Things to do in Hue in May

When is your trip?

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Looking for a different month?

Overview

May is a good time to visit Hue. The weather is usually hot, muggy, with temperatures ranging from 78—90°F (26—32°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Hue during this time. Some of our top recommendations: visit the Imperial City of Hue, visit the Dong Ba Market, take a bike tour through the countryside, and more!

Hue has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your May trip to Hue. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to May. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Hue in May. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout May, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

Visiting Hue? See our Hue Trip Planner.
I'll never travel to Hue without this trip planner again
Learn more
Don't take our word for it
Slide 1 of 6

Best events and things to do in Hue in May

Top experiences in May
Visit the Imperial City of Hue
The Imperial City is a UNESCO World Heritage site that served as the political and cultural center of the Nguyen Dynasty. In May, the sprawling complex is adorned with colorful flowers and lush greenery, creating a vibrant and enchanting atmosphere. Visitors can explore the ancient citadel, which is surrounded by a moat and massive stone walls, and marvel at the ornate palaces, temples, and pavilions within. The Imperial City is a must-visit destination for history and architecture enthusiasts, offering a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam's royal past.
Visit the Dong Ba Market
Dong Ba Market is the largest and most famous market in Hue, offering a wide variety of goods including fresh produce, handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs. In May, the market is bustling with activity as vendors sell an abundance of seasonal fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Visitors can wander through the colorful stalls, sampling local snacks and interacting with friendly merchants. Dong Ba Market provides a vibrant and authentic shopping experience, making it a must-visit destination for those looking to immerse themselves in the local culture.
Take a bike tour through the countryside
May is a great time to explore the picturesque countryside surrounding Hue, as the landscape is lush and vibrant with blooming flowers and green rice paddies. Visitors can take a guided bike tour through rural villages, passing by traditional houses, ancient pagodas, and peaceful rice fields. Along the way, cyclists can interact with friendly locals, sample fresh fruits and snacks, and enjoy the serene beauty of the countryside. A bike tour offers a unique and immersive way to experience the natural and cultural wonders of Hue's rural areas.
Take a boat tour on the Perfume River
The Perfume River is a scenic waterway that runs through the heart of Hue, offering beautiful views of the city and its surrounding countryside. In May, the riverbanks are lined with blooming flowers and lush vegetation, creating a picturesque backdrop for a boat tour. Visitors can take a leisurely cruise along the river, passing by historic landmarks such as the Imperial City and Thien Mu Pagoda. Some boat tours also include stops at traditional villages and craft workshops, providing a unique glimpse into local life along the river.
Participate in a traditional cooking class
Hue is renowned for its delicious and distinctive cuisine, and May is a great time to learn how to prepare traditional dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Many cooking classes in Hue offer hands-on experiences, allowing participants to visit local markets to select ingredients and then learn how to cook authentic Hue dishes under the guidance of experienced chefs. This is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the local food culture and gain a deeper appreciation for the flavors and techniques that make Hue's cuisine so special.
Explore the Thien Mu Pagoda
Thien Mu Pagoda is a historic Buddhist temple located on the banks of the Perfume River in Hue. The pagoda is particularly beautiful in May, when the surrounding gardens are in full bloom with colorful flowers and lush greenery. Visitors can explore the temple complex, which includes several ornate pavilions, a seven-story pagoda, and a serene courtyard with a large statue of Buddha. The pagoda offers stunning views of the river and the surrounding countryside, making it a peaceful and picturesque spot to visit in May.
I'll never travel to Hue without this trip planner again
Learn more
Holidays in Hue in May
May
  • International Labor Day (May 1)
  • Working day for Liberation Day Holiday (May 4)
  • Vesak (May 23)
Other notable holidays
I'll never travel to Hue without this trip planner again
Learn more

Weather in Hue in May

Temperatures on an average day in Hue in May

The average temperature in Hue in May for a typical day ranges from a high of 90°F (32°C) to a low of 78°F (26°C). Some would describe it as hot, muggy.

