Welcome to the mesmerizing city of Da Nang, a true jewel in central Vietnam’s crown. Brace yourself for a journey filled with unparalleled beauty and exhilarating moments that will make your heart race. Keep reading this article and you will find out the best things to do in Da Nang with your friends and family. Some of the most attractive tourist destinations in Da Nang are also revealed below!
1. Sightseeing and climbing the Marble Mountains
Located 9 kilometers from Da Nang, the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) consists of five limestone mountains named after the five elements of the universe, including water, gold, fire, wood and earth.
The ancients said that the mysterious marble mountain was created from the slender fragment of a dragon on the beach of Non Nuoc.
Coming to this place, you will have the chance to explore many statues, pagodas, caves and caves. If hiking is your thing, you can climb to the top of the mountain. From these points, you will be able to enjoy the panoramic view of Da Nang.
Marble Mountains is great all year round. However, if you want to see them at their best, you should go in summer, from June to August each year.
Avoid stormy season (September-November) as the steps can become slippery and you may fall while climbing.
Address: 2 Huyen Tran Princess, Hoa Hai, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang
Opening hours: 07:00am to 17:30pm
Entrance price: 40,000 VND
2. Cu Lao Cham snorkeling
About 50 kilometers from Da Nang city, Cham Island is one of the most amazing destinations you should visit in Vietnam. Cu Lao Cham (or Cham Islands) consists of 8 small islands. They have been recognized as World Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO.
Cham Island is said to be a cultural and historical area. They have some remnants of the Cham civilization hundreds of years ago. In addition, there are many activities for tourists to entertain.
Visitors can explore marine life by swimming, sailing, water skiing, scuba diving and flying a kite on the beach. They can then enjoy delicious seafood prepared by friendly locals.
Address: Tan Hiep Commune, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
Price:
- Shallow diving price: 150,000 VND/person (with float, glasses)
- Deep diving price: 800,000 VND/person (with expert guide)
3. Tour the Dragon Bridge
Da Nang Dragon Bridge is the longest bridge in Vietnam. It straddles the Han River and connects people to Non Nuoc Beach, My Khe Beach and many other attractions.
The bridge started construction in 2011 and was officially opened to traffic two years later. The reason why the Vietnamese made it into the shape of a golden dragon is because the dragon is one of the four great gods in Vietnam, which symbolizes nobility, power and luck.
The Dragon Bridge is really beautiful, especially in the evening when people light up colorful LED lights on the 666-meter-long bridge. There are also many restaurants, cafés and bars in the surrounding area where you can enjoy a modern setting.
Observing the fire-breathing Dragon Bridge is one of the most fascinating experiences for travelers visiting Da Nang, combined with learning about the history of the Danang Dragon Bridge. Fortunately, you can see this incredible show every weekend without paying a dime. On a regular basis, every Saturday and Sunday at 9 p.m., Dragon Bridge will enthrall both locals and visitors with a magnificent display of water and fire.
4. Walk the Golden Bridge
Golden Bridge is a 150-meter-long pedestrian bridge that is a tourist attraction in Da Nang city. It was fully completed in 2018, but has so far attracted thousands of tourists from all over the world.
The uniqueness of this building is the structure held by giant hands under the elegant bridge. This image is reminiscent of the mountain god reaching out to help people enter Thien Thai Garden.
The Golden Bridge has inspired many fashion designers. Previously, seven girls participated in the 2016 Miss World Contest. In addition, it is also used by many couples to take wedding photo albums.
Address: Sun World Ba Na Hill, Hoa Phu, Hoa Vang, Da Nang
5. Relax at Son Tra Peninsula
Son Tra Peninsula is known as the ancient ecological forest in the center of the young city because it can be seen everywhere in Da Nang city. Home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, the stunning scenery and atmosphere are ideal for dancing, singing and chess.
Son Tra is beautiful day and night. Enjoy the serenity of sunset as well as the brilliant flow of dawn in this stunning landscape.
Near the Son Tra Peninsula, you can visit the Linh Ung Pagoda, the Dong Dinh Museum or a 1,000-year-old banyan tree. These are also places not to be missed when you come to Da Nang, Vietnam.
