On our most recent trip to Vietnam, the second half consisted of staying in Da Nang for 5 days. While that may seem like a lot to some, there’s actually quite a bit to do. The city is coastal, so no matter where you go you can get a good glimpse of the ocean. If you’re looking for a mix of beaches, culture, and some adventure, Da Nang is a great destination and we highly recommend it!
Here’s how we spent our 5 days in Da Nang, Vietnam:
Day 1: Da Nang Beaches and Mountains
- Morning: Start your Da Nang trip by chilling out at My Khe Beach. Swim, sunbathe, or try some water sports if you are up for it! My Khe Beach is close to the city center, so we recommend staying somewhere accessible to both areas to get the best of both worlds! Some other beaches are:
- Non Nuoc
- Bac My An
- Thanh Binh
- Lang Co
- Afternoon: Once it gets too hot to stay on the beach, head inside and get ready! Explore the Marble Mountains, a unique set of five hills representing the elements. Inside, you’ll find hidden caves, winding staircases, and ancient temples. Climb your way up Thuy Son, the only peak open to visitors, and soak in amazing panoramic views that you can’t get anywhere else. (Tip: Book a tour on Viator so you don’t have to worry about transportation!)
Day 2: Da Nang City Exploration
- Morning: After a delicious breakfast from your hotel or somewhere in the city, it’s time to learn about history at the Museum of Cham Sculpture. Get to know the ancient Champa Kingdom and see their impressive collection of artifacts.
- Afternoon: After your brain is full with a ton of new knowledge about the history of the Champa Kingdom, explore Han Market, a bustling local market where you’ll find a mix of souvenirs, crafts, and delicious street food. Practice your bargaining skills! If you have time, walk along the Han River and check out the Dragon Bridge (although there is a light show at the Dragon Bridge at night that we recommend sticking around for!)
Day 3: Scenic Drive and Mountain Views
- Morning: Rent a motorbike or hire a car and drive to Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain). Climb the steps leading to Line Ung Pagoda, where you’ll find the most amazing Lady Buddha. Here you can explore the pagoda’s gardens and soak in the views — they’re like no other.
- Afternoon: After visiting Son Tra Peninsula, take a scenic drive on Hai Van Pass. This mountain pass offers stunning views of the coastline where you can stop at viewpoints to take pictures. Beware, if you want to drive the entire journey it can take 5-6 hours to complete if you’re planning on doing a roundtrip drive.
Day 4: Day Trip to Hoi An
- Full Day: Dedicate a full day to exploring the UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An. Explore and wander through the Ancient Town with its colorful lanterns and historic buildings. Check out these highlights:
- Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, an iconic Hoi An landmark.
- Try local delicacies like Cao Lau noodles or White Rose dumplings (SO GOOD)
- Take a boat ride on the Thu Bon River.
- Check out local workshops and maybe bring home a silk lantern or a tailored outfit!
Day 5: Ba Na Hills Visit
- Full Day: Visit Ba Na Hills theme park. I know what you’re thinking, a theme park? But trust us, this theme park is something you’re not going to want to miss!
- As soon as you arrive, you’ll take the world’s longest three-rope cable car to this mountaintop resort with its French-inspired architecture and gardens. The trip to the top took around 30 minutes, and if you get nauseous easily I recommend preparing for that. (We got super nauseous but were fine once we were off of it)
- The Golden Bridge, a walkway held by giant stone hands, is the main attraction here. Walk your way on the bride and take in the beauty of the nature surrounding it. This was truly one of the coolest things we’ve ever seen/done before.
- Afterward, you can check out Fantasy Park for some rides, food, or just take in the French architecture.
Tip: Book a full day excursion with Viator so you don’t have to worry about transportation from Da Nang to Ba Na Hills. They’ll also take you around the park (if you’d like), and prepare for your theme park tickets in advance.
Must Try Foods in Da Nang
You can’t visit Da Nang and Hoi An without trying the amazing local food. Here are some must-try dishes:
- Mi Quang: A flavorful rice noodle dish with pork, shrimp, herbs, and rice crackers.
- Cao Lau: (Hoi An specialty) Thick rice noodles with pork, greens, and crackers.
- Banh Xeo: Sizzling rice pancakes with delicious fillings.
- Seafood: Enjoy an abundance of fresh seafood.
- White Rose Dumplings: (Hoi An specialty) Delicate steamed rice dumplings with shrimp filling.
Extra Tips!
- If you plan a day trip to Hoi An, public buses or taxis are easy options. Our hotel provided a private transport for us, so we highly recommend asking!
- Learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases – it goes a long way! The more you are outside of the major cities, the less English is spoken.
- Da Nang’s dry season (Feb-May) is the ideal time for beach days. We went in October-November near the end of their rainy season, and it rained.. a lot.
- Consider staying a night in Hoi An to experience the town’s lantern-lit atmosphere. If no, definitely plan spending the entire day that to make sure you see the lanterns at night.
- It can be very rainy at Ba Na Hills, so prepare if a poncho or fast-drying clothes if you get wet
Exploring other parts of Vietnam? Check out our blog post 10 Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City for inspiration!
Have you been to Da Nang? Let us know in the comments! Happy travels!!
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