Season guide · Ha Long Bay · Vietnam
Ha Long Bay in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: AnhTuan Le, Public domain
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Quick answer
Mist gives way to clearer skies, the sea warms and crowds are moderate apart from the holidays around 30 April. Expect highs up to 30°C (86°F) and lows around 18°C (64°F), with about 35 rainy days across March–May. April–May are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 18°C (64°F) to 30°C (86°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 35
- Sea
- 20°C (68°F) to 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 22°C (72°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 | 12 h | 3/5 |
| April | 26°C (79°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 11 | 12.6 h | 3/5 |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 12 | 13.1 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 26°C (79°F) against a yearly 26°C (79°F), and 35 of the year's roughly 130 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- March: Yen Tu Festival — pilgrimage season continues (usually until the third lunar month)
- April: Ha Long Carnival — street parade and performances held in some years (usually around late April)
- May: Reunification Day and Labour Day holidays — busy domestic travel (30 April–1 May)
Good choices for spring
Nature · Bo Hon Island
Sung Sot Cave
Sung Sot, or Surprise Cave, is one of the largest caves in the bay, reached by steps up the side of Bo Hon Island.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Nature
Nature · Dau Go Island
Thien Cung Cave
If your cruise visits Sung Sot, you do not need both; pick whichever is on the quieter route that day.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Nature
Historic site · Cat Ba Island
Hospital Cave
A natural cave reinforced with concrete during the American War to house a secret hospital and shelter, with operating rooms, wards and a small cinema spread over three levels.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Museum · Hon Gai
Quang Ninh Museum
The marine floor with skeletons and models is the part children enjoy most.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Rainy day
- History
- Kids
- Architecture
Day trips in spring
- Yen Tu Mountain (About 1 hour by car) — The sacred mountain where King Tran Nhan Tong founded the Truc Lam school of Zen Buddhism in the 13th century has pagodas, stupas and forest paths climbing to the bronze Dong Pagoda near the 1,068-metre summit.
- Hai Phong (About 1–1.5 hours by car) — Northern Vietnam's main port city has French colonial streets around the Opera House, a busy food scene known for bánh đa cua crab noodles, and is a jumping-off point for Cat Ba by ferry from Ben Got.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Ha Long Bay?
Yes: April–May are among the best months. Mist gives way to clearer skies, the sea warms and crowds are moderate apart from the holidays around 30 April.
+What is the weather like in Ha Long Bay in spring?
Highs of up to 30°C (86°F) and lows around 18°C (64°F), with about 35 rainy days over the season.