Da Nang City is in the country’s center, almost halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang also has three World Heritage Sites: Hue Ancient Capital, Hoi An Ancient Town, and My Son Sanctuary. Da Nang City borders Thua Thien-Hue to the north, Quang Nam to the west and the east, and East Sea to the east.
What a beautiful season
Da Nang is located in a climate transition zone between the northern and southern hemispheres, with a tropical climate predominating in the south. Each year, there are two seasons: the dry season from January to July and the rainy season from August to December, with occasional cold spells in winter. However, they persist only for a short time and are not frigid.
From late December to late March, the weather is tranquil and pleasant, making it excellent for spring vacations. Hotel services and food prices at this time are said to be the most stable of the year. Visitors should bring a thin jacket because it can be cold in the evening, sometimes with spring rain.
Early April to mid-September: This is the most beautiful time to visit Da Nang, but it is also the busiest and most expensive period of year. April is the season for forest trees to replace yellow and red leaves on Son Tra peninsula.
Mid-September to late December: It is no longer hot, starting to sprinkle rain but not lasting long. The peak season has passed, so airfare, accommodation, and food are reasonably priced.
Read more: Popular tourist destinations in Vietnam: 9 destinations ranked in the world tourism award
Transportation
The tourists (if they come from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) travel here frequently, with round-trip tickets costing between 1,300,000 and 3,000,000 VND, depending on the time of year. Flight time is about 2 hours.
More time, visitors can take the train to experience the scenery along the way, especially the passage through Hai Van Pass if you go from the north. One-way train tickets from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang range in price from 600,000 VND to 1,100,000 VND, equating to soft seats with air conditioning and four air-conditioned beds. The travel time is approximately 17 to 18 hours.
If you intend to drive yourself, you must arrange a vacation to Da Nang for at least a week and have two drivers take turns driving. From Hanoi, it is ideal to start from noon or early afternoon and stay one night in Nghe An. If you go later, sleep in Thanh Hoa, departing for Da Nang the following day. You can stop in Quang Binh in the afternoon to rest and explore more.
In Da Nang, guests should rent a motorbike or car to move flexibly. The rental car service is quite convenient and may be delivered to the airport or hotel for an average price of 100,000 VND for motorbikes and around 1,000,000 VND for vehicles in a day.
Read more: Da Nang Travel: Where to play, what to eat, how to move, and everything you need to know (Part 2)
Hotel, Resort
Tourism in Da Nang is overgrowing. Visitors can easily find hotels with many different prices along the coastal road. Da Nang also boasts a variety of various types of accommodations, including homestays, apartments, and dormitories in the city center. You can choose your choice depending on your budget and preferences. However, it is advisable to reserve ahead of time to prevent room fires on weekends and during high seasons.
Popular 5-star resorts and hotels in Danang include InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa, Pullman, Furama Resort Danang, Four Points by Sheraton Danang, Novotel, Hilton,…The prices for rooms range from VND 1,200,000 to VND 10,000,000.
Where to play
Suburbs
Son Tra Peninsula
As a precious jewel of Da Nang, the Son Tra peninsula owns a sizeable primeval forest and many beautiful beaches, such as Tien Sa and Black Stone,… The peninsula route passes through areas with magnificent city views from above, for example, the top of Ban Co, Linh Ung Pagoda, Vong Canh house, and Son Tra lighthouse…
Visitors can participate in many attractive activities such as scuba diving, fishing with fishermen, admiring the city from helicopters, on the top of Chess Board… In particular, Linh Ung Pagoda located on the top of the hill, is also a point you should pay attention to. It houses the tallest statue of the Buddha in Vietnam, facing the sea. There are 17 floors in the figure’s heart, and each floor has an altar with 21 Buddha sculptures of various shapes, positions, and faces.
On the peninsula, there are sub-routes to many beautiful beaches such as Bai Bua, Bai Nam, Da Beach, Mui Ne… In addition, in this area, there are Son Tra banyan trees and thousand-year-old “deer” banyan trees with unique shapes suitable for photography.
