Top 15 Things to Do in Da Nang, Vietnam
Looking for fun things to do in Da Nang Vietnam? Here’s the ultimate list
Da Nang, a vibrant city on the east coast of Vietnam, used to be a relatively unknown destination for travelers. But it’s quickly becoming popular as more people discover this beautiful beach town. Inexpensive to visit, there are so many interesting things to do in Da Nang, you might have to keep coming back again and again!
Bill and I spent almost 2 weeks exploring Da Nang on our trip around the world. We went to several of the big tourist hotspots, but we also spent a lot of time just wandering around the streets, down narrow alleyways and in the local neighborhoods. Someday, we’ll come back to Da Nang for a much longer stay.
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My Favorite Things to Do in Da Nang
#1 – The Lady Buddha
Along the coastline of Da Nang, on the Son Tra Peninsula, is one of Southeast Asia’s largest Buddha figures, known as the Lady Buddha. Measuring 67 meters tall (220 feet), she’s visible from all over the city, all the way across the bay.
It might seem like this relic is hundreds, even thousands of years old, but she’s surprisingly recent. Building started in 2004 and was completed in 2010. It’s a very popular spot with both locals and tourists. Read more details here.
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#2 – Linh Ung Pagoda
The gorgeous grounds surrounding the Lady Buddha are called the Linh Ung Pagoda. We spent several hours there exploring all of beautiful sculptures, gardens and statues. There is so much to see and look at. The area is also known as Monkey Mountain, and yes, there are monkeys everywhere!
The absolute best part of this whole area is that it’s FREE to visit. Donation boxes are available if you wish to support the local monks. And it’s open from 6 AM to 9 PM. We took a Grab from our hotel and the driver waited until we finished exploring.
#3 – The Dragon Bridge
The Dragon Bridge is a symbolic icon for the city of Da Nang. Opened in 2013, it’s almost a half mile long and features 6 lanes of traffic.
At night, it glows in all different kinds of ever-changing colors.
And on weekend evenings at 9:00 PM, the Dragon bridge actually shoots fire and water out of it’s head! Thousands of people gather near the end of the bridge to watch the show, enjoy live music and eat delicious Vietnamese food.
Our friends Joanna and David recommend “We like to go to the side near Molly Coffee and Marina Coffee, just across the street from La Cabana House of BBQ. We usually find a spot to sit somewhere where trees aren’t blocking the mouth of the dragon. Also, if you go a ways further towards the Marina Restaurant/DHC Marina, there are chairs set up along the river where you can sit, buy a drink, and watch it go off.”
We recommend getting there by 8:00 to find a spot to sit, have a drink and watch the show. There’s great people watching while you wait.
#4 – Ba Na Hills and the Golden Hand Bridge
A trip to Ba Na Hills is a whole experience that you shouldn’t miss while in Da Nang. About 45 minutes away from the city, it offers stunning mountain views, cable car rides, beautiful and delightful sculptures, European castles, gardens and so much more. It even has roller coasters and games to play. We spent an entire day exploring this property and around every corner was more “surprise and delight”. It ended up being my very favorite thing to do in Da Nang!
The Golden Hand Bridge features two enormous stone hands, supporting the platform of the bridge walkway. It’s an iconic photo opportunity so you need to get there really early to beat the crowds. But don’t go if it’s foggy or raining. Best to choose a clear day between January and August.
Here are 3 different options for guided tours to Ba Na Hills, each offering different experiences, price points and group sizes:
- Golden Hand Bridge – Ba Na Hills including buffet lunch – This full day activity gives you ample time to explore all that Ba Na Hills has to offer and it includes lunch.
- Ba Na Hills Private Tour – This private guided tour is totally customizable for your party. Tell the guide what you want to see and they will customize the tour for you!
- Ba Na Hills with Golden Hand Bridge Private Tour – Explore the highlights and also the less crowded parts of Ba Na Hills with your private guide.
#5 – The Da Nang Beaches
Many people come to Vietnam and Da Nang, for the main purpose of enjoying the beaches. Miles of soft white sand, warm waves, restaurants and food trucks line the beach. We saw lots of people playing beach volleyball and soccer too.
