What to do in Da Nang, Vietnam: Da Nang Itinerary
Charming Da Nang is growing in popularity amongst travellers to Vietnam. This Da Nang itinerary lists some of the best spots in Da Nang and the surrounding area.
Although it’s one of the largest cities in Vietnam, travellers sometimes overlook Da Nang in favour of better-known spots. But Da Nang holds its own as a destination, and the city is well worth a visit. Da Nang is home to some stunning scenery and delicious eats, not to mention it’s close to several UNESCO World Heritage sites. Many visitors stop for a few nights on their way to or from Hoi An, which is only an hour away. This Da Nang itinerary has the must-see spots in the city and beyond.
Da Nang is a quickly changing city and an up-and-coming tourist destination. There’s been recent investment in tourist infrastructure, with new hotels, restaurants, and beach resorts. The city is affordable, boasts plenty of delicious food, and has a mix of city and beach life—what more can you ask for? I’ll start with a few basics, then read on to discover what to do in Da Nang city and the surrounding area.
Getting to Da Nang
Take your pick—as one of Vietnam’s largest cities, there are plenty of ways to get into Da Nang. Da Nang is serviced by Da Nang International Airport (DAD). Low-cost airlines, including VietJet, offer multiple flights in and out each day to other major cities.
Regional trains and bus routes also stop in Da Nang. The ride is quite long from other major cities (for example, around 18 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang), but it is a budget-friendly option. It’s also easy to drive to Da Nang using your own car or motorbike.
Da Nang is only around an hour’s drive from Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage City and one of the most popular places in Vietnam amongst tourists. Travel between the two cities by taking a taxi, private transfer, shuttle bus or by taking the Bus #1 public bus (sometimes called the yellow bus). Expect to pay between $10 and $20 for one of the private transport or shuttle options. The public bus offers significant savings and only costs around $1. Learn more here .
Getting around Da Nang
Da Nang is a popular stop for those motorbiking across Vietnam, and motorbiking is an excellent way to get around the city.
If you don’t have your own bike, hop on the back of someone else’s through rideshare apps like Grab (cars are also available). I used Grab for most of my trip since its affordable and fast. Like other major cities, taxis and private transfers are also an option.
While there are public transit buses in Da Nang, they can be more difficult to navigate than many other cities. Google Maps does not show Da Nang transit directions, but you can go to the Da Nang Dana Bus website to view bus routes.
Currency in Da Nang
Expect to pay for many items in cash while in Da Nang. Like other major cities in Vietnam, the official currency is the Dong (VND), but some vendors may also take US dollars (USD), especially in the tourism sector.
Now onto what to do in Da Nang:
Dragon Bridge
The Dragon Bridge is one of the main attractions in the city, topping the list of what to do in Da Nang. Designed in the shape of a large dragon, it’s an impressive sight. The golden arches of the dragon’s back cross the Han river in the middle of the city.
This iconic bridge is 666 meters long, but that’s not what really draws the crowds. If you’re wondering what to do in Da Nang at night, the Dragon Bridge is a must. At night, the bridge lights up with colour-changing lights. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, the dragon puts on quite a show, breathing fire and spurting out plumes of water.
On weekend evenings, people line the waterfront streets to watch the show. At 9 pm, the head of the dragon spouts fire and water, flashing between yellow and blue lighting. It’s pretty fun to watch!
The show only lasts for about 15 minutes, so make sure you don’t accidentally miss it. Cafes, restaurants, and bars line the bank along the north side. Plenty of them have outdoor terrace seats so you can grab a drink or a Vietnamese egg coffee and snag a good spot to watch the show.
Walk along the River
The Han River cuts through the middle of Da Nang. Many of Da Nang’s famous bridges (including the Dragon Bridge) cross this river. Lovely both day and night, you’ll likely end up strolling by the river even if it isn’t on your Da Nang itinerary. Each side is lined by a lovely and walkable promenade, popular amongst locals and tourists alike for walking, exercising, and socializing.
The Bach Dang promenade is particularly bustling. It’s a popular spot for families, couples, and old guys exercising and playing games.
