13 Best Things To Do In Da Nang

Da Nang is criminally under-rated, I see some people online declaring it “boring”, with “no culture” and “nothing to do”. To me that’s crazy and just not true. Da Nang offers pristine beaches, good surf, delicious food, mountains to explore and close proximity to fun day trip destinations like Hoi An and Ba Na Hills. This post will show you all the best things to do in Da Nang.

Danang is Vietnam’s 3rd largest city, with a population of 1.1 million it is often voted as the most liveable city in Vietnam. This coastal city boasts many kilometres of white sand beaches a calmer than Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh.

Tara Oh Reilly

Hello, I am Tara, the creator of this travel blog! I share guides, itineraries and tips about the places I have been to. I aim to bring you honest recommendations that will help you plan your trip. I have been travelling full time for 3 years with no plans on stopping anytime soon!

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Is Da Nang Worth Visiting?

I enjoyed my month in Da Nang and would recommend it for a beach holiday, surfers and people on an extended stay working remotely (there is a large digital nomad community here). I also think if you are doing a complete tour of Vietnam it is a fantastic place to unwind for a few days on the beach before going further north or south.

Where To Stay In Da Nang?

Accommodation in Da Nang is very affordable, you can get a fantastic room for about 520,000 VND ($20 / €20) a night. The quality of the hotels are exceptional, many offer a pool and gym with a view of one of the beaches

Budget | Jolia Hotel is only 300 metres from My Khe Beach. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and a shared lounge. Rooms are cosy with AC and large flat screen TV.

Mid-range | the 4-star Daisy Boutique Hotel has beautifully designed modern rooms, many have a large balcony overlooking the courtyard pool. Breakfast is included in the price. It is located 700 metres from My An Beach.

Luxury | located on My Khe Beach M Hotel this 5-star hotel is perfect for anyone looking to relax. Facilities include 2 pools, a gym, spa and hot tub. Rooms are modern, bright and spacious and cosy with both a shower and bath. Breakfast and afternoon tea are included in the price.

1. See The Dragon Bridge Night Show

Every Saturday and Sunday at 9 PM the bridge closes to vehicles and bellows fire and water from its mouth for 10 minutes. I personally was not expecting much from this show and prepared myself to be underwhelmed because a fire breathing bridge sounds very gimmicky. The moment I arrived I realised I got it wrong.

Hundreds (possibly thousands) of people gathered on the bridge, street venders were patrolling the streets selling food, drink and balloons. Once the first round of fire roared out of the dragons mouth I was amazed, it was really spectacular seeing huge clouds of fire disappear into the night sky. It only lasts 10 minutes and ends with the dragon spraying out water.

When visiting you should check out Cho Dêm Son Trà Market that is right beside it. This leads me to number 2!

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2. Cho Dem Son Tra Market

Do not visit the Dragon Bridge without checking out Cho Dêm Son Trà Market. The atmosphere is very lively, at the entrance is a kids play area and then you are at the beginning of the food area. The aroma of grilled meat really fills the air (to me that is a good thing) and I would strongly recommend trying the pork skewers and Bánh Xèo (crispy Vietnamese pancake). I did have bamboo rice but it had no flavour so would suggest staying away from that, the multi-coloured rice will probably catch your attention but do not be fooled!

There is also a large market area with vendors selling just about everything but the majority of stalls are selling clothes and dried fruit. It can be very busy and the paths are narrow, but you could find a great bargain here. For authentic things to do in Danang, this market should definitely be on your list!

3. The Marble Mountains

Only a 15-minute drive away from Da Nang are the Marble Mountains. They are made up of 5 mountains but only one can be accessed – Mount Thuy. There is a lot to see on this one mountain, caves, Hindu & Buddhist grottos, pagodas and a panoramic viewpoint. To get to the summit of the viewpoint you will need to climb about 100 steep steps but it is not a difficult climb.

Tickets cost 60,000 VND, If you have mobility issues there is a lift to where all the pagodas are and will cost you an extra 11,000 VND.

Tip: Be aware of some scammers, the minute we got out of the taxi a lady was shouting at us and following us trying to get us to follow here to the ticket desk. We ignored her but she was extremely pushy, I think she would have demanded money from us if she took us to the ticket desk. Just politely decline, keep walking and ignore.

