Social media has nicknamed Da Nang “the Miami of Southeast Asia” because of its beautiful beaches and lively nightlife.
However, after spending a few months in Da Nang and a few years in Vietnam, we’ve learned Da Nang is so much more than beaches and parties (although this is a big appeal for many).
Here’s a list of all the best things to do in Da Nang, Vietnam, whether you’re visiting for the first or the tenth time.
Da Nang City Attractions
Here’s a complete list of the most fun things to do in Da Nang City. These are within the city limits and easy to get to (either by motorbike, Grab, or walking).
1. Spend a day on My Khe Beach
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My Khe Beach is the most famous in Da Nang and is worth checking out. It starts in the city center and stretches about 1.9 miles (3 km). It’s a spacious beach, so there’s plenty of space to lounge, walk, or play. Some volleyball courts and other events are set up on weekends (like community-building activities for local businesses or school events).
A boardwalk runs the length of the beach if you don’t feel like walking in the sand. The portion of the beach in the city center has few food stands, coffee stalls, and surf schools scattered about.
It’s important to note that you can’t swim everywhere on the beach. There are designated swimming areas because the current is really strong in some areas. These areas are roped off, and there’s usually a lifeguard nearby. If you try to swim outside the buoyed areas, you’ll likely get whistled at by one of the lifeguards.
2. Watch the Dragon Bridge show
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The Dragon Bridge is the most famous of the Da Nang attractions. It’s a bridge crossing the Han River with an ornate gold dragon built on the sides. It’s truly a symbol of Da Nang. You should visit the Dragon Bridge during the day to take pictures, but make sure to go on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night to watch the fire and water show.
The show starts at 9:00 PM and lasts for about 15 minutes. You can walk to the base of the dragon bridge (on the side of the Han River closest to the beach, where the head of the dragon is) or watch the show from a nearby rooftop bar. We enjoyed watching the show from the Lagoon Rooftop Bar.
3. Stroll around the Han River
Google Maps Pin For Your Convenience (you can start at the Dragon Bridge)
Most tourists, immigrants, expats, and travelers stay around My Khe Beach (for good reason: it’s convenient and beautiful). However, we stayed on the Han River and loved that area. We walked almost every morning around the river, across the Dragon Bridge, and the other bridge (this route is approximately two miles).
It’s a lovely walk any time of day, with many good people watching and great views over the river. We liked walking around the river in the early evenings because families came out, kids ran around on colorful electric bikes, and the Da Nang skyline was beautiful.
4. Take a river cruise on the Han River
Google Maps Pin For Your Convenience (you can get a cruise near the Dragon Bridge)
If walking isn’t your thing, you should consider a river cruise on the Han River. They run every night, but the best time to go is during the Dragon Bridge Show. They park near the Dragon Bridge, offering a unique view (possibly the best in the area).
Overall, it looks like a fun experience with some drinks and good views, especially for the show or around sunset.
5. Take a photo at the Pink Cathedral
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The Pink Cathedral is a famous Catholic church near the Han River (on the opposite side of the river from My Khe Beach and right across the street from Han Market). It’s a beautiful piece of architecture and the only Catholic church built in Da Nang during the French colonization (it was built in 1924).
It’s most known for its striking gothic architecture, unique to Da Nang.
6. Shop at Han Market
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The Han Market is a large, two-story market on the Han River (opposite the beach). It sells everything from local food to clothes, jewelry, and beauty products. It’s a great place to shop (especially if you want to browse some possibly fake name-brand clothes and accessories).
The Han Market is near the Dragon Bridge, the Pink Cathedral, and Da Nang’s Fresco Village, so it’s easy to visit.
7. Walk through Da Nang’s Fresco Village
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Just a few blocks away from the Pink Cathedral and Han Market is one of the most forgotten Da Nang City attractions: Fresco Village. This little alleyway is decked out with beautiful murals and paintings.
Fresco Village opened in 2018 to celebrate Vietnamese culture and boost local businesses. The stunning murals were painted right on real homes. They haven’t been maintained, so most are washed out. But it’s still lovely; the artwork and the alleyway are impressive. Just walk close to the wall if you’re visiting during busy hours because locals are coming and going from their homes.
