Halong Bay In May: The Summer Starts With Water Activities
Halong Bay in May is the beginning of Summer and is suitable for water activities in the warm sea. If you want to visit here, read Seni World’s guide to learn about the weather, the best places, and travel tips.
Table of Contents
ToggleWhere Is Halong Bay?
Halong Bay is positioned in Quang Ninh Province, inside the Gulf of Tonkin, and approximately 165 to 170 kilometers (about 100 to 110 miles) Southeast of Hanoi. Halong Bay is a very famous and handy vacation spot for travelers traveling to the capital or having a Northern Vietnam itinerary. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is well-known for its attractive seascape, lots of beautiful limestone karsts and islets in various shapes and sizes, dramatically growing from captivating emerald waters.

Halong Bay in May has warmer temperatures, so the water is exceptionally suitable for swimming, kayaking, and various water activities. With about 7 to 8 hours of sunshine per day, it is remarkable photography opportunities that can be frequently less obscured by the mist, like in cooler months. It is also the beginning of the rainy season and the off-peak season for worldwide tourists. This means potentially fewer crowds and lower cruise fees. Therefore, travelers will experience the bay’s natural beauty, but still have affordable prices.
What Is the Weather Like In Halong Bay In May?
Halong Bay weather in May marks the official beginning of Summer, with significantly warmer temperatures and higher humidity. Daylight temperatures generally vary from a pleasantly low. The sea climate additionally warms up, making it ideal for swimming and other sea activities like kayaking and diving. You can enjoy lots of light in the bay’s breathtaking scenery.
However, May is also the point of the rainy season, so you should be prepared for greater frequent showers in comparison to the drier Spring months. They may be quick, heavy tropical downpours that commonly occur within the afternoon and pass fast. The humidity can make the air experience muggy. Despite the higher level of rain, Halong Bay in May is still an amazing month to visit, particularly if you want to revel in warmer waters.
| Weather Aspect | Details |
| Temperature | Daytime Temperature: 27°C – 32°C
Nighttime Temperature: 23°C – 26°C |
| Humidity | 75% – 85% (high humidity, and you can feel sticky and hot) |
| Rainfall | 120 – 180 mm over 13 – 15 rainy days (rainfall increases in this period, and it is usually short and heavy showers) |
| Cloud Cover | Sky ranges from partly cloudy to overcast, and the time under cloud cover is from 60% to 75%. |
| Weather Pattern | Halong Bay temperature in May is the starting point of the wet season. The climate is warm and humid; sometimes, it has thunderstorms. Days are commonly hot, and nights are warm. Light sea breezes may help decrease the heat. |
What To See And Do In Halong Bay In May
Halong Bay in May is the beginning of Summer, bringing hotter temperatures and a higher range of rain. This time, Halong Bay also has plenty of light and great situations for water activities. Here are 10 things to see and to do in Halong Bay in May:
Peaceful Overnight Cruise
Travelers can choose a multi-day cruise (like a 1-night or 2-night trip) as the first memorable Halong Bay experience. The warmer temperatures of Halong Bay in May make sundeck reveling and swimming particularly exciting. These cruises commonly consist of visiting many different islands, caves, as well as trying on-board activities, and you can immerse yourself in the bay’s brilliant scenery.

Kayaking in Hidden Lagoons
Halong Bay in May’s calm waters and warm sea temperatures is wonderful for kayaking. In particular, you will have a chance to paddle via secluded lagoons, discover hidden caves, like Luon Cave (Hang Luon) or Dark And Bright Cave (Hang Sang Toi). When you get up near the towering limestone karsts, you will see the quiet beauty of the bay. Besides, many cruises include kayaking as part of the Halong Bay itinerary, and Seni World will schedule it for you if you like and want to try.

Uncover Magnificent Caves
Halong Bay is home to numerous marvelous caves carved naturally into its limestone islands. Here, Surprise Cave (Hang Sung Sot) is one of the largest and most attractive, while Heavenly Palace Cave (Hang Thien Cung) is famous for its intricate, beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. These underground wonders provide travelers a cool escape from the heat of May in the busy city.

Swim At Pristine Beaches
With sea temperatures is about 27°C, which is very comfortable, May is a splendid month for travelers to swim in the Halong Bay sea. Many cruise adventures stop at stunning beaches like Titop Island (Dao Ti Top), which no longer has a beautiful sandy shore and blue water, but also a panoramic viewpoint from a pristine beach for you after an active short hike.
Go To A Floating Fishing Village
Let’s get into the conventional daily lifestyle by visiting a nearby floating fishing village, including Cua Van Floating Fishing Village or Vung Vieng Floating Fishing Village. You can find out more about local people’s particular tradition, see their unique floating homes, and sometimes even take part in interesting activities like net-casting or bamboo boat rides.