^{if you see this little guy, let him know he’s a good boy!}

4. Helio Night Market

Helio Night Market is a compact but lively spot with lots of variety of food stalls and a fun atmosphere. Try foods like banh xeo, rice burgers, banh mi, fried chicken and skewered meats.

What makes Helio unique is the colourful light installations and decorative elements that create perfect backgrounds for photos. While the market isn’t huge, prices are reasonable, and I found the vendors to be less pushy than at some other tourist spots. It gets busiest around 7-8pm, so I’d recommend going a bit earlier if you want a more relaxed experience.

5. Lady Buddha

Towering over the Son Tra Peninsula at 67 metres tall the Lady Buddha can be spotted from the beaches of Da Nang. The statue is 17 floors and made of a single piece of marble. The surrounding grounds are just as spectacular with pagodas and temples. Surprisingly there is no entrance fee.

To get there you will have to drive but it is a fun journey along the winding road with views of Da Nang, also keep an eye out for some monkeys as they regularly make an appearance.

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6. Visit The Many Beaches

For anyone seeking relaxing things to do in Danang, beach-hopping should be at the top of your list. There are plenty of beautiful beaches to choose from whether you want quiet or lively you will find one to suit your needs.

The main beach is My Khe Beach, which is 32 miles long with white sandy beaches dotted with bars and food trucks. Forbes also named My Khe Beach as one of the six most beautiful beaches in the world. Its proximity to the city makes it a popular place among locals and foreigners. It is also a very popular spot for surfing.

Bac My An Beach is close to a number of resorts and luxury hotels that reserve areas of the beach, however, there are also parts accessible to the public.

Non Nuoc Beach is another beach that the resorts claim parts of so you might be asked to move to a different section if you settle down in the wrong place. However, this is just a mild inconvenience to rest on this pretty beach.

7. Walk Across Han River Bridge At Night

Walk across this bridge at night to see it light up in a kaleidoscope of colour, you will also see Da Nang skyline and the Dragon Bridge. The bridge often has people eating al fresco and just hanging out.

It is a nice and safe place to enjoy a walk and take a few photos of the skyline

8. Go Surfing

Da Nang is a surfing gem, My Khe beach, in particular, is the beach with the most surfing activity due to its consistent surf. If you are visiting to surf then October is the best time with 50% of the waves clean and 47% blown out. For anyone looking for exciting things to do in Danang, surfing offers an adventurous way to experience the city’s beautiful coastline

The Surf Shack offers surf lessons for beginners, guides are English-speaking and prices start at 1,174,750 VND, check out options here.

If you are more experienced you can rent a surfboard and wetsuit from Surf Shack with prices starting at 234,950 VND for an hour.

9. Visit Ba Na Hills

Ba Na Hills is a popular theme park/resort made up of rides, restaurants and cable cars. One tip, thoroughly check the weather before booking because we went on an extremely wet and foggy day and had to miss a lot of the attractions. Read about our experience here. We had a fun day but I would not recommend visiting in the rain, it is just not worth it.

^{Bana Hills in the rain :/}

The main things to do in Bana Hills are the 3 cable car routes, the majestic hand bridge, the alpine coaster, fantasy park arcade games, gardens and the French village.

I booked my ticket through Klook, which also included a bus transfer and a meal voucher for the buffet. You can check ticket availability here.

10. Take A Day Trip To Hoi An

It takes only 40 minutes to reach the ancient town of Hoi An from Da Nang, it is a very touristy place but is beautiful and should not be missed. When planning things to do in Danang and the surrounding area, a day trip to Hoi An provides a perfect contrast to the modern coastal city.

When you are there I highly recommend a cycle through the rice fields, a ride on a coconut boat and trying some local cuisine such as Cao Lou & Bánh Bao Bánh Voc.

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11. Have Fun At Asia Park

While everyone rushes off to Ba Na Hills or Hoi An, Asia Park sits right in the city and gets overlooked. Its star attraction is the Sun Wheel, standing at a massive 115 meters tall it gave me the most gorgeous sunset views over Da Nang. Trust me, it’s worth timing your visit for sunset!

