Vietnam in May - Weather, Events and Festivals, Best Places to Visit

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May in Vietnam is a blooming time in the north and dry and slightly wet in the central part. Although May is not part of the peak tourist season in Vietnam, there are numerous places such as SaPa, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, and Ho Chi Minh City that are excellent to visit at this time. Here, we will talk about the weather, the places you can visit, and the festivals that you can enjoy in Vietnam in May.

What is the Weather like in Vietnam in May?

The weather in May is a blend of spring, summer, and monsoon in Vietnam. The country is less visited in this month as compared to other appropriate months, so it's a golden time to go and enjoy Vietnam with your family and friends. Different parts of the country experience a range of temperatures, but 29°C is the average temperature that hovers over Vietnam in May. 

Northern Mountain Region - Sapa, Ha Giang, Bac Ha, Mu Cang Chai, Haiphong
Ha Giang gets a good deal of rain while the North-Western regions - Sa Pa in Hoang Lien National Park and Mu Cang Chai- are delightfully dry. In the North-Eastern coastal region - Haiphong averages a temperature of 27°C.

North Vietnam - Hanoi, Halong Bay, Cuc Phuong, Mai Chau & Ninh Binh
Hanoi is quite warm during the days of May, with an average temperature of 32°C, but heavy rains and thunderstorms are likely to hit the region. Generally, north Vietnam is perfect for outdoor adventure activities this time.

Central Vietnam - Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue, Dalat, Quy Nhon & Nha Tran
The Truong Son mountain range shields the coastal region, which is responsible for little rain here. Hue An, Hue, and Da Nang have hot and dry weather, but Hue is a bit cooler than Hue An. The beaches of Nah Trang are alluring, with an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. Overall, central Vietnam is appropriate to visit at this time.

South Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City, The Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc and Con Dao, Phan Thiet & Mui Ne, Ho Tram & Long Hai
After the heat of April, May is relatively cooler for South Vietnam. With plenty of short-span downpours, the temperature remains hot and humid, but Phu Quoc and Con Dao beaches remain enjoyable.

Events and Festivals in May

1. International Labour Day

International Labor Day on May 1 is a national public holiday in Vietnam. It is a rest day, which is conjoined with Reunification Day on April 30, which makes it a double day off for Vietnamese. And if Labour Day falls on the weekend, workers get the first day of next week off. This day isn't appropriate for traveling long distances or for shopping, yet travelers can enjoy the resort or go for a walk nearby.

2. Lord Buddha's Birthday

Vesak
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Vietnamese festivals are celebrated according to the Lunar Calendar. Buddha’s Birthday, also known as Vesak and Le Phat Dan, is celebrated on the full moon day of the fourth month according to the lunar calendar or in April or May according to the Gregorian calendar.

3. Hue Festival

Celebrated once every two years in April, May, or June, the Hue Festival is widely popular as an international cultural festival and is organized in Hue City, Vietnam, at various venues. Various contests, events, and art shows are held at the festival, where many countries take part. Intriguing sports like human chess, boat racing, street performances by musicians and dancers, and art exhibitions are a part of this fest as well. Poetry Events, Music Festival, and Fashion Show are highlights of the Hue festival. Founded back in 2000, the Hue Festival offers visitors a glance at the rich heritage of the Nguyen Dynasty.

4. Hoi An Lantern Festival

Hoi An Lantern Festival
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Spectacular night views on the 14th night of every lunar month in Hoi An, Vietnam, are worth experiencing as the city celebrates the festival of lights. Lighting lanterns are considered to bring good fortune in Vietnam. Hoi An Lantern festival is considered to be an incredible moment to follow the rituals of worshipping deceased relatives. The festival not only brings closeness and happiness but is also a wise method to save electricity.

5. Ba Chua Xu Festival

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In An Giang Province, South Vietnam, Ba Chau Xu Festival is celebrated as the biggest folk festival of Southern Vietnam from 23rd to the 27th of the fourth Lunar Month. People worship the idol of Ba Chua Xu (the country lady) for good health and protection from evil. The festival constitutes four major rites - Ba Chua Xu washing, Tuc Yet, Xe Chau, and Chanh Te. Major attractions of this festival are Dragon Dance, Classical Opera, Unicorn Dance, and Dance with Cups. 

