Da Nang is halfway between the capital Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south. It is the fourth largest city in Vietnam. Apart from some historical sites, the famous Hai Van Pass, the Son Tra peninsula, and the beaches are the main reasons for staying here.
5 reasons to visit Da Nang
- Drive a motorbike over the Hai Van Pass
- Explore the Son Tra peninsula
- Rock climbing at the Marble Mountains
- Relax on the beach
- Watch the fire show of the Dragon Bridge
Table of Contents
ToggleWhat is in this Da Nang travel guide
Recommended days to stay |
ATMs & money exchange |
Local events and holidays |
If you are in Da Nang in the right season, it is a great place to stay for a few days at the beach. If you desire a bit more culture and things to do, it is recommended to skip this city and stay in the neighboring town of Hoi An. |
There are ATMs everywhere in the city, including several international banks.
|
Danang International Fireworks Festival: Held in May or June, with spectacular displays of international fireworks teams illuminating the river and bridges. |
The best time to visit
- Dry season: April – August
- Monsoon season: September – March
- Warmest months: June – August (with the highest average temperature of 35 ° C)
- Coolest months: November – January (with the lowest average temperature of 18 ° C)
10 best things to do in Da Nang
Not long ago, Da Nang was a port town like so many can be found in Vietnam. However, in a short time, Da Nang has developed into one of the largest and most modern cities in Vietnam. The beautiful beaches of Da Nang and the surrounding area have made the city one of the best beach destinations in Vietnam.
There are lots of things to do in Da Nang, but especially around it. It is located right between the two ancient cities of Hoi An and Hue and you can find impressive national parks and stunning coastal roads.
1. Hai Van Pass
Tip: If you are not sure enough to drive the motorbike over the Hai Van Pass yourself, you can take the Easy Rider on the back. Alternatively, you can also go by car or even by an old military jeep. View here all our Hai Van Pass tours.
2. Son Tra
Tip: If you are planning to stay in Hoi An, you can choose to make a day trip to Son Tra from here.
3. Marble Mountains
Just 7 km from the city, the Marble Mountains are a must-visit. This cluster of marble and limestone hills is filled with caves, tunnels, and Buddhist shrines. Climbing to the top offers magnificent views of the surrounding area. For those seeking more adventure, the Marble Mountains also provide opportunities for rock climbing and abseiling.
4. Ba Na Hills
Ba Na Hills is one of the best-known landmarks in Da Nang, particularly for Vietnamese tourists. It is one of the newest and most exciting projects in Vietnam. It is a mountain village on top of a mountain that looks like a medieval castle, but within these stone walls are modern accommodations, restaurants, and a Fantasy Park full of exciting attractions. The newest addition is the golden bridge that is being held by two giant stone hands.
5. Relax on the beaches
The best beaches in Da Nang are known for their clear water and fine sand. The more popular beaches, such as My Khe and Non Nuoc, are relatively close to the city center and are often full of locals during the weekend and on public holidays. You can also find plenty of local restaurants with fresh fish and Da Nang specialties at affordable prices. Beaches further from the city are often a lot quieter. View here the list of the most beautiful beaches in Da Nang.
6. Dragon Bridge
7. Cham Island
If you want to see coral reefs, colorful fish, tropical beaches, and islets, then the best thing to do in Da Nang is to take a trip to Cham Island. It is a cluster of beautiful islands that are only an hour’s boat ride from Da Nang. It is a great day trip or you can spend the night there. On a day trip, you visit a few islands, you go snorkeling and you can relax on the beach.
8. Cham Museum
Cham Museum shows the age-old culture, lifestyle, and customs of the indigenous Cham tribe in Vietnam, dating back to 192AD. Founded during colonial French rule in 1915, it is known as the only museum of its kind in the world. Cham Museum Da Nang is divided into ten rooms, where 300 terracotta and stone sculptures from the 7th to the 15th century are exhibited.
9. My Son
My Son is approximately a 40-minute drive from Da Nang. Several companies organize trips there, or you can drive there yourself with a scooter. This attraction is not as big as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, but it does offer a good insight into the past of the country. There is a small museum at the entrance and all the ruins have information boards.
