Ten years ago, Da Nang was the refuge for me during a challenging period in my life. Spending a few days in this used-to-be-untouched city helped me navigate through sorrow and heartbreak. I’ve developed my love for this city since then. I returned to visit Da Nang after a long time, and the city still captured my heart, despite its commercialized transformation.
Is Da Nang worth visiting?
To be very honest, I was shocked to see how much Da Nang has changed. There are thousands of hotels, restaurants, and spas which block my view to the beach from the nearby hill. The city has become very commercialized over the last 10 years. Is it still worth visiting?
Yes! It is still charming in its unique way.
Located in the central parts of Vietnam, Da Nang is interesting and rich in culture. Known for its clean beaches, old temples, and vibrant urban setting, it is a must-see place for tourists who want to experience the harmony between tradition and progress.
Da Nang has several historical features, such as the Dragon Bridge, which is famous worldwide, and the Marble Mountains, which narrate tales of various historical events while maintaining their natural beauty and modernity. You might be drawn in by the excellent meals, natural landmarks, or peaceful seashores; however, this land can unexpectedly snatch your heart from its cage and capture your spirit forever.
How many days you should spend in Da Nang?
I recommend three days in Da Nang to see all the tourist places without rushing. Alternatively, you can stay four days with a day trip to Hoi An, which many people do.
When is the perfect time to visit Da Nang?
From March to August is the best time to visit Da Nang. However, let’s break it further down:
March to May:
Spring is always a time of freshness, the season with beautiful blooming flowers and greenery lush. The temperature is pleasant ranging from 23 to 28 degrees Celsius. Spring sees fewer tourists, resulting in stable service prices and a cost-effective visit.
If you visit Da Nang in April or May, you might get the chance to observe the fireworks at the fireworks festival annually.
From June to August:
Da Nang welcomes summer tourists from June to August, offering favourable weather with clear skies, beautiful sunshine, and minimal rain.
Summer attracts a bustling crowd, especially at the beaches, where visitors enjoy swimming and exploring various attractions, eco-tourism sites, waterfalls, and outdoor activities.
As a result, prices are also higher. I will avoid this period since it is also the school holiday in the world, so you will see the big crowd and services could be better. However, this is the best time for all beach activities.
From September to November:
Visiting Da Nang is not an idea because of the heavy rains and storms. Depending on the weather, activities relating to the beach might also not be recommended during this time. However, flight prices drop significantly during this gentle autumn, and resorts offer discounts.
Despite the occasional unexpected rain, it’s an ideal time to explore impressive routes such as Marble Mountains, Ba Na Hills, and Suoi Hoa. The cool temperature and pleasant weather make for a serene experience.
If you travel during this time, consider the weather forecast to plan accordingly.
From December to February:
During this period, Da Nang enters winter, characterized by mild temperatures ranging from 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. It’s a comfortable winter, avoiding the extreme cold of the northern regions.
This low season also means substantial discounts on various services, although occasional rain and chilliness may interrupt your plans. Swimming is also quite cold, but staying on the beach is still quite pleasant when it is sunny. I visited Da Nang during New Year and enjoyed it so much. Indeed, I did not swim but still could spend time on the beach under the sun.
To conclude, I recommend you visit Da Nang from March to May because it is still not the high tourist season there, and you can still do many beach activities. The temperature is pleasant, and the price is not high.
Should I combine Da Nang and Hoi An?
You definitely should!
Hoi An is just 30 km away from Da Nang, and there are so many options to go there. You can independently travel to Hoi An. This small town brings you a different vibe from Da Nang, which is another experience.
Accommodation
The tourism infrastructure in Da Nang is well-developed. There are plenty of offers from hostels with dorm beds, from 4 EUR for budget backpackers to luxury resorts near beaches. You can check all options on booking.com or hostelworld.com
How to go around Da Nang?
A motor scooter or motorbike is the most popular mode of transportation in Vietnam. I would only recommend this option for experienced drivers and you are confident to handle the traffic in Da Nang. If you still want to try, some hours of practice would be helpful.
You can rent a scooter directly from the hostel or hotel you book or search on Google. If you do not want to drive, you can order a ride by scooter through Grab or wrap a motor taxi.
