7 Things to Do in Da Nang - Viet Nam
Are you planning an upcoming trip to Da Nang? Find out the 7 things to check off your bucket list that will make any upcoming travel to Da Nang unforgettable.
Da Nang is the third largest city in Vietnam and is known for a slower pace of life. Da Nang is a beach lovers' paradise, a perfect blend of the historic Hanoi and the modern values of Ho Chi Minh City. Our guests continue to be amazed at how quickly the days fly by and the limitless amount of family-friendly found in this municipality.
Dragon Bridge: The Iconic Symbol of Da Nang
As soon as you enter the city, you will immediately recognize this must-see Da Nang attraction. Opened to the public in 2013, it was unveiled alongside the 38th anniversary of Da Nang’s liberation. It is one of the longest bridges in Vietnam with a total distance of 666 meters. During the daytime, the dragons are quietly sleeping and connecting drivers across the Sông Cần Giuộc River. However, the dragons come alive on the weekends and offer a free fire show, starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Plan your vacation to include at least one night standing below the bridge with the crowd while enjoying an ice cream or one of the other many vendor snacks.
The Dragon Bridge is not the only must-see structural Da Nang attraction, and we encourage all Da Nang visitors to drive across the Tran Thi Ly Bridge for a second architectural marvel. Originally constructed in 1950, it was renamed in 2013 to pay homage to the revolutionary activist Tran Thi Ly.
Ba Na Hills: A Day of Adventure and Entertainment
This is a place to visit near Da Nang that is suitable for all ages. The scenic drive will take around 45 minutes and you will be instantly transported into a fairytale setting. Arriving at Ba Na Hills, you will purchase your ticket and embark on one of the longest cable cars in the world. Opening to the public in 2013, the total distance of the cable car is 5,801 meters (19,032 ft) and holds the title for the longest non-stop single-track cable car.
At the peak, you’ll arrive at Chua Mountain, which hosts attractions like the French Village, Fantasy Park, Alpine Coaster, and Tombstone Temple for free. Ba Na Hills is also the location of the popular social media Golden Bridge. Featuring two gold hands that appear to hold tourists in the air, the bridge is 150 meters long (490 ft) and will be an excellent photograph opportunity.
Day Trip to Hoi An: Exploring the Ancient Town
While Da Nang is a fun and relaxed beach town, Hoi An is a must-see place to visit nearby. Recognized for the marble mountain and ancient town, the total journey from Da Nang to Hoi An will only take an hour. You can select booking a private car rental for the day or be bold and take a bus from Da Nang city center directly into Hoi An’s ancient town.
Once you arrive in Hoi An, you’ll be swept up in a time travel frenzy. The ancient town offers an aesthetic glimpse into what life could have been like and we encourage you to challenge the local tailors for a quick turnaround on handmade shirts, pants, or a full suit. This will be a full-day trip full of opportunities to rent bicycles and feast on Hoi An’s culinary centerpiece, cao lầu.
Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture: Unveiling Ancient Artifacts
Da Nang attractions are not limited to beautiful beaches or fire-breathing dragons. You can also explore museums. There is a museum for everyone in Da Nang, including the Fine Arts and Zone 5 Military museums. We recommend exploring the Museum of Cham Sculpture and experiencing first-hand one of the unique and historical things to do in Da Nang.
The Cham people are an ethnic minority that has been in Vietnam since the 17th century and made their homes in the Ninh Thuan or Binh Thuan Province. While Da Nang is located in the Quang Nam Province, all the artifacts and artwork have been carefully transported to Da Nang. This is the only Cham museum in the world and visitors can see exhibits with pieces dating back to the 7th and 15th centuries.
Son Tra Peninsula: Nature's Retreat with the Lady Buddha
Drive to this outdoor thing to do in Da Nang on days when you’ve had enough of the sand and surf. Only 10 km from Da Nang city center, The Son Tra Peninsula is where you can hike the Son Tra mountain and watch 100 endangered species living in harmony including pygmy slow lorises, rhesus macaques, and red-shanked douc langurs. The mountain is also where tourists can marvel at the tallest Buddha statue in Vietnam surrounded by lush scenery and vocal animal kingdoms.
The Lady Buddha statue is a main tourist attraction and you’ll lose your breath standing looking up at the impressive 67m statue as it welcomes visitors into the Linh Ung Pagoda. This vertical sculpture is equivalent to a 30-storey building. The Lady Buddha is also surrounded by a 35m lotus-shaped foundation. It’s an impressive piece of art within the 18th-century pagoda.
Da Nang by Night: Vibrant Nightlife and Night Market
Each area of Vietnam boasts a unique nightlife and market vendors. A night market is a thing to do in Da Nang that everyone from locals to tourists enjoys! You’ll have a chance to get lost in the magic of smokey food stalls, refreshing ice cream, and bright lanterns above. Da Nang has at least 7 night markets - so it doesn’t matter what day you arrive in the city, your dinner and evening plans are sorted!
The most famous Da Nang night market is the Son Tra Night, which takes its name from the mountain mentioned above. Son Tra night market continues to be a popular thing to do in Da Nang due to its amazing location. Nestled in between the Dragon Bridge and Love Lock Bridge, guests of the city can witness everything from young love to fire-breathing dragons all in the same evening. Other honorable night markets include Le Duan Night Market, Helio Night Market Da Nang, Han River Night Market, and the newest market addition opening in 2019, Thanh Khe Tay Night Market.
Family Fun at Asia Park: Thrills and Entertainment for All Ages
Asia Park was constructed by the Sun Group to bring a world-class amusement park into central Vietnam. For family and friends looking for things to do in Da Nang, the Asia Park will pack hours of fun into your afternoon across a sprawling 868,694 sqm on the western bank of the Han River. Conveniently, only forty minutes from Da Nang city center leave in the morning and return in the evening with new memories.
A main attraction that draws a crowd at Asia Park is the Sun Ferris Wheel, which soars to an exhilarating height of 115 m. After getting a special view of Da Nang and the surrounding area, families can wander the park and enjoy various rides, cultural displays plus the central clock tower which highlights time zones across the globe.