Month guide · Hanoi · Vietnam
Hanoi in May
What May is really like in Hanoi: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Daaé, Public domain
Quick answer
May is a good-value shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 14 rainy days and roughly 13.1 hours of daylight. Heat and humidity build quickly, with afternoon thunderstorms; plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 14
- Daylight
- About 13.1 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in May
May is the 3rd-warmest month in Hanoi: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 27°C (81°F), and nights fall to about 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 14 of its 31 days. Compared with April (27°C (81°F)), May is warmer; by June highs stay near 33°C (91°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:19
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:27
- Daylight
- About 13.1 hours
Spring (February–April). Humid and often drizzly, warming steadily; festival season after Tết and blossom around the lakes.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in October). That makes May one of the better-value months to book.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Hanoi, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Hoàn Kiếm Lake
Water puppet show
Book a show a day ahead in busy periods and sit a few rows back; the front rows can get splashed.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- After dark
- Iconic
Museum · French Quarter
Vietnamese Women's Museum
Four floors explore women's roles in family life, history and wartime, alongside striking textiles and costumes from ethnic minority groups and a gallery on street vendors.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
Gallery · Ba Đình
Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts
Pair it with the Temple of Literature across the road.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Landmark · Hoàn Kiếm Lake
Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple
The 'Lake of the Returned Sword' takes its name from a legend in which a golden turtle reclaimed Emperor Lê Lợi's magic sword.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Kids
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 32°C, lows near 25°C and 14 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Hanoi?
A good-value shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, March–April and October–December are better overall. Compare every month.
Hanoi in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Hanoi?
It is a good-value shoulder-season month. Heat and humidity build quickly, with afternoon thunderstorms; plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings.
+How warm is Hanoi in May?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Hanoi in May?
Expect rain on about 14 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.