My Khe Beach runs along the eastern edge of Da Nang, a long sweep of pale sand that locals and visitors share from sunrise onwards. It is a working beach as much as a holiday one: fishermen, joggers, football games and swimmers all use the same stretch. This guide covers the practical side, when to swim, how the flags work, and where to eat once you are salty and hungry.
Where My Khe Beach is and how to reach it
The beach sits just east of the city, running roughly from the Sơn Trà peninsula down towards Ngũ Hành Sơn. Most of the hotels and cafés you will read about are in the streets behind it, including An Thượng, the beach café quarter where our own terrace sits.
- On foot: if you stay in An Thượng or along Võ Nguyên Giáp, the sand is a few minutes away.
- By taxi or ride-hailing app: easy from anywhere in the city centre, usually ten to fifteen minutes.
- By motorbike: parking is available along the beachfront roads; keep an eye on your belongings.
The beach is free and open at all hours, but that does not mean it is always safe to swim. That is what the flags are for.
Best time of year to swim at My Khe Beach
Da Nang has two broad seasons. From roughly April to August the weather is dry and hot, the sea is warm, and the waves are usually manageable. This is the classic swimming window.
From around September to December the rain arrives, and with it heavier surf and the occasional storm. Swimming is often still possible on calm days, but you need to check conditions each morning rather than assume. The coolest, greyest weeks usually fall in November and December, and the sea can be rough. If you are travelling then, our guides to Da Nang in November and Da Nang in December cover what to expect.
January to March is cooler and often windy, with good walking weather and fewer people in the water.
Reading the safety flags
Vietnamese beaches generally use a flag system, and My Khe is no exception. The exact placement changes with conditions, so treat this as a guide rather than a rule:
- Red and yellow flags together: the patrolled swimming zone. Swim between them.
- Yellow flag: caution, usually moderate surf or a current. Stay shallow and keep children close.
- Red flag: no swimming. This is not a suggestion.
- No flags at all: no lifeguard cover. Treat the water with real caution.
Lifeguards are usually on duty during daylight hours in the main season. Outside those hours, and especially after dark, the beach is not a swimming venue. Currents here can be strong, and the rip near the central sections catches people out.
Practical swimming tips
- Go early. Before about 08:00 the water is calmest, the sun is gentler, and the beach is at its best.
- Never swim alone, and keep an eye on children at all times.
- Do not swim after drinking, and do not swim at night.
- Check the forecast before you commit. The national weather service at nchmf.gov.vn is the official source.
- Leave valuables at home. Take a phone, some cash and a towel, nothing more.
What to bring and what to expect
The beach has showers and changing facilities in places, often for a small fee, but they are not everywhere. Bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat and drinking water. Vendors walk the sand selling fruit, drinks and snacks; prices are usually higher than in the streets behind, so carry small notes.
The sand gets hot by mid-morning. The middle of the day is for shade, not swimming.
After the swim: breakfast and coffee
This is the good part. A sunrise swim works up an appetite, and the streets behind the beach are full of places to eat. Our guide to breakfast near My Khe Beach walks through the full routine: swim, rinse, coffee, eggs. If you want the wider picture of local dishes and how to order them, read what to eat for breakfast in Da Nang.
For a slower weekend, brunch in Da Nang covers the An Thượng options, and the An Thượng guide maps the whole quarter.
Pairing the beach with the rest of your day
My Khe is easy to combine with other stops. The Marble Mountains are a short ride south and best done early; our Marble Mountains morning plan shows how. If you are building a full day, the one day Da Nang itinerary starts with breakfast and ends at the Dragon Bridge.
Families should read Da Nang with kids before planning beach time, and anyone visiting in the wet months will find the rainy season guide useful for backup plans.
Oh la la!, a short walk from the sand
Oh la la! sits at 64A Mai Thúc Lân in An Thượng, roughly ten minutes on foot from My Khe Beach. The terrace is open under a bordeaux awning with rattan bistro chairs and plants: sunny and pretty, sometimes loud and hot. We serve breakfast, brunch and lunch every day, usually 08:00 to 18:00.
The Breakfast Combo is 99,000 VND, toast and a fresh juice of your choice, available 08:00 to 10:30 only. The Avocado Eggs Benedict is 130,000 VND, the English Breakfast 145,000 VND, and the Signature Seafood Pasta 145,000 VND. Payment is cash or QR bank transfer. After the meal you can ask for a ticket and spin the prize wheel; every spin wins something. Minh, who runs the place, comes to the tables and sometimes sends over coconut chips.
Find us on Instagram or check the map. The kitchen handles eggs, gluten, dairy, seafood and nuts, so tell the team about any allergy before ordering.
