The Best Things to Do in Da Nang, Vietnam – Da Nang Travel Advice 🇻🇳
Da Nang is one of Vietnam’s most exciting coastal cities — a perfect blend of beaches, mountains, modern bridges, Vietnamese culture, and adventure. Whether you’re here for the Hai Van Pass, the Golden Bridge, or a chilled beach escape in Central Vietnam, this guide covers everything you need to plan the ultimate trip.
➡️ Explore all five regions of Vietnam in my Vietam Trip Planner!
🌏 Quick Da Nang Travel Tips
Where is Da Nang located?
Da Nang (Đà Nẵng / Danang City) sits on the central coast of Vietnam, between Hội An and Hue, making it one of the easiest hubs for travel in Southeast Asia.
Da Nang International Airport (DAD)
Located minutes from the city — super convenient for flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and major Asian hubs.
Why visit?
Beautiful beaches, mountains, culture, food, modern city vibes, and stunning scenery that feels made for adventure lovers.
⭐ Is Da Nang Worth Visiting?
Absolutely — yes! Da Nang is the kind of city where you can watch the sunrise over My Khe Beach, ride a motorbike through the Hai Van Pass, sip coconut coffee at sunset, and end your night watching the Dragon Bridge breathe fire.
It’s modern, clean, full of energy, yet close to nature and quieter escapes like the Son Tra Peninsula.
🇻🇳 New to Vietnam? Start with my Ultimate Vietnam Travel Guide — routes, tips, and everything you need to plan your trip.
Top Things to Do in Da Nang, Vietnam
1. Ride the Legendary Hai Van Pass 🏍️ 🚀
The Hai Van Pass is one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, winding from Da Nang toward Hue with sweeping ocean views, jungle cliffs, and dramatic curves. Stretching 165 km between Da Nang and Thừa Thiên-Huế, it’s perfect for motorbikes, jeeps, or even a scenic train ride, and it’s easily one of Vietnam’s most iconic scenic drives.
Why should you recommend Hai Van Pass? Because this winding coastal route delivers jaw-dropping ocean panoramas, lush jungle scenery, dramatic cliffside curves, and unforgettable adventure. It’s perfect for anyone wanting a taste of Vietnam’s wild, dramatic coastline.
👉 Ready to ride Vietnam’s most famous coastal mountain road? From Easy Rider motorbike ride to jeep tours, or driving by yourself. Get the full breakdown of routes, stops, prices, and the best tours in my Hai Van Pass Tour Guide 👀 (Guide to follow shortly) 🌄.
I’ve done both 🏍️ – and yes, it’s every bit as epic as people say.
👉 If the Hai Van Pass ignites your adventurous side, the Ha Giang Loop 🏔️ takes things to the next level — raw, rugged, and unreal. On what to expect, read my Ha Giang Motorbike Tour Guide for the full experience.
2. About the Famous Bridges of Da Nang 🌉
Da Nang is known as the City of Bridges, each with its own character and nighttime glow.
Here are the iconic highlights:
- Dragon Bridge 🐉 – breathes fire & water every weekend night – what an amazing experience.
- Han River Bridge – Vietnam’s only swing bridge and popular for Han river Night cruises.
- Tran Thi Ly Bridge – spectacular illuminated cables – stunning on a night cruise.
- Golden Bridge (Ba Na Hills) – the famous “Hands Bridge” in the clouds 🌥️
👉 🌳 Before you book those Ba Na Hills tickets, check my full guide on Da Nang Bridges that covers from entry fees, tips on best viewpoints, the best time to go, and to whether it truly deserves a spot on your Da Nang itinerary.
👉 ⛴️ Recommended: A perfect way to experience these Bridges, is on a sunset or dinner cruisesuch as the Han river Seoul cruise, or with Rainbow Bridge Yacht, a local or larger Eland Cruise boat. For options, and to book, go to Da Nang Han River Cruise options.
3. Relax on Da Nang’s Best Beaches 🏖️
The coastline is long, clean, and perfect for swimming, snorkelling, great for sunrise runs, quiet afternoons, just chilling at beach cafés.
Best Da Nang Beaches 🌴
- My Khe Beach: the most famous beach in Da Nang, and is popular for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports like surfing, jet skiing, and parasailing. Forbes Magazine (USA) once named it as one of the most attractive beaches globally.
- Da Nang beaches are famous for watching stunning sunrises and sunsets.
- Non Nuoc Beach: known for its serene atmosphere, swimming, and water sports, and coastal resorts.
- Pham Van Dong Beach: popular swimming beach situated between the Son Tra Peninsula and the city centre with lots of restaurants and cafes. Close to the nearby Pham Van Dong Park, with a fountain, and freshwater pools with amenities.
👉 Recommended: Book a Cham Islands Snorkelling excursion – the Cham Island is popular for its amazing marine life and Vietnamese seafood restaurants. Speedboats depart daily from Da Nang, Điện Dương, and Hội An 💦.
