May is when the weather really begins turning hot in Da Nang. I was just outside walking around the My An area today (mid-May) at 12 PM by My Khe Beach, and it was 33°C (91°F) and sunny. If you plan to visit Da Nang in May, it’s a great time to hang out on Da Nang’s beaches (or at a hotel with a pool).
In this brief guide, I’ll cover the weather, crowds, suggestions for where to stay, and events. Every photo and video in this article was taken during May in Da Nang.
Is May a Good Time to Visit Da Nang?
May is a great month to visit Da Nang if you’re after some beach days on My Khe Beach, stay at a hotel with a nice pool, or don’t mind the heat. It’s in the dry season, so the chance of rain is low. But May is when Da Nang and central Vietnam start getting pretty hot.
Because of the heat compared to March and April (see my chart below), May can be considered too hot if you’re not interested in the beach or swimming. If you only plan to explore the city with little or no swimming, I would visit in March or April when it’s cooler. This article covers the best and worst months to visit Da Nang.
Da Nang Weather in May
May is firmly in the dry season in Da Nang, which typically runs from January to August. May has highs of 91°F (33°C) and lows of 78°F (25°C). I personally find May to be when the weather noticeably shifts from “nice” to hot. May is when I notice the surface of my skin feeling a bit crispy.
Unless you’re lounging under beach umbrellas or palm trees, there isn’t much natural shade cover around Da Nang. Walking around the city during the day can be pretty hot. See how to get around Da Nang here. You’ll want to plan where you stay accordingly. Make use of the beach and/or hotel pool. I have some hotel recommendations below.
If you visit Da Nang during May, expect it to be hot and humid, with blue skies and a low chance of rain. May, June, and July also have the highest daily hours of daylight in Da Nang.
Here’s a weather chart so you can see how May compares to other months in Da Nang. March and April are also great months to visit Da Nang. October is far and away the worst month to visit.
| Month | Avg. High | Avg. Low | Days of Rain* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 20°C (67°F) | 5 (40 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 20°C (69°F) | 2 (13 mm) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 (14 mm) |
| Apr | 31°C (87°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 (28 mm) |
| May | 33°C (91°F) | 25°C (78°F) | 7 (60 mm) |
| Jun | 34°C (93°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 7 (63 mm) |
| Jul | 34°C (93°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 7 (59 mm) |
| Aug | 33°C (92°F) | 26°C (78°F) | 11 (120 mm) |
| Sept | 31°C (88°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 16 (291 mm) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 19 (454 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 14 (304 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 20°C (69°F) | 10 (145 mm) |
Is Da Nang Crowded in May?
The thing about Da Nang is that it was an active city before it became a vacation spot (whereas some cities seem to have developed mainly around tourism). So the city remains relatively busy year-round. Because My Khe Beach is the main draw of Da Nang for tourists, the beach area is pretty busy during April, May, June, and July. I’ve written about other beaches here.
Here’s a video that I filmed on My Khe Beach in May at around 1:30 PM. It was borderline too hot to be lingering outside — over 33°C (91°F). And it will only get hotter come June, July, and August.
My Khe Beach is free to visit, and there are several roped-off swimming areas up the coast, with lifeguards on duty. The lifeguards usually stop around 8 PM.
Sun loungers cost around 40.000 VND each to rent for the whole day. There are many groups of sun loungers up the coast, most with nearby small beach bars or vendors that sell smoothies, fresh juice, cold drinks, and beer. If you want a beach area that’s a pinch less touristy/crowded, head north along the coast to East Sea Park (near Pham Van Dong Beach).
Where to Stay in Da Nang in May
If you’re coming to Da Nang in May (or June and July), be prepared for the heat. You’ll want to stay somewhere either near the beach or with a pool. There are several hotels with pools directly across the street from My Khe Beach, so you can have the best of both worlds. For more info on Da Nang’s best areas to stay, see this guide here.
The TMS Hotel Da Nang Beach (Agoda / Booking) and the M Hotel Danang (Agoda / Booking) are two solid choices right across the street from My Khe Beach. The Le Sands Oceanfront (Agoda / Booking) is further north along the coast in a less touristy area of Da Nang’s beach side.
I would also consider staying at a beach resort — but not too far south where you’re away from the action. The Pullman Danang Beach Resort (Agoda / Booking) has a nice pool, is right on the beach, and is about a 10 to 15 minute walk to the popular and convenient My An area in Da Nang.
Any Special Festivals or Events in May?
These are some of the events and festivals happening in Da Nang in May. The city’s tourism website maintains a yearly list of events here.
- The IRONMAN 70.3 Da Nang (May 11) — The IRONMAN is an international triathlon (swim, bike, and run) competition that comes to Da Nang. It starts and ends at Son Thuy Beach. The swimming (1.9km) happens off the coast. The biking portion (90km) goes north along the coast, then to Da Nang Bay and back. The run (21.1km) starts at Son Thuy Beach and goes north along the coast before doing a U-turn back to the start. The 113 total kilometers equals 70.3 miles.
- Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (May 31 – July 12) — This festival features nine countries (10 teams) competing against one another over six nights: Vietnam (two teams), Finland, the UK, Portugal, Poland, South Korea, Italy, Canada, and China. Each team performs for 20 minutes over the Han River. It starts on May 31 and features Vietnam #1 vs. Finland.
