Da Nang is a fantastic place to visit and include in a longer Vietnam itinerary! With its beautiful beaches, mountains, and unique culture, this city truly has something for everyone. Here’s all the best things to do in Da Nang and even some fun day trips to take around the area.
How to Get to Da Nang Vietnam
Da Nang is the largest city in Central Vietnam, and with that it’s very accessible. The easiest way to get here is by taking a flight directly to Da Nang International Airport.
There are very cheap flights from Ho Chi Minh City and the capital of Hanoi. You’ll also find direct routes from other major Asia hubs like Singapore, Bangkok, and Seoul!
For those travelers already in Vietnam, you can get to Da Nang by train or bus. Specifically, the stretch along the coast from Hue to Da Nang is known as one of the most scenic train rides in Vietnam.
When traveling in Southeast Asia we always recommend checking out 12go. This is one of the best websites to compare different train and bus routes around the country.
→ Traveling in Vietnam: Pros & Cons of the 5 Best Travel Options
About Da Nang in Vietnam
The history of Da Nang dates back to the Champa Kingdom almost 2,000 years ago. It wouldn’t be until the 16th century when Europeans started exploring the Quang Nam region and sail to the nearby port of Hoi An.
The French Conquest of Vietnam would begin in the 1850s, and their influence can still be seen throughout the country. Yet, Da Nang may be most famous for its role in the Vietnam War. With its strategic location in the center of the country, it saw some of the bloodiest battles of the conflict.
Today, Da Nang has grown into one of the largest cities in Vietnam and is a popular tourist destination with Chinese, Korean, and European travelers.
Beach vs Da Nang City
Life here has always revolved around the mighty Han River. It runs through the center of Da Nang City and separates the beach and the city side. Across the river, you’ll see 10 different bridges, with the most iconic being the Da Nang Dragon Bridge.
To many travelers they seem like two different worlds. The beachside is full of high rise hotels, seafood restaurants, and seaside bars. While the city is bustling with locals, markets, and shopping.
If you’re visiting Da Nang we recommend staying on the beach! This is where the best accommodations are and most are within walking distance of the water. However, when you’re ready to blast into the city it’s just a quick ride over one of the many bridges.
Where To Stay In Da Nang Vietnam
Ultra Luxury – InterContinental Danang – Although it’s outside the main city, the InterContinental is one of the nicest beachfront resorts in all of Vietnam. The ultra luxury bungalows are nestled into mountainside boulders and feature private pools with balconies facing the ocean. It doesn’t get much better than this!
Beachside Boutique Hotel – Prana Boutique Hotel and Apartments – After many visits to Da Nang this is our favorite place to stay. The family who owns Prana is extremely kind and helpful with information, tours, and motorbike rentals. Enjoy beautiful rooms that are modern and spacious. We also loved the rooftop pool!
Beachside Hostel – Light House Hostel – Fun hostel near the beach in Da Nang Vietnam. Everything is clean and new, plus they also have private rooms to accommodate couples.
18 Best Things to do in Da Nang Vietnam
Now that you know some general information about the city, it’s time to dive into the best activities. There are so many great things to do in Da Nang. Just know that it’s also a jumping-off point to some of Central Vietnam’s best attractions, too!
1. Climb Marble Mountain
Just a short drive from the city center are the famous Marble Mountains of Da Nang. The site is not only a beautiful place in nature, but holds a deep significance to Vietnamese culture. The five limestone peaks are named after the elements of fire, earth, wood, water, and metal.
They have long been visited by the ancient Cham people and dynasties past for spiritual reasons. These days you can climb one of the very rocks they did! Marble Mountain is filled with interesting caves, statues, and Buddhist temples.
→ Famous Marble Mountain in Da Nang Vietnam: Is it Worth Visiting?
2. Grab a Coffee on the Han River
It wouldn’t be a trip to Da Nang without spending some time on the Han River! After crossing the bridge from the beachside you’ll find a number of great coffee shops and bars along the water. Specifically, if you take a right after going over the Dragon Bridge is where some of our favorites are.
This is a great place to check out the local scene and get a good look at all the Da Nang’s bridges from. Honestly, we could sit here for hours just watching the city streets!
