Monthly climate guide

Hanoi in May

May in Hanoi is late spring, a shoulder-season month, so you can get a bit of variety across the month. It can feel distinctly hot through the middle of the day, with a noticeable cool-down after sunset. There is plenty of daylight to stretch outdoor time. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

May in context

How it compares to the rest of the year in Hanoi.

Hottest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#4 / 12

Sits around the middle of the year.

Wettest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#4 / 12

Typical rainfall for the year.

Daylight Hours
LONGER
#3 / 12

Long daylight hours.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#3 / 12

Among the windier months.

Highest UV
UV
#1 / 12

Peak UV levels for the year.

Most Humid
HUMID
#5 / 12

Humidity stays close to the yearly norm.

Climate normals

Four planning pillars

Monthly climate breakdown

A detailed look at the typical climate conditions for May.

Thermal profile

Temperature

Typical daytime high

Nighttime low
Feels like (avg)

Light window

Sunshine

13.1 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
9
Typical sun hours
05:18 - 18:27

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
20 days
Cloud cover (avg)
76%

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

81%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through May in Hanoi. Based on a 30-year historical climate baseline, not a forecast.

Primary control

Select a day

Scroll to compare daily conditions. The summary updates with your selection.

Secondary context

Monthly trend

Day 15 selected

Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.

Daily climate explorer for MayMonthly trend chart for the selected climate metric, with the chosen day marked.202530354011631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for May. Temperature 31.0°C.

Historical disruption baseline

Typical disruptions in May

Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in May.

Humidity High impact

Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 90% of days (28.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

28.0 days / month

Share of days
~90% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~26°C (P95)
Why this matters

Muggy conditions are possible on ~28 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Heat High impact

Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 86% of days (26.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

26.5 days / month

Share of days
~86% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~44°C (P95)
Why this matters

Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~27 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat High impact

Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 70% of days (21.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

21.5 days / month

Share of days
~70% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~44°C (P95)
Why this matters

Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~22 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat High impact

Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 69% of days (21.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

21.5 days / month

Share of days
~69% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~44°C (P95)
Why this matters

Heat stress is possible on ~21 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat High impact

Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 69% of days (21.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

21.3 days / month

Share of days
~69% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~37°C (P95)
Why this matters

Hot days are possible on ~21 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Humidity High impact

Oppressive humidity Measures: Oppressive humidity days (dew point >=24C). Observed about 59% of days (18.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

18.4 days / month

Share of days
~59% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~26°C (P95)
Why this matters

Oppressive humidity is possible on ~18 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Show all disruptions (23 more)
Rain High impact

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 36% of days (11.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

11.3 days / month

Share of days
~36% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~42mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~11 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 34% of days (10.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

10.4 days / month

Share of days
~34% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~43mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~10 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 26% of days (8.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

8.0 days / month

Share of days
~26% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~46mm (P95)
Why this matters

Heavy rain is possible on ~8 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Heat High impact

Very hot days Measures: Very hot days (>=35C). Observed about 12% of days (3.9 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.9 days / month

Share of days
~12% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~38°C (P95)
Why this matters

Very hot days are possible on ~4 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 2.8 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.8 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~53mm (P95)
Why this matters

Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 9% of days (2.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.7 days / month

Share of days
~9% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~71mm (P95)
Why this matters

Very heavy rain is possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Heat High impact

Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 2.5 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.5 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~44°C (P95)
Why this matters

Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Rain High impact

Extreme rain Measures: Extreme rain days (>=50mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.4 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~141mm (P95)
Why this matters

Extreme rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Heat Moderate

Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 2.8 days/month in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.8 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~36°C (P95)
Why this matters

Heatwave runs are possible on ~3 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Visibility Moderate

Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 9% of days (2.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.7 days / month

Share of days
~9% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95% (P95)
Why this matters

Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Humidity Minor

Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 97% of days (30.0 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

30.0 days / month

Share of days
~97% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~26°C (P95)
Why this matters

Humid conditions are possible on ~30 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Heat Minor

Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 85% of days (26.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

26.4 days / month

Share of days
~85% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~27°C (P95)
Why this matters

Warm nights are possible on ~26 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cloud Minor

Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 75% of days (23.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

23.4 days / month

Share of days
~75% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~23 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 72% of days (22.5 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

22.5 days / month

Share of days
~72% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~33mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~22 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Humidity Minor

High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 66% of days (20.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

20.3 days / month

Share of days
~66% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~92% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~20 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 60% of days (18.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

18.7 days / month

Share of days
~60% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~19 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cloud Minor

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 56% of days (17.4 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

17.4 days / month

Share of days
~56% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~17 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 47% of days (14.6 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.6 days / month

Share of days
~47% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~15 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Heat Minor

Hot nights Measures: Hot nights (min >=25C). Observed about 44% of days (13.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

13.7 days / month

Share of days
~44% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~28°C (P95)
Why this matters

Hot nights are possible on ~14 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Humidity Minor

Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 36% of days (11.2 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

11.2 days / month

Share of days
~36% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~26°C (P95)
Why this matters

Convective risk signal appears on ~11 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 33% of days (10.1 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

10.1 days / month

Share of days
~33% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Overcast skies are possible on ~10 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Other Minor

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 9% of days (2.7 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.7 days / month

Share of days
~9% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95 (P95)
Why this matters

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 4% of days (1.3 days/month) in May. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.3 days / month

Share of days
~4% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~50km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Travel planning FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.

Is May a good time to visit Hanoi?

Typical May days in Hanoi reach highs of 31°C (88°F) with nights around 24°C (75°F). It usually feels hot by day and warm after dark. Overall, May sits in the middle of the Hanoi climate range.

What are temperatures like in May?

Daytime temperatures in May typically peak near 31°C (88°F), while nights drop to around 24°C (75°F). Expect hot afternoons and warm evenings.

How much does it rain in May?

Rainfall in May averages 233 mm (9.2 in) across roughly 20 days. Overall it is a very wet time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.

How many hours of daylight are there in May?

You can expect about 13 hours of daylight in May. Sunrise is typically around 05:18 and sunset near 18:27. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.

How strong is the sun in May?

UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 9), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.

Is it windy in May?

In May, average wind speeds are around 9 km/h (6 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 36 km/h (22 mph). On the ground, it is a gentle to moderate breeze is common, but stronger winds are not frequent.

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