Da Nang travel guide
Da Nang Tourism | Da Nang Guide
You're Going to Love Da Nang
One of Vietnam's boom towns, Da Nang is an attractive coastal city with superb beaches, ultra-modern hotels, plenty of malls, and fine restaurants, along with one of the country's best museums.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Da Nang
1. Excellent City Beaches
Da Nang is fortunate to have a string of wonderful beaches like Pham Van Dong or My Khe within walking distance of the center.
2. The Superb Museum of Cham Sculpture
The Museum of Cham Sculpture is one of Vietnam's best historical institutions, holding a collection of 1000-year-old stone Hindu sculptures.
3. Beautiful Hiking Country within the City Limits
Da Nang has a set of picturesque hills just six miles south of the city center. The Marble Mountains host plenty of trails and mysterious caves like Am Phu, with its sculptures and staircase to the peak of the mountain.
4. Snorkel and See the Sights on Cham Island
Not far offshore, Cham Island is an enchanting place, with dive sites, markets in Bai Lang, and deserted tropical beaches.
5. Mouthwatering Food Tours
Enjoy the full spectrum of Vietnamese cuisine with Da Nang food tours, taking in BBQ seafood, spicy curries, noodle dishes, and Vietnamese pizza.
What to do in Da Nang
1. Marble Mountains: Discover Hidden Buddhist Sanctuaries
Sitting just over four miles from Da Nang, the Marble Mountains are a collection of limestone and marble cliffs that house Buddhist sanctuaries and hidden secrets from the Vietnam War. Each mountain peak is named for one of the elements, and they have great significance to local people. As you journey through the mountains, you're sure to see numerous pagoda temples. A spectacular circular cave attracts visitors from all over the country and world. The Riverview Tower is also worth a visit; it offers beautiful views of the coastline and dates back to the 18th century.
2. Lady Buddha: Pay Your Respects to Miss Buddha
The largest Buddha statue in Vietnam is special because of more than its size -- the statue depicts the Buddha as a woman. Towering over 200 feet above the countryside, this white monument commands an impressive view over the mountains and sea. Flanked by numerous smaller statues of Buddhist deities and immaculately landscaped grounds, the Lady Buddha is a site of pilgrimage for many faithful Buddhist. If you're interested in understanding the religious practices of the locals, or if you're a lover of monumental sculpture, this is a must during your visit.
3. Sơn Trà Mountain: Hike up the Monkey Mountain
Climbing over 2,000 feet above sea level is no easy feat, but the view on top is more than worth it. Monkey Mountain was a prominent lookout point during the Vietnam War, but today it's been put to more peaceful use as a national park. Visitors are welcome to drive up to the top if they wish. Once there, they can expect stunning views over the city and the Pacific Ocean. The jungle is filled with animals such as rhesus macaques, pygmy slow lorises and red-shanked douc langurs. If you choose to hike, bring water -- it takes about four hours to get to the top from Bai Bac Beach.
4. Dragon Bridge: A Garishly Delightful Attraction
Da Nang, like many Vietnamese cities, sprang up along the banks of a river. Today, many bridges cross the Hàn, but none are as whimsical as the Dragon Bridge. A fierce yellow and red dragon lent its body to the engineers, who transformed it into a suspension bridge totaling over 2,000 feet in length. At night, the bridge lights up in a wide variety of colors, making it an especially picturesque addition to the cityscape.
5. Non Nuoc Beach: Time to Chill
After you spend your days exploring the city, there's no better place to relax than Non Nuoc Beach. Offering white sands and clean waters, this stretch of coastline extends for three miles, offering plenty of opportunities to sunbathe, swim, play, and run. It's become somewhat of a luxury getaway in recent years, and world-class golf resorts and hotels now line the sands. In addition, you'll find quite a few Michelin-star restaurants in the area. If you're in the mood for something more adventurous, try signing up for a jungle trek heading inland from the sand.
6. My Son Sanctuary: Get a Glimpse of Ancient Vietnamese Heritage
These derelict Hindu Temples were constructed between the 4th and 14th centuries and contained almost 70 buildings including tombs and in the peak of the site's development. For centuries, religious ceremonies for kings and royalty were carried out within the complex, making it one of the oldest inhabited archaeological sites in the region. Much of the temple complex was destroyed by US attacks during the Vietnam War, leaving just a handful of partially ruined Hindu Temples. The area has been more or less abandoned ever since, offering visitors a glimpse into past Indochina culture and history.
7. Hoi An Ancient Town: Get Lost in the Canals
Who says you need to go to Venice to take advantage of a gondola ride? Here in Hoi An, you can get the same tour ride through the ancient city's many canals for some truly spectacular shopping and eating opportunities. The city's eclectic cultural mix features a hodgepodge of different architectural styles including French colonial buildings, Japanese bridges, Chinese shop houses, and Vietnamese tube-houses. There are also several museums you can visit in the ancient town including the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, the Museum of Trade Ceramics, and the Museum of Sa Huynh Culture.