Address: Tho Quang Ward, Da Nang
Opening hours: 06:00 to 21:30
6. Sunbathing at My Khe Beach
My Khe Beach is a picturesque beach with clear blue sky, gentle slope, smooth white sand and clear water. It was voted one of the most luxurious beaches in the world by Forbes magazine. Come here and you’ll feel at ease after a hard working day.
Near the beach, there are many motels, hotels, resorts and villas for different types of travellers. So, after sunbathing on the beach, you can relax and rejuvenate for the next day in your five-star villa.
Address: 6 kilometers east of Da Nang
7. Visit Cham Museum
The Cham Museum displays many relics of the ancient Cham people. It houses nearly 300 pieces of stone and terracotta art from the 7th to the 15th centuries.
The most impressive artifact in the Cham Museum is the giant stone altar depicting the Cham kings. A closer look reveals that the sculpture is finely crafted.
Today, the museum is well preserved by the government and local people. Therefore, if you come to visit, you will not be allowed to do dangerous behaviors that destroy the cultural relics in the museum.
Address: Binh Hien, Hai Chau, Da Nang
Opening Hours: 7am to 5pm
8. Hai Van Pass
Hai Van Pass is famous for its picturesque roads on the slopes of Vietnam. It is a connecting route between Da Nang City and Thua Thien Hue Province. Often, thrill-seeking motorcyclists come to Hai Van Pass to practice their craft.
In 2008, the Hai Van Pass was voted one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Coastal Roads” by the UK program. What are you waiting for if you don’t experience Hai Van Pass with your friends in a jeep?
Address: 30 kilometers north of Da Nang
9. Visit Bay Mau coconut forest
When people think of Hoi An, they usually envision the old town with its ancient houses, tranquil streets, and vibrant lantern nights. However, the truly new part of Hoi An lies around 3 km from the center, in the remarkable Bay Mau Coconut Forest eco-tourism area.
The Bay Mau coconut forest in Hoi An was once a revolutionary stronghold during the resistance war. Its discreet terrain allowed our people to organize successful ambushes against enemy raids, dating back to the French resistance. Today, the locals have harnessed the beauty of the coconut forest to create a unique form of tourism, offering boat and basket rides for visitors—an experience admired by all who come here.
During the one-day Bay Mau Coconut Forest tour, you’ll have the opportunity to cruise along the Hoai River, marveling at the picturesque scenery on both sides. Highlights of the tour include:
- Discovering the enchanting coconut water river: This area, often referred to as the “Southern in the Old Town,” features expansive brackish waters adorned with lush green coconut palms. Together with the surrounding landscape, it immerses you in the peaceful and relaxing ambiance of the countryside.
- Experiencing thrilling adventures: This tour also allows you to engage in rustic activities rarely found in other Central region tours. You can navigate basket boats through the coconut forest, honing your skills as a fisherman by manually casting nets and fishing for crabs. Moreover, you’ll have the chance to witness the captivating basket dance—a favorite and somewhat “scary” activity that not everyone dares to partake in. Typically performed by agile and powerful middle-aged men, the swinging baskets create a mesmerizing spectacle, eliciting continuous cheers and applause from the spectators.
10. Eat local food
Whenever you go to another country, what you should do is try the local food. Here are some restaurants recommended for you.
The first one is Banh Xeo Ba Duong. Diners are served a plate of banh xeo beef, bean sprouts, pork, shrimp or chicken. There is a bowl of banh chung made with fish sauce, sugar, lemon, chilli and garlic.
Address: 280/23 Hoang Dieu, Da Nang
Opening hours: 11:00 to 23:00
The second place is Mi Quang Ba Mua. Dishes at this restaurant include turmeric rice noodles, minced meat and bone broth. If you don’t speak Vietnamese, you can look at the English menu and choose what you want.
Address: 19 Tran Binh Trong, Da Nang
Opening hours: 06:30 – 21:30
The last restaurant is Bun Cha Ca 109. This family restaurant has been around for almost 50 years. The layout is very simple, just a few low tables, plastic stools and a ceiling fan. The bun fish they sell consists of grilled fish cakes, vermicelli, mint leaves and bamboo shoots.
