The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Hanoi. Temperatures rise (88°F) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 36% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
May ranks 8 out of 12 months in Hanoi. Compared to April: +4°F daytime, 12 pts more rainy days, +2.7h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
7 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
oppressive heat
24°
Daylight
13.0h of daylight
Air quality
poor
AQI 73
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Hanoi is November (8.2/10), 3.1 pts higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Hanoi
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Hanoi
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Vietnam
🗣️LanguageVietnamese
💶CurrencyVietnamese Dong (₫)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘSafe · 2/5
💰Cost of living ⓘVery cheap · 1/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJune · 91°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 72°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘAugust · 55%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Hanoi ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
VietnamTropical climate with a 8.2 → 4.5 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
21.03°N · 105.85°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Hanoi?
November is the best month with 79°F highs, 66°F lows, 4.4h of sunshine and 16.0% rainy days. The months of November & October offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Hanoi get in November?
Hanoi averages 4.4 sunshine hours per day in November. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.7/10.
What is the rainiest month in Hanoi?
July is the most unfavourable month with July has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Hanoi in November?
In November, overnight lows reach 66°F, while afternoon highs average 79°F.
Is Hanoi good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Hanoi scores 7.3/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains November with a score of 7.7/10.
When should you avoid Hanoi?
July is the most difficult month to visit Hanoi, with July has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Hanoi in May?
The average UV index reaches 7 in May in Hanoi (high), with about 13.0h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.