1. Marble Mountains: Discover Hidden Buddhist Sanctuaries
Sitting just over four miles from Da Nang, the Marble Mountains are a collection of limestone and marble cliffs that house Buddhist sanctuaries and hidden secrets from the Vietnam War. Each mountain peak is named for one of the elements, and they have great significance to local people. As you journey through the mountains, you're sure to see numerous pagoda temples. A spectacular circular cave attracts visitors from all over the country and world. The Riverview Tower is also worth a visit; it offers beautiful views of the coastline and dates back to the 18th century.
2. Lady Buddha: Pay Your Respects to Miss Buddha
The largest Buddha statue in Vietnam is special because of more than its size -- the statue depicts the Buddha as a woman. Towering over 200 feet above the countryside, this white monument commands an impressive view over the mountains and sea. Flanked by numerous smaller statues of Buddhist deities and immaculately landscaped grounds, the Lady Buddha is a site of pilgrimage for many faithful Buddhist. If you're interested in understanding the religious practices of the locals, or if you're a lover of monumental sculpture, this is a must during your visit.
3. Sơn Trà Mountain: Hike up the Monkey Mountain
Climbing over 2,000 feet above sea level is no easy feat, but the view on top is more than worth it. Monkey Mountain was a prominent lookout point during the Vietnam War, but today it's been put to more peaceful use as a national park. Visitors are welcome to drive up to the top if they wish. Once there, they can expect stunning views over the city and the Pacific Ocean. The jungle is filled with animals such as rhesus macaques, pygmy slow lorises and red-shanked douc langurs. If you choose to hike, bring water -- it takes about four hours to get to the top from Bai Bac Beach.
4. Dragon Bridge: A Garishly Delightful Attraction
Da Nang, like many Vietnamese cities, sprang up along the banks of a river. Today, many bridges cross the Hàn, but none are as whimsical as the Dragon Bridge. A fierce yellow and red dragon lent its body to the engineers, who transformed it into a suspension bridge totaling over 2,000 feet in length. At night, the bridge lights up in a wide variety of colors, making it an especially picturesque addition to the cityscape.
5. Non Nuoc Beach: Time to Chill
After you spend your days exploring the city, there's no better place to relax than Non Nuoc Beach. Offering white sands and clean waters, this stretch of coastline extends for three miles, offering plenty of opportunities to sunbathe, swim, play, and run. It's become somewhat of a luxury getaway in recent years, and world-class golf resorts and hotels now line the sands. In addition, you'll find quite a few Michelin-star restaurants in the area. If you're in the mood for something more adventurous, try signing up for a jungle trek heading inland from the sand.
6. My Son Sanctuary: Get a Glimpse of Ancient Vietnamese Heritage
These derelict Hindu Temples were constructed between the 4th and 14th centuries and contained almost 70 buildings including tombs and in the peak of the site's development. For centuries, religious ceremonies for kings and royalty were carried out within the complex, making it one of the oldest inhabited archaeological sites in the region. Much of the temple complex was destroyed by US attacks during the Vietnam War, leaving just a handful of partially ruined Hindu Temples. The area has been more or less abandoned ever since, offering visitors a glimpse into past Indochina culture and history.
7. Hoi An Ancient Town: Get Lost in the Canals
Who says you need to go to Venice to take advantage of a gondola ride? Here in Hoi An, you can get the same tour ride through the ancient city's many canals for some truly spectacular shopping and eating opportunities. The city's eclectic cultural mix features a hodgepodge of different architectural styles including French colonial buildings, Japanese bridges, Chinese shop houses, and Vietnamese tube-houses. There are also several museums you can visit in the ancient town including the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, the Museum of Trade Ceramics, and the Museum of Sa Huynh Culture.
1. Marble Mountains: Discover Hidden Buddhist Sanctuaries
Sitting just over four miles from Da Nang, the Marble Mountains are a collection of limestone and marble cliffs that house Buddhist sanctuaries and hidden secrets from the Vietnam War. Each mountain peak is named for one of the elements, and they have great significance to local people. As you journey through the mountains, you're sure to see numerous pagoda temples. A spectacular circular cave attracts visitors from all over the country and world. The Riverview Tower is also worth a visit; it offers beautiful views of the coastline and dates back to the 18th century.
2. Lady Buddha: Pay Your Respects to Miss Buddha
The largest Buddha statue in Vietnam is special because of more than its size -- the statue depicts the Buddha as a woman. Towering over 200 feet above the countryside, this white monument commands an impressive view over the mountains and sea. Flanked by numerous smaller statues of Buddhist deities and immaculately landscaped grounds, the Lady Buddha is a site of pilgrimage for many faithful Buddhist. If you're interested in understanding the religious practices of the locals, or if you're a lover of monumental sculpture, this is a must during your visit.