If you visit Da Nang on a pleasant day, travel by bike is a great option. Using Grab to order a car might be cost-effective if you are with a big group.
For more about how to travel around in Vietnam, check this article.
What to do in Da Nang?
My Khe Beach
Fee: Free
My Khe Beach was much nicer ten years ago when I visited there. The untouched beauty of My Khe stole my heart. From the beach, you have the view to the Son Tra Peninsula, and the Lady Buddha in Linh Ung Pagoda, the tallest one in Vietnam.
Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, along the coast, was one of the best roads I had driven. However, development and infrastructure investment in Da Nang have affected the coastal view. Many buildings near the beach block the view from the Marble Mountains.
Nevertheless, My Khe beach is still a highlight, popular among locals for hanging out with friends and relaxing after a long day.
Mable Mountains
Ticket: 20.000 VND, 10.000 VND for children
Location: 81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang City
Distance: approximately 8km from the center of Da Nang
Marble Mountains are a cluster of five limestone peaks. It can easily take a day to explore, especially in the summer. Why? Because you will need to walk a lot and with the humidity in summer, it will take more time to complete this attraction.
Marble Mountains are located in a favorable geographical position, in line with other attractions from Hue Imperial Citadel then Hoi An Ancient Town to My Son Sanctuary. This place is not only a tourist destination but also a Buddha worship site.
How was this natural masterpiece created?
According to Cham legend, a dragon flew to Non Nuoc Beach one day and laid an egg there.
One day, the egg hatched, and a beautiful woman stepped out of it. The eggshell was broken into five pieces, becoming the five magnificent mountains we see today. Wait! What happened to the woman? Unfortunately, the legend left it to our imagination.
In 1825, emperor Minh Mang named this mountain complex Marble Mountains, which means “Ngu Hanh Son” in Vietnamese or “ Five Mountains”. Each hill was named after one of the five elements of Eastern philosophy: metal, water, fire, wood and earth. These names remain unchanged until now, and the Marble Mountains in Vietnam have become a natural attraction with many majestic peaks, caves and temples.
What is special about Ngu Hanh Son?
The old traditional Vietnamese Buddhist temples inside in the mountains, on the mountains, the stairs to the peaks where you could have a view of Da Nang, the beautiful greenery, and the blue vivid sky (if it does not rain) were what have stayed in my memory. The peaceful atmosphere this place brings is truly precious.
Son Tra Peninsula
Location: Tho Quang ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang City.
Distance: pproximate10 kilometers northeast from the city center
Way to travel there: renting a scooter, taxi, or booking a tour through a travel agency.
I personally did not visit this place for the second time, but ten years ago. From what my friend told me, it still keeps its natural attractiveness.
Thiis peninsula has an elevation of 693 meters above sea level, covers an area of 60 square kilometers.
It is a primaeval forest with diverse ecosystems. Most visitors to the peninsula are interested in exploring the Son Tra Nature Reserve’s flora and fauna, especially the unique beauty of the red-shanked douc langurs, birds, trees, and flowers.
Another cool way to enjoy time in Son Tra Peninsula is going to the top and have a bird’s eye view of the breathtaking panoramic Da Nang city views. The fresh, cool breezes from the sea will caress your face, and your eyes will be fully satisfied with the vast space of luxuriant greenery.
There are many highlights in Son Tra Peninsula: many beautiful beaches such as Bai But, Tien Sa, Black Stone, Bai Nam, Bai Bac, Ling Ung pagoda with the lady Buddha, Ban Co Peak, The thousand-year-old banyan tree, Radar Station 29, Son Tra Lighthouse.
Ba Na Hills
Fee: around 30 EUR
I am not a big fan of Ba Na Hills and I think it is a bit overrated. They indeed have the famous Golden Bridge, and the view from the cable car is very nice. However, it is just a park with diverse activities and European-influenced infrastructure. The ticket price could be more reasonable. If you travel with your family and the kids, it could be an interesting place to visit.
However, if you are a backpacker, I would not recommend it. It is not a historical place that would tell you about Vietnamese culture or something interesting that would attract your attention.
