Da Nang is a coastal city in central Vietnam. Da Nang isn’t that popular amongst tourists compared to nearby places such as Hue and Hoi An and thus gets overlooked. Don’t let this put you off though. There are still many things to do here and the attractions aren’t as crowded as in other places in Vietnam which is great. To see first-hand what this city has to offer, we decided to visit and see what it has to offer. Here are our favourite 6 things to do in Da Nang, Vietnam.
Do you want to read this later? Save this PIN on your Vietnam Board on Pinterest and read it later ⬇
❥Also Read: Is Vietnam Safe? Things to look out for
6 Things to do in Da Nang Vietnam
1. Marble mountain
Marble Mountain is the first attraction on the list, and it’s probably the best thing in Da Nang. This attraction is made up of five marble and limestone hills that’s located in Ngũ Hành Sơn District, that’s south of Da Nang city. These five mountains are named after the five elements: Kim, Thuy, Moc, Hoa, and Tho.
The entrance fee is 15 000 Dong per person which is the only fee you will have to pay if you decide to take the stairs up and down. You can take a lift to the top of the mountain, but it costs an additional 15 000 Dong per person one way (30 000 Dong for both ways).
Once you’re at the top of the mountain, you can see temples, caves, and some beautiful viewpoints. There are a variety of things to see and do, so be ready to explore. There are also people selling drinks and snacks at the top.
Opening hours for Marble Mountain is from 07:00 to 17:30.
➔Tip: If you want to save some money, don’t take the lift up, rather climb the stairs. There aren’t many stairs to get to the top of the mountain.
❥Also Read: 10 Unique Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
2. Son Tra Mountain (Monkey Mountain)
After the Top Gear trip through Vietnam, Hai Van Pass has become very popular. The only problem is that this Pass is far away from the main town of Da Nang, so we could not get there with the scooter.
Instead, we found another absolutely incredible road. Son Tra Mountain is a beautiful rainforest that is over 4000 hectares, making it a perfect place to explore.
This is a hidden gem that not many people know about and a place that we found by pure luck. This coastal road snakes along the coastline with some stunning views of Da Nang city and the ocean.
There is also Tượng Phật Bà Quan Âm Temple and a Pagoda to visit on the way, along with beautiful, untouched beaches. The condition of the road is fantastic and it’s a safe place to go for a scooter ride due to the wide roads.
This is such a relaxing and beautiful place that made us fall in love with Da Nang.
❥Also Read: 5 Beautiful Things to do in Mui Ne, Vietnam
3. The Dragon Bridge
This bridge is unique to Vietnam and the longest of its kind. It was designed and built in the shape of a dragon, which in Vietnam means good luck.
The Dragon bridge has become the main attraction in Da Nang and became an iconic attraction in Vietnam. The bridge is 666 meters long and is something that you will only find in Da Nang.
➔Tip: At 21:00 pm every Saturday and Sunday, the Dragon breathes real fire! If you are in the area, you don’t want to miss it.
4. My Khe Beach
This beautiful beach stretches over 30 kilometres with soft golden sand and chairs to relax on under umbrellas. The water is clear, clean, and perfect for swimming.
You can also enjoy some water sports such as parasailing and jet skiing. Spend a perfect day on the beach by renting some chairs and umbrellas for the day.
Many locals consider this to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam and we have to agree. Across the road from the beach, you can find many seafood restaurants and shops.
➔Tip: The best time to go to the beach is in the morning to mid-day. After 16:00, the beach becomes extremely busy as most people come to swim when the sun starts to go down. Our favourite time to go was in the morning to mid-day because almost no one was on the beach. Vietnam’s sun is very hot so be careful, keep hydrated and wear sunscreen.
5. Cho Han Market
This incredible market has around 2000 small stores and is always buzzing with people. You can buy anything from fruit, coffee, shoes, souvenirs, and so much more at this market.
Come here with a lot of money and make sure you are getting the best deal. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, stop by and see all the strange and unusual things for sale.