Da Nang Vietnam Markets
Another one of the best things to do in Da Nang is to explore its many markets. As you’ll see below, this is a fun activity during the day and night! Here are 3 of our favorite markets to check out on the city side.
3. Han Market
Han is known as the “tourist market” but you may not be able to tell that right away! With its great location near the Dragon Bridge, this is an easy place to experience if you only have time for one market.
The bottom floor is mostly food, spices, and other various market items. While the 2nd floor is a massive clothing emporium.
4. Con Market
Ready to get a little more local? Con Market is much bigger than Han and it’s definitely a whole different atmosphere. The street food inside is some of the cheapest and most delicious you’ll find in all of Da Nang.
→ Han Market vs Con Market: 2 Best Markets in Da Nang Vietnam
5. Da Nang Night Market
Also called Son Tra Night Market, this nightly extravaganza will be the perfect end to your day in Da Nang. It features dozens of food stalls with local food and international specialties.
We love to combine the night market with the weekend Dragon Bridge Fire Show which we will talk more about later.
6. Walk My Khe Beach
Did you know Da Nang is home to some of Vietnam’s best beaches?? The sparkling sand of My Khe is one of our favorites in the entire country, and the place where we spend most of our time in Da Nang.
Resort hotels and palm trees line the beach with the Son Tra Peninsula mountains and Lady Buddha as the backdrop. You can easily spend all day sitting in a cheap beach chair enjoying an ice cold beer or coconuts. Still, our favorite thing to do is walk or bike the boardwalk.
My Khe is the most popular, but know there are several others up and down the coastline. Vietnam is not necessarily known for its beaches. However, this one really impressed us from the start! We recommend visiting Da Nang between the months of February and May to avoid rainy season.
→ Da Nang Beach Guide: Are These the Best Beaches in Vietnam?
7. See the Lady Buddha Statue
From My Khe beach, you will see a large statue in the distance. Well, that’s actually the largest buddha statue in all of Vietnam! Lady Buddha stands at 220 feet tall (67 meters) which makes it the size of a 30 floor skyscraper.
The marble statue has 17 floors with each one dedicated to a different Buddha. While walking the grounds you will also see the Xa Loi Tower next door. Lady Buddha is just a short drive from the center of Da Nang and easily visited by motorbike.
8. Explore Son Tra Peninsula
Son Tra Peninsula is where Lady Buddha is located and a beautiful area to visit in Da Nang Vietnam. There are several pull off points with great views and beaches that you can drive down to and spend the afternoon. Son Tra is also home to many monkeys including the rare Red Shanked Douc.
9. Watch the Da Nang Fishermen
Observing local life is something you won’t have to go out of your way to do in Da Nang. One unmistakable feature of Central Vietnam is their peculiar and colorful basket boats.
The place you can see most of them is on the end of the beach heading towards the Lady Buddha. Yet, up and down the beaches you will regularly see fishermen pulling their nets out of the water with the daily catch.
10. Try Local Da Nang Dishes
There are so many delicious things to eat in Da Nang! The Vietnamese cuisine here is an exotic blend of southern and northern dishes, with plenty of fresh seafood mixed between.
Mi Quang is the most well known meal from Da Nang. The flavorful bowl of rice noodles is topped with shrimp, pork, and quail eggs and seasoned with turmeric, fish sauce, and other spices.
While Mi Quang might be the most famous dish from Da Nang, don’t miss out on a few more of our favorite meals and drinks listed below! If you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast be sure to try a Bo Ne sizzling steak and eggs. Also, keep an eye out for Meat & Seafood BBQ’s along My Khe Beach.
- Bun Cha Ca – Fishcake Noodle Soup
- Com Tam – Broken Rice
- Bun Bo Hue – Beef Noodle soup
- Banh Xeo – Crispy Pancake
- Rau Cau Trai Dua– Coconut jelly dessert
→ Best Vietnam Food: 34 Delicious Dishes to Try On Your First Visit
11. Take in the Dragon Bridge Fire Show
Remember that Dragon Bridge we mentioned earlier? Believe it or not, it actually breathes fire and water! Every weekend locals and tourists alike gather near the Dragon Bridge to watch it come alive.