Even though the murals are fading, I felt this was one of the best free things to do in Da Nang.
8. Ride the Sun Wheel at sunset
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The Sun Wheel is another iconic attraction in Da Nang. It’s a large Ferris wheel in Asia Park (also known as Sun World Da Nang Wonders) that stands 115 meters tall. The wheel has large, air-conditioned cabins and incredible views of the city.
It’s become another Da Nang’s skyline symbol, so riding on it is an incredible experience. The best time to ride is around sunset or just after for incredible views overlooking the city.
9. Eat your way through the Son Tra Night Market
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Son Tra Night Market is right across the street from the Dragon Bridge (on the side of the Han River facing My Khe Beach). It’s one of my favorite night markets in Vietnam because it has a little bit of everything: good food, good desserts, good shopping, and fresh fruits.
One of the specialties here is lobster and seafood. To be entirely honest, we weren’t adventurous enough to get lobster here, but we ate lots of other foods and snacks and loved it.
The night market is open every night from around sunset (5:00-6:00 PM) to midnight.
10. Visit the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture
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The Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture was a pleasant surprise; I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The museum is on the Han River, near the Han Market, Fresco Village, and the Pink Cathedral.
It’s a multi-story museum featuring artifacts from the Cham people, brief explanations of the history behind each piece, and a room showcasing the museum’s development over the years.
I was particularly impressed with the free audio guide, which was both organized and informative. I highly recommend visiting the website and using your phone to scan the code under sculptures that catch your eye. The audio guide provides a one-minute explanation of each major sculpture.
11. Take surf lessons
Google Maps Pin For Your Convenience (Dana Surf Shack)
Da Nang is a very good beginner-friendly surf destination. The waves are not world-class, but there are good, consistent breaks throughout the year at different parts of the beach.
Dana Surf Shack is a popular surf school in My Khe Beach. It’s located right in the center of the beach, with a small booth near the boardwalk and the beach, so it’s easy to find.
12. Try out archery
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If you want something completely different, there’s a little archery range a few blocks from the beach. It’s not super popular and a little hidden, but it’s really fun. The staff there will walk you through how to shoot your arrow and all necessary safety procedures. It’s affordable, and the staff is super nice, making it one of the most unique things to do in Da Nang.
We went to CLB Bắn Cung Đà Nẵng – ACE Archery near the beach.
13. Play pickleball
Pickleball has taken over Vietnam by storm. Something that was once a lesser-known sport a few years ago has quickly gained popularity, and there are now pickleball courts on almost every block. When living in Ho Chi Minh City, watching every empty lot turn into a pickleball court in just a few short months was funny.
Pickleball is also really common in Da Nang, and there are many courts from which to choose. You just have to reserve a court. You can rent a paddle and a ball when you’re there.
14. Try local (and international) cuisine
Vietnam has some of the best food in the world, so why not try some delicious cuisine? Here are some Vietnamese dishes from central Vietnam that are worth trying:
- Mì Quảng: A noodle dish with turmeric-infused rice noodles, minimal broth, protein (usually pork, chicken, or shrimp), herbs, peanuts, and rice crackers.
- Bánh Xèo Miền Trung: Crispy pancake often filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts.
- Bún Bò Huế: A spicy beef noodle soup from Hue featuring lemongrass, fermented shrimp paste, and congealed pig blood cubes with broth.
If you want a break from Vietnamese food or are craving other international dishes, there’s also a sizeable culinary scene here. You can find a restaurant from anywhere, including good Russian, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, American, and more.
15. Embrace the coffee culture
One of the best things about Vietnam is the incredible coffee culture. It’s honestly unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. There’s a coffee shop on every corner. There are fancy coffee shops, low-key ones, beautiful outdoor ones with koi ponds, and everything in between.
Not only is there a coffee shop for every occasion on every corner, but the coffee in Vietnam is honestly next level. You have to try salt, coconut, and egg coffee (in addition to classic Vietnamese drip coffee).
Don’t worry if you don’t drink coffee. Many fancier cafes also serve all the famous coffee types (salt, coconut, and egg) over hot chocolate instead.
