My Khe Beach Da Nang 2026: Swimming, Safety & Tips

My Khe Beach (Bãi biển Mỹ Khê) is Da Nang’s main city beach, a long stretch of soft white sand on the East Sea about 3 km east of the Dragon Bridge. Known to American soldiers as “China Beach” and often cited in Forbes’s 2005 list of the world’s most attractive beaches, it is free, lifeguarded in marked zones and best for swimming from about May to August.

Status (checked October 2026): open as normal, free, 24 hours. October to December is the northeast monsoon and typhoon season: waves and rip currents are often strong and swimming may be banned on red-flag days, so swim only between the lifeguard flags. Calm sea season usually returns from spring.

Why My Khe Beach is worth seeing:

A city beach that feels like a resort: fine sand and clear water minutes from central Da Nang.
Sunrise over the sea: locals swim and exercise from first light, a great slice of daily life.
Safe, organised swimming: lifeguard towers and flagged swimming zones along the main stretch.
Fresh seafood: beachfront restaurants grill the day’s catch from the nearby fishing fleet.
Free and easy: no ticket, public showers and beach parks, and hotels for every budget.

My Khe Beach at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Bãi biển Mỹ Khê (My Khe Beach), nicknamed “China Beach”
Location	Along Vo Nguyen Giap and Truong Sa streets, An Hai and Ngu Hanh Son wards, Da Nang
Distance	About 3 km (10 minutes) from the Dragon Bridge; 5–6 km from Da Nang airport
Known for	Soft white sand, swimming, sunrise, seafood restaurants
Recognition	Often cited as named by Forbes (2005) among the world’s most attractive beaches
Opening hours	Open 24 hours; lifeguards on duty during daytime in marked zones
Entrance fee	Free (small fees for showers, lockers, sunbeds and parking)
Time needed	2 hours to a full day
Best time	May–August for calm seas; 5:00–8:00 or after 16:00
Nearby	Dragon Bridge, Son Tra Peninsula, Marble Mountains
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor

Is My Khe Beach Worth Visiting?

Yes, it is one of the best city beaches in Southeast Asia and a big reason to base yourself in Da Nang. In the swimming season it is clean, wide and well organised; out of season it is still lovely for walks and sunrise, even when the sea is too rough to swim.

Best for: families, swimmers, runners and travellers who want beach time between sightseeing days.
Skip if: you want a quiet, undeveloped beach; head to An Bang Beach near Hoi An or the bays of Son Tra.
Short on time: go at sunrise for a swim, then breakfast at a local café before sightseeing.

History and Background of My Khe Beach

For centuries this coast was home to fishing villages; the round basket boats still pulled up at the northern end, near Man Thai, are a reminder. During the Vietnam War, American and Australian troops on rest and recreation knew the beach as “China Beach”, a name later made famous by a US television series.

Since the 2000s Da Nang has transformed the seafront with a coastal boulevard, parks, hotels and public facilities, while keeping the beach itself free and open to everyone. In 2025 the city expanded to include the former Quang Nam province, but My Khe remains the heart of Da Nang’s urban beach life.

What to See and Do at My Khe Beach

1. Swimming in the lifeguard zones

Lifeguard towers and flags mark the safe swimming areas along the main stretch. Swim between the flags, never on red-flag days, and be aware of rip currents, especially in the afternoon and in the cooler months.

2. Sunrise and local life

From about 5:00 the beach fills with locals swimming, jogging, doing aerobics and playing volleyball. Sunrise over the sea is one of the best free experiences in Da Nang.

High-rise hotels behind My Khe Beach, Da Nang — Hotels line the beachfront road behind My Khe. Photo: Jpatokal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

3. Beach parks

Landscaped beach parks along Vo Nguyen Giap Street, including Bien Dong Park near the end of Pham Van Dong Street, offer shade, lawns and space for children to play.

4. Fishing boats and basket boats

At the northern end towards Son Tra, fishermen bring in their catch early in the morning and the colourful round basket boats rest on the sand. Ask before photographing people at work.

5. Water sports

Stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and jet-skiing are offered by operators along the beach in the calmer months; surfers come in the cooler months when bigger swells arrive.

