Published on December 14, 2023 · Written by Zack Fenech
As one of the largest and most populous cities in Vietnam, Da Nang finds itself in the central region of the country. It’s known for its breathtaking beach coastline, mixed with sprawling urban development and French colonial buildings.
In recent years, Da Nang has developed a reputation for a becoming a livable city with a growing development. It has become a vital part of Vietnam’s economy, and among it’s top five largest and most populous.
We took a one hour flight from Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam to Da Nang International Airport, in central Vietnam, and spent three days in this spectacular city. Use Skyscanner to find the best flights to Da Nang.
Look no further than Vietnam’s Da Nang for a wonderful mixture of gripping adventure and laid-back beach bum days. Learn more about how to make the most of your trip in this Da Nang travel guide.
Important Things to Know Before Visiting: Da Nang Travel Guide
- Airport: Da Nang has an airport relatively close to the city center. It is known as Da Nang International Airport. You can get to the city center in approximately 20 minutes. Visitors can get into Da Nang via taxi or public bus. If you chose to take a taxi, you will be expected to pay a tariff when exiting or entering the airport that will cost you about 10,000 VND. This also applies to leaving or entering train stations.
- Travel Visa Requirements: If you’re flying anywhere in Vietnam, including Da Nang, many travellers will require a Visa for the duration of their stay. However, this only applies to residents from certain countries. It’s best to apply for one through the Vietnamese government’s website.
- Water: Tap water is not drinkable in Da Nang or Vietnam for that matter and toilet paper is not flushable. This is a result of Da Nang’s lack of adequate plumbing. Alternatively, almost every single toilet will have a bidet for personal use, which is much more efficient.
- Traffic: Traffic is chaotic, but not as chaotic as it is in Ho Chi Minh City. Be sure to cross the streets with caution and be aware of your surroundings when crossing major streets.
- Travel Insurance: Be sure to get travel insurance before your trip to cover any unexpected medical expenses or emergencies.
Where to Stay in Da Nang, Vietnam
Where you want to stay in Da Nang depends on the type of trip you’d like to have. Since there are many day trips available, and, Da Nang is half of a beach town, it can depend entirely on what you’d like to do. You can book hotels online to find the best deals on accommodation.
There are four districts in Da Nang, which include:
- Ngu Hanh Son
- Son Tra
- Thanh Khe
- Hai Chau
Things to Do and Places to Visit in Da Nang, Vietnam
There’s a lot to do in Da Nang, with many sightseeing options for visitors. Keep reading this travel guide and you’ll find the best things to do and places to visit in Da Nang, Vietnam.
1. Dragon Bridge
The Dragon Bridge is among the most recognizable and conspicuous landmarks in the city. After all, how can someone miss a gargantuan metallic sculpture of a dragon that shoots fire?
Look at the Han River and you’ll see the Dragon Bridge, which wraps itself across a long bridge with six lanes and beautiful LED lights in the evening. On weekends, hundreds gather to view the dragon shooting fire and water from it’s mouth. An incredible site to see.
2. Beaches (My Khe Beach & Non-Nuoc Beach)
If beaches are your thing, Da Nang will be as well. Da Nang faces the South China sea, with miles of white sands and clean, warm water that makes it perfect for spending an entire day swimming, surfing, or just enjoying the view from a comfortable beach chair.
Visiting the beach is ideal for those who want a day to relax in their vacation. Beach chairs can be purchased for around 30,000 VND, and some even allow you to stay the entire day and leave and return as you please.
The beach is a great place to get a massage, a coconut, and a few beers. Sit down and enjoy the view.
3. Marble Mountains
Visit the Marble Mountain, and you’ll be greeted by long roads, lined with statues collection of mountains in Da Nang that draw tourists from all over the globe. It was also used as a shelter during the Vietnam war.
A collection of 5 mountains make this small area Marble Mountains, with a variety of things to do on each mountain.
What stands out particularly is the caves, and among the peaks are the pagodas.
