Have you ever thought about waking up early in a strange city, listening to the gentle sound of waves before the sun rises, then quietly sitting by a small cafe in the alley and watching life begin? If it evokes something in you, curiosity, a desire to live slowly and genuinely, then Da Nang in July is an invitation for you. This coastal city is not only sunny and windy, but it also offers very poetic moments for those who expect something more authentic than just travelling like a foreigner. Let this travel guide to Da Nang in July be a conversation between you and Da Nang.
Is July Ideal for Travel?
If you love the bright summer and do not mind the sun, then July is a great time to explore Da Nang. In July, Da Nang, located along the central coast, experiences average temperatures ranging from 29°C to 34°C, with sunny weather throughout the day and occasional brief showers typically occurring in the afternoon. This is the perfect time to enjoy the blue sea, white sand, blue sky and summer outdoor activities such as swimming, surfing, or the wilderness on the Son Tra Peninsula.
According to many experienced local guides, July is also a time when international tourists can experience Da Nang less crowded than the high season in the country in June. In addition, many festivals and summer events are also held, bringing a lively atmosphere and the opportunity to discover the local culture in a more authentic way.
To enjoy the best of July, you simply need to prepare your sunscreen and full drinking water and plan your visit in the early morning or late afternoon. You will have an unforgettable vacation in Da Nang.
Da Nang, the beautiful coastal city
Top Things to Do in Da Nang in July
Da Nang in July is more than just sun and sea. It’s a time when the city reveals quieter corners, deeper stories, and unexpectedly local moments. If you’re looking to experience a different, more soulful side of Da Nang, the following suggestions are exactly where your journey should begin.
Wake up with the locals at a fishing village
If you want to start your day in Da Nang in a way that no one does, wake up early and head to a fishing village like Nam O or Man Thai. Every day, from around 4:30 am to 6:00 am, fishermen return after a night catching fish, with boats full of fish. The early morning air here is special, with a bit of fog hanging over your shoulders; the first sunshine shines on the water, and the fish-selling noises make it feel like you’re living with the locals, not travelling anymore.
You can join a short tour with a local guide, or take a Grab to the fishing grounds at dawn. And don’t forget to enjoy a bowl of hot fish porridge or a plate of coastal pancakes as a sweet reward after this worthwhile “early morning” trip.
Nam O fishing village
>>> Visit Da Nang for the first time? Then our Highlights of Da Nang in 2 Days will be your great chance to catch a glimpse of this beautiful coastal city.
Join a Traditional drum or lantern workshop
When the pace of city life becomes so rushed, spending an afternoon in a quiet craft workshop becomes an invaluable experience. In Da Nang, you can take classes as a festival drummer or traditional bamboo cage lamp, where artisans still quietly preserve the craft that has been attached to this land for generations.
Workshop in Da Nang
These classes usually take place at local cultural houses or small workshops in the neighbourhood, where you are guided step by step, from choosing bamboo to processing frames, wrapping fabrics, to drawing folk patterns. With the festive drum class, you will learn how to stretch the cowhide on the drum and paint the pattern in the traditional style, just like the drums used in village ceremonies. This is the perfect experience during the light, rainy July afternoons: slow, peaceful, and full of poetry. And when you leave with a small handmade lamp, you bring not only a souvenir but also a part of the spirit of Vietnamese culture.
Here are some workshops in Da Nang and nearby Hoi An that foreign tourists love for authentic craft experiences:
- Lantern Class via Da Nang: 2-hour workshop for folding and colouring your own lantern, ideal for families.
- Cooking Class & Lantern Making: 5-hour experience including market visit, cooking Vietnamese dishes (eg, bánh xèo, gỏi cuốn) and a lantern workshop.
- Kim Bong Woodworking Village: visit ancient family-run carpentry workshops for furniture and ship carving demonstrations.
Forest Bathing in the Hidden Trails of Son Tra
In the scorching heat of Da Nang in July, nothing can be more relaxing than indulging yourself in the primitive green of the Son Tra Peninsula, the green lung of Da Nang. But instead of checking out popular spots such as Linh Ung Pagoda or Ban Co Peak, you should turn off the beaten tracks, where you can experience the true meaning of “forest bathing” like the Japanese: slow walking, deep breathing, and let nature heal your soul.
Forest Bathing in Son Tra
Some small part of the road, covered with trees and rocks and quiet as never before, with human footprints. Occasionally, you’ll hear the birds roar back from the forest or catch the eye of a brown-footed rubber crown, a rare primate species only here. I personally went with a native friend and saw the sun shine through the leaves to form a strange patch of light. We stood still, not to take a picture, just to hear the wild. This moment was so calm that we almost forgot about the outside world.
You can book an eco-walking tour with a guide who understands the area, or if you prefer privacy, bring a terrain map, drinking water, and leave early (before 8 am). After just a few hours of wandering through the woods, you will find your heart lightened, as if everything had been washed away by the blue of nature.
Backstreet Café Hopping by Scooter
In Da Nang, a cafe is not simply a drink but a part of the lifestyle. And if you are planning to famous coffee shop along the Han river, why not spend the afternoon wandering around low-key coffee shops in small alleys, where locals usually live, work, and relax?
For the best experience, rent a motorbike, slowly drive through the small street, turn into a community with fewer tourists, and let your intuition guide you to the real coffee shop in the city. You can start at 43 Factory, stop at the Old Coffee Shop with its old golden walls, go to The Local Beans with its wooden space and gardens, and end at A Private Place, where evening acoustic music and poetry books are on the shelf. One of our clients has explored A Private Place and experienced drinking local coffee, and they loved it. If you love the sophistication, everyday life, and the true breath of a city, backstreet cafe hopping will be an experience that will make you come back again, not for the beauty, but for the familiar and strange feeling.
