Da Nang is located in the central region of Vietnam. As Da Nang city is near the well-known Hoi An, travelers often plan Da Nang and Hoi An on the same trip. To take the best out of Da Nang city trip, I would like to recommend you top things to do in Da Nang. Because of its entertainment activities, Ba Na Hills might be the most popular among destinations in the city. Another popular destination you have probably heard from the recent buzz is Golden Bridge. Two other worth-visit places in Da Nang is Hai Van pass and My Son Sanctuary. Besides, food is another main reason why both local and foreign travelers visit the city.
Things to do in Da Nang
Pass through Hai Van Pass
The coastal route is famous for amazing view and scenery on the way. To avoid the hassle, you can get a private driver for you for the trip. Therefore, you can stop to see the breathtaking view along the way, which is admired by people all over the world.
Drop by Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture
The museum owns the largest collection of Cham artifacts in the world. All displayed pieces date back from the 5th to the 15th century. It is a good chance for curious travelers who love to explore more about Cham culture in the past.
The opening hours are from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. An entrance fee of about US$3 is required. Detailed descriptions and guided headsets are available for history lovers.
Wander around My Son Sanctuary
The ruins date back to the 4th century. The design of towers follows Champa architectural style. If you have visited Angkor Wat in Cambodia, you can find some similar patterns in the architecture in My Son Sanctuary.
Explore Ba Na Hills
It can be considered as an amusement park on the top of the mountain. There are fun activities that would be a good fit for families with kids and couples. Once you reach the top by either walking or cable cart, you can enjoy the scenic view from Ba Na Hills.
As it is one of the top attractions in Da Nang city, the crowd is unavoidable during peak hours. If you prefer to enjoy the place without crowds, you should go in the early morning.
Because Ba Na Hills is high compared to sea level, it might be a little cold or rainy when you visit during winter. Raincoat, umbrella or waterproof coat would keep you warm while enjoying the scenery and activity there.
See Golden Bridge
What makes the Golden Bridge Vietnam special and popular among travelers is its unique design. Similar to Ba Na Hills, the attraction is popular for both local and foreign travelers.
To enjoy the full view of architecture, summertime is perfect with a clear sky. The presence of fog during winter or autumn would not allow you to see its beauty.
It takes a while to reach the bridge. The scenery you view from the bridge can speak itself why people put this architecture on the top of their sightseeing lists.
Soak in beach vibes
Once landed in Da Nang city, you can feel the taste of the beach in the air right away. Travelers just cannot leave the city without taking part in activities on the beaches. Moreover, the weather in the city during the summer is perfect for sunbathing.
Shop in Han Market
What would you buy during the trip to Da Nang City? If you ask a local Vietnamese from other regions in Vietnam, they would say ‘buy Stir-fried Dried Squid in Tamarind Sauce from Han Market’. Cho Han a.k.a Han Market is known as the shopping stop for everything for both locals and travelers.
You also find a lot of vendors from snacks to souvenirs like T-shirts with the name of the city on.
Enjoy local foods in Da Nang city
A variety of local foods are available for travelers in Da Nang city.
The first dish you definitely should not miss is My Quang a.k.a Quang style noodle. You may try Pho or other types of Vietnamese noodles in other regions and find it slightly different from My Quang. It does not have broth like other types of noodles.
The second dish that every traveler visiting Da Nang should try is Banh Xeo. It is a Vietnamese savory sizzling cake. Being made from rice flour and turmeric powder helps it have a tempting golden color. Each cake is stuffed with pork and shrimp. You can find this dish in almost all food vendors on the streets of the city. To have the best Banh xeo in the city, we would recommend you to take a look at TripAdvisor reviews about restaurants well-known for this dish.
The final one in the top 3 dishes you should try in Da Nang is Nem lui. Basically it is lemongrass pork skewers. Once you start trying this dish, it is difficult to stop eating these skewers.
Best time to visit Da Nang
For perfect weather, the suitable time to visit Da Nang is from April to August. However, it would be the peak season for the city. Herds of tourists are expected. To have the best experience, you should plan for each attraction to avoid the time of the day with a high volume of tourists.
An alternative for the visit time is late September or early October. There are not many tourists choosing this time because it is after the summer holiday, so attractions are much less hectic than peak seasons.
Suggested Vietnam tours including Da Nang
- Da Nang Luxury Beach Vacation 4 Days
- Vietnam & Cambodia Discovery 15 Days
- Grand Sensational Vietnam 20 Days
With the list of top things to do in Da Nang, are you ready to build your own list of attractions for Vietnam tours 2020? Let’s start!
Linh Nguyen – Travel Specialist