The list of mountains and their attractions include:
- Metal Mountain (Kim Son)
- Wood Mountain (Moc Son)
- Water Mountain (Thuy Son)
- Fire Mountain (Hoa Son)
- Tho Son (Earth Mountains)
There five mountains are not walking distance from each other and may require you to hire a taxi, at a fairly reasonable price.
4. Love Lock Bridge
Love Lock Bridge is as romantic as they get. This bridge features rows upon rows of lights resembling large hearts, where couples walk holding hands.
It’s common to buy a hear shaped lock and get it engraved with a special message, then locking it up on the bridge.
Day Trips from Da Nang City
Options for day trips from Da Nang do not disapoint. There are several options that are worth visiting. Consider booking day trips through Viator or GetYourGuide to arrange hassle-free excursions. Learn more below about day trip options from Da Nang.
Hai Van Pass
The Hai Van Pass is a muti-day trip someone will take with a motorbike through the mountains of Viet Nam. Tours are also available
Hoi An
Hoi An is a short, 30 minute drive from Danang, the UNESCO World Heritage Site deserves much more time than a day. However, if you are strapped on time, visit this ancient town and enjoy the time there.
Hue
Hue is the old capital of Vietnam and 4 hours away from Da Nang by train. It is a massively exciting city, boasting the Hue Imperial City and rowdy walking streets, which make it an incredible place for a day trip of a few night stays.
Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain)
Son Tra Nature reserve and no far from the city center of Da Nang. Find the Son Tra Peninsula to explore the natural beauty and inspiring views of Da Nang.
My Son
My Son is an ancient sanctuary located relatively close to the city, though it will take at least an hour to get there, it’s a beautiful site that is over a thousand years old and deemed a World UNESCO Heritage Site.
Ba Na Hills
The Ba Na Hills are a relatively recent construction of two hands holding a bridge. Visiting this area is crowded with tourists, with other nearby attractions that will offer a lot to do.
Food and Drink to Try in Da Nang
Da Nang has a unique food and drink scene, particularly because it’s proximity to the South China Sea and it’s availability to seafood.
There are many seafood restaurants for those bold enough to try new dishes, with a lot of non-seafood restaurants also available.
Below are some of the most popular food and drink options to try in Da Nang.
1. Bảnh Xèo
Bánh xèo is a crispy pancake-like dish. It bears resemblance to a quesadilla, but is made with rice flour and turmeric batter and filled with ingredients like shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts.
Perhaps one of the most unique dishes that I ate during my trip in Vietnam, Bảnh Xèo is a dish that requires some assembly.
The pancake served with fresh herbs and a tangy dipping sauce, and rice paper, which you’ll combine into a spring roll. Then, dip it into the decadent peanut and soy sauce mixture. This was perhaps my favorite dish that wasn’t pho or banh mi.
Be sure to ask your server to demonstrate a tutorial on how to assemble it properly. Most will be enthusiastic to show you how it’s done.
2. Bánh Tráng Cuốn Thịt Heo (Pork Rolls)
Bánh Tráng Cuốn Thịt Heo is a Vietnamese dish that consists of seasoned pork rolls on bamboo skewers. This dish is served with rice paper rolls and a variety of fresh herbs.
Like Bảnh Xèo, Bánh Tráng Cuốn Thịt Heo is a dish you can assemble yourself. Simply wet some rice paper and place the herbs and pork skewer in the middle.
Then, after it’s been rolled up tightly, pull the skewer out and dip it in the sauce of your choice. This dish was another favourite of ours.
3. Mì Quảng (Vietnamese Turmeric Noodle)
Originating from Central Vietnam, Mì Quảng is a very popular Vietnamese noodle dish. It contains yellow rice noodles, topped with ingredients like shrimp, pork, chicken, herbs, and peanuts.
Final Thoughts: Visit Da Nang
I love Da Nang. It was an incredible city. I spent a whole day hanging out on the beach and it was great to experience a resort without the generic resort experience, and at a fraction of the price. I’d love to visit again and make the most of this very wonderful and livable city.