Best Time to Visit Vietnam in May
Weather, crowds, costs, and events for visiting Vietnam in May
Best Time to Visit Vietnam in May
The best times to visit Vietnam are January to December for hot but dry, and June to August for the cheapest flights and hotels of the year. Both combine favourable conditions with better value than peak alone, and Vietnam at its most rewarding.
AT A GLANCE
February
Peak: Peak dry season. Crowds run High — book 3–4 months ahead.
January to December
Hot but dry. Crowd level is High; peak pricing.
June to August
Cheapest flights and hotels of the year. Crowd level is Low; book 2–4 weeks ahead.
Which season is best for Vietnam?
May falls in spring — here's what to expect.
Spring
Spring — Beach Weather
March · April · May
Hot season
Spring is when travellers book Vietnam for beach weather. Beach Weather timing runs Ho Chi Minh City (early March); Hanoi (mid March); Da Nang (late March). Expect 30–31°C averages with 4–10 rain days/month and high crowds — but hotel rates hit $180–$250/night and high crowds fill the main sights Mid-season sits near 30°C with 4 rain days in March.
Beach Weather [Mar], Hot window [Apr], Long Evenings [May]
Mar 30°C, Apr 31°C, May 31°C — mostly clearer skies (4–10 rain days)
First-timers, photographers, couples, soft hikers
March pushes rates to $180–$250/night with high crowds at headline sights. May brings 10 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to Vietnam in Spring?
Book Vietnam's beach weather for March at least 3–4 months out, then spend 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City in May where mid rates and medium crowds trade a short hop for calmer spring days.
Summer
Summer — Monsoon Breaks
June · July · August
Rainy season
Summer is when travellers book Vietnam for monsoon breaks. Monsoon Breaks timing runs Ho Chi Minh City (early June); Hanoi (mid June); Da Nang (late June). Expect 29–30°C averages with 14–15 rain days/month and low crowds — and yet 14–15 rain days/month can wipe out outdoor plans Mid-season sits near 30°C with 14 rain days in June.
Rainy window [Jun], Wet window [Jul], Wet window [Aug]
Jun 30°C, Jul 29°C, Aug 29°C — frequent rain (14–15 days)
Festival-goers, families, beach seekers, nightlife fans
June pushes rates to $60–$90/night with low crowds at headline sights. July brings 15 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to Vietnam in Summer?
Book Vietnam's monsoon breaks for June at least 2–4 weeks out, then spend 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City in June where budget rates and low crowds trade a short hop for calmer summer days.
Autumn
Autumn — Clear Trails
September · October · November
Pleasant season
Autumn is when travellers book Vietnam for clear trails. Clear Trails timing runs Ho Chi Minh City (early October); Hanoi (mid October); Da Nang (late October). Expect 27–29°C averages with 5–12 rain days/month and high crowds — but hotel rates hit $130–$180/night and high crowds fill the main sights Mid-season sits near 28°C with 8 rain days in October.
Shoulder Deals [Sep], Pleasant window [Oct], Dry Skies [Nov]
Sep 29°C, Oct 28°C, Nov 27°C — mixed skies (5–12 rain days)
Photographers, hikers, food travellers, couples
October pushes rates to $130–$180/night with high crowds at headline sights. September brings 12 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to Vietnam in Autumn?
Book Vietnam'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 — Peak Sightseeing
December · January · February
Peak season
Winter is when travellers book Vietnam for peak sightseeing. Peak Sightseeing timing runs Ho Chi Minh City (early February); Hanoi (mid February); Da Nang (late February). Expect 28–29°C averages with 2–3 rain days/month and high crowds — but hotel rates hit $180–$250/night and high crowds fill the main sights Mid-season sits near 29°C with 2 rain days in February.
Holiday Lights [Dec], Dry Skies [Jan], Peak Sightseeing [Feb]
Dec 28°C, Jan 28°C, Feb 29°C — mostly clearer skies (2–3 rain days)
Skiers, budget travellers, museum lovers, festive shoppers
February pushes rates to $180–$250/night with high crowds at headline sights. December brings 3 rain days — outdoor days get cut short without a flexible plan.
Travelling to Vietnam in Winter?
Book Vietnam's peak sightseeing for February at least 3–4 months out, then spend 2 nights in Ho Chi Minh City in December where high rates and high crowds trade a short hop for calmer winter days.
