Guide to Da Nang, Vietnam
Vietnam is a popular destination for Singaporeans seeking a short getaway. But while most people head straight to Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, many overlook Da Nang as an option.
With tons of activities, historical sites to visit, and beautiful beaches to relax at, Da Nang is a particularly underrated city. So to help you acquaint yourself better with the region, here is a list of the best things to do in Da Nang, Vietnam.
P.S. Flights from Singapore start from just $223 for a round trip.
Table of Contents
- Guide to Da Nang, Vietnam
- How to get to Da Nang from Singapore
- How to get around Da Nang
- 1. Hop on thrilling rides at the Da Nang Downtown
- 2. Swing by the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture
- 3. Pay respects at the Lady Buddha
- 4. Watch the Dragon Bridge come to life
- 5. Get a tan at My Khe Beach
- 6. Unwind at Nui Than Tai Hot Springs Park
- 7. Visit Hoi An’s historical Old Town for a day trip
- 8. Take a boat to Cham Island
- 9. Walk the Golden Bridge at Sun World Ba Na Hills Theme Park
- 10. Munch on a bowl of Banh Xeo beef at Thia go restaurant
- 11. Turn back time at Reply 1988 Cafe
- 12. Shop at Cho Dem Son Tra night market
- 13. Hike up Marble Mountain
- 14. Visit 3D Museum Art in Paradise Da Nang
- 15. Dance at New Phuong Dong Nightclub
- 16. Have brunch at Noi Cafe
- How long should my trip to Da Nang be?
How to get to Da Nang from Singapore
The most direct mode of transportation from Singapore to Da Nang would be by plane. There are direct flights from airlines including VietJet Air, Singapore Airlines, and Jetstar Asia, and it’ll take roughly 2.5 hours to get there.
How to get around Da Nang
The fastest and most affordable way to get around Da Nang is via motorbike. Grab is one of the popular ride-hailing services, and you can book motorbike rides via the app. Car rides are also available if you prefer a 4-wheeled drive.
Public buses are another option if you’re going around the city. But if you’re planning to stay within the city center, you can consider walking as many attractions are within walking distance. Plus, you get to burn off some calories!
1. Hop on thrilling rides at the Da Nang Downtown
Image adapted from: @ddan_thanks & @artetfood via Instagram
Also known as the Sun World Asia Park, the Da Nang Downton is an amusement park for the young and young at heart. Battle your buddies at bumper cars, admire the skyscape on the ferris wheel, or ride the electrifying roller coasters. There are live performances too, such as an acrobatic lion dance.
Get tickets for Da Nang Downtown.
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2. Swing by the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture
Image adapted from: @renlxxm via Instagram
The Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture is considered one of the first museums built in Vietnam, featuring impressive artworks from the Cham Kingdom. There are 10 showrooms in the museum, with close to 300 terracotta and sandstone sculptures. We’ve heard that the Tra Kieu, My Son, and Dong Duong galleries are popular with locals, as that’s where you’ll find artefacts from the Cham dynasty on display.
3. Pay respects at the Lady Buddha
Image adapted from: @cwb247 & @valeromina_ via Instagram
She is beauty and she is grace. She is the iconic Lady Buddha statue in Da Nang, standing at 67m tall. This white marble statue is thought to bring prosperous luck to the fishermen around the area, and acts as a guardian for the locals. While the Lady Buddha is known as a popular tourist attraction, it’s important to be respectful since it is a place of worship too.
4. Watch the Dragon Bridge come to life
Image adapted from: @norabira_ & @_authentic_adventures via Instagram
The Dragon Bridge is no ordinary structure. This giant bridge is 666m-long, and has 6 lanes for traffic. Don’t miss out on the stunning dragon “flying” through the bridge – it’s said to be inspired by a dragon from the Ly Dynasty. Get ready to be blown away as the Dragon Bridge lights up every weekend at 9pm, with fire and water displays coming out from the dragon’s mouth.
5. Get a tan at My Khe Beach
Image credit: @wluns2 via Instagram
Vietnam has many famous beaches, but, My Khe beach is one that you should visit if you’re looking for calm waves and unblemished sand that is easily accessible.
