Getting to know Da Nang
As central Vietnam's biggest city and principal air hub, Da Nang connects by direct domestic flight to Hanoi as well as Ho Chi Minh City, alongside an expanding list of international connections. My Khe, its own stretch of sand once labelled China Beach, hands the city a resort atmosphere that neither Hanoi nor Ho Chi Minh City can match, making it a solid choice for travellers wanting sightseeing and beach days in the same trip.
Location is Da Nang's real advantage on a trip: Hoi An's old quarter lies roughly 45 minutes to the south, while Hue's imperial monuments are a two-and-a-half- to three-hour drive to the north — quicker, and prettier, if you cross the Hai Van Pass instead. That puts Da Nang at the centre of a three-stop central Vietnam route where you never have to switch hotels.
West of the city in the hills, Ba Na Hills turns a French hill-town theme into a mountaintop park, anchored by the Golden Bridge — a walkway held aloft by giant stone hands that has become one of Vietnam's most photographed sights. From almost any hotel in Da Nang, it makes for a simple outing lasting half a day.
Things to do in Da Nang
My Khe Beach
Stretching along the city itself, this calm, sandy beach makes a good half-day pause between sightseeing stops.
Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge
Take the cable car to a mock-French mountain village, home to the Golden Bridge, held aloft by giant stone hands.
Marble Mountains
A cluster of five limestone peaks holding cave shrines and pagodas, just a short drive from downtown.
Dragon Bridge
Crosses the Han River and puts on a fire-and-water show on weekend nights.
Museum of Cham Sculpture
Home to the biggest assembly of Cham artefacts anywhere, and worth the visit if history interests you.
Hoi An & Hue day trips
Both easily done as a full or half day out from a Da Nang base.
Good to know
| Best time to visit | February to May (dry, warm); June-August hot and busy on the beach; September-December brings the rainy season and storm risk |
| Getting there | Da Nang International Airport (DAD), close to the city centre |
| Getting around | Taxi, Grab, hotel shuttle |
| Onward connections | Hoi An about 45 minutes by road; Hue about 2.5-3 hours by road, or the Hai Van Pass scenic drive |
| Currency | Vietnamese Dong (VND) |
Trips that include Da Nang
6D/5N Ho Chi Minh City & Da Nang
South-to-central pairing of Saigon with Da Nang's beaches and heritage sites.
8D/7N Hanoi, Ha Long Bay & Da Nang
The same itinerary stretched out, giving you more time in every city along the way.
We can rework the order of a Da Nang trip around Hue and Hoi An, or push it further north to take in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. Let us know your dates and party size, and we'll come back with a day-by-day itinerary and hotel suggestions.