Best Time to Visit Hanoi in May
Weather, crowds, costs, and events for visiting Hanoi in May
Best Time to Visit Hanoi in May
The best times to visit Hanoi are January to December for warm and sunny, and January to February for the cheapest flights and hotels of the year. Both combine favourable conditions with better value than peak alone, and Hanoi at its most rewarding.
AT A GLANCE
May
Hot: Getting hot and humid. Crowds run High — book 3–4 months ahead.
January to December
Warm and sunny. Crowd level is High; high pricing.
January to February
Cheapest flights and hotels of the year. Crowd level is Medium; book 4–6 weeks ahead.
Which season is best for Hanoi?
May falls in spring — here's what to expect.
Spring
Spring — Beach Weather
March · April · May
Spring season
Spring is when travellers book Hanoi for beach weather. Beach Weather timing runs Hanoi (early March); Ho Chi Minh City (mid March); Da Nang (late March). Expect 22–28°C averages with 8–12 rain days/month and high crowds — but hotel rates hit $130–$180/night and high crowds fill the main sights Mid-season sits near 22°C with 8 rain days in March.
Garden Walks [Mar], Warm Evenings [Apr], Beach Weather [May]
Mar 22°C, Apr 25°C, May 28°C — mixed skies (8–12 rain days)
First-timers, photographers, couples, soft hikers
May pushes rates to $130–$180/night with high crowds at headline sights. May brings 12 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to Hanoi in Spring?
Book Hanoi's beach weather for March at least 2–3 months out, then spend 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City in March where high rates and high crowds trade a short hop for calmer spring days.
Summer
Summer — Indoor Days
June · July · August
Hot season
Summer is when travellers book Hanoi for indoor days. Indoor Days timing runs Hanoi (early July); Ho Chi Minh City (mid July); Da Nang (late July). Expect 30–32°C averages with 12–14 rain days/month and high crowds — but hotel rates hit $130–$180/night and high crowds fill the main sights Mid-season sits near 32°C with 12 rain days in July.
Monsoon Breaks [Jun], Beach Weather [Jul], Stormy window [Aug]
Jun 30°C, Jul 32°C, Aug 32°C — frequent rain (12–14 days)
Festival-goers, families, beach seekers, nightlife fans
July pushes rates to $130–$180/night with high crowds at headline sights. June brings 14 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to Hanoi in Summer?
Book Hanoi's indoor days for July at least 2–3 months out, then spend 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City in June where mid rates and medium crowds trade a short hop for calmer summer days.
Autumn
Autumn — Clear Trails
September · October · November
Pleasant season
Autumn is when travellers book Hanoi for clear trails. Clear Trails timing runs Hanoi (early October); Ho Chi Minh City (mid October); Da Nang (late October). Expect 22–30°C averages with 5–10 rain days/month and high crowds — but hotel rates hit $130–$180/night and high crowds fill the main sights Mid-season sits near 26°C with 6 rain days in October.
Warm Evenings [Sep], Pleasant window [Oct], Cool Wandering [Nov]
Sep 30°C, Oct 26°C, Nov 22°C — mostly clearer skies (5–10 rain days)
Photographers, hikers, food travellers, couples
October pushes rates to $130–$180/night with high crowds at headline sights. September brings 10 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to Hanoi in Autumn?
Book Hanoi's clear trails for October at least 2–3 months out, then spend 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City in September where mid rates and medium crowds trade a short hop for calmer autumn days.
Winter
Winter — Holiday Lights
December · January · February
Festive season
Winter is when travellers book Hanoi for holiday lights. Holiday Lights timing runs Hanoi (early December); Ho Chi Minh City (mid December); Da Nang (late December). Expect 18–19°C averages with 4–6 rain days/month and high crowds — but hotel rates hit $130–$180/night and high crowds fill the main sights Mid-season sits near 19°C with 4 rain days in December.
Festive window [Dec], Mild Walks [Jan], Warm Evenings [Feb]
Dec 19°C, Jan 18°C, Feb 19°C — mostly clearer skies (4–6 rain days)
Skiers, budget travellers, museum lovers, festive shoppers
December pushes rates to $130–$180/night with high crowds at headline sights. February brings 6 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to Hanoi in Winter?
Book Hanoi's holiday lights for December at least 2–3 months out, then spend 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City in January where mid rates and medium crowds trade a short hop for calmer winter days.
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Which month is best for Hanoi?
| Month | Avg Temp | Rain Days | Crowds | Cost | Overall | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°C | 5 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★★ Great | Mild city walking |
| February | 19°C | 6 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★★ Great | Warm outdoor days |
| March | 22°C | 8 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Spring city walking |
| April | 25°C | 9 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Warm outdoor days |
| May | 28°C | 12 | High | $$$$ Peak | ★★ Okay | Warm outdoor days |
| June | 30°C | 14 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★ Avoid | Indoor culture days |
| July | 32°C | 12 | High | $$$ High | ★ Avoid | Warm outdoor days |
| August | 32°C | 13 | High | $$$ High | ★ Avoid | Indoor backup plans |
| September | 30°C | 10 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★ Okay | Warm outdoor days |
| October | 26°C | 6 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Comfortable sightseeing |
| November | 22°C | 5 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★★ Great | Cool quiet wandering |
| December | 19°C | 4 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Festive city lights |
Temperatures shown as Hanoi monthly averages.