Best Places to Visit in Vietnam in May

1. SaPa

Daytime in Sapa, Vietnam
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Located in the Northwest Mountain region of Vietnam, this beautiful town, SaPa, has various small villages. Travelers must visit the SaPa museum and Cat Cat Village (one of the oldest villages of Sapa) to learn the history of people here. SaPa is great for hiking, boating on SaPa Lake, having warm beverages, and tasting local cuisine or delicious desserts in restaurants. You can buy handicrafts from SaPa Market or visit Ta Phin Village to witness Communal Church Singing - a marriage tradition.

  • Other major attractions include Fairy Cave, Silver Waterfalls, Tram Ton Pass, Muong Hoa Valley, and Muong Khuong Bird Market.

2. Mai Chau

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Mai Chau is a mountainous northwestern district in Hoa Binh Province. Although there isn’t much to explore here, the peaceful and colorful environment of Mai Chau (home of Thai ethnic groups) is worth visiting. Pu Luong Nature Reserve is good for hiking and if you want to enjoy snow, go for Deo Thung Khe. Stilt houses are noteworthy architectural features of the Mai Chau district.

  • Other major attractions include Go Lao Waterfall, Chieu Cave, and Thung Ke Pass Flagpole.

3. Mu Cang Chai

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Mu Cang Chai is a northwest mountainous rural district in Vietnam that creates jaw-dropping scenery. Khau Pha Pass, called ‘Sky’s Horn’ creates magnificent scenery. There are other small villages in the city to visit to adore the beauty of paddy farming and to experience their local culture by the homestay. Visit to Mu Cang Chai is incomplete without visiting two of its breathtaking waterfalls - Mo and Phu Nu waterfalls. Mu Cang Chai has its own market, too.

  • Other major attractions include Ba Nha Bridge, Mam Xoi Hill, and Kim Noi Village.

4. Ninh Binh

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Located in North Vietnam, Ninh Binh Province is famous for its Karst Landscape in Tam Coc. A boat can be hired to see the limestone cliffs in Tam Coc. A two-hour excursion takes you through three natural caves - Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba. Van Long Nature Reserve is a place for keen birdwatchers and nature lovers, as you can spot local flora and fauna here. 

  • Other major attractions include Trang An, Bai Dinh Pagoda, and Phat Diem Cathedral.

5. Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh Province

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In the soothing season of May, biodiversity is at its peak in Cuc Phuong National Park, located in Ninh Binh Province. Vietnam’s oldest national park includes the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre, where Monkeys, Langurs, and Gibbons were rescued and kept, and the Turtle Conservation Centre. 

6. Hanoi

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Hanoi is the only capital of a country which isn't its largest city. The capital of Vietnam - Hanoi, is a place for every traveler. From several historical museums to underrated monuments to extravagant nightlife, Hanoi offers everything together. There’s a lot to do in Vietnam; in the morning, travelers can visit historical sites and enjoy markets to save the nights for the view of Old Quarter Hanoi on weekend nights and Hoan Kiem Lake for a boat ride.

  • Other major attractions include Hanoi Train Street, Cau Giay Park, Dong Xuan Market, Rose Park, Smiley Ville, Lotte Observation Deck, Long Bien Bridge, Ba Vi National Park, and Perfume Pagoda. 

7. Halong Bay

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Halong Bay, located in North Vietnam, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so there’s a lot to explore. Spend your May here. Apart from rejuvenating and getting tanned on beaches and islands, travelers can go on a cruise, kayaking, swimming, and cooking classes. There are caves to explore and floating villages to visit.

8. Cat Ba Island, Halong Bay

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Cat Ba Island is one of the most amazing and highly visited islands connected to Halong Bay. There are three famous sand beaches- Cat Ba 1, 2 and 3- where you can enjoy time under the sun or swim in the water. If you want to explore caves, visit Surprise Caves to enjoy the colorful atmosphere of Hospital Cave to learn how this secret hospital functioned during the Vietnamese War. There’s Cat Ba Island Resort, which offers a water park and spa centers.

  • Other major attractions include Dinh Lagu Lam, Cat Ba Archipelago, and Monkey Island.

9. Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park

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Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is part of a district called Minh Hao in Central Vietnam. Phong Nha is the home of Son Doong Cave - the largest cave in the world covered by Karst Mountain and has the longest underground river. There are a tremendous number of species of flora and fauna to explore by rowboats. To experience unforgettable scenery, one must visit Phong Nha Cave, The Wet Cave, Tien Son Cave, or The Dry Cave.

  • Other major attractions include Nuoc Troi, Chopping Board Shaped Stone, Crouching Stone, and Chai Waterfall.