Opening Hours for Cho Han Market are from 06:00 to 19:00 daily.
❥Also Read: 3 Day Travel Guide for Hoi-An, Vietnam: The Ultimate Guide
6. Da Nang Cathedral
This beautiful church was built in 1923 and became one of Vietnam’s most famous Cathedrals because of its amazing design and its unique pink colour. With stained glass windows and a big bell tower, this cathedral is the perfect place to capture some photos and admire the beauty.
The locals’ nickname for this cathedral is “Con Ga” which means “Roster Church”. This comes from the iconic rooster-shaped weathervane on top of the bell tower.
Opening Hours for Da Nang Cathedral are from 06:00 to 16:40 and the entrance is free. Remember to dress conservatively as this is a church.
Is Da Nang worth visiting
Absolutely. Da Nang is an incredible place filled with beauty and adventure. This city’s popularity among travellers is currently growing at an alarming rate, and there’s a good reason for that. It might not be as touristy as other cities close by such as Hue and Hoi An, but it’s a great place to go to for a few days. If you want beaches, mountains, markets, and nature, then you will love Da Nang City.
Attractions near Da Nang
Our list doesn’t include the Golden Bridge and the Ba Na Hills because they aren’t actually located in Da Nang. These attractions are however very popular when you are in the area. They are located in the neighbouring provinces of Hue and Hoi An.
Da Nang Tours
Amazing tours in Da Nang and beautiful attractions around Da Nang in Vietnam.
How many days do you need in Da Nang?
3 days are perfect for Da Nang City. There are many things to do around the city but in 3 days you will be able to do and see most things this city has to offer. We recommend coming over the weekend to see the Dragon at the Dragon Bridge breathe fire. We also recommend visiting Hue and Hoi An whilst you are in this area in Vietnam.
Best Time to Visit Da Nang, Vietnam
The best time to visit Da Nang is between February and May. The rainy season is from September to January and the temperature is high from May until September. However, the province is cooler than it should be because it’s so close to the Pacific ocean. Try to avoid visiting Da Nang during the summer months from June until the end of August because this is when Da Nang become a very popular destination for domestic tourists.
❥Also Read: Top 10 things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam
How to get to Da Nang
Da Nang is a medium-sized city so there are numerous ways to get here from anywhere in Vietnam. Here are some of the ways to Da Nang from the main cities in Vietnam.
How to get from Hanoi to Da Nang
There are 3 main ways of getting to Da Nang from Hanoi; bus, train and plane.
The cheapest way is by taking a sleeping bus. These buses are not that comfortable but they are designed for you to sleep while embarking on your journey. However, this option will be a long journey.
The second option is to take the train. There is a train station in Da Nang, Da Nang Railway station, which can take you to many cities across Vietnam. The train takes longer and costs more than the busses but it’s a lot more comfortable and safer.
The last option is by plane. You can fly to Da Nang International Airport from Hanoi. This option is the fastest and most comfortable choice but it will also be the most expensive. Da Nang is far from Hanoi and we would recommend flying.
How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang
Traveling to Da Nang from Ho Chi Minh city is easy. There are 3 options to choose from, bus, train and plane.
Taking a bus is the cheapest way but it takes a long time and is not very comfortable but they also use sleeping busses so you can sleep.
Taking the train to Da Nang Railway station is an easy and comfortable option. The train will take a bit longer than a bus but it’s more comfortable and safer.
Flying to Da Nang International Airport is the fastest and most comfortable way to get to Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh city.
Always compare the prices of each mode of transport. Sometimes you will get extremely good deals.
Where To Stay in Da Nang, Vietnam:
Some of the best hotels in Da Nang Vietnam:
Some of our links are affiliated, we will earn a commission when you buy a service or product. This will have no extra cost for you.
Hi, we’re Chane & Jonathan!
We hope you’re enjoying our free travel guides & tips! If so, please consider supporting our work.