Here are the addresses of these coffee shops:
- 43 Factory: Lot 422, Ngo Thi Sy Street, Bac My An, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang, Vietnam.
- The Loal Beans: 186 Phan Chau Trinh Street, Phuoc Ninh Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang, Vietnam.
Famous coffee shops in Da Nang
Outdoor Cinema by the River
When the sun goes down and the Han River wind begins to cool, Da Nang offers a completely different vibe – quiet, romantic, and poetic. In that air, what could be better than watching an outdoor movie by the river, under the glittering golden lights, with the sound of distant cars?
In recent years, some cafes or art spaces, such as DOM, Saigon Brown, and even some quiet rooftop bars, have started to hold outdoor film screenings regularly, usually on Friday nights or weekends. There are various film choices, from independent works and classic French-Italian films to modern Vietnamese films with English subtitles. If you like slow, local but modern experiences, don’t miss an outdoor movie night in Da Nang. And you know, the movie you watched that day became the most memorable thing after the trip.
Outdoor cinema in Da Nang
>>> If you love the bustling nightlife, visit Hoi An Night Market, the famous UNESCO Heritage Site, quite close to Da Nang. Visit our blog What to Do at Hoi An Night Market: Top Experience You Can’t Miss for detailed information.
Stargazing and a night picnic on the Hai Van Pass
With the sunset fading behind the mountains and the city lighting up under the pavement, the Hai Van Pass becomes a completely different space, quiet, mysterious and strangely attractive. Some people think of coming here at night, but that’s why this place is a great idea for those who like a private, different and romantic experience.
Night picnic on the Hai Van Pass
You should prepare a small picnic basket, bringing fruit, bread, juice or a light bottle of wine, a towel and a personal flashlight. Ride your bike up the trail at around 6:30 pm, find a safe stop at the wide corner, where you can see the Da Nang sea in the distance, or Hue shining back. Wait until it’s dark, and look up to see a full starry sky, not covered by skyscrapers or city lights.
One of our customers once shared: “The Hai Van Pass is a beautiful as paintings during the day, but it really touches the soul at night” and I think she was right. This is not an activity for people in a hurry, but if you’re looking for a truly quiet and unforgettable moment, a simple night watching the stars and having a picnic in the Hai Van Pass will become one of the most unforgettable memories.
Helpful Tips
Save these tips below for a perfect holiday to Da Nang in July:
- Plan a trip suitable for the weather rhythm of the day: July is the peak summer in Da Nang, with bright sunshine from morning to afternoon. However, temperatures usually peak around 11 am to 3 pm, so visitors should give priority to outdoor activities in the early morning or late afternoon. It’s also the perfect time to take pictures with good light and in the early morning or late afternoon. It’s also the perfect time to take pictures with good light and fewer people. In the afternoon, you can relax at the hotel, visit the relaxing spa, or enjoy a cup of coffee in the cool space.
- Prepare essential personal items for hot sunny weather: Your luggage when traveling to Da Nang in July should always have a wide-brimmed hat or a tongue cap, sunglasses, sunscreen with an SPF index of 50 or higher, a personal water bottle, and a wet towel. If you ride a bike, a light jacket and gloves are also essential. These items help you protect your health under the central summer sun while still enjoying the entire journey.
- Always be prepared for the sudden rainstorm: Although most of July is sunny, there are still short showers in the evening or at night. Therefore, you should take a thin raincoat or a folding umbrella in your backpack, especially if you ride a motorcycle or walk at night. Rainy days are also ideal places to experience indoor activities, such as making handicrafts or watching outdoor movies when the weather permits.
- Book popular weekend services in advance: July is the tourist season. Although it is not the time with the largest number of tourists in China, famous restaurants, boutique boarding boutiques, or handicraft cultural workshops, take a cooking class, or rent a high-quality motorcycle, please make sure you book at least 1-2 days in advance to avoid missing it.
- Install useful applications in Vietnam: Before arriving in Da Nang, pre-download some popular apps for more convenient travel and communication. The Grab app is convenient for booking motorbikes or cars, and Google Translate helps you understand menus, directions, or conversations with locals. Read this blog to find out more helpful apps when traveling to Vietnam.
- Communicate politely and respect local culture: Da Nang people are famous for being friendly, peaceful, and always willing to help tourists. However, they also appreciate respect and courtesy. When entering a temple or sightseeing, dress discreetly, avoid making noise in public, and always maintain a gentle attitude in communication. Just a smile and a few simple words of thanks in Vietnamese, like “Thank you” or “Hello”, you will create a special feeling of kindness to the people here.
Da Nang in July is not a place for someone who is looking for the perfect, but for those who are willing to embrace something unexpected, from a peaceful morning at a fishing village to a night looking up at the starry night. If you are planning an unforgettable summer holiday, let us be your companion. Don’t hesitate to contact us, our gurus are ready to help at any time!
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I am a solo traveler. Is it safe to go on a night picnic at Hai Van Pass alone?
Dear Elise,
Thank you for reaching us! We not recommend you to go night picnic at Hai Van Pass alone due to wildlife, weather changes, or unexpected mechanical issues. For safety, we think you should consider going with a local guide, a group tour, or visiting during daylight hours when the views are best and help is more accessible if needed.
If you need further assistance, please contact us.
Best regards,
IDC Travel Team.