10. Da Nang

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Da Nang is a first-class city located in Central Vietnam, which is visited by many mainly because of its beaches, but there’s more to see. If you want to experience the vibes of SaPa or DaLat, visit Ba Na Hill Station to see the Golden Bridge and enjoy a cable car ride and fantasy park. Marble Mountains are a collection of mountains of Metal, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Water.

  • Other major attractions include Am Phu Cave, Son Tra Mountain, Dragon Bridge, Giant Hand Bridge, Han River Bridge, Imperial City, My Son Hindu Sanctuary, Da Nang Museum, and Black Rock Beach.

11. Hoi An

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Another major tourist city in central Vietnam is Hoi An, which was formerly known as FaiFoo. The ancient Town of Hoi An is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has an attraction spot near the riverside of Thu Ban River. Japanese Covered Bridge is a must-go site in the mornings or evenings. To study the art and culture of the city go to the Heritage Art Gallery and Hoi An Museum. To explore the natural beauty of the city, travelers must visit Cua Dai Beach, An Bang Beach, and An Hoi Sculptor Garden.

  • Other major attractions include the Museum of Ceramics, Fujian Assembly Hall, Terracotta Park, Van Duc Pagoda, Hoi An Fine Art Gallery.

12. Nha Trang

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Nha Trang is located in Central Vietnam and is great to visit in May to enjoy various water sports at Monkey Island Hon Tre Island and have relaxing hours at Thap Ba Hot Spring. You can spend a couple of hours at Hon Ba Mountain and worship in the aesthetically pleasing Long Son Pagoda (White Buddha Pagoda) and Panogark Tower. There is Tri Nguyen Aquarium and Vinpearl Waterpark for kids to enjoy. Roam at night in Nha Trang Night Market to buy food or clothes, and you can get gifts, souvenirs, and embroidered items from street shops.

  • Other major attractions include Vinpearl Cable Car, YangBa Waterfall, and Ba Ho Waterfall Cliff Jumping.

13. Da Lat

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Da Lat, a city in Central Vietnam, is recognized as a garland of flowers. Da Lat showcases French Colonial times, which can be explored in Colonial Palaces - Da Lat Palace I, II, and III. Truc Lam Temple - Zen Buddhist Temple and Linh Phuoc Pagoda are the best places to adore art and worship. Get crazy in the Crazy House, a guest house with weirdly interstitial architecture. Natural beauty can’t be skipped in Da Lat; route your tour towards Datanla Waterfall, Valley of Love, Clay Tunnel, Elephant Waterfalls, and Xuan Huong Lake.

  • Other major attractions include Dalat Railway Station, the Clay Tunnel of DaLat, Smurf Village, Dalat Heaven Gate, and Prenn Waterfall.

14. Ho Chi Minh City

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In the Southern part of Vietnam, Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City, is the largest city in the country. Travelers visit here every year mainly for the diverse cuisine, magnetic nightlife, french architecture, and fascinating skyscrapers. This major city offers spectacular recreational spots: Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Chu Chi Tunnel, and Buddhist Cultural Theme Park. Hit ‘Ban Than Market,’ ‘Binh Tay Market,’ and ‘A Thong Market’ for shopping.

  • Other major attractions include Artinus 3D Art Museum, September 23rd Park, Tao Dan Park, Ngoc Hoang Pagoda, Cao Dai Temple.

15. Chau Doc – An Giang south

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Chau Doc in An Giang Province is a South Vietnamese city that is an essential pilgrimage site where the Ba Chua Xu Festival is celebrated around May. Sam Mountain is the most fascinating place, which has Hang Pagoda. Do not miss Tra Su Cajuput Forest in An Giang; it gives the best view from motorboats or small rowboats. Buy fresh fruits and veggies from Chau Doc Market.

  • Other major attractions include Cam Mount, Tuc Dup Hill, and Tra Su Bird Sanctuary.

Why You Should Visit Vietnam in May?

  • May is a blooming month with a short duration of rain showers, which allows travelers to go for adventure sports, beaches, or historical museums. Pack full-length clothes, apt for rain, if visiting North or South Vietnam, and summer ones if visiting the central part.
  • Except for public holidays around May 1, Vietnam is less crowded as the natives are busy in their daily lives. They wait for summer school vacation to hit beaches like Nha Trang and top monuments. Hence, the roads are free to travel.
  • Visiting Vietnam in May is a great option if you wish to explore this Southeast country without spending much on hotels, food, and fares. But stay prepared if you are going to travel in rainy areas, as mosquitoes breed in large amounts in Vietnam.

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This post was published by Navyaa Bhardwaj

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