Ho Chi Minh City · Month comparison
May vs February
February ranks #1 overall vs May at #7. Tết transforms the city — the driest month of the year meets Vietnam's biggest festival.
May
#7 of 12 months
Worth considering
Wet season opens — daily afternoon storms, steep hotel discounts, and fewer tourists.
- ↑Wet season begins — hotel rates drop sharply and you get significantly better value across all categories
- ↑Rain falls as dramatic afternoon thunderstorms (typically 14:00–17:00) rather than all-day drizzle — mornings remain sunny and workable
February
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Tết transforms the city — the driest month of the year meets Vietnam's biggest festival.
- ↑Tết (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) typically falls in February — the most spectacular festival in Vietnam; flower markets, firecrackers, and the entire city in red and gold
- ↑9 sunshine hours a day and only 5mm of rain: the driest and sunniest month of the year
| Factor | May | February |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 4 | 9 |
| Value score | 7 | 4 |
| Crowd score | 4 | 7 |
| Events score | 5 | 10 |
| Atmosphere | 6 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 34°C | 34°C |
| Monthly rain | 220mm | 5mm |
| Daily sunshine | 5hrs | 9hrs |
May trade-offs
- ↓220mm of rainfall — rain is now a daily reality; pack a light waterproof for every afternoon outing
- ↓Some Mekong Delta boat tours become restricted as water rises; check current conditions before booking
- ↓Humidity climbs to 78% — the city's heat feels heavier and more draining than dry-season months
February trade-offs
- ↓Tết week means many restaurants, shops, and services close for 3–7 days — plan around this or embrace the shutdown
- ↓Hotel prices spike sharply around Tết; book 2–3 months ahead for any decent accommodation
- ↓Tết holiday creates domestic travel surge: bus stations, airports, and markets are chaotic in the week before the new year
Scores compare months within Ho Chi Minh City. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →