May is the beginning of summer in northern Vietnam, is the dry season with hot temperatures in the Central Coast, is the beginning of the rainy season with pleasant or warm temperatures in the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam.
The sea should be calm all over Vietnam in May.
There are not often typhoons in Vietnam in May. If there are any, they are more likely to hit northern Vietnam.
Recap of Vietnam's Weather in 2026
It is worth noting that with global climate change, and Vietnam is a long and skinny country with a long coastline, the weather patterns in Vietnam in a given year may be drastically different from the norm nowadays.
2025 passed with lot of unusual weather patterns that you may want to refer to our January weather review.
1/ In January 2026, there were unusual weather patterns in Vietnam:
- Northern Vietnam experienced a winter with mostly dry weather and perfectly pleasant temperatures, much more like normal autumnal temperatures. There were a couple of times that the winter monsoon brought real cold temperatures in the North which lasted 3-5 days each only.
- The Central Coast of Vietnam entered dry season with sun and pleasant temperatures from the beginning of January 2026, which is very unusual. It is normal that cloudy weather persists with some light rain in the Central Coast in January and February.
- The Central Highlands and southern Vietnam experienced lowest recorded temperatures in January: 8oC and 14.3oC respectively. Saigon Ho Chi Minh City had the lowest temperature of 17oC, unusual if not never before.
- There was unseasonal and heavy rain in southern Vietnam a couple of times.
2/ In February 2026, there were unusual weather patterns in Vietnam:
- There were unseasonal rain in southern Vietnam alternated by days with warm temperatures.
3/ In March 2026, the unusual weather patterns in Vietnam:
- There was unseasonal rain in the Central Coast, the Central Highlands and in southern Vietnam.
- There were strong gusts of wind which brough down houses and hails which damaged agricultural crops in Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Son La.
4/ In April 2026, the unsual weather patterns in Vietnam were:
- There was unseasonal rain in the Central Coast, in the Central Highlands and in southern Vietnam. Northern Vietnam had nice weather with sun, clouds, some rain for most of the month with some spells of weak Northeasterly Wind.
Northern Vietnam did not experience moist air periods in April as normal. There was more rain in the North than normal with hails destroying crops. A bad hail destroyed crops in Son La Province.
Southern Vietnam experienced bad strong gusts of wind which destroyed serveral houses in Long An and Dong Thap Provinces.
What to Expect of the Weather in Vietnam in May
Northern Vietnam often has dry weather with some possible short-lived showers with pleasant or warm temperatures. The Southeasterly Monsoon should be active and blows moisture inland from the sea.
The Central Coast normally is in the dry season with sun mostly: warm or hot temperatures.
The Central Highlands is expected to have pleasant temperatures with daily short-lived rain starting from the second 10 days of the month.
Southern Vietnam is expected to have warm or hot temperatures with daily short-lived rain from mid month.
For bird watchers, May is not a really good time for birdwatching in Vietnam. Most bird migratory species have left the country.
The Central Coast is expected to have hot temperatures mostly and some birding spots may start having rain which causes birdwatching not great experiences.
The Central Highlands and southern Vietnam are to enter the rainy season from the second 10 days of the month or mid month. The rain caused inconvenience to birdwatching.
Monsoons and General Weather Patterns in Vietnam in May
1/ The General weather patterns in Vietnam in May
In May, northern Vietnam has pleasant temperatures alternated by warm ones. It is more likely dry in this region this month.
In the Central Coast of Vietnam, May is the dry season with warm or hot temperatures. It is normal to have clouds and sun for the whole month. But some birding spots in the region like the Bach Ma National Park may have frequent rain which caused difficulties to birding.
The Central Highlands and South of Vietnam are to enter the rainy season from mid month and daily rain makes bird watching inconvenient.
2/ Monsoons in Vietnam in May
The prevalent winds which affect different places in Vietnam in May:
- The Southeasterly Wind, which affects northern Vietnam, causes pleasant temperatures, moist air.
- The Westerly Monsoon is to cause dry air and warm temperatures in parts of the Northwest of Vietnam (Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau); in the Central Coast of Vietnam (Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri).
- The Southwesterly Monsoon, which originates from the Equator and which is to cause daily rain in the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam.