4. Explore Marble Mountains 🏔️
A set of five limestone and marble mountains just outside the city with the following highlights:
- The Am Phu Cave is tucked at the foot of Water Mountain (Thuy Son) which forms part of the Marble Mountains in Da Nang, and is famous for its eerie chambers and dramatic statues.
- Pagodas at Marble Mountain include historical Tam Thai Pagoda and the Linh Ung Pagoda.
- Viewpoints overlooking Da Nang Beach
- Non Nuoc Sone Carving Village: the centuries-old village, located at the foot of Marble Mountain.
5. Visit the Son Tra Peninsula 🕊️
The Son Tra Mountain and Peninsula area is popular due to its peaceful nature walks and stunning viewpoints.
- The 67-metre Lady Buddha statue watches over the city
from Linh Ung Pagoda. - Beautiful beaches, scenic lookouts 👀 and sunsets.
- Scenic hiking trails 🥾 and nature walks.
- Monkey spotting: 👀 for endangered red-shanked Douc lungar 🐒.
6. Ride the Cable Car at Ba Na Hills 🚡
Ba Na Hills is an extraordinary mountain resort in Vietnam, known for its stunning landscapes and unique architecture. At over 1,400 meters high, it spans about 26,000 hectares of the Ba Na Nui Chua Nature Reserve. To reach the impressive bridge, visitors experience the world’s longest cable car ride, with breathtaking views of the surroundings, and forest below.
- Golden Bridge with scenic views, and a French Village.
- Gardens with cool temperatures (great escape from heat).
- Restaurants and amenities.
- The Linh Ung Pagoda.
7. Sip the Best Vietnamese Coffee ☕
Da Nang has a growing café culture — cute coffee shops everywhere. This is where I enjoyed the best salt Coffee in Vietnam. Speciality coffees include classics like:
- Coconut coffee
- Egg coffee
- Salt coffee
- Dark, strong Vietnamese drip coffee
Koi Coffee 🌿
What is the fish coffee in Vietnam?
The KOI Café’s in Vietnam is a well-known chain specialising in bubble tea. At some of these “koi fish” cafés customers can enjoy coffee by a pond.
Frequently referred to as the “koi fish café,” it boasts sunken tables positioned right in a large koi pond, allowing patrons to enjoy their coffee and meals while vibrant koi swim mere inches away.
Bonus: amazing work-friendly cafés for digital nomads.
8. Enjoy Da Nang’s Culinary Delights – Dinner with a View 🍜
Book a table at a rooftop restaurant along the Han River for a magical sunset and city lights experience while savour the flavours of central Vietnam. Must-try local specialties include:
- Mi Quang – The iconic turmeric-infused noodle dish of central Vietnam.
- Banh Xeo – Crispy Vietnamese pancakes filled with shrimp, pork, and fresh herbs.
- Fresh seafood – From grilled prawns to clams, caught straight from the coast.
- Banh Mi – Classic Vietnamese sandwiches with a variety of fillings.
- Vietnamese BBQ – Skewers, meats, and seafood grilled to perfection.
Da Nang’s food scene ranges from bustling street stalls to rooftop restaurants, offering something for every appetite.
9. Visit the My Son Sanctuary (Day Trip) 🛕
The My Son Sanctuary is A UNESCO site set in a lush jungle valley. It is renowned for its impressive collection of Ancient Hindu temples and sculptures, which date back to the Champa Kingdom. The site offers insight into the rich cultural heritage of the region and showcases remarkable architecture influenced by Indian culture.
You need to plan for at least 4 hours, which includes travel time to get there and back. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and tour groups. Wear a hat and take enough water or buy some at the entrance🥤.
👉 After exploring Da Nang’s stunning beaches, iconic bridges, and the breathtaking Hai Van Pass, don’t miss out on the other experiences in other regions -Plan your Itinerary with this Ultimate Guide to Visit Vietnam 🌅.
10. Explore Hoi An Old Town 🏞️
The historic town of Hoi An is approximately a 45-minute drive away, making it perfect for a day trip, unless you choose to stay overnight. A declared UNESCO Site, Hoi An is renowned for its unique blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architecture.
Is Hoi An worth visiting? Definitely – I’ve enjoyed 2 nights in Hoi An and would return at any opportunity – let’s dive in to what to expect in Hoi An.
The best things to do in Hoi An Vietnam
- 🎭 Wander and explore Hoi An’s Old Town: Explore the charming town and vibrant markets, stroll the narrow streets, and admire the well-preserved architecture. Don’t miss browsing cozy shops for unique local crafts and souvenirs.
- 🛶 Basket boat ride in the Coconut forest
- 🎐 Boat trip at Night – Enjoy a romantic Night Hoai boat ride with floating lanterns.
