Vietnam's fifth-largest city, Da Nang has much to offer. From barely touched, natural paradises, to the bustling life of the city center, a Da Nang itinerary is as diverse as can be. While already a great standalone destination, Da Nang's central location and close proximity to the ancient city of Hoi An make it a necessary stop on any Vietnam tour.

Good to Know:

• Getting There: Da Nang International Airport is one of the three major Vietnamese air hubs. It has many connections to other large hubs in South and East Asia. If you're from the region or willing to book a layover, fly directly into Da Nang. Alternatively, you can fly into Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Both cities have regular sleeper trains connections with Da Nang, taking between 15 to 20 hours.
• Getting Around: While there are multiple bus lines servicing the city, most tourists opt to use taxi cabs or motorcycle taxis to avoid having to navigate public transport or local traffic.
• Where to Stay: Stay in the city center, close to the Hàn River to experience Da Nang's bustling atmosphere. If you're looking for a more tranquil place to stay, consider finding accommodation in the nearby city of Hoi An.
• When to Visit: The best time to visit Da Nang is during the springtime. The temperatures usually range from 22° C to 31° C (71° F to 88° F). Avoid the rainy season between September and November.
• How Long to Visit: Da Nang can both be the main destination or simply a stop along a Vietnam Trip. As a minimum, you should plan to stay 5 full days in the city. But a 10 or more day Da Nang itinerary is easily filled, as well.
• More: Check out our Explore Vietnam Trip and keep an eye out for our upcoming Hoi An trip for more!

Highlights:

City Center:

Da Nang's most memorable attraction is the Cau Rong Bridge, also known as Dragon Bridge right at the heart of the city. Weaving along the length of the bridge are the golden arches of an enormous dragon statue, that illuminates the river by night. Every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm, the dragon begins to spew water and fire in an extraordinary spectacle that should not be missed.

When you're not exploring the city's surroundings by day, you will most likely be spending time at one of the many gorgeous beaches. Da Nang's My Khe Beach is often named among Vietnam's (and even Asia's!) best beaches. The 10 km (6 miles) long sand stretch runs along the city's eastern shore and offers plenty of amenities that make it the perfect location for a chill beach day. Toward the evenings, My Khe tends to be more crowded so opt for a morning visit. Although My Khe is gorgeous, the city has plenty more amazing beaches as well!

But despite its many sights, what Da Nang does best is street food. Throughout the city, you will stumble upon street vendors selling you delicious Vietnamese specialties, but the best place to enjoy the food is at one of the many night markets throughout town. Son Tra and Helio night market in the city center are two of the most popular choices for visitors to try the food. Helio Market also has an event area, with live music and even concerts on the weekends. Combine that with arcade games and bright lights and you've got the perfect nightlife setting.

Marble Mountains:

Located at the southern edge of Da Nang are the Marble Mountains, five limestone and marble rock walls that majestically tower over the city. Thuy Son is the only mountain of the five open to the public. A staircase cut into the rock lets visitors climb up Thuy Son, passing by cave entrances and historic pagodas along the way. If you're more adventurous, look into joining a rock-climbing or rappelling tour. Luckily, there is also an elevator available, taking visitors up to the top of the mountain. No one needs to miss out on this experience!

Ba Na Hills:

High up in the Annamite Mountains, at 1.5 km (1 mile) above sea level, lies the resort town of Ba Na Hills. Originally built by French colonialists in 1919, the center of Ba Na strongly resembles gothic French villages. While a relic of the past, many people still come to Ba Na to experience the European-like atmosphere. Contrasting this style, there is also an area where you'll find a small replica of Hoi An's waterways and another area dedicated to Buddhist spiritual sites, such as the Linh Ung Pagoda. Besides the town center, Ba Na offers multiple attractions, such as a giant indoor amusement park and an outdoor alpine roller coaster, which travels along the hillside. Most notably, however, Ba Na is the location of the Instagram-Famous Golden Bridge, held up by two enormous hand sculptures. The resort is a very popular tourist destination and is usually full of visitors. The Golden Bridge is a stunning sight, but often very crowded. Still, a visit to Ba Na should be on your itinerary. Riding the alpine rollercoaster is a lot of fun, especially because of the overwhelming view of the Da Nang bay and Annamite Mountains. But Ba Na's main attraction is the cable car ride up to the resort: with almost 6 km (3.7 miles) in length it is the world's longest non-stop cable car connection that lifts you into the clouds on its way to Ba Na Hills.

Son Tra Peninsula:

Extending out from Da Nang and into the East Vietnam Sea is Son Tra Peninsula. Most of the peninsula is covered in dense rainforests and its coast is lined with pristine beaches. Rent a scooter and set aside a full day to explore this small piece of paradise. Son Tra Peninsula is known for its diverse monkey species, that freely roam the jungle and occasionally also the roads, earning it the nickname "Monkey Mountain". Seeing a monkey in the wild is an exhilarating experience for many people but be careful not to disturb them. To the south of the peninsula, at Linh Ung Pagoda you will find a monumental Buddha statue. Interestingly, the 67 m (220 ft) tall statue depicts a female interpretation of Buddha! While Lady Buddha can be seen from anywhere in the city, stopping by the statue on your way out to Monkey Mountain is very much worth it.

Hai Van Pass:

The Hai Van Pass is a 21 km (13 mi) long mountain pass over the Annamite Range, connecting Da Nang with the nearby town of Lang Co. The windy road is among the most famous scenic drives in the world, after having been featured on an episode of Top Gear. From the pass, you have an extraordinary view over Da Nang and Lang Co bays. If you're confident about renting a scooter, car, or motorbike, then definitely go for it! As an alternative, you can join a guided tour or simply take the bus or train to Lang Co to ensure that you don't miss out on this special experience.

After your ride over the Hai Van Pass, you will reach the village Lang Co. Spend your lunchtime here enjoying the delicious seafood by the beautiful scenery of Lap An Lagoon.

Bach Ma National Park:

If you're a fan of the outdoors and the wonderful diversity our world has to offer, you do not want to miss out on Bach Ma National Park. The enormous jungle area lies just between Da Nang and Hue and is home to over 330 species of birds and over 1400 plant species. Much of the wildlife in Bach Ma is very rare and sadly many species are in danger of going extinct, so tread carefully and be aware of how special the area is. Bach Ma has many great hiking trails that lead you through untouched nature all the while boasting stunning panoramic views of the mountains. Bring binoculars on an early morning bird-watching hike, make your way to the peak of Bach Ma Mountain or trek through colorful rhododendrons to Do Quyen waterfall - exploring Bach Ma will never be boring.

Hoi An:

Just a short drive south from Da Nang lies the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An. The ancient city showcases Vietnam's traditional side and strongly contrasts the metropolitan style of Da Nang. More coming soon!

Cu Lao Cham Islands:

Another great day trip to take from Da Nang or Hoi An is to the Cham Islands. Located just off the mainland, they are a small island group with extraordinary wildlife, both above and below the water's surface. Read more about the Cham Islands in our upcoming Hoi An trip!