Things to Do in Laos in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Laos
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 20-30% compared to the November-February peak, with guesthouses in Luang Prabang running 400,000-600,000 kip (about $20-30 USD) instead of 800,000+ kip in high season
- Rice planting season transforms the countryside into brilliant emerald green, particularly stunning in the Bolaven Plateau and around Vang Vieng where the karst mountains reflect in flooded paddies - photographers get their best shots now
- Mekong River levels are perfect for boat trips, high enough for smooth navigation but not yet swollen with monsoon rains, making the Luang Prabang to Huay Xai slow boat journey (2 days, typically 400,000 kip) more comfortable than later wet season months
- Fewer tourists mean you'll actually have temples to yourself in the early mornings, especially secondary sites like Wat Xieng Thong's side chapels or the forest temples around Champasak, and local interactions feel more genuine without the December-January crowds
Considerations
- Afternoon rain showers hit 60% of days, typically between 2pm-5pm lasting 30-45 minutes, which disrupts outdoor activities and makes dirt roads in rural areas like Nong Khiaw temporarily impassable for motorbikes
- Heat and humidity combination is genuinely uncomfortable for extended walking, with that 70% humidity making 32°C (90°F) feel closer to 38°C (100°F), especially brutal when climbing the 328 steps to Mount Phousi in Luang Prabang midday
- Some remote areas become harder to access as dirt roads turn muddy, particularly in Phongsali Province and parts of the Bolaven Plateau loop, limiting adventure travel options compared to the dry season
Best Activities in May
Luang Prabang temple and almsgiving tours
May mornings are actually perfect for the 5:30am almsgiving ceremony because temperatures are still comfortable at 23-25°C (73-77°F) and fewer tourists mean the ritual maintains its authenticity. The morning mist often hangs over the Mekong creating atmospheric conditions you won't get in dry season. Temple interiors stay cool throughout the day, making this ideal for cultural exploration when afternoon rains force you indoors. The combination of green season landscapes and manageable crowds makes this the sweet spot for temple photography.
Kuang Si Waterfalls swimming and hiking
The waterfalls are absolutely spectacular in May with maximum water flow from early rains but not yet the muddy torrents of peak monsoon. Water levels in the turquoise pools are perfect for swimming, typically 1-1.5 m (3-5 ft) deep in the main pools. Morning visits (8am-11am) beat both the heat and the afternoon rain showers. The surrounding jungle is that brilliant wet-season green, and the 30-minute trail to the top waterfall is still accessible though it gets slippery. This is genuinely the best month for this attraction before July-September rains make it less enjoyable.
Vang Vieng kayaking and tubing on the Nam Song River
May offers ideal river conditions with water levels high enough for smooth paddling but currents still manageable, unlike the dangerous flows of July-August. The limestone karst scenery is dramatically enhanced by green season vegetation, and morning mist creates that famous Guilin-like atmosphere. Afternoon showers actually cool things down pleasantly when you're already wet. Water temperature is comfortable at around 24-26°C (75-79°F). The party tubing scene is much quieter in May, so you get more authentic river experience with local families and better wildlife spotting.
Bolaven Plateau waterfall circuit and coffee plantation visits
The Plateau is absolutely at its peak in May with dozens of waterfalls at maximum flow and coffee plants in full leaf. Temperatures are noticeably cooler than lowland Laos, typically 25-28°C (77-82°F) making motorbike touring comfortable. Tad Fane and Tad Yuang waterfalls are thundering spectacles right now. The 160 km (100 mile) loop is still fully accessible on sealed roads, though some dirt side tracks to remote falls get muddy. Local coffee harvest finished in March so you can tour plantations and do tastings without the chaos of picking season.
Vientiane food tours and night market exploration
May is actually ideal for food touring because the heat drives locals to eat outdoors in the evenings when temperatures drop to pleasant 25-27°C (77-81°F). The Mekong Riverside Night Market operates nightly with fewer tourists competing for the best stalls. Seasonal ingredients include fresh bamboo shoots, river fish, and early mango varieties. The morning markets like Talat Sao are less crowded, and vendors are more willing to chat and explain dishes. Indoor backup options abound when afternoon rains hit, including the excellent food court at Vientiane Center mall.
Si Phan Don (4000 Islands) cycling and dolphin watching
The islands are gloriously green in May with rice planting creating mirror-like flooded paddies perfect for cycling photography. Irrawaddy dolphin sightings peak in May-June as water levels are optimal near the Cambodian border, with 70-80% success rate on morning trips. Don Det and Don Khon are wonderfully quiet with shoulder season crowds, and the French colonial bridge and Liphi Falls are spectacular with higher water. Cycling the flat 12 km (7.5 mile) loop between islands is comfortable in morning hours before heat builds.
May Events & Festivals
Visakha Bucha (Vesak)
The most sacred Buddhist holiday celebrating Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death, typically falling in mid-May on the full moon. Temples throughout Laos hold candlelit processions called wien thien where devotees circle the main temple three times clockwise carrying flowers, incense, and candles. Luang Prabang's Wat Xieng Thong and Vientiane's That Luang see the most elaborate celebrations. Locals dress in white, make merit at temples, and release birds or fish. It's a genuinely moving experience if you observe respectfully from the edges. Alcohol sales are prohibited nationwide on this day.
Rocket Festival (Bun Bang Fai)
Traditional rain-making festival held in villages across Laos, particularly in Vientiane Province and the northeast, typically early to mid-May before monsoon rains begin. Villages compete by launching homemade bamboo rockets stuffed with gunpowder, some reaching 100 m (328 ft) or higher. Festivities include traditional music, lam vong dancing, and plenty of lao-lao rice whisky. Vientiane holds organized competitions at specific venues, but village celebrations are more authentic if you can reach them. It's chaotic, loud, occasionally dangerous (rockets do misfire), and absolutely unique to Laos.