The park is split into three zones with different vibes; the Asian area with cultural exhibits from different Asian countries, the European section with its charming architecture, and the adventure zone packed with fun rides. There are lots of food options, reasonably priced at around 100,000 VND per dish and actually pretty tasty.

If you’re visiting on weekdays, you’ll practically have the place to yourself, which means no queues for rides! Tickets cost around 300,000 VND, but I’d recommend checking Klook for discounts as I managed to score a 20% off deal. For anyone looking for fun things to do in Da Nang at night, Asia Park should definitely be on your list.

12. Sip Cocktails At A Rooftop Bar

Da Nang’s rooftop bar scene is honestly one of the city’s best kept secrets! After spending hot days exploring or lounging on the beach, I found myself drawn to rooftop bars for sunset cocktails. The views are absolutely jaw-dropping, imagine sipping an ice cold mojito while watching the Dragon Bridge light up and the city transform as day turns to night.

Sky 21 Bar & Bistro for sprawling beach views on the 21st floor.
The Roof for sea views and Hookah
Dragon Ball Rooftop for views of the Dragon Bridge show

Most bars have happy hours from 5-7pm with drinks at half price, which saved me a ton! If you’re visiting Da Nang, spending at least one evening watching the sunset from one of these rooftops is absolutely essential, just make sure to book ahead for the best tables, especially on weekends.

13. Visit The Pink Cathedral

Da Nang’s pink Cathedral is an interesting spot in the city centre that’s worth checking out. This distinctive pink church (officially the Da Nang Cathedral) stands out with its Gothic spire and was built during French colonial times in 1923. Locals call it “The Chicken Church” because of the weathercock sitting atop the spire.

The church features some nice stained glass windows and maintains an active congregation. It’s free to enter, though remember to dress appropriately. If you’re exploring the city centre, it’s a worthwhile stop that shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes of your time.

Where To Eat In Da Nang

Da Nang has amazing food options, yo can find just about any cuisine here. My favourite area to go was My An Beach, the side streets had brilliant options.

Bikini Bottom Express: this place does incredible food, their poutine is unreal. The menu has smash burgers, tacos and sandos. I also recommend the coconut coffee.
Esco Beach Bar: beautiful views, good food and nice cocktails along My Khe beach. The menu has Western food like pizza and burgers along with classic Vietnamese food. The pho and spring rolls were great.
Ngon Ha Noi: delicious authentic Hanoi style pho in a relaxing space. Not only is the food insanely good but the restaurant is ran by a super friendly family. We came here numerous times during our stay.
Patakka: incredible cosy family-run Indian. You gotta try the panipuri.
Bep Cuon: great place to try lots of authentic Vietnamese dishes like congee, pho, banh xeo and bun cha.

Best Time To Visit Da Nang

For dry weather, the best time to visit is between April and August. However, I was there mid February to mid March and the weather was hot with just a few showers . The hottest month tends to be May with average temperatures of over 30 C. Monsoon season is from September to March and is considered to be the off-peak season. Rain tends to come in bursts, arriving quickly and ending just as fast. If you do not mind some rainy days then you can save on accommodation costs and experience a quieter Da Nang.

Da Nang FAQ

Da Nang or Nha Trang?

They both have their appeal but Da Nang is a better all-rounder, you can take day trips to Ba Na hills and Hoi An, the beaches are livelier and there are better food options. You also have a wider choice of restaurants. Nha Trang has a gorgeous beach and is hotter but there is not that much to do and bars/restaurants are not of the same quality.

How many days is enough to spend in Da Nang?

3 – 5 days is a good amount of time to spend in Da Nang. This will give you time. to experience the beaches, night markets, marble mountains and a day trip to BaNa Hills.

Should I stay in Da Nang or Hoi An?

Both are brilliant destinations that offer a completely different experience. Da Nang is a glamorous and modern beach city whereas Hoi An is a charming ancient town with large number of tourists. Da Nang is a better city to base yourself, there is much more to do and is more affordable.

Can you walk around Da Nang?

Da Nang is safe to walk around, there are many footpaths, a promenade along the beach and Bach Dang Pedestrian Street.

13 Best Things To Do In Da Nang – Ultimate Travel Guide

Is Da Nang Worth Visiting?

Where To Stay In Da Nang?