May signals the arrival of Phu Quoc's southwest monsoon. The Gulf of Thailand's western coast (Long Beach) receives increasing swell, the first proper heavy rains arrive, and the island's colour transforms from dry-season golden to lush tropical green. The An Thoi Islands boat trips become weather-dependent. The upside: accommodation prices drop 40–60% from peak levels, the island is far less crowded, and Phu Quoc's 30-day visa exemption means it's still easy to visit. The National Park's waterfalls begin flowing again.
25–33°C (77–91°F)
Air temp
29°C (84°F)
Sea temp
High
Rainfall
Low
Crowds
why go
what's on
Buddha's Birthday (Phật Đản)
Full moon of fourth lunar month (April or May)A significant Buddhist observance in Vietnam — temples on Phu Quoc hold ceremonies and lantern displays. A culturally interesting event for those interested in Vietnamese Buddhism.
travel tips
May beach time is best early morning — Long Beach is often calm and swimmable from 6–9 am before afternoon winds and waves build. Check with your hotel each morning about current sea conditions.
The An Thoi Islands boat trip (snorkelling + Gam Ghi Island) operates on calmer May days — ask operators each morning whether they're running. When it does run in May, you'll often have the boats largely to yourself.
Phu Quoc's interior activities (pepper farms, fish sauce factory, mangrove kayaking, national park trekking) are unaffected by sea conditions and are excellent alternatives on rough sea days.
common questions
For beach-focused holidays, May is challenging — Long Beach gets rough and An Thoi Islands tours are weather-dependent. For budget travellers, those interested in the national park and interior, or visitors wanting a quiet, uncrowded experience with the 30-day visa exemption, May has real appeal. The 40–60% accommodation savings are significant.
Sao Beach (Bai Sao) on the southeast coast is partly sheltered from the southwest monsoon — it often has calmer conditions than Long Beach in May. On many May days, Sao Beach remains swimmable when Long Beach is rough. It's worth making the trip to Sao Beach specifically in May to check conditions.
Phu Quoc's southwest coast (Long Beach) is directly exposed to the southwest monsoon — making it rougher than Ha Long Bay (east coast) or Da Nang (central Vietnam) during the same period. However, the island's 30-day visa exemption and relatively lower prices in May make it a competitive budget option versus mainland Vietnam even in monsoon season.
explore more