Short Adventures From Da Nang City
All of the above are the best things to do in Da Nang City, but there are tons of popular half-day trips. Here are some of the highlights:
16. My Son Sanctuary
Distance from Da Nang: 25 miles (40 km) | Google Maps Pin For Your Convenience
My Son Sanctuary is the best half-day trip from Da Nang. It’s about an hour away, and you’ll need ~2 hours there, so you can easily combine it with other places near Da Nang (like Marble Mountain). I didn’t know much about My Son Sanctuary before we went, but was pleasantly surprised.
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built between the 4th and 13th centuries. There are over 70 structures in the complex from different periods in the Cham Kingdom. There’s incredible architecture, complete with carvings and sculptures influenced by Indian Hindu designs, a small museum, and a cultural show on a set schedule.
17 Marble Mountain
Distance from Da Nang: 18 miles (29 km) | Google Maps Pin For Your Convenience
Marble Mountain is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills just 20 minutes from Da Nang city.
Each mountain is named after an element: fire, water, wood, metal, and earth. The most visited is Thuy Son (Water Mountain), and it has several Buddhist pagodas, stunning viewpoints, and caves converted into worship sites.
You can climb 156 steps to the top, take an elevator, and explore little caves within the mountain. One of the most interesting things, aside from the view over Da Nang, is Am Phu Cave (also known as Hell Cave), which depicts different images as it winds deeper into the mountain.
18. Monkey Mountain (Son Tra Peninsula)
Distance from Da Nang: 7 miles (11 km) | Google Maps Pin For Your Convenience
Son Tra Peninsula, also known as Monkey Mountain, is a famous mountain located just 20 minutes outside Da Nang.
It’s famous for its population of red-shanked douc langur monkeys and the panoramic views of Da Nang, the Hai Van Pass, and the coastline. You can’t drive an automatic motorbike up the mountain; you need to either drive a manual motorbike, rent one at the entrance, hike the trail, or walk up the side of the road. We chose to walk on the side of the road and actually saw tons of monkeys, which made for an enjoyable walk.
There’s very little traffic, very little shade, and views that make it all worth it. I recommend walking to the top viewpoint (about a 30-minute walk), stopping at Boom Boom Rock (a famous photo spot from the Vietnam/American War), and soaking in the views from the top with a cold coconut. I’ve heard the hike on the trail is nice too.
19. Lady Buddha Statue (Linh Ung Pagoda)
Distance from Da Nang: 7 miles (11 km) | Google Maps Pin For Your Convenience
On the northwest side of the Son Tra Peninsula, there’s the famous Lady Buddha Statue. You can see the statue from Da Nang, but it’s even more impressive when you’re up close.
The 220-foot (67-meter) tall white statue of the Goddess of Mercy (Quan Am) is one of the tallest Buddha statues in Vietnam and has become one of Da Nang’s most recognizable landmarks. The statue stands on the grounds of the Linh Ung Pagoda complex, which includes beautiful gardens, smaller shrines, and impressive architecture.
You can easily visit Monkey Mountain and Lady Buddha together in one trip. If you have more time afterward, continue onward to the Secret Beach.
20. Secret Beach (Bai Da Beach)
Distance from Da Nang: 9 miles (14.5 km) | Google Maps Pin For Your Convenience
Just past Lady Buddha, the road forks. If you stay right, you’ll stumble across the parking for “secret beach,” which is more of a secluded oasis than a secret. There’s a short walk from the parking area leading down to several swimming spots, a lovely cove, some nice flat rocks perfect for lying out in the sun, and good views of Da Nang.
We weren’t originally planning on stopping here; we stumbled upon it by accident, but were really glad we did. There’s a short trail through the woods, and while there were people there, it felt really isolated from the rest of the city. So, if you’re going to Son Tra, I recommend setting aside another hour or two and stopping by here for a little swim or exploration.