The peninsula is also home to hundreds of animal species. In particular, the brown-shanked douc langur is known as the “primate queen” on Son Tra peninsula, with a population of about 300-400 animals, which are strictly preserved. To spot these herds, in addition to observing the colors emanating from the plumage, visitors need to listen when they sound or jump from one branch to another.
Note visitors need to preserve the natural landscape, do not feed wild animals. The roads banned from using scooters include the section from Hoang Sa Street to the multi-thousand-year tree, the intersection of Yet Kieu Street to the top of Ban Chess – North Beach, the junction of Yet Kieu Street to Om Stream, and vice versa. People and tourists often visit the Son Tra peninsula on these three main routes. Motorbike type of clutch, and the number is standard travel.
In addition, Son Tra peninsula is also attractive in pristine beaches. Nestled in a very beautiful strait, Buddha Beach (Buddha Bay) is where the sea meets the mountains. There is also Bai Bac, a newly developed destination of Da Nang tourism, located in the bay north of Son Tra. The sea around the peninsula has many beautiful coral reefs, but the littering and unconscious behavior of some divers watching corals such as stepping, pedaling, and breaking… cause severe damage.
Mo Stream
Mo Stream is one of the significant streams originating from Son Tra Peak – one of the most beautiful destinations like Fairyland, with white waterfalls, unique rock formations, blooming flowers, and sweet fragrances. Coming to Tien Stream, you will be immersed in beautiful and colorful nature.
Ba Na Hills
This tourist destination is about 40 km from Da Nang. When visiting the excellent sites such as Linh Ung Pagoda, Debay Wine Cellar, Le Jardin D’Amour flower garden, and Golden Bridge, visitors can experience the cold air and weather in all four seasons of the day… Overnight in the French village is also an exciting experience for guests to Ba Na.
Gieng Troi (Sky Well)
Located in Ba Na Nature Reserve – Chua Mountain, Heaven’s Well has a pristine landscape that inspires backpackers with picnics such as trekking, climbing, camping or bathing.
From the Ba Na cable car area parking lot, tourists must conquer 7.5 km of winding steep pass roads and cross the forest stream… The rest of the way is easy when you reach the first step. That’s why this place is like a different place. Two streams from the west of Ba Na forest converge at a canyon and then pour down.
Read more: Popular tourist destinations in Vietnam: 9 destinations ranked in the world tourism award
Ngu Hanh Son Mountain range
Ngu Hanh Son, located 8 kilometers from Da Nang’s downtown, is home to numerous sacred pagodas and a network of natural caverns. Following the long coastal road that attracts the eyes of Hoi An, opening in front of visitors is the giant “small island” named Ngu Hanh Son. With names named after the Five Elements theory, including Kim Son, Moc Son, Thuy Son, Hoa Son, and Tho Son, each mountain brings different legends and mystical beauty.
Most temples in this area face the mountains, which are not exceptionally high but are peaceful and sacred. With the cool breezes from the sea blowing in and the green space of mountains and trees, visitors will quickly feel a peaceful and serene world.
Hai Van Pass
Hai Van Pass is about an hour from the center of Da Nang by motorbike. The pass has a length of 21 km, with the highest peak being 496 m above sea level. Hai Van means “sea of clouds.” Jeremy Clarkson, the host of the British reality TV show Top Gear,…
There are currently two roads through Hai Van Pass: the tunnel through Hai Van Pass (not for motorbikes) and Hai Van Pass.
The road tunnel through Hai Van Pass is open daily, with fees. The tunneling time is 3 am to 4 am daily for cleaning, repairing, and maintaining tunnel items. If you follow the tunnel, you cannot admire the scenery or visit some famous places on Hai Van Pass.
Hai Van Pass is available every day and is free of charge. Visitors should choose this route to experience conquering the past and watching the scenery. Visitors should know the need to slow down whenever there is frost.
Nam O Reef
Located about 17 km from the center, Nam O Reef in Hoa Hiep Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District, Da Nang City. This is a long rocky beach with many strange shapes covered with green moss on the coast. Sunset and sunrise are two times when many look to rocky rapids for the right photos. In this region, there are also Nam O fish salad specialties and Nam O fish sauce, famous for being handed down through generations of sea villages here.
