Other than an important roles in hosting and transferring visitors, Da Nang itself is a picturesque city with a complex topography, where visitors can find both history richness and tropical havens. Unlike the other two largest cities of Vietnam, Da Nang is a much more peaceful place with so much to offer. The city is growing into one of the most urbanized area which owns beautiful beach front, tranquil Han river and many tourist attractions.
Da Nang is a transport hub for the central coast of Vietnam and as such is easy to reach by plane, bus or train.
The international airport is located within the city, around 3km from the centre of Da Nang. There are frequent flights to Da Nang from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City for as little as $30. Domestic flights also operate between Da Nang and Da Lat, Hai Phong, Nha Trang and Pleiku airports. International flights to Da Nang are available from Guangzhou, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo. As Da Nang attracts more foreign visitors, expect the list of international airports that fly here to grow.
Da Nang train station is situated just outside the city centre and you will find trains running here from just about everywhere else in Vietnam on the Reunification Express line. There are plenty of taxis and moto taxis that wait outside the station – if you can, try and grab a Mai Linh car, they are one of a few reliable taxi companies in Vietnam.
There are a variety of buses running between Hoi An and Da Nang including an assortment of private mini buses and a yellow local bus. The local bus stops just outside Hoi An city centre and takes around 45 minutes to reach the centre of Da Nang. The fare should be 20,000 dong however foreigners are often asked to pay more so don’t be surprised if this jumps higher – it’s up to you whether the increased amount is enough to argue over.
Da Nang bus station is a few kilometres from the centre but is serviced by local buses. You will likely arrive at this station if you are travelling via sleeper bus from cities further away like Hanoi or Nha Trang.
Da Nang is hottest during May – September period while the rainy season ranges from September to January. The most favorable time for tourism is from February to May. The weather during this time is quite pleasant with low rainfall, convenient for chilling and sports activities. It is recommended to avoid coming in the summer (from June to the end of August) due to overcrowded. However, tour and hotel service is always available upon request anytime throughout the year.
One of the best things, when it comes to what to do in Da Nang, is visiting Ba Na Hills. This massive resort can be found at the top of a mountain and you must take a cable car ride to reach it. That mode of transportation offers breathtaking views, which is welcomed prior to the tranquility you experience as soon as you reach the top. Once you are up at the top, you will find plenty of things to do, but I recommend spending part of your time over at the Linh Ung Pagoda.
Okay, so you can only climb up Thuy Son over at the Marble Mountains, but that will be enough for you since there are plenty of caves, pagodas, and temples there. The climb to the top is easy, because there are steps carved into the side of the mountain. Therefore, no expert hiking skills are required to see this beautiful destination.
If you happen to be near the Dragon Bridge around nine o’clock at night on a Saturday or Sunday, you must take the time to watch the show. This show lights up the bridge and you will even see water and fire coming out of the dragon’s mouth. This is one of the best things when it comes to what to do in Da Nang.
If you simply love the mountains, and Marble Mountains is not enough, then a trip to Son Tra Mountain should be on your list of what to do in Da Nang. This mountain can be found inside Son Tra National Park and it is a phenomenal place to hike or do a little bike riding. When you are at this mountain, you must keep an eye out for the red face monkey, which is a very rare species that calls this mountain its home.
This pagoda can be found inside a building and it takes up two separate floors. The Phap Lam Pagoda is amongst fragrant gardens that create a tranquil setting for all the Buddha sculptures. In addition to the Buddhas, you will see a statue of both the Goddess of Mercury and Dai the Chi Bodhisattva.
If you have time to get away from Da Nang for a little bit, then the Cham Islands should make it to your list of what to do in Da Nang. These islands are perfect for swimming amongst the coral reefs and fish and you can relax on the sand too. The trip to the islands will take approximately an hour via boat, but the journey will be well worth it once you see the beauty that is everywhere over there.
If you want an in-depth history of the war, you must add the Fifth Military Division Museum to the list of things you want to do in Da Nang. This museum is filled with antiques from the war, as well as photographs and even letters. There are four main sections to wander through, but the popular items are the A-37 Dragonfly and the Cessna O-1 Bird.