Day Trips (All Day Adventures) From Da Nang City
As if there aren’t enough Da Nang City activities, there’s a handful of must-do day trips from the city. Here are some of the best:
21. Hoi An
Distance from Da Nang: 17 miles (27.5 km) | Google Maps Pin For Your Convenience
Hoi An Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 30 minutes from Da Nang. To be honest, it deserves at least three days, but if you simply can’t afford the time (or if you have a free day in Da Nang, you just need to fill in), you can easily visit on a day trip.
Hoi An is famous for its Old Town, an ancient quarter with beautiful architecture, numerous souvenir shops and handicrafts, and a river that fills with brightly lit lanterns in the evenings. Every single thing about the town was made for photos; it’s super photographic (super touristy) and really different from Da Nang.
There’s also a nice beach, about a 15-minute bicycle ride from Old Town, and beautiful rice fields with hidden coffee shops nestled among some of the rice paddies.
One day is enough time to rent a bike and explore the rice fields, walk around Old Town, drink delicious coffee, and take photos of the lantern boats along the river in the evening.
22. Ba Na Hills
Distance from Da Nang: 12.5 miles (20 km) | Google Maps Pin For Your Convenience
Ba Na Hills is one of the most famous day trips from Da Nang (and Hoi An) and shouldn’t be missed. It’s basically a massive French-inspired theme park on top of a mountain. You take a 30-minute gondola ride to the famous Golden Hand Bridge (which has become a symbol of Vietnam tourism since its construction in 2018) and then another gondola ride up to the theme park.
The gondola rides were probably my favorite part of the entire day. The gondolas are really nice, and the views are unbeatable. The theme park itself is also fun. There’s an arcade, rides, tons of restaurants, a brewery, French architecture, and live performances.
Ba Na Hills has some mixed feedback. Most travelers I met either loved it or hated it. We really enjoyed it, but maybe because we went with very low expectations, and we got really lucky with good weather. But it’s not for everyone. Some people just say it’s a little too crowded and strange. Still, it’s so famous, it’s worth visiting.
23. Cham Island
Distance from Da Nang: 27 miles (17 km) | Google Maps Pin For Your Convenience (location for the ferry)
Cham Island is a small island about an hour or so from Da Nang. It’s actually easier to reach from Hoi An, because that’s where the ferry port is, but still doable on a day trip from Da Nang.
The island is absolutely worth visiting; it’s one of the most beautiful islands in Southeast Asia, in my opinion. I’ve visited twice, the first time on a day trip, and the second time overnight. I’d actually recommend spending the night, because you have more time to visit the beaches (when there are no tours on the island and very few people), and you can bop around at your own pace.
However, if you have just one day to burn, I’d still strongly encourage a day trip.
24. Bach Ma National Park
Distance from Da Nang: 37 miles (59 km) | Google Maps Pin For Your Convenience
Bach Ma National Park is a National Park located off the Hai Van Pass between Da Nang and Hue. It’s actually easier to visit from Hue, because it’s a little closer, but still possible on a day trip (or overnight trip) from Da Nang.
It takes about two hours to get to. You’ll want to leave early in the morning so you have plenty of time to hike and swim at the waterfalls. Just note that unless you get there before 8:00 AM, you have to hire a driver to take you to the trailheads, and you won’t be able to drive in yourself.
This is one of the best things to do in Da Nang if you want something different and need an entire day completely immersed in nature.
25. Drive The Hai Van Pass
The Hai Van Pass is the road that connects Hue and Da Nang. It’s a coastal road, winding deep up into the mountains and following along the coast. If you go to Bach Ma National Park, recommended above, you’ll drive on most of the pass. But even if you don’t go to the national park, you should still drive this route.
It’s an absolutely beautiful route, one of the best coastal drives in Southeast Asia.
Based On These Da Nang Attractions, Would I Recommend Da Nang?
Yes, I would absolutely recommend visiting Da Nang on your trip to Vietnam. We still prefer Ho Chi Minh City, but we’re probably biased.
Da Nang is one of the most famous cities, beloved for its beautiful beaches, laid-back atmosphere, and thriving international community. To top it all off, there are so many fun things to do in Da Nang.
Seriously, no matter what you’re into, whether it’s hiking and sports or relaxing and drinking coffee, you’ll find something up your alley.
Which of these Da Nang activities seems the most fun to you? Let us know in the comments!
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