Ghenh Bang
Ghenh Bang has been a famous destination in Da Nang backpacking for about three years. This place is on Son Tra peninsula, about 15 km from Da Nang city center, opposite Hoang Sa Street. Ghenh Bang and Golden sand beach, Black rock beach… have created natural landscapes that attract tourists to explore. With a road with a sea length of about 2 km, Bang Rapids have flat sandy beaches, large and small rocky shores protruding into the sea, and coral reefs…
Craft villages
14 km southwest of the center of Da Nang, Cam Ne mat village is located in Hoa Tien commune, Hoa Vang district. This site has long been recognized for its traditional flower mats, which were originally discovered in the Nguyen Dynasty’s inner court.
Tuy Loan rice paper craft village is about 15 kilometers from the city center, in Hoa Phong commune, Hoang Vang district. Over 500 years old, the town is suitable for exploring Da Nang’s history. The village is well-known for its rice paper and Quang noodles.
Non Nuoc stone art village is located at the foot of Marble Mountain. The nearly 400-year-old traditional town is famous for its beautiful and sophisticated stone art products created by the skilled hands of artisans.
Read more: Da Nang Travel: Where to play, what to eat, how to move, and everything you need to know (Part 1)
Hoa Trung lake
This artificial lake serves domestic water and agriculture for the communes of Hoa Lien and Hoa Son in the Lien Chieu district. Floating islands surround the lake, suitable for tourists to explore, camp, and picnic. You should prepare enough food and water for overnight camping by the lake, but you must pay attention to cleaning up and bringing garbage home.
Hoa Trung Lake is 20 km from the center of Da Nang City, and you take about 40 minutes by motorbike to come here. From the town running Au Co road (Hoa Khanh market), you look in the direction of Ba Na and find the Hoa Ninh parish. Turn left to see the concrete road, and go through this road; you will see the trail is only 30 cm wide.
In the city
Bridges
Da Nang is recognized as Vietnam’s “City of Bridges. Dragon Bridge, Han River Bridge, Tran Thi Ly Bridge, and Love Bridge are the attractions that attract visitors to the scenery and check-in.
In particular, the Dragon Bridge is more crowded on three weekends when there is a dragon show of water spraying and fire spraying. From 9 pm, many tourists and residents gather on the bridge, on the banks of the Han River, or nearby high-rise buildings.
The Han River Bridge is Vietnam’s first swing bridge. The project also symbolizes the combination and consensus between the government and the people, funded by the people of Da Nang.
Thuan Phuoc Bridge is the largest cable-stayed bridge in Vietnam. The bridge is 1,856 meters long and 18 meters wide, with two abutments at each end and two cable towers sunk into the riverbed.
Tran Thi Ly Bridge is named after a heroine of the Quang Nam resistance movement’s fight against the US. Previously there was an old bridge of the same name but the new bridge replaced it as it is now.
My Khe beach
In 2021, My Khe Beach was ranked as one of the most fantastic beaches you have to be one time on the planet by Forbes magazine (USA). Website TripAdvisor also rated My Khe Beach among the top 25 of Asia’s most beautiful beaches. Pham Van Dong Street beach in Son Tra District is 900 meters long. While watching the sunrise on My Khe beach, you can watch more about the lives of fishermen on the island.
Museums
This is the only museum of Cham culture, preserving the relics of the ancient Cham Kingdom. The museum is open from 7h to 17h daily. Tickets cost 60,000 VND per visit, automatic narration services, viewing of artifacts information by application, and 4D scanning technology.
The Da Nang Fine Arts Museum can be found at 78 Le Duan in the Hai Chau District. The museum holds and exhibits more than 1000 modern artworks and artifacts of folk art and traditional handicraft products. Opening time from 8h to 17h daily, ticket price 20,000 VND per trip (50% discount for students).
The Buddhist Museum is located in Quan The Yin Pagoda, at 48 Su Van Hanh Street, Ngu Hanh Son District. Around 200 antique Buddhist relics are on display for visitors.
Danang Cathedral
Da Nang Cathedral was started in February 1923 on the open ground of Rue du Musée (now Tran Phu Street, Da Nang), designed and presided over by Father Vallet. Locals often call the project a close name of the Chicken Church because there is a characteristic gray chicken statue on the church’s roof.