The show starts up at 9pm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This is one of our favorite Da Nang things to do at night and something you shouldn’t miss on your trip.
→ Da Nang Dragon Bridge: How to See the Fun Weekend Fire Show
12. Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture
If you’re looking to experience the history of Central Vietnam then we have a place for you! The museum has the largest collection of Cham artworks and sculptures in the world.
This is where you can learn about the Champa Kingdom which was a power in Southeast Asia for over 1,000 years. It’s also a great preview of what you’ll see if you’re making the trip to the temples of My Son Sanctuary.
13. Biking, Surfing & Other Outdoor Activities
Being an up and coming resort city, many of the most top things to do in Da Nang are outdoors. The mild temperatures year-round make for great golfing, surfing, and our personal favorite… bike riding!
There are several great golf courses on the strip of coast between Da Nang and Hoi An. You’ll also find surfers hitting the waves on the beach throughout the day.
The boardwalk that lines My Khe Beach is a great place to go bike riding as well! If you are looking to grab a bike for the day head to the shop Just Bikes.
Best Day Trips from Da Nang in Vietnam
We’re glad we could fill you in on some of the best things to do in Da Nang Vietnam! Now it’s time to learn about what’s around this epic coastal city.
Some of the most popular attractions are actually just outside the center and beach area. For this reason, you may want to rent a motorbike to get around, hire a driver, or book a tour of the best activities surrounding Da Nang.
14. Ba Na Hills
Ba Na Hills has become synonymous with Da Nang in Vietnam and the pictures alone draw many travelers in each year. The photo we’re referring to is of course is the Golden Bridge being held up by giant hands!
You should know that there is quite an interesting backstory to this popular retreat in the mountains. It was actually founded by French colonialists as a place to escape the heat and once held over 200 villas. The story has now been recreated and has become a must-see for visitors from abroad.
What many people don’t know though is that it’s not actually that close to Da Nang. It will take almost an hour to drive there so prepare for a full-day trip from Da Nang! To get to the French village you’ll take one of the world’s longest cable car rides which is almost 20,000 feet in length.
15. Hoi An Ancient Town
Another must-visit from Da Nang is the beautiful ancient town of Hoi An. The historic village feels out of a fairy tale with colorful buildings and temples everywhere you look. Here’s exactly how to get from Da Nang to Hoi An by motorbike, bus, or Grab taxi.
One of our favorite places to eat in Vietnam is inside the Hoi An Market where you can try their famous Cau Lao noodles. Also, be sure to try the two rival Banh Mi restaurants at Madam Khanh and Banh Mi Phuong.
For the best views of Hoi An, head up to one of the many rooftop bars and cafes. The area really comes alive at night when candles are lit up and down the river. We recommend taking a day trip to Hoi An from Da Nang, or even spending a few nights in the ancient city if you have the time!
→ 21 Amazing Things to Do in Hoi An Vietnam: Ancient Town & More!
16. Cham Islands
If you look out from the beaches of Da Nang you’ll see a set of islands in the distance. The 8 islands make up the marine park which is recognized by UNESCO.
Cham Island can be a fun day trip from Da Nang, but note that the boats leave from the port in Hoi An. You’ll need to have perfect weather for the boats to make the crossing as well.
17. My Son Sanctuary
We mentioned the Cham Sculpture museum in our Da Nang Things to do guide. However, to truly see the work of the Champa Kingdom you should go to the temples!
About an hour drive away from the city centre you can explore the temple complex dating back to the 4th century.
→ My Son Sanctuary Vietnam: 5 Helpful Things to Know First!
18. Hai Van Pass
Heading north towards Hue is one of the most beautiful stretches of road in all of Vietnam. Hai Van Pass has been featured in international media for its winding stretches and spectacular views.
For experienced motorbike riders, this is definitely a day trip worth taking! You can even go further to the Imperial City of Hue if you have time. The only Vietnam motorbike ride we did that was better was Ha Giang in northern Vietnam.
Have any questions on this article or want to share your own favorite Da Nang things to do? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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