The most popular Da Nang beaches from top to bottom on the map:
- Man Thai Beach
- Da Nang Beach
- My Khe Beach – also known as China Beach because the US sailors and soldiers came here to relax and surf during the war
- Non Nuoc Beach – less crowded
In the evenings, the Da Nang beaches are still a hub of activity with live music, dancing and more good food and drink!
#6 – Hoi An Old Town
No trip to Central Vietnam would be complete without a visit to nearby Hoi An’s Old Town. We spent several days wandering through the colorful alleyways and busy streets, soaking up all the smells, colors, sounds and tastes. We even did a 3 hour Food Tour in Hoi An that gave us a great overview of the most common Vietnamese foods.
Hoi An really comes alive in the evenings when the lanterns are lit and the boats set sail on the river. Here are 3 different options for guided tours to Hoi An from Da Nang, each offering different experiences, price points and group sizes:
- Guided Tour to Marble Mountains & Hoi An, Night Market, and Boat Ride – This private tour can be customized to your specific needs and wants. Includes Marble Mountains, Hoi An and a Sampan Boat Ride.
- Hoi An Coconut Boat & Hoi an Ancient Town – This half day tour shows the best parts of Hoi An, including experiencing basket boats in the coconut forest, followed by dinner in the Hoi An Night Market and a tour of Hoi An ancient town. This one does not visit the Marble Mountains.
- Marble Mountains – Hoi An Ancient Town Sunset Tour – Visit the scared sites of Marble Mountain and Buddhist monuments, then explore Hoi An in the late afternoon and evening to learn about the many highlights as the sunsets.
#7 – Amazing Vietnamese Food
Another one of our favorite things to do in Da Nang was to try all kinds of new and different Vietnamese foods.
We ate at this restaurant called the Vietnom Eatery four times because the food was SO GOOD!
It was a combination of four separate restaurants in once place with a great outdoor eating area so we could watch the people strolling by on the streets.
All of the restaurants in Da Nang had so much amazing food and it was very reasonably priced. We could have a filling meal for two for about $10 USD. I think our least expensive meal was just over $3 USD for both of us!
We also hear that Vietnamese coffee is really fantastic. Our friends Joanna and David said one of their favorite things to do in Da Nang was visiting all the beautiful cafes, sampling many different coffees and learning which ones are their favorites.
Are you hungry yet? Check out our fun Food Tour experience in Hoi An!
Other Popular Things to Do in Da Nang
#8 – Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains are a popular attraction just outside of the city and it’s easily one of the most popular things to do in Da Nang.
Featuring temples and caves inside the mountains, beautiful gardens, grottoes for meditation, scenic overlooks and pagodas, the five peaks are named after universal elements of earth, metal, fire, wood and water.
Several tours include the Marble Mountains in their itinerary, including these tours described above – Guided Tour to Marble Mountains & Hoi An, Night Market, and Boat Ride and Marble Mountains – Hoi An Ancient Town Sunset Tour
If you want to spend more time wandering around, you could also take a Grab (the Asian version of Uber) there from the city, buy an admission ticket and then explore at your leisure. So many amazing sights to see!
#9 – Hai Van Pass
Gorgeous scenic mountain views are your reward if you travel to Hai Van Pass, on the road between Da Nang and the city of Hue. A fellow traveler said a motorbike is the best way to see it.
There are several ways to see Hai Van Pass:
- Hai Van Pass-Lang Co Eco Tour By Boat with Oyster Tasting – This trip combines the climb to Hai Van Pass with a Oyster Tasting experience, cooked fresh for you right on the dock. It sounds amazing!
- If you take any type of transit between Hoi An/Da Nang and Hue, you are likely to stop at Hai Van Pass to take in the views. Note: Most of these tours are one-way only, not round trip. Read the description carefully.
- All the day trip tours to Hue (see #15 below) are likely to stop at Hai Van Pass for photo opps.
- Rent a motorbike in Da Nang and head up the highway on your own! But then “Hang on tight!” as the roads are extra curvy.
#10 – Son Tra Night Market
All of the Night Markets in Vietnam offer fresh cooked food for unbelievably low prices. Also available at the Night Markets are souvenirs, crafts and clothing items.
The Son Tra Night Market is one of the most famous in Da Nang and is located right near the Dragon Bridge.