3. Sơn Trà Mountain: Hike up the Monkey Mountain
Climbing over 2,000 feet above sea level is no easy feat, but the view on top is more than worth it. Monkey Mountain was a prominent lookout point during the Vietnam War, but today it's been put to more peaceful use as a national park. Visitors are welcome to drive up to the top if they wish. Once there, they can expect stunning views over the city and the Pacific Ocean. The jungle is filled with animals such as rhesus macaques, pygmy slow lorises and red-shanked douc langurs. If you choose to hike, bring water -- it takes about four hours to get to the top from Bai Bac Beach.
4. Dragon Bridge: A Garishly Delightful Attraction
Da Nang, like many Vietnamese cities, sprang up along the banks of a river. Today, many bridges cross the Hàn, but none are as whimsical as the Dragon Bridge. A fierce yellow and red dragon lent its body to the engineers, who transformed it into a suspension bridge totaling over 2,000 feet in length. At night, the bridge lights up in a wide variety of colors, making it an especially picturesque addition to the cityscape.
5. Non Nuoc Beach: Time to Chill
After you spend your days exploring the city, there's no better place to relax than Non Nuoc Beach. Offering white sands and clean waters, this stretch of coastline extends for three miles, offering plenty of opportunities to sunbathe, swim, play, and run. It's become somewhat of a luxury getaway in recent years, and world-class golf resorts and hotels now line the sands. In addition, you'll find quite a few Michelin-star restaurants in the area. If you're in the mood for something more adventurous, try signing up for a jungle trek heading inland from the sand.
6. My Son Sanctuary: Get a Glimpse of Ancient Vietnamese Heritage
These derelict Hindu Temples were constructed between the 4th and 14th centuries and contained almost 70 buildings including tombs and in the peak of the site's development. For centuries, religious ceremonies for kings and royalty were carried out within the complex, making it one of the oldest inhabited archaeological sites in the region. Much of the temple complex was destroyed by US attacks during the Vietnam War, leaving just a handful of partially ruined Hindu Temples. The area has been more or less abandoned ever since, offering visitors a glimpse into past Indochina culture and history.
Where to Eat in Da Nang
If you don't fancy taking a Da Nang food tour, there are plenty of places to try. Highlights include Madame Lan, Quan Com Hue Ngon - an exceptional BBQ joint - and Com Nieu, where seafood takes center stage. Prices will vary, but expect meals to cost around ₫100,000-150,000.
When to visit Da Nang
Weather-wise, the best time to visit Da Nang is probably between May and September, when the temperatures hover around 80 degrees (usually with a refreshing sea breeze). It's also the season for spectacular fireworks displays on the city beaches.
How to Get to Da Nang
Plane
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) has plenty of regional connections. Taxis from there to the center of town will cost around ₫150,000-180,000.
Train
Da Nang is on the main Vietnamese coastal train route, with services from Hanoi, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Car
From Hanoi, take the CT01 expressway, then follow the coastal QL1A highway all the way to Da Nang. Take QL20 from Ho Chi Minh City, then QL1A northwards to Da Nang.
Bus
Da Nang Bus Station offers connections to all major Vietnamese cities and a couple in Laos as well. Expect to pay around ₫400,000 to travel from Hanoi.
Airlines serving Da Nang
Where to stay in Da Nang
My Khe - My Khe is centered around a long, sandy beach, with a wealth of new high rise hotels and great eateries like Thung Phi BBQ.
Popular Neighborhoods in Da Nang
Bach Dang - on the western side of the Han River, Bach Dang is the center of town and is home to the Museum of Cham Sculpture along with many luxury and budget hotels.
Ngũ Hành Sơn - Da Nang's most southern neighborhood, Ngũ Hành Sơn is where you'll find the beautiful Marble Mountains and resorts like Centara Sandy Beach.
Where to stay in popular areas of Da Nang
Most booked hotels in Da Nang
How to Get Around Da Nang
Public Transportation
The are 11 major bus routes in suburban Da Nang, and single tickets cost ₫20,000.
Taxi
Taxis are a great way to get up and down the coastal strip. Fares start with a meter drop of ₫10,000, followed by around ₫25,000 per mile.
Car
Car rental options include Kha Tran Car Rental, and rates can be as low as ₫70,000 per day.
The Cost of Living in Da Nang
Shopping Streets
Da Nang is an excellent place to hunt for bargains. Check out Han Market (which has been around since the 1940s) and Non Nuoc Fine Arts Village, where you can pick up finely crafted rice mortars, sculptures, and jewelry.
Groceries and Other
Local supermarkets include Big C and Sieu Thi. Prices tend to be reasonable, at around ₫29,000 for 12 eggs.