DISCOVER DA NANG CITY:  TOP ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN THIS COASTAL

Da Nang, Vietnam’s coastal gem, is a city that perfectly balances the bustle of urban life with the serenity of nature. Da Nang offers visitors a variety of experiences, from relaxing beach days to thrilling adventures. I will introduce to you all you need to know before traveling to Da Nang City, as well as the top attractions to visit in Da Nang.

Da Nang City – one of the top worth living city in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Where is Da Nang?

Da Nang is a major coastal city in Vietnam, situated between Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south, and Da Nang is approximately 961 km south of Ho Chi Minh City. It is located immediately south of the well-known Hai Van Pass, which divides Da Nang from the historic city of Hue to the north.

The old village of Hoi An, the Imperial City of Hue, and the My Son Sanctuary are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and Da Nang is the ideal starting point because of its position.

Da Nang, one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing cities, is a major port due to its advantageous coastal location. With its flawless fusion of beaches, mountains, historical sites, and contemporary infrastructure, it has established itself as a premier tourist destination.

In Vietnam’s Central Region, Da Nang is the biggest city.

2. How to get there?

Da Nang is easily accessible via air, road, and train, making it convenient for both international and domestic travelers.

-By Plane: Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is the third-largest airport in Vietnam, with direct flights to and from several international cities like Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Seoul. It also has numerous domestic flights from major Vietnamese cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. You could check airfare prices through Agoda or Traveloka apps to get the best deals. After you arrive at Da Nang Airport, you can book a grab car or taxi to your hotel, it takes about 3-4 km to the downtown.

-By Train: The Reunification Express runs along the length of Vietnam, with a stop in Da Nang. If you’re taking the train from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the countryside, including the dramatic Hai Van Pass.

-By Car/Motorbike: Adventurous travelers can opt to drive or ride a motorbike along the scenic routes from Hue or Hoi An. The Hai Van Pass, known for its winding roads and breathtaking views, is a popular route for motorcyclists. However, it will take about 18-19 hours from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang City.

I recommend the best transportation to Da Nang is by plane because it can save your time to make you have the perfect trip when you enjoy in this city.

3. The ideal time to travel Da Nang

Da Nang experiences a tropical monsoon climate, characterized by consistently warm temperatures with minimal variation. The city has two primary seasons: a dry season from January to July and a rainy season spanning August to December.

The average yearly temperature in Da Nang is about 25°C. During the peak summer months of June, July, and August, temperatures range from 28 to 30°C, while the cooler months of December, January, and February see temperatures drop to around 18 to 23°C.

The best time to visit Da Nang is during the dry season, which typically runs from February to August. During this time, the weather is warm and ideal for beach activities, sightseeing, and exploring the outdoors.

4. Top things to do in Da Nang

4.1. My Khe Beach

One of Da Nang’s biggest draws is its stunning coastline, and My Khe Beach is the most popular of them all. Frequently listed as one of the best beaches in Vietnam, My Khe offers soft white sands and clear blue waters perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.

My Khe Beach is located right on Vo Nguyen Giap Street, about 3km southeast of Da Nang city center. It has 3 bathing areas, about 900m long.

My Khe Beach

My Khe Beach is a must-visit for you to enjoying a sunset, relaxing under a parasol. There are also lots of local restaurants offering reasonably priced Da Nang specialities and fresh fish.

Address: Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Da Nang City.

Opening Hours: all day.

4.2. Marble Mountains

Marble Mountains, also known as Ngu Hanh Son, are a group of five limestone peaks in Da Nang’s coastal dunes that go by the names Kim Son, Moc Son, Thuy Son, Hoa Son, and Tho Son. Since Thuy Son is the biggest, highest, and most picturesque of them, it is a well-liked travel destination for travellers looking to discover and push their boundaries in the great outdoors.

Marble Mountain

Visitors are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the entire Marble Mountains, the far-off cities, and the charming beaches of Da Nang when reaching the summit of Thuy Son. These vistas give the voyage an even greater sense of fulfilment.

In the Marble Mountains, you can also go rock climbing and abseiling if you’re more adventurous.

Address: No. 81, Huyen Tran Cong Chua Street, Da Nang City.

Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily.

Ticket Entrance: 40.000 VND/person (1.6 USD)

4.3. Hai Van Pass

The main site in Da Nang that visitors simply must see is the Hai Van Pass. After being highlighted in a Top Gear episode, it became well-known worldwide and has since grown in popularity as a destination for motorbike enthusiasts and travellers looking for unusual experiences in Da Nang.

Hai Van Pass

This mountain pass, which stretches 21 kilometres between Da Nang and Hue, provides stunning views of the ocean. Travelers now have easier access to the pass because of the substantial decrease in traffic on the route caused by the construction of a new highway tunnel.

Address: border between Thua Thien Hue and Da Nang provinces.

4.4. Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge

Ba Na Hill, the most stunning Ba Na Mountain in Da Nang, sometimes called Chua mountain, is home to the well-known tourist destination. At a height of 1480 meters, the centre of Ba Na Hills is situated. Views of Da Nang’s serene landscape, the smell of the clean air, and the call of wide space are all visible from this location.