Visit the beaches
Visiting the beaches is one of the best things to do in Da Nang. Da Nang is one of the top beach destinations in Vietnam. The coast has tourist infrastructure built up for beach-goers, including plenty of hotels and restaurants by the water. Some of Da Nang’s beaches are excellent for relaxing, while others are for the more adventurous, with kayak, jet ski, or other water sports rentals. Make sure to stop for a bite of fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants lining the coast.
My Khe and Non Nuoc are two popular beaches close to the city centre. My Khe beach has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, with its white sandy beaches and calm blue water. For quieter beaches, the Son Tra Peninsula is a short drive out of the city and also has its share of gorgeous sunning spots.
Visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture
Learn about the history of the Cham people at this important museum. The Cham people's history dates far, far back. They established and populated Champa, an ancient kingdom lasting from the 2nd to 17th century AD, although Cham people arrived in Vietnam much before. (source)
The Museum of Cham Sculpture houses the largest collection of Cham artifacts in the world. There is still a population of Cham people in Vietnam, and the Museum is a good way to learn more about this group's history.
My Son ruins, another popular attraction near Da Nang, is a well-known notable Cham historical site. If you plan on visiting My Son, it’s worth visiting the museum beforehand to get a fuller picture of the history of the Cham people.
Eat your way through the city
Da Nang can feel less exciting than other popular cities like Hoi An. But this means it’s the perfect place to chill out and spend a whole lot of time eating. Being a larger city, there are a ton of food options in Da Nang. You’ll find plenty of traditional food as well as international options. Plus, if you’re looking for what to do in Da Nang at night, alcohol is cheap as well.
Our favourite spot in Da Nang was Bep Hen Restaurant. I had the best tomato-based tofu dish I’ve ever tried in my life at Bep Hen. It was the perfect soft and savoury and complex but simple dish I had in Vietnam. I also had a Vietnamese salted eggplant dish—well, I meant to order grilled eggplant. The Vietnamese salted eggplant is a crunchy, pickled eggplant that tastes like pungent shrimp paste. And that’s how I also found my least favourite dish in Vietnam.
What to do around Da Nang area
Wondering what else to do in Da Nang? There are tons of day trips and overnight stops close to the city to add to your Da Nang itinerary.
Ba Na Hills
Ba Na Hills is a resurrected relic of French colonialism in Vietnam, located 40 kilometers west of Da Nang. This attraction was originally established by French colonists in 1919. The original attraction at Ba Na Hills was a resort for French tourists, but it’s undergone a recent revitalization. Nowadays, it’s a small mountain-top resort made up of European-style villas and an amusement park.
I think it’s one of the weirder places on the Da Nang itinerary list, to be honest. After all, a Forbes article describes it as “something of a cross between Disney’s Epcot, a French ski resort, and. Buddhist mountain retreat”. But it’s worth a visit for the sweeping mountain views. Ba Na Hills attracts thousands of visitors yearly for its beautiful scenery and fun attractions.
The Ba Na Cable Car opened in 2013 and is the longest non-stop single-track cable car, at over 5800 meters in length. The ride offers sweeping views of lush mountains, which are sometimes shrouded in a light mist.
The latest new attraction at Ba Na Hills is the Golden Bridge—a 500-foot pedestrian bridge with two giant hand sculptures holding it up. It’s a popular photography spot that also boasts pretty good views.
Lastly, the Fantasy Park is an amusement park with rides, arcade games, cinemas, electric cars, and more. Ba Na Hills is summed up as a gorgeous mountain top resort built for entertainment.
Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains are a cluster of five marble and limestone hills in between Da Nang and Hoi An. These looming hills are a pilgrimage site with a whole lot of history.
There are mountainous terrains, caves, tunnels, temples, and shrines to explore. The area is known for its pagodas and shrines, some of which are located inside or through caves. Thuy Son Mountain is the most popular for visitors. Once you’re at the top of this mountain (you can reach it by elevator or by hiking) you’ll be treated to a stunning view of the coast.