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Which month is best for Vietnam?
| Month | Avg Temp | Rain Days | Crowds | Cost | Overall | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°C | 2 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Dry-season travel |
| February | 29°C | 2 | High | $$$$ Peak | ★★★ Great | Peak sightseeing |
| March | 30°C | 4 | High | $$$$ Peak | ★★★ Great | Warm outdoor days |
| April | 31°C | 6 | High | $$$ High | ★★ Okay | Warm outdoor days |
| May | 31°C | 10 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★ Okay | Warm evening outings |
| June | 30°C | 14 | Low | $ Budget | ★ Avoid | Indoor culture days |
| July | 29°C | 15 | Low | $ Budget | ★ Avoid | Indoor culture days |
| August | 29°C | 14 | Low | $ Budget | ★ Avoid | Indoor culture days |
| September | 29°C | 12 | Medium | $$ Mid | ★★ Okay | Shoulder-season value |
| October | 28°C | 8 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Comfortable sightseeing |
| November | 27°C | 5 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Dry-season travel |
| December | 28°C | 3 | High | $$$ High | ★★★ Great | Festive city lights |
Temperatures shown as Vietnam monthly averages.
Vietnam Events and Festivals by Month
Events worth timing your trip around — and how they affect crowds and prices.
Dry season, ideal weather in Vietnam
Dry season, ideal weather in Vietnam is one of the few Vietnam windows that reshapes visitor costs and daily rhythm in Vietnam. It matters because hotels, trains and attraction hours move with the crowd, not with sightseeing wishlists. Timing rolls geographically — Vietnam January. The practical window lasts about 20 days, while local conditions sit near 28°C with 2 rain days and high crowds.
What to expect
- Expect high footfall around Vietnam during January, with lines forming earlier than published opening times.
- Temperatures near 28°C and 2 rain days shape outdoor plans in Vietnam across January.
- Skipping the first weekend of January in Vietnam often cuts queues without changing the season’s core weather.
- Transport seats and hotels for Vietnam (January) 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 JAN 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 January weekends; day-trip from a quieter base instead.
Peak demand in Vietnam
Peak demand in Vietnam is one of the few Vietnam windows that reshapes visitor costs and daily rhythm in Vietnam. It matters because hotels, trains and attraction hours move with the crowd, not with sightseeing wishlists. Timing rolls geographically — Vietnam February. The practical window lasts about 20 days, while local conditions sit near 29°C with 2 rain days and high crowds.
What to expect
- Expect high footfall around Vietnam during February, with lines forming earlier than published opening times.
- Temperatures near 29°C and 2 rain days shape outdoor plans in Vietnam across February.
- Skipping the first weekend of February in Vietnam often cuts queues without changing the season’s core weather.
- Transport seats and hotels for Vietnam (February) 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 FEB 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 February weekends; day-trip from a quieter base instead.
Heat and humidity in Vietnam
Heat and humidity in Vietnam is one of the few Vietnam windows that reshapes visitor costs and daily rhythm in Vietnam. It matters because hotels, trains and attraction hours move with the crowd, not with sightseeing wishlists. Timing rolls geographically — Vietnam March. The practical window lasts about 20 days, while local conditions sit near 30°C with 4 rain days and high crowds.
What to expect
- Expect high footfall around Vietnam during March, with lines forming earlier than published opening times.
- Temperatures near 30°C and 4 rain days shape outdoor plans in Vietnam across March.
- Skipping the first weekend of March in Vietnam often cuts queues without changing the season’s core weather.
- Transport seats and hotels for Vietnam (March) 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 MAR 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 March weekends; day-trip from a quieter base instead.
Hottest month in Vietnam
Hottest month in Vietnam is one of the few Vietnam windows that reshapes visitor costs and daily rhythm in Vietnam. It matters because hotels, trains and attraction hours move with the crowd, not with sightseeing wishlists. Timing rolls geographically — Vietnam April. The practical window lasts about 20 days, while local conditions sit near 31°C with 6 rain days and high crowds.
What to expect
- Expect high footfall around Vietnam during April, with lines forming earlier than published opening times.
- Temperatures near 31°C and 6 rain days shape outdoor plans in Vietnam across April.
- Skipping the first weekend of April in Vietnam often cuts queues without changing the season’s core weather.
- Transport seats and hotels for Vietnam (April) 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 APR 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 April weekends; day-trip from a quieter base instead.