- 🍷 Savour Delicious Cuisine: Hoi An Restaurants are famous for its culinary offerings, including local specialties such as cao lầu (noodles), bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwiches), and fresh seafood. Book a table at a Riverside restaurant that overlooks the Thu Bon River – known for their modern dishes infused with Vietnamese flair🍹.
- 🏮 Vibrant Lantern Festival: The charming town of Hoi An is famous for its magical atmosphere, with colourful lanterns illuminating the streets and river at night. Every 14th day of the lunar month, the Hoi An Lantern Festival is celebrated.
- Tailor-made clothing and cosy shops: With numerous tailor shops and artisan boutiques, Hoi An is a perfect destination for those looking to purchase custom-made clothing, handcrafted goods, and unique souvenirs.
- 🏖️ Explore the Beaches: Just a short drive from the town centre, visitors can relax on beautiful beaches such as An Bang and Cua Dai. We’ve explored the town and markets on foot and cycled 🚲 to the beaches and surroundings.
- 🚲 Cycle around the Countryside: The surrounding countryside offers scenic cycling routes through picturesque rice paddies, traditional farms, and charming villages, providing an opportunity to connect with the local way of life.
👉 To make your time in Hoi An truly unforgettable, book a street-food safaris, lantern workshops, cooking classes, coffee masterclasses, coffee experiences and more await. Browse all the ✨ Best Hoi An trips and tours here!
Weather in Da Nang 🌤️
- Best time: Feb–May (sunny, warm, minimal rain).
- Summer: Hot but great beach weather.
- Rainy season: September–December (storms possible).
🌟 Discover the best trips and tours around Da Nang with GetYourGuide! From scenic Han River cruises and Golden Bridge excursions to cultural day trips and adventurous outings, GetYourGuide makes it easy to plan your perfect adventure.
Where to Stay in Da Nang 🏨
My Khe Beach Area – Best for beach access + cafés.
City Centre / Han River – Best for restaurants + nightlife.
Son Tra Peninsula – Quiet retreats + nature.
Riverside Hotel – Stunning view of the Dragon Bridge from your balcony (this is where I also stayed and captured the image above). I must caution you, however, that the city has a lively atmosphere, and the riverside can be quite noisy during the night.
👉 🛌 For the best accommodations and deals on Hotels in Asia, compare Hostelworld, Booking.com and Klook.
Getting to & Around Da Nang
- Fly into Da Nang International Airport (DAD) ✈️.
- Easy Train travel – key stop for trains to Hanoi, Hue, Dong Hoi, and HCMC 🚆.
- Buses – Long distance travel 🚌
- Taxi / Grab easiest and cheapest for getting around Da Nang 🚗.
- Scooter rentals are common (only if you’re confident) 🏍️.
- Tours large selection of trips and tours to attractions, Hai van Pass, and towns 🚐.
- Easy Riders Da Nang Easy Riders organises motorbike tours since the mid 1990s 🏍️ + 🚙.
👉 🔒 Travel Smart – Don’t hit the road without travel insurance.
Reasons to Visit Da Nang (or Skip It) 🔥
Why you should visit:
- Many top attractions in Da Nang
- Clean, modern city with lots of things to see and do.
- Mix of beaches, mountains and scenery
- Amazing food and cheaper than larger cities.
- Perfect base for Central Vietnam
🏞️ Make the most of your Da Nang trip! From beaches to mountains and everything in between, check out GetYourGuide tours for the best experience.
Why some travellers skip it:
- Not as quiet and charming as Hội An
- More a vibrant “city” than an “old town”
- Can be very busy in peak season
✨ If you love adventure, beaches, viewpoints, and great cafés – Da Nang is perfect addition to your Itinerary.
🗺️ How Da Nang Fits Into a Vietnam Itinerary
Most travellers combine the following:
- Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Hue → Da Nang → Hoi An → Nha Trang → Ho Chi Minh City
- Hue → Hai Van Pass → Da Nang → Hoi An → HCMC
- Hanoi → Ha Giang → Hanoi → Phong Nha → Hue → Hai van Pass → Da Nang → Quy Nhon → HCMC → Con Dao Island
The latter was my recent 3 week Vietnam Itinerary.
👉 Whether you want to sail along the coast, explore the mountains, or immerse yourself in local culture, there’s something for every traveller — don’t miss out – just click to secure your spot and make the most of your Da Nang journey!
🚀 Final Thoughts: Yes — Da Nang Is 100% Worth Visiting
Whether you’re exploring with a backpack, doing a city break, or road-tripping Vietnam, Da Nang is a destination that surprises you with its variety, beauty, friendliness, and energy and deserves a spot on your itinerary.
📌 If you’re planning a full adventure through the country, here’s my Vietnam Travel Guide with itineraries, and the top places to visit.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. A little help from my travel buddy, ChatGPT by OpenAI, and Grammarly Premium went into creating this post!