Hanoi Events in May
Events worth timing your trip around — and how they affect crowds and prices.
Peak demand in Vietnam
Peak demand in Vietnam is one of the few Vietnam windows that reshapes visitor costs and daily rhythm in Hanoi. It matters because hotels, trains and attraction hours move with the crowd, not with sightseeing wishlists. Timing rolls geographically — Hanoi May. The practical window lasts about 20 days, while local conditions sit near 28°C with 12 rain days and high crowds.
What to expect
- Expect high footfall around Hanoi during May, with lines forming earlier than published opening times.
- Temperatures near 28°C and 12 rain days shape outdoor plans in Hanoi across May.
- Skipping the first weekend of May in Hanoi often cuts queues without changing the season’s core weather.
- Transport seats and hotels for Hanoi (May) sell out 3–4 months ahead — leftover inventory skews to less convenient areas.
Planning tips
- Book stays and reserved transport at least 3–4 months before MAY dates; peak high demand removes flexible inventory first.
- Check Vietnam national tourism board seasonal pages before you lock flights or hotels — Verify current-year advisories before booking. Drop any date that the source has not confirmed for 2026.
- Keep long-haul moves outside the busiest May weekends; day-trip from a quieter base instead.
When is Hanoi Cheapest to Visit?
Timing your trip right can save 25 to 40 percent on flights and hotels. Green months are cheapest, red months are most expensive.
Cheapest window
January–February. Save about 25–40% versus $$$$ Peak May; hotels track the same flight discounts in this $ Budget window, so flight and stay costs move together.
Book early regardless
May sell out entirely when crowds hit High and pricing hits $$$$ Peak — book accommodation 3–4 months ahead regardless of budget, not only flights.
Best value sweet spot
January, February, and November: great weather on this page (~18°C, 5 rain days) at $$ Mid pricing; Medium crowds still keep it from matching May’s sell-out rush.
Cheapest months to visit Hanoi
January–February is the cheapest stretch to visit Hanoi. $ Budget months on this page typically cut flights about 25–35% versus $$$$ Peak, with hotel rates moving in step rather than lagging. Averages sit near 18°C with roughly 5 rain days, so packing stays simple if you accept cooler or wetter days. The exception: festival or holiday spikes inside an otherwise cheap month can briefly push stays toward $$ Mid even when the band still reads $ Budget.
Most expensive months to visit Hanoi
May are the most expensive months to visit Hanoi. $$$$ Peak and $$$ High rows align with High or Very High crowds and the 3–4 months booking lead already shown for sell-outs. Expect the 25–40% saving story to reverse here — you pay the premium the chart paints in red. Weather can still look strong (28°C, 12 rain days in May), which is why demand sticks. The exception: a shoulder week just outside the core peak label sometimes dips to $$$ High instead of full $$$$ Peak if you flex.
Best value months to visit Hanoi
January, February, and November offer the best value months to visit Hanoi. Great-rated weather pairs with $$ Mid instead of $$$$ Peak, so you keep comfort without the full 25–40% penalty of peak pricing. January averages about 18°C with 5 rain days and Medium crowds — busy enough for open attractions, not yet May-style sell-outs. The exception: once a “value” month overlaps a major holiday cluster, lead times jump back toward 3–4 months even if the cost word has not flipped to $$$$ Peak.
Best Time to Visit Hanoi For…
January and February. Off-peak months are the cheapest stretch for Hanoi; lock flights early inside that window for the 25–35% saving versus peak.
November and January. Aim for Low-crowd months on this page and keep Hanoi as your hub for flexible day trips.
January and February and December. Expect around 18°C with a great rating — base in Hanoi for the most comfortable sightseeing days.
January and February or December. January and February maximises iconic weather in Hanoi but draws higher crowds and peak pricing; December trades that rush for calmer streets and still-strong ratings.
March and April. Pair Hanoi with an overnight Halong cruise while spring stays mild and clearer.
January and February. Base in Da Nang or Hoi An for dry-season swims and lantern-town evenings.
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Best Time to Visit Each City in Vietnam
Timing varies across Vietnam's main cities. Here is when each is at its best.
Hanoi Travel Essentials
- Currency & cards
- Vietnamese dong (VND). Cards work in cities; cash remains useful for markets, street food, and smaller towns.
- Connectivity
- Local SIM or eSIM is easy at airports. Free Wi‑Fi is widespread in hotels, cafés, and many restaurants.
- Domestic transport
- Grab and taxis handle cities; overnight trains and domestic flights link major hubs along the coast.
- Etiquette & logistics
- Dress modestly at temples and pagodas. Ask before photographing people in markets or places of worship.
- Visa / entry
- Confirm entry rules on Vietnam’s official e-visa / immigration site before you book. Official source
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Hanoi Travel Timing — FAQ
Everything you need to know about timing your Hanoi trip
Most travellers cover Hanoi's core highlights in a short city break, then add nights only if you want day trips beyond the centre. Anchor those days in the January–December window shown here so weather and pacing stay aligned.
Everything You Need to Plan Your Vietnam Trip
Jump to any guide, itinerary, or planning resource for Vietnam.
How we work this out
Temperature and rainfall figures are 30-year meteorological averages. Crowd levels come from national tourism arrival data. Price bands reflect mid-range accommodation and economy flights from major long-haul cities, sampled quarterly.
Last updated 18 July 2026 · Written by the Holicay travel team