One of Vietnam's major cities. With Da Nang having an international airport, we expected the city to be one of the most popular. We weren't disappointed. It was interesting to learn a great many UK residents decide on retiring to Vietnam. The prospect of retirement to this city is real, you can imagine yourself living here. Having traveled to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi City too, you don't get that same impression, as you do with Da Nang City.
And those thoughts feel strange to you because you've come to Da Nang for a holiday, plans for nothing more. Continue reading to discover the must-see attractions Da Nang is becoming famous for; you won't be disappointed that's for sure.
Nightlife in Da Nang is amazing with some nice touches. The city has a fair share of its own luxury looking bars and nightclubs, as anywhere else in Vietnam. One club we were at was Sky36 Club. The bar staff are very friendly, helpful to explain the various cocktails to you. Local beer too, on sale from 30,000VND a bottle.
Are the nightclubs not for you? Don't worry, the city is safe for strolling at night. Strolling along the Han River is quite pleasant and refreshing. Streets are clean by the way, litter free and there's no rowdiness either. You can actually go for a walk and enjoy the city experience.
We did on several occasions. Having ate in the restaurants, on one holiday trip afterwards we lost ourselves. The city has a nightscape that's flashy, glitzy and dare we say, romantic? The walkway along the river goes on for miles it seems. Walking the length of it one way, and to return finally to your hotel consumes a bit of time. During which you do gander many sights, such as the tourist cruise boats weaving up and down the river.
City life in Da Nang has a lively and vibrant, energetic feel to it. The night culture of cafes and restaurants and bars well into the early hours.
Da Nang's night market is one more feature of the city and its international status. Compared to the markets of Hoi An further south of the city, cuisine in Da Nang's market is from all around the world. Got a favorite dish you enjoy back home? Chances are you'll find your dish, like for like in this market.
Hoi An Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town has many attractions and landmarks, which you must see for yourself. A short journey from Da Nang by private taxi, an hour leaving Da Nang City you arrive. The town makes for an enjoyable day out of Da Nang, having visited the attractions you wanted to visit. A day trip is usually the case for many holidaying in Da Nang City, but we would argue for you to stay at least one night.
The town dates back to 15th century. A part of the Silk Road from China to Japan, the route opened up due to the town's three rivers. Strolling through the town, you can only admire the architecture. The colorful buildings, what once were houses are now modern-day cafes and restaurants. Chic shops too, and a large market with vendors selling all manner of touristy things. The market is like a maze in fact, very easy to lose your way. Consider yourself forewarned.
The town harbors to this day, influence from periods of long ago. Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese characteristics that are ancient. Obviously, the French influence is bold too. Discover more about this amazing town and its history, read our separate travel guide (link below).
There are 5 mountains that jut out of the flat Da Nang landscape and they're unmissable. Used by the Cham people for hundreds of years for worship, the mountains are now a tourist attraction. It's the largest of the range we are interested in, on closer inspection you see mount Thuy Son having a myriad of hidden caves and tunnels with as many shrines and temples.
You will be swept up in their history as you explore all the shrines within, and the expansive cave system is bewildering as you nudge your way around everyone else seeking what you seek.
A short journey outside of Da Nang you come across the Ba Na Hills resort accessible only by cable car. From your cable car as it climbs you get a splendid view of the rocky outcrops. Forest jungle cover beneath you blanketing rolling hills as far as you can see.
The resort was a French colonial holiday retreat. Traditional European influences continue to exist as seen in architecture of many buildings. The resort is open all year round and there's always a festival atmosphere going on. We spent a Christmas and New Year in Da Nang, visiting the resort it was glammed up perfectly. Crowds at the time comprised of families from Vietnam, China and Singapore. European tourists as well, we should mention were there in numbers.
The Golden Bridge gives visitors a panoramic view of the jungle far below. It's one feature of many that thrills many a visitor. There are many things to see and do, arrive early and leave late to enjoy it all.
The peninsula has a varied landscape including beaches and forested jungle. It's where you may clasp your eyes on the rare red shanked Douc monkey. Whilst we did see a lot of tourists on two wheels, we took four. You can grab a taxi to take you there from the city for US$20 one way. There are always taxi drivers waiting for fares, don't worry about how you get back to the city and your hotel.
Enjoy the sights, including the 69m tall Lady Buddha. It's difficult to put into words how large these Buddha are. The Lady Buddha is visible on a clear day from the beach's away in the distant Da Nang City. Ask your driver about the Son Tra Linh Ung Pagoda and Linh Ung Pagoda. The gardens are always busy with tourists year-round. Worthwhile you make a visit.
The dragon stretches over the Han River and is quiet during the week, but it comes alive each weekend. Late evening on Saturday and Sunday you are assured a crowd form on the bridge (closed to traffic for the attraction of course) and the surrounding area for this spectacular event. It happens but once only each evening, so you do not want to miss it, arrive early.
At around 21:00 hours the dragon flares out a flame of fire in anger for several minutes and if you are fortunate enough to be standing close enough you can actually feel the heat below ― but don't worry it is entirely safe. Afterwards the dragon sprays water as a reflection of the ambitions of the city, be sure to have an umbrella at hand.
The show put on is something special and unique to Vietnam and shouldn't be missed. If you don't want to stand in the crowd you can book a space on one of the boats early as part of a tour and see the show from the water at a distance. When the dragon is quiet it often can be seen glowing, cycling from one color to another during the night, sleeping.
A marine biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO there are a number of Islands grouped closely together off the coast of Da Nang. The Islands are also within easy reach of Hoi An so it's possible to book a tour from the ancient town too ― there are boats to the Islands daily.
You really do want to visit this Island for the beaches alone and there are quite a few to enjoy:
There is rich underwater marine life to admire and typical of Vietnam there are mountains and dense forest to explore ― great for backpackers.
Da Nang is truly an international city. A growing number of people of many nationalities actually have come to live and work in Da Nang purely for how accessible it is. This is the sense you feel when you visit the many attractions and eat out and so forth. Not as famous maybe, as Hanoi in the north or Ho Chi Minh further south but all the same Da Nang manages to hold its own.
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