Southeast Asia in May-June - monsoon season best to avoid?
I'm tempted to jump on the Indochina bandwagon in May.
My biggest concern is the weather over May-June as I've read that it can be very wet. Has anyone been to S.E. Asia during these periods? What was it like? I've found a number of posts and reviews for January-March but none for these dates. Also found loads of recommendations about to going between Dec-Feb.
I'd loved to visit Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam...I just wonder whether I should hold off and go in January-February 2026 rather than risk May-June.
I’ve lived, worked and travelled extensively all throughout Asia.Climatic factors and conditions must always be taken into consideration when travelling- This applies to all destinations worldwide and it will have a major impact on your trip. All experienced travellers know that it is one of the major variables that can make or break a trip.Its right up there with other factors that affect group travel and these include tour pace, fellow travellers on tour, enthusiasm of tour manager, standard of accommodation, quality of transport provided.
In SEA it will be the start of the monsoon season during that time frame so its not really ideal. Some years its kind of mild with occasional rain showers , some years its so bad that it can rain heavily for hours even days in a row causing flooding and all sorts of chaos and mayhem for locals and travellers.Sometimes flights have to be cancelled for a few days.
There can also be heavy thunderstorms and lightning. Its like going to Europe or North America during the peak of winter months. Some years its weather conditions are bearable and do not interfere with travelling some years the weather messed so much that all you can do is stay in the hotel. Its sort of a risk that you take if you want to go during that time frame. Dec-Feb you are more or less guaranteed to have clear, warm days with sunshine.
It will still be warm this time of year even if it rains. To be fair the weather everywhere is quite unpredictable at the moment.