Address: 109 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Da Nang
Opening hours: 06:00 to 22:00
11. Visit Ba Na Hills
Ba Na Hills is a hilltop resort that offers an amazing array of activities. For example, take a cable car, stroll through the French Village, ride an alpine roller coaster, experience a 4D death race, etc.
To get to Ba Na Hills, you can choose to take a taxi, motorbike or convertible. The best time to visit is April to August. It is high season and thousands of tourists flock here to soak up the atmosphere of Ba Na Hills.
Address: Hoa Vang, Da Nang
Opening hours: 07:00 to 22:00
Price: Ticket fare of Ba Na Hills
- VND750,000/adult
- VND600,000/child (1m – 1.4m in height)
12. Shopping at Han Market
Han Market has been operating since the 1940s when Vietnam was a French colony. In this market, there are many stalls selling everything from handicrafts and accessories to vegetables, tubers, fruits and food items.
Everything at Han Market is sold at very reasonable prices, so you can buy any souvenirs you want to take home with your friends and family.
Address: 119, Tran Phu Street, Hau Chai District, Da Nang
Opening hours: 05:00 to 19:00 daily
13. Enjoy Non Nuoc Beach
Another famous beach in Da Nang is Non Nuoc. This place has an arc shape, fine white sand, clear blue water, gentle slope, light waves, very suitable for various water sports.
If you are interested in discovering more, you can visit ancient pagodas, ancient villages, caves or go boating on the ancient river.
Address: Marble Mountains, Da Nang
14. Go surfing
Thanks to its warm climate and long stretches of beaches, Da Nang is the center of surfing in Vietnam. The ideal season for surfing in Da Nang is September to March.
Not only professionals, but also beginners can start surfing in Da Nang. Because there are many courses and schools that teach this skill to novices.
Also, there are many surf shops along the beach where one can easily rent surfboards. Rates are approximately $5.00 per hour. Of course, the longer you want to surf at the beach, the more you’ll pay.
15. Drink Coconut Coffee
Sweet coconut coffee is one of the most unique drinks that tourists should try when they come to Da Nang, Vietnam. It’s the perfect blend of Vietnamese coffee, coconut milk, and condensed milk.
In different cafes, you will taste different kinds of sweet coconut coffee. Sometimes you have to mix the mixture yourself. No matter what kind of coconut coffee it is, though, you have the opportunity to experiment with different flavors.
16. Relax at the Sky Bar
If you like to hang out all night, then the ideal place you should go is Sky Bar. In this place, a lot of fun activities are organized for relaxation. For example, at Sevva Sky Lounge, you can enjoy cocktails, listen to soothing music and chat with friends.
It’s a great place to relax. You will be served by very friendly wait staff and you will have plenty of time to soak up the unique atmosphere as the bar doesn’t close until 1am.
Address: 20 Dong Da, Da Nang
Opening hours: 16:00 to 1:00
17. Have fun at Asia Park
Asia Park under Sun Group is one of the most modern entertainment centers in Vietnam. It is suitable for adults and children.
The focal point of the park is the 115-meter-high sun wheel. Sitting on this Ferris wheel, you will be able to see the whole of Da Nang from a higher perspective. It spins slowly and is very safe to sit on. Pay 150,000 VND per ride to enjoy the most beautiful scenery ever.
In addition, there are many other games for visitors to enjoy such as Monorail, Happy Choo Choo, Treehouse Playland and Garuda Valley.
Address: 01 Phan Dang Luu, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
Opening hours: 16:00 to 23:00 daily
In conclusion, Da Nang provides a wide range of amazing experiences. This city has lots to offer everyone, from breathtaking scenery to engaging activities. Da Nang ensures that visitors will have lifelong experiences, whether they want to explore gorgeous beaches, learn about historic sites, or indulge in regional cuisine. Hopefully, this post will help you figure out best things to do in Danang while you there. So, assemble your loved ones and go out on a remarkable journey in this captivating location. Find Da Nang’s greatest spots and make memories that will last a lifetime.