Da Nang is one of the most favorite bustling city in Central Vietnam that offers spectacular mountain views, white sandy beaches, and plenty of activities to keep adults and kids entertained for hours! You’ll need at least three days in the city of Da Nang to explore all of the highlights, and even more to spend time relaxing at the beach or by your hotel pool.
Today, VietnamTour Travel will share with you about our favorite 10 things to do in Da Nang to help you plan your upcoming trip!
1. Lounge on the Beach
Da Nang is the special destination for those who seeking for relaxation time. So one of the top things to do in Da Nang involves not doing anything at all! Just lounge on the beach, soaking up the sun and sipping on ice cold beers. There are a few beaches to choose from:
My Khe Beach is a gorgeous stretch of coastline that stretches from the base of the Son Tra Peninsula to the Marble Mountains and is just a short three miles from the city center of Da Nang. This white sandy beach has calm, clear water that is perfect for swimming. There are plenty of lounge chairs available for rent and you’ll love relaxing with a book in one hand and a cocktail in the other.
Non Nuoc Beach is south of My Khe and is filled with cute beachfront restaurants, luxurious resorts, and two international golf courses. It’s a bit further from the center of the city but you probably won’t want to leave your lavish beach resort anyway. Non Nuoc is far less crowded than My Khe so your lounging experience will be far more peaceful.
2. Enjoy the Water Activities
Danang offers several exhilarating water activities available for a charge at My Khe Beach for adventurous seeking visitors. You can rent a jet ski or see the view of the coastline from above in a parasail. Adults and children alike will have plenty of fun water sports options to choose from.
And if you stay at the Sheraton Grand Resort Danang, they offer sailboat and winder surfing instructions for any experience level. Or you can simply rent a kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or surfboard and enjoy the ocean without an instructor.
3. See the Dragon Bridge Breathe Fire
This beautiful place is not only famous for the beautiful landscape, stunning beach but also for wonderful bridges. There are several remarkable bridges that you should visit during a trip to Da Nang. But arguably the most impressive is the Dragon Bridge which is 545 feet long, constructed of steel, and is in the shape of a massive fire-breathing dragon. And it actually does breathe fire – every Saturday and Sunday evening at 9 pm sharp.
The waterfront area surrounding the head of the dragon starts to get crowded at around 8:30 pm, especially right on the bridge. So if you would like to have an unobstructed view, plan on arriving early to secure a spot. The dragon bridge breathes fire twice, each time separated by about two minutes. And then it breathes water twice, again separated by about two minutes. Depending on the wind direction, if you are standing on the bridge, prepare to get soaked.
The fire display is unique and one of the top things to do during your trip to Da Nang!
4. Hike Around the Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains are located about 20 minutes south of Da Nang, towards Hoi An. This area is made up of five marble and limestone mountains, each named for an element. They are Thuy Son (water), Kim Son (metal), Moc Son (wood), Hoa Son (fire), and Tho Son (earth). All five of the mountains have interesting natural caves and tunnels to explore, as well as Buddhist temples built into them.
Thuy Son Mountain is the most popular and it’s a steep 150 steps to the top. If you’d rather not make the climb, there is also an elevator that you can take. Here you’ll find three caves and a secret “road to heaven” where you can hike through one of the caves to the peak where spectacular views await. There is a trail that leads down from the top if you’d rather not go back through the cave.
But be sure to arrive early to beat the heat and the crowds. The marble rock inside of the caves is quite slippery so shoes with traction are recommended.
5. Shop in the Da Nang Markets
Han Market and Con Market are both good options if you are looking for designer knock-offs or souvenirs to bring back home. Be prepared to negotiate prices. Common treasures to purchase from Vietnam include colorful lanterns that light up the town of Hoi An, lacquerware, straw purses, silk robes, and wood carvings.
If you are interested in purchasing a marble statue, there are plenty of shops around the entrance to Thuy Son Mountain selling impressive marble (and resin) statues of all shapes and sizes.
6. Spend a Day at Sun World Ba Na Hills
Things to do in Da Nang: Danang Vietnam: Golden Bridge at Sunworld Ba Na Hills
The Sun World Resort in the Ba Na Hills is home to the now-famous Golden Bridge. Construction was completed in 2018 and already visitors are flocking to photograph this bridge that appears to be held up by two massive, ancient hands. It has become one of the more popular sites to visit in Da Nang.
A cable car will take you up to the massive resort that sits in the hills, 4,800 feet above sea level. The Sun World complex includes not only the Golden Bridge but also a French village, a wine cellar, multiple impressive temples and pagodas, an alpine slide, a fantasy park, a funicular, and multiple restaurants serving up food from all over the world.
7. Motorbike Around the Son Tra Peninsula
The Son Tra Peninsula (aka Monkey Mountain) is located just outside of Da Nang’s city center. In fact, when you are lounging on My Khe Beach you can see the majestic Goddess of Mercy, an impressive 228 feet in height, from across the bay. This peninsula has a conservation order that has kept it from getting over-developed so you’ll get to enjoy its unspoiled natural beauty.
8. Visit the Mỹ Sơn Ruins
Things to do in Da Nang: Danang Vietnam: Visit the My Son Ruins
The ancient Mỹ Sơn Ruins are just west of Hoi An and about an hour’s drive from Da Nang. It’s easy to take a day trip to My Son from either Hoi An or Da Nang. Mỹ Sơn was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom between the 4th and 13th centuries and its spiritual origins are in Indian Hinduism.
9. Enjoying Snorkeling in the Cham Islands
If you are looking to explore the underwater beauty that Da Nang has to offer, you’ll want to book a snorkeling tour in the Cham Islands. It’s a cluster of eight islands where you’ll find gorgeous beaches, amazing diving and snorkeling, and delicious seafood. The crystal clear turquoise water is home to vibrantly colored coral and marine life.
10. Take a Day Trip to Hoi An
Things to do in Da Nang: Danang Vietnam: Day Trip to Hoi An
The darling town of Hoi An is just a short 45-minute drive south of Da Nang. If you’re short on time, you can just go for the day but we would absolutely recommend spending a few days in this quaint town. The pedestrian-friendly downtown area is filled with historical buildings painted a vibrant yellow and colorful lanterns hung from every tree.
