Vietnam in May

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

• North · Hanoi, Hạ Long, Ninh Bình, Sa Pahot

  Four seasons: cool grey winters (Sa Pa can reach 0 °C), 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); 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.

• 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° / 25°, 7 rain days
• Hanoi32° / 25°, 14 rain days
• Ho Chi Minh City34° / 26°, 17 rain days
• Hoi An33° / 25°, 7 rain days
• Hue34° / 25°, 9 rain days
• Nha Trang32° / 25°, 6 rain days
• Da Lat26° / 17°, 19 rain days
• Sa Pa24° / 16°, 19 rain days
• Ha Giang31° / 23°, 17 rain days
• Hai Phong30° / 24°, 13 rain days
• Ha Long City30° / 24°, 14 rain days
• Can Tho33° / 25°, 16 rain days
• Phu Quoc32° / 26°, 17 rain days
• Quy Nhon32° / 26°, 7 rain days
• Mui Ne33° / 26°, 10 rain days
• Vung Tau33° / 26°, 12 rain days
• Dong Hoi32° / 25°, 8 rain days
• Ninh Binh City32° / 25°, 14 rain days
• Buon Ma Thuot32° / 22°, 18 rain days
• Chau Doc34° / 26°, 15 rain days
• Con Dao32° / 27°, 13 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.

• 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 · Vietnam

Medium

Prices · Vietnam

Medium

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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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.

• Nha Trang

  Best months: Feb–Aug

• Sa Pa

  Best months: Sep–Nov, Mar–May

• Ha Giang

  Best months: Sep–Nov (buckwheat flowers Oct–Nov), Mar–May

• Ha Long City

  Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov

• Quy Nhon

  Best months: Feb–Aug

• Dong Hoi

  Best months: Feb–Aug

• Ninh Binh City

  Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov

• Con Dao

  Best months: Mar–Jun (calm sea), turtles May–Oct