Ba Na Hills is an ideal tourist destination for many young people at home and abroad when coming to explore Da Nang.

Visitor enjoyment at Ba Na Hills is enhanced by an abundance of captivating games. The Mountain Train is one of the best leisure experiences available here and should not be missed. First of its kind in Vietnam is this mountain train. Enjoying views of the incredibly rare historic Debay wine cellar, the D’Amour flower garden, and the Linh Ung Pagoda while seated on the train is an option for tourists.

Coming to Ba Na Hills, you will experience the feeling of four seasons in one day, which is extremely special.

A popular check-in location in Ba Na Hills is also the Wax Museum. The numerous lifelike and distinctively placed statues of well-known individuals fill the rooms of this first-ever wax statue exhibition space in Vietnam.

Children can also have fun playing games indoors with these options. Alternatively, guests can enjoy playing electric automobiles, shooting, sliding on water pipes and watching 4D and 5D movies. There are lots of tourists that come to this popular entertainment location every day.

Fantasy Park is an exciting amusement park with over 100 games inspired by two famous novels.

According to my experience of traveling to Ba Na Hill on your own, you can choose to eat Buffet at Bee Plaza restaurant or choose to eat at restaurants in Ba Na Hill.

However, when you come to visit Ba Na Hill, you must buy a cable car ticket to go up to Ba Na.

Ticket price for cable car: 900.000 VND (37.5 USD) for adult and 750.000 VND (31.25 USD) for children, however the prices can be update for the time.

4.5. Son Tra Peninsula

Son Tra Peninsula is well-known as one of Da Nang’s most popular tourist destinations due to its lengthy shoreline, serene sea, breathtaking scenery, ancient forests with an abundance of flora, and revered pagodas. As a result, this location is regarded as a tourism hotspot in Da Nang, ideal for the growth of ecotourism, spiritual tourism, and marine tourism.

The Son Tra Peninsula is roughly 60 km2 in size, with one side touching the mainland and three sides bordering the sea.

Son Tra Peninsula

You should visit Son Tra Peninsula between March and September, which is the dry season, to truly appreciate its magnificence. The brilliant blue sky and dry weather at this time will make it ideal for you to swim, explore ancient woods, climb mountains, and visit pagodas.

Address: Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang City.

4.6. Linh Ung Pagoda

Linh Ung Pagoda is one of the best spiritual travel places in Da Nang. This is a holy and pure area where guests can unwind and find tranquilly. There are currently three Linh Ung pagodas in Da Nang that provide visitors stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Linh Ung Pagoda

The highest statue of Buddha Quan Am in our nation right now is the Linh Ung Pagoda. This statue is situated atop a hill that is more than 100 meters high. Its diameter is 17 meters wide, its lotus base is 35 meters broad, and its height is equal to 17 stories. There are roughly 21 statues of the “Buddha in Buddha” that can be worshipped on pedestals on each floor. This statue can reach a maximum height of 67 meters.

Address: Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang City.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily.

4.7. Love Bridge

Love Bridge, which is situated along the banks of the Han River, and is a 68-meter-long arc-shaped structure and one of Da Nang’s most popular attractions, especially for couples.

At the bridge, couples often bring or purchase padlocks from nearby vendors, which they attach to the bridge as a symbol of their love. After securing the padlock, they toss the keys into the river and share romantic moments together. Besides, you can take a photo to capture the memories in this love bridge.

Love Bridge – top attractions in Da Nang City

Address: Tran Hung Dao Street, Da Nang City.

Opening Hours: all day.

4.8. Dragon Bridge

Dragon Bridge, a six-lane structure, is a favorite spot for photographers due to its striking design. Shaped like a golden dragon, this unique bridge is captivating at any time of day. However, it becomes particularly popular on weekends, when vibrant LED lights illuminate it. Starting at 9 PM, the dragon breathes fire and sprays water, attracting large crowds of tourists eager to witness the spectacle.

Dragon Bridge

5. Essential tips for travel to Da Nang City

-Best time to visit: Dry Season (January to July) is ideal for outdoor activities, beach time, and sightseeing.

-How ​​to get around: Rent a motorbike for flexible and affordable transportation, especially for exploring places like the Marble Mountains or Hai Van Pass. In addition, taxis and ride-hailing apps like Grab are convenient, but check that the fare is reasonable.

-Currency and Payments: Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the local currency, but many places accept USD.

-What to wear: Light, breathable clothing is essential for the hot weather.

-Must try local cuisine: Don’t miss local specialties like Mi Quang (Vietnamese turmeric noodles), Banh Xeo (crispy pancakes), and fresh seafood.

-Safety Precautions: Da Nang is generally safe, but as with any city, keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded places.

-Booking Accomodations Early: Book in advance during peak seasons (April to August) to secure better deals, especially if you’re staying near the beach or in popular tourist areas.

These tips will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip to Da Nang City!