 °C (68 °F), rain on about 16 daysHighs around 84 °F (29 °C), lows around 68 °F (20 °C), rain on about 16 days
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 Phongsali, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Good (better)
Daytime high
May: 29 °C (84 °F)84 °F (29 °C)
Jan: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Night low
May: 20 °C (68 °F)68 °F (20 °C)
Jan: 10 °C (50 °F)50 °F (10 °C)
Rain days
May: 16
Jan: 4 (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Outside the best window (check). Across Laos: First rains clear the smoke; Boun Bang Fai rocket festivals in villages.
January: Outside the best window (check). Across Laos: Dry, clear, cool mornings in the north; peak season in Luang Prabang.
Phongsali: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast