Living in Da Nang, I’ve visited Hoi An during May more times than I can count. If you’re planning on visiting Hoi An in May, this brief guide lets you know what to expect regarding weather, crowds, hotels, and events.
Every photo and video in this article was taken during May in Hoi An.
Is May a Good Time to Visit Hoi An?
May is a good (not great) month to visit Hoi An. The positive is that it’s in the dry season, so the chance of rain is low. The negative is that May is when Hoi An starts getting hot. If you’re after a beach day or plan to stay at a hotel with a pool, May can be a great time to visit.
As a result of the heat, May is a part of what I consider the second-best time to visit Hoi An. June and July are also in this group. This article covers the best months to visit Hoi An.
You’ll want to pack lighter clothing, comfortable for walking, but be aware that if your clothes are too revealing, you may not be allowed into some of Old Town’s religious sites, museums, temples, and pagodas.
Hoi An Weather in May
May is firmly in the dry season in Hoi An, which typically runs from January to August. May has highs of 91°F (33°C) and lows of 78°F (25.5°C). I personally find May to be the start of the year when my skin feels like it’s being singed from the sun.
If you visit Hoi An during May, expect it to be hot and humid, with blue skies and a low chance of rain. May, June, and July also have the highest amount of daily sunshine.
Here’s a weather chart so you can see how May compares to other months in Hoi An. If you haven’t already guessed, I find February, March, or April to be the best time to visit Hoi An.
| Month | Avg. High | Avg. Low | Days of Rain* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 20°C (67°F) | 4 (37 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 20°C (69°F) | 2 (12 mm) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 (13 mm) |
| Apr | 31°C (87°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 (26 mm) |
| May | 33°C (91°F) | 25°C (78°F) | 7 (58 mm) |
| Jun | 34°C (93°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 7 (62 mm) |
| Jul | 34°C (93°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 7 (58 mm) |
| Aug | 33°C (92°F) | 26°C (78°F) | 11 (117 mm) |
| Sept | 31°C (88°F) | 25°C (76°F) | 16 (283 mm) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 24°C (74°F) | 19 (446 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 14 (300 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 20°C (69°F) | 10 (140 mm) |
Is Hoi An Crowded in May?
Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An draws tourists year-round. However, since May is in the dry season, it’s usually pretty busy, even though it’s hot. I was just down in Hoi An yesterday (mid-May), doing some exploring, and it was crowded.
Here’s a video I filmed of some tourists going by on a cyclo tour (very popular all over Hoi An) in Old Town. I filmed this video around 3:30 PM.
Because of the heat, the Old Town is at its quietest from around 11 AM until 2 PM. Then, from about 2 PM onward, the Old Town area starts getting very busy and stays crowded into the night.
At 3 PM, the city closes the Old Town to pedestrian-only traffic. Before 3 PM, you’ll see scooters zipping through the Old Town. See this article for getting around Hoi An.
Where to Stay in Hoi An in May
April is already hot in Hoi An, but May is when the heat starts getting more intense. This makes May a great month for swimming. Many hotels in Hoi An have swimming pools, but they vary in size, and An Bang Beach has roped-off swimming areas.
If you want to explore the Old Town on foot, you should stay as close to it as possible. The Hoian Central Hotel (Agoda / Booking) is in a great location inside Old Town. It has a smaller swimming pool area. For a hotel with a bigger pool area, look at the Allegro Hoi An (Agoda / Booking).
If you want to stay near An Bang Beach and have easy access to the ocean, look at the Linh Seaside Villa (Agoda / Booking) and the CHiEM HoiAn (Agoda / Booking).
Here’s my guide on where to stay in Hoi An, which covers the Old Town, beaches, and rice fields.
Any Special Festivals or Events in May?
The Hoi An Lantern Festival is a monthly event that happens on the 14th day of each lunar month (not calendar month!). Restaurants and shops turn off their electric lights, and the lit lanterns light up the Old Town.
Other than this, it isn’t a typical “festival,” so don’t expect a ton of excitement. The event starts around 6 PM and lasts until around 10 PM.
