Are you planning a trip to Laos in May? Read on to learn more about May weather in Laos, clothes to wear for the weather, and best places to visit in Laos in May.
Laos Weather in May: Overview
- Temperature range: 24–35°C (75–95°F)
- Rainfall: 250 mm (10 inches)
- Rainy days: 15
- Sunny days: 10
May is the start of the rainy season in Laos. The weather is generally hot and humid on most days, with an average daily temperature range of 24°C to 35°C. Heavy rainfall and wind-driven showers are often seen in this month, with rain amounts ranging from 160 mm to 370 mm across popular areas. May is generally not a suitable/comfortable time to do outdoor activities.
Laos' Major Cities' Weather in May
| City | Min. Temp. (ºC) | Max. Temp. (ºC) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luang Prabang | 23 | 35 | 166 |
| Vientiane | 25 | 33 | 237 |
| Vang Vieng | 23 | 33 | 371 |
| Pakse | 25 | 34 | 231 |
Luang Prabang: The weather is unpleasant in May in Luang Prabang, with humid and hot conditions. The nighttime temperature is around 23°C (73°F), and the daytime high temperature reaches 35°C (95°F) on average. It is a rainy month with a moderate 166 mm (6 inches) of rain.
Vientiane: It is hot during the daytime and warm at night in Vientiane in May. The temperature in Vientiane ranges from 25°C (77°F) to 33°C (91°F) on average. Rainfall in this month averages a high 237 mm (9 inches), which typically occurs on 12–16 days.
Vang Vieng: The weather in Vang Vieng is quite hot in May. Nighttime temperatures fall to around 23°C (73°F), and daytime temperatures rise to 33°C (91°F) on average. There are about 15–18 days of rain totaling a very high average of 371 mm (15 inches).
Pakse: The weather in Pakse is again hot during the daytime in May. The temperature at night stays warm at around 25°C (78°F), and the highest temperatures reach around 34°C (93°F). Rainfall in Pakse in May is high at 231 mm (9 inches), with about 12–16 rainy days.
The Best Places to Visit in Laos in May
May is only the start of the rainy season in Laos. If you don't mind the typically rainy and hot weather conditions, you can still enjoy blue skies on the drier days as well as lush green mountainous and countryside in this month. You could experience Laos' traditional festival, Boun Bang Fai, or 'Rocket Festival', which is an ancient fertility and rainmaking festival in the middle of May. People launch fireworks, firecrackers, and homemade rockets into the sky in order to ask the rain god to end the dry season and bring on the rain. Here are some of the recommended places to visit if you are going to Laos in May.
1. The Great Sacred Stupa: Pha That Luang, Vientiane
No matter when you are visiting Laos, Vientiane is one of the must-visit cities, with its gorgeous Buddhist temples, pagodas, and quaint traditional buildings. Sacred Pha That Luang can't be missed in your trip in Vientiane. Located in the heart of Vientiane, Pha That Luang has more than 2,500 years of history. The 45-meter-high (150-foot-high) pyramid-like stupa has 30 smaller pagodas surrounding it. The gold plate on all the pagodas shines brightly in the sun, which makes it a perfect spot for photographers.
2. Tad Sae Waterfalls, Luang Prabang
May is a good month to visit Luang Prabang's numerous beautiful waterfalls as the rains bring the falls to their maximum flow. Located near the Nam Khan river, Tat Sae is famed for its clean sheets of water cascading over beautiful limestone rocks. The shallow pools under the falls make good places to enjoy water fun and keep cool in the hot weather. There are some adventurous activities laid on at Tad Sae, such as the ziplining and waterfall trekking.
3. MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary, Luang Prabang
May is a good time to explore Laos' numerous elephant reserve areas as the plants and mountains turn lush green. One of the recommended elephant parks in Luang Prabang is the MandaLao Elephant Conservation Park. It is a good place to have some close interaction with these lovely animals, which is especially popular with families. It is fun to run through the jungle in search of the elephants. While bathing and feeding the elephants, you can learn more about them with an expert local guide. The sanctuary is famed for its ethical practices and caring about the elephants. So, elephant riding is not allowed there.
4. Nam Xay Viewpoint, Vang Vieng
May is a good time to see the green mountains after the first of the monsoon rain and breath their clean and fresh air. Nam Xay Viewpoint in Vang Vieng is one of Laos' best-known attractions. The viewpoint is located on the top of a steep mountain. From the summit of the viewpoint, you can get a spectacular bird's-eye view of the natural sights of Vang Vieng. On one side of the viewpoint, the paddy fields run far into the distance, while the other side has a wide range of mountains. There are two motorbikes and a small wooden hut in the viewpoint where you can take pictures.
5. Mekong Riverside Park, Vientiane (Night Market)
If you are looking for a place to have a cup of coffee and rest after a full day's activities, then Mekong Riverside Park is a good place. And the night market near the park is a good place to buy some souvenirs of Laos, especially on the evening when you are finishing your trip in Vientiane. You can walk along the Mekong riverside under a sunset and then wander around the busy night markets set on both banks. There are so many great souvenirs that you can bring home, including local artifacts, Buddhist statues, sunglasses, Laos t-shirts, and more.
Crowding and Costs in May
Due to its poor weather conditions, few travelers choose May to visit Laos. If you do go though, it is a good chance to enjoy more space and freedom when visiting some of the top attractions. You don't need to worry about crowds if you are visiting Laos in May!
The cost of hotels and tours are according to low season pricing in May. Many branded hotels offer great discounts to attract more customers. So, it is a good time to save some money or spend more days for your money in this beautiful country. Contact us — we can do all the research and booking for your ideal trip.
What to Bring/Wear in May
May is very humid and hot in Laos in the day, and also warm at night. Pack summertime clothes including T-shirts, shorts, light trousers, caps, sunglasses, and anything that can help you keep cool. There are more mosquitoes and insects in this month. So, prepare repellant to deter the insects from biting.
It is a rainy month (with 15 days of rain on average). So, bring light waterproofs, quick drying shoes, maybe rain boots, umbrellas, or anything that would help you keeps you dry and comfortable.
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