Adventure Travel, Nature Tours, Bird Watching Tours, Photo Tours in Vietnam in May
1/ Hiking Tours, Mountain Trekking Tours
May is summer in northern Vietnam with mostly dry weather, some showers, and pleasant or hot temperatures. It is not convenient for trekking and mountain-hiking in the North of Vietnam.
The sun may be strong mostly: be sure to have sun hats, long-sleeved shirts and pants and plenty of drinking water.
May is not a good time for trekking tours or mountain hiking trips in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, because of the more likely daily rain.
2/ Adventure Tours
The lowland of Northern Vietnam including Hanoi, Halong Bay and Ninh Binh is a good place for general adventure holidays in May.
The Central Coast of Vietnam normally enjoys sunny weather with hot temperatures in May. Be prepared with sun hat, sun glasses, sun cream and make sure to drink enough water when taking in outdoor activities.
In the Central Highlands, it is the rainy season. The rain is often short-lived and all general adventure tours should bring fine experiences.
Southern Vietnam is to experience warm or pleasant temperatures mostly. All adventure tours such as walking, cultural exploration, boat trips... are operable. Avoid adventure activities at mid day. Ensure to drink enough water to avoid dehydration.
3/ Birding Trips and Bird Watching Tours
Most migratory bird species have left Vietnam for their resident places and it is not a great time for bird watching in Vietnam this month. In the lowland of northern Vietnam you can still watch resident birds at Ba Vi, Tam Dao, Xuan Son, Ba Be National Park, Cuc Phuong National Park,...
In the mountains of northern Vietnam, there are frequent rain which is more often short-lived and you should be prepared for breaks waiting for the rain to stop.
It is also daily short-lived rain in the Central Highlands and in the South of Vietnam in May that requires you to make frequent breaks during birding sessions. It is not quite convenient when it rain hard and your gears get wet.
Sites for bird watching in Vietnam in May:
- Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh): resident birds, some bird species start nesting and mating time in May.
- Van Long Nature Reserve (Ninh Binh): resident and migratory storks and waterfowls.
- Xuan Thuy National Park in Nam Dinh Province : water birds, only some resident bird species.
- Bach Ma National Park in Thua Thien-Hue Province with representatives of birds between northern and southern Vietnam. It is not recommended to visit this national park when it rains due to small and steep road from the mountain base to the national park.
- Yok Don National in Dak Lak Province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam: among the best places in Vietnam for birding, bird watching in May.
- Da Lat, Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, Deo Nui Sam at Di Linh (Lam Dong, Central Highlands) : among the best places in Vietnam for birding and birdwatching tours, highly rich in endemic bird species.
- Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai, Southern Vietnam) : this is among the best places in Vietnam for birding and bird watching. Be prepared for breaks when it rains.
4/ Family Tours
Generally speaking, families should have a great time traveling in Vietnam in May. Ensure to drink enough water if your family is in the North, in the Central Coast and in southern Vietnam given it may get quite hot at times.
5/ Island Holidays
May is a good time to make trips to the islands in Vietnam. The reason is the sea is calm, and sea exploration tours are to be operational.
6/ Beach Vacations
May is a great time for beach holidays in northern Vietnam and the Central Coast of Vietnam, in the South of the Central Coast of Vietnam, and in southern Vietnam. Expect crowded beaches all over Vietnam in May given the Vietnamese start having summer holidays.
In Northern Vietnam and North of the Central Coast of Vietnam, Sam Son Beach, Cua Lo Beach or the beaches on islands in Northern Vietnam are good choices.
And those beaches in the South of the Central Coast have mostly dry and sunny weather, and with pleasant temperatures : Da Nang, Hoi An, Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa, Ninh Chu, Mui Ne, Phan Thiet.
If you travel to Southern Vietnam in May, then try Vung Tau Beach, Long Hai Beach and Ho Tram Beach (all in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province). You should have pleasant temperatures mostly.
Below are reviews of the Weather in Vietnam in May Monitored by AdventureGreen
1/ First week of May, 2026
2/ Second week of May, 2026
3/ Third week of May, 2026
4/ Fourth week and last days of May, 2026
Disclaimer: Vietnam weather summary is for reviews of Vietnam weather by month on the basis as “it is” to the best of our knowledge. AdventureGreen does not guarantee the accuracy of our monthly reviews of Vietnam Weather. Our Vietnam Weather Reviews by month must not be used for making travel decisions or for any other purposes. AdventureGreen disclaims any liability in connection with with the use of our information.