Markets
Con Market, located on Ong Ich Khiem Street, is considered one of the beach town’s oldest and most significant marketplaces. Con Market is viewed as a snack paradise with many restaurants that are always crowded, selling a variety of food, from breakfast and lunch, most often afternoon snacks. Banh Beo rolled rice paper with pork, Quang noodles, snails, tea… many customers with the price from 10,000 VND. In addition to food, specialties purchased as gifts are sold as many types of fish sauce, squid rim tamarind, beef cha, tré…
Han Market is located in the city’s center, near the Han River Bridge, on four sides adjacent to Hung Vuong, Tran Phu, Tran Hung Dao, and Bach Dang streets. The market dates back to the 1940s, but because of its advantageous location for road and water traffic, it is becoming increasingly expanded and bustling.
The city has many seafood markets, but the most attractive area is still located along Vo Nguyen Giap Street and the coastal streets of Son Tra District, Da Nang. Here, the booths display all kinds of freshly caught seafood, from shellfish, snails, and crab, to fish, shrimp, and squid… very fresh.
Experience
View of Da Nang from helicopters and airplanes
The helicopter departed from the Saltwater airport and flew around to see the Marble Mountains from above. After that, the aircraft circled the Dragon Bridge along the Han River for visitors to see the Han River Bridge, Thuan Phuoc Bridge, and the impressive high-rise architectural blocks of the city.
Arriving at Son Tra peninsula, the helicopter circled to the sea, saw the giant statue of Quan Yin Buddha in Vietnam, then circled back along Da Nang beach to return to the Saltwater airport. The ticket price for a 12-minute tour is VND 2,140,000 per guest – 25% promotion from April 28 to July 31, 2022.
Surfing, sup paddling
You can sign up for surfing, surfing sup at Da Nang surfing school on the coast of My Khe. This is the first school in Vietnam to have instructors certified by ISA (International Surf Association). It is better if you have bathing suits and sunscreen ready. Mainly sup paddle classes are suitable for many people’s physical.
Cruise on the Han River
Boats take passengers from the tourist pier down the Han River, admire the city center at night, and admire the unique bridges of Da Nang. Vessels serve food, music… depending on the needs of visitors. Some tours offer the experience of sightseeing, dinner, and watching the Dragon Bridge spray fire… the ticket price is from 150,000 to 500,000 VND per guest.
Specialties
Quang Noodles
Quang noodles do not have the “immutable” formula but are very diverse in flavor, such as Quang noodles of meat shrimp, Quang noodles of snakehead fish, and Quang cha noodles of crab… Quang noodles are dry dishes; a bowl of noodles is always full of roasted peanuts and crispy grilled sesame rice paper.
Pork rice paper
A relatively simple dish, however, is carefully selecting the ingredients that make the word unique. The sauce of pork rolls is an irreplaceable dipping sauce. Pork rice paper sold at a rate of about 50,000 – 200,000 VND.
Nam O fish salad
The fish made in this dish can be from sardines, anchovies, or tuna… but the best is still herring. The unique feature of Nam O fish salad is the dipping sauce made from boiled fish juice mixed with Nam O fish sauce, chili, energy powder, and monosodium glutamate. In addition to the common vegetables, Nam O fish salad has forest toads, healthy barbs, brooch leaves, orchid hearts… which only grow on Hai Van Pass.
Sauce vermicelli
This is a famous specialty that is easy to find in Da Nang. A whole bowl of vermicelli with pork, pork ears, beef loaf, spring rolls, herbs, papaya, baby jackfruit, and a cup of seasoning sauce. The indispensable spice of the Quang dish is the taste of peanuts and crispy cake.
Grilled meat vermicelli
As well as fish sauce vermicelli, grilled meat vermicelli is a familiar dish to Da Nang. This dish is easy to find, costing about 15,000 – 30,000 VND per bowl. Grilled meat noodles in Da Nang are eaten with soy sauce; the fat and fat taste is made from pork liver, ground meat, soy sauce, and other ingredients.