10. Hoi An
Best hotels & hostels in Da Nang
Where to stay
On the beach – One of the best things to do in Da Nang is enjoy its beautiful beaches. So for obvious reasons, this is the best place to stay. There is a very long strip along the beach with different neighborhoods like Son Tra, An Thuong, My An, and Khue My. This is also the place with the most hotels and (western) restaurants.
Near the river – The Han River is a very popular place to find a hotel in Da Nang with many restaurants, bars, and good nightlife.
Staying in Hoi An – Most tourists choose to stay in Hoi An for a better atmosphere and take a day trip to Da Nang. It is only 45 minutes from Da Nang to Hoi An.
Best hostels & hotels in Da Nang
Budget hotels & hostels
- Barney’s Danang Backpackers House
- Travelers Nest Hostel
- Danang Backpackers Hoste
Mid-range hotel
- Halina Hotel and Apartment
- Mitisa Hotel Danang
- John Boutique Villa Apartment
- Frangipani Boutique Hotel Da Nang
- Avora Hotel
High-end hotel & resort
- Monarque Hotel Danang
- Grandvrio Ocean Resort Danang
- InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort
There are many places where you can eat well in the city of Danang. Due to its location, in the middle of Vietnam, you can find many types of food from the rest of the country. In addition to local dishes, there are also many international-style restaurants, with dishes like pizza, pasta, hamburgers, and Indian food. The nightlife and nightlife in Da Nang consists of a collection of rooftop bars, sophisticated lounges, friendly expat bars, and lively nightclubs. Rooftop bars ClubsFood and Drink
DAY 1 |
DAY 2 |
In the morning you take a trip to the Marble Mountains. Explore the caves and temples here or choose to go rock climbing. When you get back to Da Nang you explore the city, including the Cham Museum and the Dragon Bridge. You enjoy the late afternoon on the beach where you stay for food and a drink. |
You rent a motorbike or cross the Hai Van Pass on a tour. You stop at several viewpoints and take a dip in the river at a waterfall. Later in the evening, you can enjoy the view of a rooftop bar by the river.
|
The busy Danang airport has many domestic connections and popular international flights to Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and Singapore. There is also a growing number of connections with Laos, China, Taiwan, and South Korea. Domestic flights to destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Dalat, and Nha Trang are operated by regional airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Jetstar. Buses run regularly between Da Nang, Hue, and Hoi An. There is a large Danang bus station on Dien Bien Phu Street, 3 kilometers west of the city center. From there, there are buses to all major destinations in Vietnam, including Quy Nhon, Hue, Nha Trang, and Hanoi. Buses run regularly between Da Nang, Hue, and Hoi An. There is a large Danang bus station on Dien Bien Phu Street, 3 kilometers west of the city center. From there, there are buses to all major destinations in Vietnam, including Quy Nhon, Hue, Nha Trang, and Hanoi. The Da Nang train station is just outside the city center and you will find a train connection that can take you anywhere in Vietnam. The train ride to Hue is one of the best in the country and is worth taking on itself as an excursion. Grab / Taxi: Getting a Grab taxi anywhere in Da Nang is pretty easy. This saves money compared to a normal taxi. You just have to download the app and have an internet or data connection. To avoid expensive taxis, you must choose a well-known taxi brand: Mai Linh Taxi, Vinasun Taxi, Tien Sa Taxi. Motorbike rental: Traveling by motorbike is the most fun option of all. The average price for renting a motorcycle is 130,000 VND ($ 6) per day. Private car: If you want to make a day trip to certain places of interest or a place outside Da Nang, you can rent a car with driver. It is very easy to travel from Da Nang to other cities in Vietnam due to its airport with very good domestic connections. You can fly to Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Dalat, or Nha Trang. In addition, it is also located a 45-minute ride to Hoi An and a 1,5-hour ride to Hue. Da Nang is a great place to bring children. There is a huge beach where they can play, different attraction parks such as Ba Na Hills and Asia Park, and plenty of day trips you can do from here. Da Nang is a very international city, so most people in hotels and restaurants speak a decent word of English.Others
Flights to Da Nang
Busses to Hanoi
Trains to Da Nang
Where to go next?
Da Nang with kids
Language