Ninh Binh en Mayo: Comienza la Temporada del Arroz Dorado

May is the month photographers wait for. In the last week of May the rice around Tam Coc starts turning gold, the most famous view of Ninh Binh. It gets hot, and the first summer showers arrive, but the reward is the best scenery of the year.

Weather in May

May is the start of summer: about 26 to 33 degrees, humid, with short afternoon showers later in the month. Mornings are usually sunny and are the best part of the day for activities.

The golden rice season

In mid May the green fields begin to turn yellow. In the last week of May and the first week of June the valley around Tam Coc is gold, with the Ngo Dong river winding through it. Tam Coc has only one rice crop per year, so this short window is the moment.

The best views are from a Tam Coc boat at water level and from the top of Cueva de Mua at sunrise, before the haze and the heat.

Festivals and crowds

May 1 is a national holiday, so the first days of May are busy with Vietnamese tourists. After that it calms down. During the golden weeks, Mua Cave gets busy around sunset; sunrise is much quieter.

Best things to do in May

This is the month for photography. A Custom Day Tour with your own driver brings you to the best light and the quiet corners that day tourists miss. Start early, rest in the midday heat, and go out again after four.

Qué empacar

Light, breathable clothes, strong sun protection, a hat and a rain poncho. Drink much more water than you think you need.

A perfect day in May

In golden-rice May, the day starts at 5 am. Watch the sunrise from Mua Cave over the yellow valley, then take the first Tam Coc boat at 7 am when the water is still and the rowers are fresh. Retreat to your hotel pool between 11 am and 3 pm, the heat is real. Go out again for the late light: the golden fields around Hang Mua and the village lanes are at their best just before sunset around 6:30 pm.

Frequently asked questions about May in Ninh Binh

When exactly is the golden rice season?

Usually the last week of May and the first week of June, but it shifts a little each year with the weather. If you are planning a trip around it, ask us close to your date, we see the fields daily.

How hot is May really?

Around 26 to 33 degrees and humid. Mornings are the best part of the day. Plan activities before 11 am and after 4 pm and the heat is easy to manage.

Do I need to book early for the golden season?

Yes. The golden weeks are the most popular photo window of the year. Hotels in Tam Coc fill up weeks in advance.

Should you visit Ninh Binh in May?

Yes, especially the last week. It is the start of the most beautiful window of the year. Book hotels and tours early for late May. Compare months in our guía mes a mes.