With year-long warm waters and located just 5km away from the city centre, the beach is a tourist attraction with a slew of luxury hotels, restaurants, and resorts situated in its vicinity.
Image credit: @hglydt via Instagram
There are also various kinds of activities from jet skiing and banana boating to wakeboarding and parasailing.
The beach is also peppered with beachfront restaurants, cafes, and bars, so you can easily spend an entire day chilling out here. Hotels are aplenty too, so you needn’t travel far for some sun, sand, and sea.
6. Unwind at Nui Than Tai Hot Springs Park
Image credit: @nuithantaihotspringspark via Instagram
For those who love mountains and hot springs, Nui Than Tai Hot Springs Park has a combination of warm and soothing water, and refreshing mountain air.
Try a mud bath that will leave you with younger-looking skin or try soaking yourself in something a little different like their Green Tea Onsen that will help you relax and smell minty fresh.
Image credit: @rimrim_ing via Instagram
Aside from hot springs, you can also whizz down colourful water slides and float around a wave pool at Nui Than Tai’s water park complex.
Getting there: 30-minute drive (20km) from the city centre.
Get tickets for Nui Than Tai Hot Springs Park.
Admission: VND450,000/adult | from VND215,000/child | free admission for children under 1m,
7. Visit Hoi An’s historical Old Town for a day trip
Image adapted from: @baotran & @ruthordare15 via Instagram
Left untouched by the bombing campaign during the Vietnam War, Hoi An is one of the few cities that retains historical architecture in its original form.
Image credit: @kimmiem2k via Instagram
You can walk around and take photos of the UNESCO World Heritage Site while sampling some street food with cheap shopping at Hoi An Central Market.
While you’re there, drop by the Silk Village where you can learn how to make intricate pieces and purchase silk souvenirs for your friends so they think you’re fancy.
Book a guided tour to Hoi An.
Getting there: 1-hour drive from Da Nang city.
8. Take a boat to Cham Island
Image credit: @thailand_vietnam via Instagram
Another beach worth exploring is on Cham Island, a fishing village that’s 20 minutes away from the mainland. The beaches here are less populated and pristin, making it the go-to spot for those looking to escape the crowd.
You can spend your day here diving, snorkelling, fishing, or just watching the sunset. For marine life enthusiasts, the protected coral reefs in the island of Cu Lao Cham are a must-see.
Image credit: @marycervini via Instagram
Aside from water activities, there are hidden spots like the Hai Tang Pagoda where a large statue of Buddha has been built for fishermen to pray to before going out to sea.
Since the island is remote, you can take a ferry from Bach Dang Wharf for 30 minutes at a slow, relaxed pace. But if you’re prone to sea sickness, we recommend you take the speedboat from Cua Dai Port which takes only 20 minutes and is less susceptible to rougher waters.
Book a guided tour to Cham Islands.
Admission: VND70,000 for ecological fee | VND20,000 for environmental cleaning fee
Transport Fees: VND350,000 for speedboat round trip | VND400,000 for ferry round trip
9. Walk the Golden Bridge at Sun World Ba Na Hills Theme Park
Image credit: @missjpyke via Instagram
Situated on a mountaintop, the Sun World Ba Na Hills resort and theme park is one of the largest recreational places in Da Nang.
You can visit landmarks like French Village and the famous Golden Bridge while experiencing the Fantasy Amusement Park. There, you can have fun at an assortment of themed rides like: alpine roller coaster, tower drop, 4D rides, and bumper cars.
Image credits: @ubn.lee07 via Instagram
You will need to purchase a ticket to Sun World, which includes the cable car ride up the mountain and all the rides found at Fantasy Park. If you wish to stay the night, book a room at the Mercure Da Nang French Village Ba Na Hills hotel that is designed to look like a literal French castle.
Featuring a medieval design, this Gothic fortress exudes a strong Game of Thrones vibe. It also has a variety of room configurations to choose, ranging from a superior room with a king-sized bed to a family room with 4 bunk beds.
Book a shared shuttle bus to Ba Na Hills.
Getting to cable car: 45 min drive from city center.
Admission: VND900,000/adult | VND750,000/child
10. Munch on a bowl of Banh Xeo beef at Thia go restaurant
Image adapted from: @hello_danang via Instagram
Located on a quiet street in downtown Da Nang, Thia Go restaurant serves one of the best Banh Xeo beef noodles (VND90,000) in Vietnam.
