Review du lịch Hàn Quốc tháng 5 từ A - Z

May, the transitional period between spring and summer, is one of the most beautiful times to visit South Korea. Nature is at its most radiant — from the lush green tea fields of Boseong to the crystal-clear shores of Jeju Island, every landscape is a sight to behold.

But it’s not just the breathtaking scenery that makes May special. It’s also the season of vibrant cultural festivals, refreshing spring delicacies, and a wide range of exciting outdoor activities. If you're planning a memorable trip, let this detailed review guide you through the best of South Korea in May.

A to Z Travel Review of South Korea in May

May is the perfect time to explore South Korea, where visitors can soak in the mild weather, breathtaking nature, and vibrant festivals.

1. May Weather in Korea – The Charm of Late Spring

By May, cherry blossom season has passed, but the refreshing spirit of spring still lingers across the Korean peninsula. The weather is ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities — sunny days, clear skies, low humidity, and little rain. Average temperatures range from 12°C to 22°C, making it comfortably cool to enjoy the outdoors.

May is also when countless flowers burst into bloom — roses, tulips, forsythia, and more. The green tea hills in Boseong begin to reach their lushest state, painting the landscape in vivid emerald tones. Travelers visiting toward the end of May will feel the gentle breeze of late spring and the first warm rays of early summer, along with countless unforgettable experiences.

2. What’s Beautiful About Korea in May?

If you’re wondering what makes South Korea in May so special, the answer lies in its vibrant and lively natural beauty. This is the time when the entire country seems to awaken — bathed in blooming flowers, under clear blue skies, and surrounded by peaceful landscapes. From mountains and plains to coastlines, every corner of Korea dons a fresh and radiant look that leaves every traveler enchanted.

Colorful flower fields: Thanks to the temperate climate, May is the season of hundreds of flowers blooming in Korea. You can admire the bright pink color of azaleas covering Hwangmaesan Mountain, immerse yourself in the "golden sea" of canola flowers in Jeju, enjoy the fragrant rose festival covering the capital Seoul or stroll in the endless tulip fields in Taean,... No matter where you visit in the land of kimchi in May, visitors can easily see flowers blooming and enjoy the brilliant late spring scenery.

May is the perfect time to witness South Korea in full bloom and embrace its vibrant natural landscapes.

Lush green tea hills: If in spring, the green tea buds have just sprouted, then from May to August is the season when green tea is at its most beautiful, the soft green color covers the hills, creating an extremely pleasing natural picture. May is also when the largest green tea festival in Korea is held, allowing visitors to directly admire the winding tea hills and participate in tea ceremony cultural activities.
Clear blue sea: Although it has not yet entered the peak tourist season, the Korean sea in May is still beautiful with clear blue water, gentle waves and light yellow sunshine. At this time, the sea water has also gradually warmed up, suitable for walking around the beach, watching the sunset or simply enjoying the fresh air and enjoying delicious seafood.

3. Review of Korea travel in May

3.1 Where to travel to Korea in May?

Korea travel in May has many ideal destinations, combining pleasant weather and romantic natural scenery, promising to bring memorable experiences and "dreamy" frames:

Hwangmae Mountain - "Pink sea" of brilliant rhododendrons: Around mid-May, Hwangmae Mountain in Gyeongsang Nam Province turns into a brilliant picture with the purple-pink color of royal rhododendrons covering the mountain slopes. This majestic and poetic scene was once ranked among the most beautiful natural landscapes worth visiting in Korea. This is an ideal place for those who love nature, enjoy light trekking and taking virtual photos in the sea of flowers.
Boseong - Picturesque green tea hills: From the end of April to the end of May, the Boseong tea hills enter their most beautiful time of the year. The rolling, smooth tea hills appear like a painting under the early summer sunlight. This is also the time of the Boseong Green Tea Festival, where you can try tea picking, drink tea, enjoy tea-based dishes, and explore Korean tea culture.

to Z Travel Review of South Korea in May

Scenic Tea Hills, Coastal Breezes & Floral Islands – Discover Korea’s Natural Beauty in Full Bloom

Busan - Blue sea, white sand and mild sunshine: If you like the sea air but are afraid of the crowds during peak season, May is the ideal time to explore Busan - the most famous coastal city in Korea. Haeundae, Gwangalli or Songjeong beaches are not too crowded this month, the sea water is clear, the weather is mild and the seafood is especially fresh. You can also visit Haedong Yonggungsa Temple - a sacred temple located close to the sea with extremely impressive scenery.
Jeju - the island of flowers and wind: Jeju cannot be missed in the list of destinations in May. Jeju Island is now filled with the yellow color of canola flowers, the sky is clear, the weather is pleasant and the sea is calm. The coastal roads, flower fields, waterfalls and "chill" cafes in the middle of nature will make you want to stay longer. In addition, Jeju also has many outdoor activities such as horse riding, climbing Hallasan Mountain, or exploring Seongeup ancient village that are worth trying during this time.