The mountains are about a 25-minute drive or 9 kilometers from the city. Put aside a few hours to explore the area and wear comfortable shoes for walking.
Hai Van Pass
The Hai Van Pass is high on the Vietnam motorcycle trip bucket list. The 21 kilometer long mountain pass winds through the Annamite Range. The short and scenic ride is the highest pass of its kind in Vietnam. It has gorgeous views of the tropical coastal beaches and ocean.
The pass garnered a reputation after it was dubbed one of the best coastal roads in the world in an episode of Top Gear. You can rent a bike or a scooter for a day trip. The pass is about 45 minutes out of Da Nang. The trip itself doesn’t take all that long, but you’ll like to leave plenty of time to stop and admire the view. It is a bit of a tougher ride, so if you’re not an experienced motorbike driver, you can opt to join a car or a jeep tour.
An interesting history tidbit: in the 1300s, this area marked a boundary between the ancient Champa and Dai Viet kingdoms.
My Son Sanctuary
My Son Sanctuary is another UNESCO world heritage site on the Da Nang itinerary. The temple ruins are left from ancient Champa times. My Son was constructed between the 4th and 14th centuries by the ancient Champa kingdom. At one point, the site had over 70 temples. But a large part of the site was destroyed in just a single but devastating week of bombing during the Vietnam War.
Despite the damage, the ruins are stunning. Some parts have been partially restored to bring the temple closer to its former glory. The temples are made of warm-coloured brick, some of the pillars covered in abundant green. They sit in front of a background of lush, green forest. This site is one of the most important historical temple complexes in Southeast Asia. While it’s less hyped up than Angkor Wat in Cambodia or Ayutthaya in Thailand, it has just as much history.
Son Tra Peninsula
Just north of Da Nang is Son Tra Peninsula. It’s another perfect spot for an afternoon drive. Rent a scooter and venture up “Monkey Mountain”. You’ll pass by some hidden beaches, though some are inaccessible private beaches for the swanky hotels that line the coast. But the fact that there are swanky hotels here gives a clue to how nice the view is.
The best part of these day trips around Da Nang is the tropical views. When you stop along the peninsula drive, you’ll see lush, greenery-covered cliffs that drop into the ocean. If you’re lucky you may see some wild monkeys—notably the endangered red-shanked douc langur.
One popular stop along the drive is Ban Co Peak, where you will be treated to a panoramic view on a clear day. It’s important to note that this is a steep ride, so drive carefully. If you’re taking a motorbike or scooter, make sure you have a bit of experience under your belt.
Another must-stop is Linh Ung Pagoda. The Linh Ung Pagoda is the site of the giant Lady Buddha statue. Standing at 67 meters high, it’s the tallest one of its kind in Vietnam. In fact, because of its height, you can see the Lady Buddha on the mountain from most corners of Da Nang. It’s a place of worship and a notable sightseeing spot for visitors.
Cham Islands
Looking for even more sun and sand? While the beaches around Da Nang are gorgeous, it’s hard to beat the off-the-beaten-path feel of the Cham Islands, which are recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. It’s known as one of the best places for snorkeling in Vietnam, but of course, it’s also stellar for sunbathing and swimming as well. While the Cham Islands consist of eight islands, only one is inhabited and visitable: Hon Lao.
The Cham Islands are located off the coast of Hoi An, with boats departing to Hon Lao from Hoi An, depending on the time of year. The island is usually accessible between March and August, when the weather is beautiful and sunny. From around September to February, rainfall and large waves often close down tours and boats to Hon Lao.
When visiting the Cham Islands from Da Nang, it’s best to take a tour. It’s the easiest way to get out there without needing to sort out transit from Da Nang to Hoi An and then to the island.
This Da Nang itinerary includes some of the best things to do in Da Nang.
With its mix of city and beach life and range of UNESCO World Heritage sites nearby, Da Nang is a worthy stop on any Vietnam trip. With this itinerary, you’ll be treated to some notable historic sites and wicked views when exploring what to do in Da Nang.