Practice Tai Chi On The Sundeck
Many overnight cruise journeys has early morning Tai Chi classes on the sundeck for travelers. This serene activity is the perfect way to begin an energetic and busy day with a good health, balancing both your body and mind. When practicing Tai Chi, you can also witness the breathtaking backdrop of the Halong Bay’s rising solar over the karsts.

Hike To A Panoramic Viewpoint
In case you want to have an exceptional perspective of Halong Bay, let’s hike up to a whole viewpoint. Titop Island is a famous climb to a peak with a captivating 360-degree view of the great Halong Bay’s myriad of islands and emerald waters. Moreover, this is one of the best spots for you to take some iconic photos with your family and friends, and then share on Social media platforms.
Enjoy Night Squid Fishing
When the night falls on Halong Bay in May, don’t forget to try a specific revel in of squid fishing. You will sit comfortably on the deck, using lighting forged into the water to attract squid. This is an exciting and attractive activity, and whether you seize squid, anything, or not, this will be a memorable experience to unwind on the Halong Bay after dark.

Try Delicious Fresh Seafood
Halong Bay is well-known for its fresh and delicious seafood. Whether it’s served as part of your overnight cruise meal, or you enjoy it at a local restaurant or a street food corner in Halong City, indulging in local cuisine is a culinary highlight. Don’t forget to try popular seafood here, like grilled squid, crabs, or many different types of fish dishes.

Consider A Seaplane Scenic Flight
For a simple but still special and unforgettable angle, you can take a seaplane flight over Halong Bay in May. This flight allows travelers to see the vastness and huge splendor of the natural karsts, blue water, and other natural beauty of the bay from above. You can feel more breathtaking and wonderful aerial views than a cruise can deliver not provide.

What To Pack For Halong Bay In May
Halong Bay in May is the beginning of Summer, bringing hotter temperatures and a higher range of rain. So, besides finding out about things to do in Halong Bay this time, let’s learn more about what to wear and what to bring in this month to have a happy and comfortable adventure in this place with family and friends.
Suitable Clothing
You should choose t-shirts and tank tops made of breathable cotton, linen, rayon, or quick-drying synthetics to wear in warm weather and humidity. With the bottom, let’s wear shorts, skirts, or light trousers is the best for comfort and easy motion. To avoid sudden tropical downpours, you need to bring a rain jacket or poncho, which is lightweight and packable.
Comfortable footwear
For on foot around the cruise, on beaches, sandals or flip-flops are the best. In case you explore caves with wet flooring, on foot on rocky beaches, or by kayak, you need to wear water shoes to ensure your security. If you plan to hike, like hiking on Titop Island, lightweight and breathable walking footwear are recommended.

Accessories & different essentials
There are some important accessories and items you can not miss out on when traveling to Halong Bay in May, including sunscreen with high SPF, a large-brimmed hat, sunglasses, insect repellent, a small backpack or a waterproof bag, a reusable water bottle, a basic first-aid kit, a digital camera and chargers, a small umbrella, seasickness medication, and plastic bags.
Travel Tips For Visiting Halong Bay In May
For an interesting and safe adventure to Halong Bay in May, you need to understand carefully and deeply the essential travel tips. Let’s see some hints from Seni World below:
- Book your cruise in advance: May is also a good time for traveling, particularly for students on their summer vacation. Therefore, you should reserve your cruise several weeks to a month to be available and have better rates.
- Allocate enough time for transfers: Transfer process from Hanoi to Halong Bay (as well as vice versa) can take about 2.5 to 3 hours each way. So you should component this suitable into your travel day.
- Consider insect repellent: Ugly mosquitoes and different insects can be greater widely widespread in the warmer, particularly humid months like May. So you need to apply insect repellent, mainly within the evenings or when you are close to caves and nature.

- Stay hydrated: Don’t forget to drink lots of water during the day because the humidity and warmth increase the danger of dehydration for your body. Most cruises provide travelers with bottled water.
- Bring a dry bag: When kayaking or taking part in other water activities, a dry bag is worthwhile for shielding your phone, camera, and other valuables from splashes or surprising rain.
- Seasickness medication: If you are at risk of motion sickness, remember to take the appropriate drug before boarding, even in case the bay is calm.
- Inform the cruise of your dietary needs: When you have any dietary restrictions or hypersensitivities, inform your cruise operator in advance.
- Flexible for ability delays or cancellations: In spite of being less common in May in comparison to the monsoon season, strong winds or heavy rain can occur and lead to delays or cancellations for safety reasons. Therefore, you need to be flexible in your trip arrangements, and if you need any consultation, contact Seni World. We are here to support you.
Final Thoughts: Is May A Good Time To Visit Halong Bay?
Halong Bay in May is the official beginning of Summer, with significantly warmer temperatures and higher humidity, and is an amazing month to visit, particularly if you want to revel in warmer waters. If you want to learn more about this destination, as well as consult travel tips, like the best time to visit Halong Bay, and receive support for the visa process, let’s contact Seni World, a reputable tour operator. We are here to help you from A to Z on your beautiful Halong Bay discovery journey.