#11 – My Son Sanctuary
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the My Son Sanctuary offers visitors a glimpse the historic past of the Champa Kingdom. It reminds me of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Located about an hour from Da Nang, there are several tour options to reach it:
- Guided Private My Son Sanctuary from Hoi An or Da Nang – – this half day tour offers a knowledgeable guide to help you explore the 4th century site of temples and ruins.
- PRIVATE My Son Temples Adventure: Off The Beaten Path – – This unique half day tour includes learning the traditional techniques for creating artisan crafted bricks and terra cotta pieces before discovering the ruins of the My Son Sanctuary which was built from those bricks. Follow up with a traditional Vietnamese meal.
#12 – Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture
This museum, located near the western end of the Dragon Bridge features almost 300 artifacts from the Cham Kindgom, preserved and presented to educate people about this important dynasty. It’s a great place to visit for history buffs, or for anyone on a rainy afternoon in Da Nang.
#13 – The Da Nang Cathedral
Many people stop by for a photo op at the Cathedral of Da Nang, a striking cotton-candy pink structure that opened in 1924.
For some reason, the locals call the building “The Rooster”. It is located at 156 Trần Phú, Hải Châu 1, Hải Châu, Đà Nẵng 550000.
#14 – Da Nang Downtown and the Sun Wheel
Located on the western bank of the Han River, the Da Nang Downtown amusement park features all kinds of entertainment and activities, including roller coasters, games, restaurants and a giant ferris wheel called the Sun Wheel.
Formerly known as Asia Park, the Da Nang Downtown area has three main zones: a cultural park featuring architecture and artwork from 10 Asian countries, a modern outdoor park, and the Sun Wheel. The park is free to enter, but the attractions and rides may have a ticket price.
#15 – City of Hue and the Citadel
The ancient and historic city of Hue is a former capital of Vietnam, located north of Da Nang by a few hours.
It’s main attraction is the 19th century Citadel, a UNESCO site complete with a moat and thick stone walls. It houses the Forbidden Purple City, The Emperor’s Private residence and the Imperial City.
There are several ways to experience Hue and all it’s historic treasures on these full-day tours. Each one offers different highlights, group sizes and food options.
- Hue City and The Citadel via Hai Van Pass Daily Small Group Tour – This small group tour lets you sit back and enjoy the views in an airconditioned vehicle. Once in Hue, your guide will showcase all the magnificent aspects of the Citadel.
- Full-day Hue Imperial City From Da Nang – After a quick stop at Hai Van Pass, your tour continues to Hue and the Citadel where you guide will lead you through the enormous complex.
FREE and Cheap Things to Do in Da Nang
The Da Nang area offers numerous free and inexpensive things to do, including:
- #1 & #2 – The Lady Buddha and Linh Ung Pagoda – Entrance to the grounds is completely free and so is the parking.
- #5 – The Da Nang Beaches – My Khe Beach, Da Nang Beach, Non Nuoc Beach – The beaches themselves are free, but sometimes you have a walk aways down to find a free opening to the beach. Many of the parking lots along the road charge for access, disguised as a parking fee or a shower fee.
We were able to gain free access to the beach on a pathway next to the Muối Biển Seafood Restaurant – 51 Võ Nguyên Giáp, Bắc Mỹ An, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Đà Nẵng 550000, Vietnam. - #3 – The Dragon Bridge – The sound and light show is free every night, including on the weekends when the dragon blows fire and water on the East end of the bridge.
- #10 – The Night Markets – Free to attend and the food is so inexpensive, it almost feels like it’s free!
- #14 – Da Nang Downtown – The amusement park is generally free to enter unless a special event like a concert is happening. But activities within the park may incur ticket costs.
- The neighborhoods of Da Nang or Hoi An – We spent many hours exploring the meandering streets and alleyways of both Da Nang and the Old Town of Hoi An. Delightful scenes around many corners and we also got a taste of how the locals live away from the high tourist spots.
Short on Time in Da Nang? Here’s 7 Options
If your time in Da Nang is limited to just a day or two, here are some tours that hit the best highlights.
If you only have one day:
- Golden Bridge – Monkey Mountain – Dragon Bridge – Marble Mountain Full-day Private Tour – This one is perfect if you only have one full day in Da Nang and you want to see it all.