Low-season rates in Vietnam
Low-season rates in Vietnam is one of the few Vietnam windows that reshapes visitor costs and daily rhythm in Vietnam. It matters because hotels, trains and attraction hours move with the crowd, not with sightseeing wishlists. Timing rolls geographically — Vietnam June. The practical window lasts about 20 days, while local conditions sit near 30°C with 14 rain days and low crowds.
What to expect
- Expect low footfall around Vietnam during June, with lines forming earlier than published opening times.
- Temperatures near 30°C and 14 rain days shape outdoor plans in Vietnam across June.
- Skipping the first weekend of June in Vietnam often cuts queues without changing the season’s core weather.
- Transport seats and hotels for Vietnam (June) sell out 4–6 weeks ahead — leftover inventory skews to less convenient areas.
Planning tips
- Book stays and reserved transport at least 4–6 weeks before JUN dates; peak low 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 June weekends; day-trip from a quieter base instead.
Festive / winter peak in Vietnam
Festive / winter peak in Vietnam is one of the few Vietnam windows that reshapes visitor costs and daily rhythm in Vietnam. It matters because hotels, trains and attraction hours move with the crowd, not with sightseeing wishlists. Timing rolls geographically — Vietnam December. The practical window lasts about 20 days, while local conditions sit near 28°C with 3 rain days and high crowds.
What to expect
- Expect high footfall around Vietnam during December, with lines forming earlier than published opening times.
- Temperatures near 28°C and 3 rain days shape outdoor plans in Vietnam across December.
- Skipping the first weekend of December in Vietnam often cuts queues without changing the season’s core weather.
- Transport seats and hotels for Vietnam (December) 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 DEC 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 December weekends; day-trip from a quieter base instead.
When is Vietnam 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
June–August. Save about 25–40% versus $$$$ Peak February; hotels track the same flight discounts in this $ Budget window, so flight and stay costs move together.
Book early regardless
February and March sell out entirely when crowds hit High and pricing hits $$$$ Peak — book accommodation 3–4 months ahead regardless of budget, not only flights.
Best value sweet spot
January, October, November, and December: great weather on this page (~28°C, 2 rain days) at $$$ High pricing; High crowds still keep it from matching February’s sell-out rush.
Cheapest months to visit Vietnam
June–August is the cheapest stretch to visit Vietnam. $ Budget months on this page typically cut flights about 25–35% versus $$$$ Peak, with hotel rates moving in step rather than lagging. Averages sit near 30°C with roughly 14 rain days, so packing stays simple if you accept cooler or wetter days. The exception: festival or holiday spikes inside an otherwise cheap month can briefly push stays toward $$ Mid even when the band still reads $ Budget.
Most expensive months to visit Vietnam
February and March are the most expensive months to visit Vietnam. $$$$ Peak and $$$ 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 (29°C, 2 rain days in February), which is why demand sticks. The exception: a shoulder week just outside the core peak label sometimes dips to $$$ High instead of full $$$$ Peak if.
Best value months to visit Vietnam
January, October, November, and December offer the best value months to visit Vietnam. Great-rated weather pairs with $$$ High instead of $$$$ Peak, so you keep comfort without the full 25–40% penalty of peak pricing. January averages about 28°C with 2 rain days and High crowds — busy enough for open attractions, not yet February-style sell-outs. The exception: once a “value” month overlaps a major holiday cluster, lead times jump back toward 3–4 months even if the cost word has not flipped to $$$$ Peak.
Best Time to Visit Vietnam For…
June–August. Flights are typically 25–35% cheaper than peak season — base in Vietnam and keep trips flexible inside that budget window.
June–August. Crowd level stays Low with about 30°C averages — base in Vietnam for quieter streets and easier bookings.
January and February and December. Expect around 28°C with a great rating — base in Vietnam for the most comfortable sightseeing days.
January and February or December. January and February maximises iconic weather in Vietnam 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.
Vietnam
Hanoi
Mild spring sightseeing in April
Best time to visitVietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
Dry season returns in November
Best time to visitVietnam
Da Nang
Peak dry beach days in February
Best time to visit
Vietnam
Nha Trang
Hot dry coast weather in March
Best time to visitVietnam
Hoi An
Dry lantern-town evenings in January
Best time to visitVietnam 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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Vietnam Travel Timing — FAQ
Everything you need to know about timing your Vietnam trip
Plan Vietnam as a multi-city trip rather than a single stop: base yourself in one hub first, then add a second region once the main sights feel covered. Match nights to the January–December weather window on this page so you are not rushing between trains.
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