Catch the Golden Sea of Canola Blossoms in Jeju this May

3.2 What to Do in South Korea in May?

May in Korea isn’t just about stunning natural scenery — it’s also a season full of vibrant cultural festivals, exciting outdoor adventures, and fresh seasonal cuisine. It’s the perfect time to experience a lively, colorful, and refreshing side of Korea.

Participate in special festivals: May is the "festival season" in Korea with many special festivals held throughout the country. Some of the most popular festivals are: Yeondeunghoe Lotus Lantern Festival (usually in early - mid-May, near Buddha's Birthday) - one of the largest cultural festivals in Korea recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, celebrating the birth of Buddha with thousands of colorful lanterns lit up along the central streets; Seoul Rose Festival (mid-late May) usually takes place in Daejanggeum Park or Jungnang Park - where you can admire hundreds of colorful roses, combined with painting or perfume making experiences; Boseong Green Tea Festival (late May), taking place in Korea's most famous tea hill region - offering the experience of hand-picking tea leaves, enjoying tea and discovering the traditional art of tea ceremony.

Experience the Magic of Spring Festivals, Outdoor Adventures & Seasonal Delights

Join the Famous Lotus Lantern Festival: Traveling to Korea in May gives visitors the special chance to take part in the Lotus Lantern Festival, one of the country's most iconic cultural events. Streets and temples come alive with thousands of glowing lanterns, symbolizing hope and celebration during Buddha’s Birthday. It's a truly mesmerizing experience that captures the beauty and spirit of Korean tradition.
Enjoy seasonal delicacies: May is the perfect time to enjoy green tea specialties at Boseong Tea Hill such as green tea ice cream, green tea rice cakes, and green tea cold noodles. In addition, visitors can also eat seasonal specialties such as grilled herring, baby octopus (jukkumi), and early summer squid (sannakji). In case you are looking for "cooling" dishes in early summer, cold noodles (naengmyeon) or cool patbingsu will be extremely suitable.

3.3 What to Wear in South Korea in May?

Korea is known as the "fashion capital" of Asia, where it always leads the fashion trends and the streets always look like catwalks. Perhaps that's why many tourists are interested in what to wear when traveling to Korea in May to suit the weather and still "flattering to the eyes".

The weather in Korea in May is cool during the day, a bit chilly in the evening. You can prepare light jackets, thin knitted sweaters, linen shirts, sneakers or flat shoes, etc. for convenience in outdoor activities. Prioritize clothes that are easy to coordinate and can be worn in many layers in case the weather suddenly turns cold. Neutral and bright colors such as white, beige, gray, pastel, etc. are also popular choices, suitable for the Korean landscape in May.

4. Travel experience in Korea in May

To make your trip go smoothly, here are some notes you can refer to:

Prepare visa: Vietnamese tourists traveling to Korea usually need to apply for a short-term visa. However, if you go on a charter tour (charter the whole trip) during the time of tourism promotion, you may be exempted from a temporary visa. Please check the information carefully from the airline or travel agency. If you travel on your own, you should apply for a visa about 3-4 weeks in advance to keep up with the schedule.
Book air tickets and hotels early: May is an ideal time to travel to Korea thanks to the beautiful weather and many attractive festivals. To avoid running out of rooms or high prices, you should book air tickets, accommodation and travel services at least 3-4 weeks in advance. If you intend to participate in a big festival like Yeondeunghoe or go to Jeju to see flowers, planning early is even more important.
Cash exchange: Although credit cards and international payment methods are widely used in Korea, it is still necessary to bring some cash – especially when spending at traditional markets, small shops or when using public transport.

Travelers should proactively exchange money before departure to avoid wasting time or having difficulty finding a foreign currency exchange point at the destination. In particular, if you have booked a round-trip Vietjet flight ticket, just enter the booking code (PNR) on the Vietjet website or application, you can use the online foreign currency exchange service with simple operations, competitive exchange rates and guaranteed safety. This is a convenient solution to help you prepare your finances for the trip.

Download travel support apps in advance: To find your way in Korea, visitors can use Naver Map or KakaoMap - an application that provides more detailed and accurate maps than Google Maps in Korea. In addition, Papago translation software also supports Korean to Vietnamese/English translation and vice versa, which is very useful when reading signs, menus or basic communication.
Take advantage of public transportation and travel cards: Public transportation in Korea is very developed, you should buy a T-money card to easily travel by bus, subway or rent a public bicycle. If you plan to visit many places in a day, look up the schedule and route in advance to save time and money.

May is a great time for you to explore a vibrant, peaceful and vibrant Korea. From the hillsides of blooming flowers, clear blue beaches, to bustling festivals and delicious spring dishes - all create a complete journey in both scenery and experience. Hopefully this review of Korea travel in May has brought you useful information, from the weather, suitable clothing, to suggestions on where to go, what to eat, what to do when traveling to Korea in May. If you are ready to go, don't forget to book a flight to Korea at Vietjet to enjoy convenient direct flights at reasonable prices. Don't miss the program of "hunting" for 0 VND air tickets at 12:00 - 14:00 every day, helping to optimize travel costs more than ever. See details HERE.

You can follow Vietjet's official channels to update the latest travel information and promotions.