- Da Nang & Hoi An: Food, Sightseeing, Culture & Hidden Gems – Quickly cover the best of both Da Nang and Hoi An in this one day private tour of 5-6 hours.
With just two days:
I would recommend doing one day at Ba Na Hills & the Golden Bridge, then a separate day for the things closer to Da Nang and Hoi An.
Ba Na Hills Experiences:
These 3 great options for Ba Na Hills, each offer different price points, group sizes and experiences:
- Golden Hand Bridge – Ba Na Hills including buffet lunch – This full day activity gives you ample time to explore all that Ba Na Hills has to offer and it includes lunch.
- Ba Na Hills Private Tour – This private guided tour is totally customizable for your party. Tell the guide what you want to see and they will customize the tour for you!
- Ba Na Hills with Golden Hand Bridge Private Tour – Explore the highlights and also the less crowded parts of Ba Na Hills with your private guide.
Da Nang / Hoi An Experiences:
- DANANG Marble Mountain, Monkey Mountain, Lady Buddha PRIVATE TOUR – Including Marble Mountain and the Son Tra Peninsula (no Hoi An), this 4-6 hour flexible tour has lots of options for type of touring vehicle and with / without a meal.
- Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains, Coconut Jungle & Hoi An City Tour – This full-day tour includes Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains, a basket boat ride through the jungle and a tour of the highlights of Hoi An.
Conclusion: Is Da Nang Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! There is so many things to do in Da Nang and the surrounding areas. Between the beaches, the temples and pagodas, the mountains, the wildlife and the amazing FOOD, it’s an awesome and vibrant place to visit for any length of time.
Next time we come back to Vietnam, we’ll probably stay in Da Nang for a month or two.
FAQs
Do I need a car in Da Nang?
You do NOT need a rental car in Da Nang. It’s a very walkable city – we spent tons of time walking through the neighborhoods to reach restaurants and the beaches. There is tons of public transportation available – research it on the 12Go Asia App. Or you can hire a Grab (their version of Uber) very inexpensively.
Alternatively, you can rent a scooter for your time in Da Nang. We met several travelers who rented scooters to get around town. Ask at your hotel/accommodation for a local reference to a scooter rental.
How do I get to Da Nang?
The city of Da Nang has a very convenient International Airport, located just 10 minutes from the downtown area. Flights within SE Asia are very affordable on regional airlines such as VietJet, Vietnam Airlines or Air Asia.
There are also trains and buses that can take you to different Vietnam and SE Asia cities. Check the Go12 Asia app. For example, the bus or train from Da Nang to Hanoi is available for $25-85 USD, but they take 15-19 hours of time.
For us, we found the slightly higher price to fly from Da Nang to Hanoi (about $100 with luggage) to be worth it because it only took 1.5 hours!
How many days should I spend in Da Nang?
That all depends on your overall itinerary and your interest in the things to do in Da Nang described above. We spent almost two weeks there on our 8 month trip around the world and if we go back there someday, we would probably choose to stay for at least a month or more.
We met lots of travelers who choose to stay in Da Nang for 3-4 months because it was so affordable and they found plenty of things to do there. They rented a 2 bedroom apartment for $300-$400 a month, then settled in to “live like a local”.
But if you’re on a shorter 2 week vacation, then you might only choose to spend 3-4 days there before moving on to another area of Vietnam.
More Info on Da Nang and Vietnam
Many more posts about Vietnam and Da Nang available, including some that I’m still working on. You are invited to subscribe to our newsletter using the form above so you can be “in the know” when new content is added to Achieve Your Bucket List.
- A Guide to Ba Na Hills – The Golden Hand Bridge & So Much More
- 10 Super Fun Things to Do in Hoi An – A Colorful Photo Tour
- Vietnamese Food is Simply Delicious – And Affordable Too!
- 15 Epic Things to Do in Da Nang, Vietnam
- Lady Buddha – An Awesome Place of Peace and Tranquility
- Coming Soon: Vietnam Facts & Travel Tips – What You Need to Know
- Coming Soon: Our Day Trip to the Lady Buddha
- Coming Soon: Things to do in Ninh Binh/Tam Coc
- Coming Soon: Our 3 day Junk Boat Cruise on Ha Long Bay
- Coming Soon: Birds & Wildlife of Vietnam
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