6. Seafood dinners

Seafood restaurants on and behind the beachfront let you choose live fish, prawns, crab and clams by weight. Check prices per kilo before ordering; see our Da Nang food guide for what to try.

My Khe Beach Facilities and Costs

Item	Details
Entrance	Free, open 24 hours
Lifeguards	Daytime, in marked swimming zones
Showers and toilets	Public facilities at beach parks and access points (small fee)
Sunbeds and umbrellas	Rented by the day from beach vendors and hotels
Parking	Paid motorbike and car parking along the beach road
Swimming bans	Red flags in rough seas, storms and typhoon warnings

The beach is managed by the Da Nang city authorities; follow lifeguards’ instructions and posted safety signs.

Beach Safety Rules at My Khe Beach

Swim only between the flags and only when lifeguards are on duty.
Never swim on red-flag days, after drinking alcohol or alone at night.
If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore, then back in; raise your arm for help.
Do not leave valuables unattended on the sand.
Use reef-safe sunscreen and take your rubbish with you.

How to Get to My Khe Beach

From	How	Time
Da Nang centre (Han River)	Grab car, taxi or motorbike across the Dragon Bridge along Vo Van Kiet	About 10 minutes
Da Nang airport	Taxi or Grab	15–20 minutes
Beachfront hotels	On foot	1–5 minutes
Hoi An	Private car, Grab or motorbike along the coastal road	40–50 minutes
City centre	Bicycle across the bridges	About 20 minutes

Our Da Nang transportation guide covers Grab, taxis and motorbike rental.

Best Time to Visit My Khe Beach

When	What to expect
May–August	Calm, warm sea and sunny days; the best swimming months, and the busiest
February–April	Pleasant weather, sea warming up; good for walks and early swims
September–December	Rainy and typhoon season; big waves, frequent swimming bans
5:00–8:00	Sunrise, cooler air, locals swimming
After 16:00	Softer sun, but watch for stronger currents

Local Expert Tips for My Khe Beach

These tips come from years of arranging Da Nang tours for international travellers.

Avoid midday sun from 10:30 to 15:00 in summer; the sand gets very hot.
Stay near the beach: see where to stay in Da Nang for beachfront areas.
Agree seafood prices first and check the weight of what you choose.
Bring water shoes for walking at the rocky northern end.
Plan beach days for the morning and sightseeing such as the Cham Museum in the hot afternoon.
Check the flag before swimming, even if the sea looks calm.

My Khe Beach vs An Bang Beach

Feature	My Khe Beach	An Bang Beach
Location	Central Da Nang	Near Hoi An
Atmosphere	Urban, lively, high-rise hotels	Relaxed, low-rise, beach bars
Facilities	Lifeguards, parks, showers	Beach clubs and restaurants
Best for	City stays, early swims	Lazy days, combined with Hoi An
Cost	Free	Free (sunbeds with food orders)

Our view: choose My Khe if you are staying in Da Nang and want convenience; choose An Bang for a slower, village-style beach near Hoi An.

Nearby Attractions

Dragon Bridge: fire and water show on weekend nights.
Son Tra Peninsula: forest, langurs and quiet bays.
Linh Ung Pagoda: the 67 m Lady Buddha.
Marble Mountains: caves and pagodas to the south.
Museum of Cham Sculpture: across the river.
Ba Na Hills: a full-day trip into the mountains.

Sightseeing in Da Nang for First-Time Visitors: Where My Khe Beach Fits

Use My Khe Beach as your base and your reward: swim at sunrise, sightsee during the day and come back for a seafood dinner. A good three-day plan is city sights and the Dragon Bridge, then Ba Na Hills, then Son Tra and the Marble Mountains on the way to Hoi An. Read our Da Nang travel tips before you go.

Plan your trip with our Da Nang travel guide and Da Nang tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about My Khe Beach

1. Is My Khe Beach free?

Yes, My Khe Beach is free and open 24 hours; you only pay for extras such as sunbeds, showers and parking.

2. Is it safe to swim at My Khe Beach?

Swimming at My Khe Beach is generally safe between the lifeguard flags in calm months, but rip currents can be strong, so never swim on red-flag days.