Night light in Da Nang
Bar “On the Radio”
Generally, Da Nang bars are quite nice and diverse with options. My friends living in Da Nang recommended this bar called “On the Radio”, and I had a very nice experience there. The bar offers awesome live music, and the prices for food and drink are quite reasonable.
New Oriental Nightclub (New Phương Đông) is also a club recommended by my friends. This bar is the biggest club in Da Nang and has been there for quite some time.
If you want to enjoy cocktails with friends, the bar “Do Yeu” is a great choice.
You can also check other bars around the center in Da Nang but read the Google reviews in advance. There are bars with pole dancers and heavy techno music, which I am not a big fan of.
Han Night Market
If you are ready to sit and eat in the middle of the market and listen to the noise of the typical Asian street vendors, this is the place. There is a lot of food sold here, some of which I have hardly tried.
Bridge: Han and Dragon
Those bridges offer a nice night view of Da Nang over the Han River. Han River Bridge is Vietnam’s first and only swing bridge connecting Le Duan Street and Pham Van Dong Street – the city’s two main streets. The swing bridge also serves to regulate the waterway traffic of the Han River.
A distinct feature of the Han River Bridge in Da Nang is its ability to swing. At night, the middle section will rotate 90 degrees, allowing ships and boats on the river to pass.
If you want to see the rotation of the Han River Bridge at night, here is the schedule:
From Monday to Friday: The bridge begins rotating at 1 am. The bridge will rotate back to its initial position at 2 am or 4 am, depending on the number of ships passing.
From Saturday to Sunday: The bridge begins rotating at 11 pm. After 60 minutes, the bridge will rotate back to its initial position.
As a gateway for outside visitors to enter Da Nang City, the Han River Dragon Bridge is an exclusive symbol – a statement for the city’s modern development. What’s more, this Bridge of Dragon’s fire and water performance intrigues tourists. After its operation was postponed for a while due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show resumed since the beginning of 2022 – marking the recovery of Da Nang and its tourism sector.
Every Saturday, Sunday, and major holidays such as Vietnamese Tet, the Dragon Bridge fire show would occur at 9 pm. Since a large crowd would be excitedly waiting for the show to start as soon as 8 pm, you should make a reservation at a nearby restaurant for a more enjoyable seat and experience.
I do not find those activities special, but if you have a night to spare and want to see the nightlife in Da Nang, it could be an activity for you.
Food in Da Nang
The first time I tried Mì Quảng was in 2013 in Da Nang. It was a 50-cent bow (12.000 VND) of full noodles with shrimp, pork, herbs, and vegetables, and the bonus was the seller’s smile. From that moment, I told myself that Da Nang would be the place to live if I continued to live in Vietnam.
You won’t be able to find the same bow with that price in Da Nang anymore, and the smile of the saleswoman in my memory is harder to find in today’s commercial hustle and bustle in Da Nang. Nevertheless, Da Nang is still an amazing place when it comes to the cuisine it offers.
You can try the most famous dishes in Da Nang:
Bánh Mì: Vietnamese Sandwich – a crispy baguette with fillings like grilled pork, pate, and fresh herbs.
Mì Quảng: Quang Nam – style Noodles – thick rice noodles with meat (shrimp, pork, or chicken) and herbs.
Cao Lầu: Cao Lau – thick rice noodles with slices of pork and herbs, eaten together with crunchy rice crackers. This dish is originally from Quang Nam, and you will find it a lot in Hoi An
Bún Chả Cá: Fish Cake Noodle Soup – noodles with fish cakes and herbs
Nem Lụi: Grilled Pork Skewers – often served with rice paper, herbs, and dipping sauce.
Bánh Xèo: Vietnamese Pancake – pancake filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and herbs.
Seafood: Various grilled seafood options, including squid, shrimp, crab, and fish.
Bún Thịt Nướng: Grilled Pork Noodle – Vermicelli noodles with grilled pork, herbs, peanuts, and sweet-savory sauce.
Bánh Bèo: Steamed Rice Cakes – Small rice cakes topped with minced shrimp.
Option for vegetarians and vegans
Some Vietnamese eat vegan food for certain days of the month for religious reasons. That’s why finding vegetarian or vegan food is easier than you think. You can ask the sellers whether they have vegetarian or vegan versions of the dishes, and they might even spontaneously make up a way to do it for you.