The short answer
- Month
- May
- Verdict
- Good
- North (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay)
- Hot, first heavy showers
- Centre (Hue, Hoi An)
- Hot and dry
- South (Saigon, Mekong)
- Wet season starts
May is quieter and good value. Central Vietnam is at its best for beaches, while the north and south start to see short, heavy afternoon showers.
Where to go in May
- Hoi An and Da Nang: Beach weather and calm seas.
- Ninh Binh: Bright green rice fields.
- Phong Nha: Caves are open and dry.
What to avoid in May
- Phu Quoc's west coast, which gets rougher as the wet season begins.
Festivals and events in May
- Buddha's birthday: Usually in May, with lanterns at pagodas.
Weather in May
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with May highlighted. Compare it with the months either side if your dates are flexible.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | HanoiHa Long is similar | Sapamountains, 1,500 m | Hue | Hoi AnDa Nang is similar | Ho Chi Minh CityMekong is similar | Phu Quoc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20° / 14°18 mm | 12° / 5°60 mm | 24° / 18°160 mm | 25° / 19°95 mm | 32° / 22°14 mm | 30° / 23°30 mm |
| Feb | 21° / 15°26 mm | 14° / 7°70 mm | 25° / 19°60 mm | 26° / 20°30 mm | 33° / 23°4 mm | 31° / 24°20 mm |
| Mar | 23° / 18°44 mm | 18° / 10°110 mm | 28° / 21°50 mm | 28° / 22°20 mm | 34° / 24°12 mm | 32° / 25°60 mm |
| Apr | 28° / 22°90 mm | 21° / 13°190 mm | 31° / 23°50 mm | 31° / 24°25 mm | 35° / 25°42 mm | 33° / 26°100 mm |
| May | 32° / 25°188 mm | 23° / 16°270 mm | 33° / 25°90 mm | 33° / 25°60 mm | 34° / 25°220 mm | 32° / 26°250 mm |
| Jun | 33° / 27°240 mm | 24° / 17°350 mm | 34° / 25°90 mm | 34° / 26°80 mm | 33° / 25°330 mm | 31° / 26°350 mm |
| Jul | 33° / 27°288 mm | 24° / 18°420 mm | 34° / 25°70 mm | 34° / 26°85 mm | 32° / 25°315 mm | 30° / 25°400 mm |
| Aug | 32° / 27°318 mm | 24° / 17°450 mm | 34° / 25°140 mm | 34° / 26°105 mm | 32° / 24°270 mm | 30° / 25°450 mm |
| Sep | 31° / 26°265 mm | 22° / 16°300 mm | 31° / 24°430 mm | 32° / 24°350 mm | 32° / 24°330 mm | 30° / 25°350 mm |
| Oct | 29° / 23°130 mm | 20° / 13°170 mm | 29° / 23°800 mm | 30° / 23°610 mm | 31° / 24°270 mm | 30° / 24°250 mm |
| Nov | 26° / 19°43 mm | 17° / 10°80 mm | 26° / 21°590 mm | 27° / 22°370 mm | 31° / 23°110 mm | 30° / 24°130 mm |
| Dec | 22° / 15°23 mm | 13° / 6°50 mm | 24° / 19°300 mm | 25° / 20°200 mm | 31° / 22°50 mm | 30° / 23°50 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
A 10 day trip for May
Our suggestion for May: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hue and Hoi An. Every trip can be made private and changed to suit your dates.
Tip: Plan sightseeing for the morning; summer showers usually come in the afternoon.
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Other months
Thinking about April or June? See Vietnam in April and Vietnam in June, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit Vietnam.
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Frequently asked questions
Is May a good time to visit Vietnam?
Yes, especially for central Vietnam. It is hot, and the north and south start to get afternoon showers.
Sources we checked
Vietnam month by month
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