For comparison, the hottest month in Hue, June, has days with highs of 90°F (32°C) and lows of 79°F (26°C). The coldest month, January has days with highs of 74°F (23°C) and lows of 66°F (19°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Hue in May based on historical data.

Visiting Hue? See our Hue Trip Planner.

Historical temperature average in May
90°F
highs
78°F
lows

General weather summary

Hot, muggy
Feels like
44%
Chance of rain
0.390 in
Amount
8.5 mph
Wind speed
75%
Humidity
12.9 hrs
Daylight length
5:19 AM
Sunrise
6:12 PM
Sunset
21%
Cloud cover
Sleeveless shirt
What to wear
What to wear in May
With an average high of 90°F (32°C) and a low of 78°F (26°C), it generally feels hot, muggy. There might also be a small chance of rain. With that in mind, most people would dress in something very light like a sleeveless shirt and remember to bring an umbrella
I'll never travel to Hue without this trip planner again
Learn more

Best attractions for Hue in May

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Hue has to offer for travelers in May, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Hue that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Hue for May.
Hue Historic Citadel
1. Hue Historic Citadel
4.5
(34177)
Historical place
Sights & Landmarks
Historic royal palace set within the sprawling, walled complex of the forbidden city.
Thien Mu Pagoda
2. Thien Mu Pagoda
4.5
(13627)
Buddhist temple
Sights & Landmarks
Monks live in this famous 7-story Buddhist temple, built in 1601 & featuring landscaped grounds.
Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang
3. Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang
4.5
(4266)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Serene lakeside temple complex centered on the elaborate mausoleum of a 19th-century emperor.
Perfume River
4. Perfume River
4.5
(323)
River
Nature & Parks
Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc
5. Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc
4.5
(6832)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Tomb & temple complex honoring a 19th-century emperor in a picturesque setting with a lily pond.
Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh
6. Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh
4.4
(12177)
Historical place museum
Sights & Landmarks
Tomb of a storied Vietnamese emperor, with elaborate architecture & ornate details.
Hue Historic Citadel
7. Hue Historic Citadel
4.5
(34177)
Historical place
Sights & Landmarks
Historic royal palace set within the sprawling, walled complex of the forbidden city.
Mausoleum of Emperor Dong Khanh
8. Mausoleum of Emperor Dong Khanh
4.4
(234)
Historical place
Sights & Landmarks
Tomb complex with remains of a king & several of his relatives, plus many painted walls & statues.
Bảo Tàng Lịch Sử Cầu Ngói Thanh Toàn
9. Bảo Tàng Lịch Sử Cầu Ngói Thanh Toàn
4.5
(244)
Museum
Sights & Landmarks
Cầu Trường Tiền
10. Cầu Trường Tiền
Sights & Landmarks
Bridges
Tu Dam Pagoda
11. Tu Dam Pagoda
4.6
(746)
Buddhist temple
Sights & Landmarks
Buddhist temple complex founded in 1683, later site of anti-government protests in the 1960s.
Dong Ba Market
12. Dong Ba Market
4.2
(1647)
Market
Shopping
The Flag Tower
13. The Flag Tower
4.7
(28)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Cầu Trường Tiền
14. Cầu Trường Tiền
Sights & Landmarks
Bridges
Meridian Gate
15. Meridian Gate
4.6
(1435)
Monument
Sights & Landmarks
Main gate to the Imperial City, built in 1833, with a pavilion on upper level used for ceremonies.
Nine Dynastic Urns
16. Nine Dynastic Urns
4.5
(147)
Sights & Landmarks
Ancient Ruins

What's the weather like in Hue?

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Hue for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Hue?

Get inspired for your trip to Hue with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

Planning a trip to Hue?
Save all the best places to visit with WanderlogDownload the travel planning app everyone's been raving about
  • Itinerary + map in one view
  • Live collaboration
  • Auto-import hotels and reservations
  • Optimize your route
  • Offline access on mobile
  • Optimize your route
  • See time and distance between all your places
Learn more
Get the iOS app from the App Store
Get the Android app from Google Play