It is the only Mekong delta speciality restaurant in Da Nang, serving dishes like Basa Fish Lau Mam (VND250,000) and Siamese Mud Carp Seafood Hot Pot (VND300,000).
Image credit: @silver____ju via Instagram
Spring rolls and seafood are among the other options that come highly recommended in reviews.
The restaurant can only accommodate up to 40 people so be sure to get there early to beat the lunchtime crowd or make your reservations to secure a spot for you.
11. Turn back time at Reply 1988 Cafe
Image credit: @reply1988_cafe via Instagram
The Reply 1988 Cafe is a 2-storey cafe based on the hit K-Drama series after the same name – so everything in there has a touch of Korean aesthetic in it.
Image credit: @reply1988_cafe via Instagram
With a contemporary design, the cafe’s apartment-like layout makes it a cosy place to enjoy a cup of coffee and take some really nice photos.
A key item to look out for on the menu would be the Mango Milk Foam Smoothie (VND490,000), that’s sweet, tangy, and downright refreshing in Da Nang’s humid weather.
12. Shop at Cho Dem Son Tra night market
Image credit: @aroundtheworldwithlisa via Instagram
Cho Dem Son Tra is a famous night market located near the head of Da Nang’s Dragon Bridge. Essentially a pasar malam on steroids, there are tonnes of things to look forward to like souvenirs, clothes, and even food.
Image credit: @wanderlust_jazzer via Instagram
It is easily accessible by car and offers fresh seafood at affordable prices along with other snacking options like grilled and barbecue foods available in the area. Most stalls open at 6.30pm so get there early if you’re planning to beat the crowd.
13. Hike up Marble Mountain
Huyen Khong cave has many intricate craftings of shrines and Buddhist statues.
Image credit: @kylestyletravel via Instagram
With many hidden caverns for people to explore and take photos, the Marble Mountains are a must-see for first-timers in Vietnam as they tower above the cityscape.
For dramatic pics, a visit to Huyen Khong cave is a must. It has openings from the top for light to shine in, creating a strong contrast of light and dark which are perfect for pictures. It also houses a large hand-carved stone Buddha and 2 shrines.
Image credit: @jordanhardy07 via Instagram
Linh Ung Pagoda is another attraction that must be visited while at the Marble Mountains. The pagoda has an archway that features a gorgeous facade and detail that overlooks a courtyard with many small lotus ponds, bonsai plants, and tilework of the main structure.
Book a guided tour up the Marble Mountains.
Getting there: 46-minute drive from city center.
Admission: VND40,000
14. Visit 3D Museum Art in Paradise Da Nang
Image credit: @tskrrrr__ via Instagram
It’s usually not the best thing if our eyes start playing tricks on us but at 3D Museum Art in Paradise Da Nang, it can make for some really fun photos.
Image credit: @ngoctu253 via Instagram
The largest 3D museum in vietnam, Art in Paradise offers 9 different zones and an extensive range of artworks to interact with like their Central Hall that features a massive dragon and King Kong or their Classic Art Zone with murals of Greek statues and historic paintings.
Admission: VND200,000/adult | VND100,000/child | Free admission for children under 1m
15. Dance at New Phuong Dong Nightclub
Image credit: @newphuongdongclubdanang via Instagram
New Phuong Dong Nightclub is one of the biggest clubs in Da Nang that boasts a noteworthy audio system along with a massive dance floor.
While the drinks may be slightly on the pricey side for a club in Vietnam, the atmosphere and the club’s lineup of prominent local DJs means that the music and vibes are always on point for a night of raving.
16. Have brunch at Noi Cafe
Image credit: @ttlthuong via Instagram
Hidden within an alley with a relatively small shop front, the rustic Noi Cafe is the perfect blend of old school architecture and nature with its large outdoor seating area.
Image credit: @nick_kim07 via Instagram
Housing a large assortment of vintage radios, cassette tapes, and other retro paraphernalia, this quaint cafe is a good spot for a chill afternoon with a book.
Their egg coffee (VND35,000) and coconut coffee (VND35,000) come highly recommended and are served with special foam art on the top of every drink.
How long should my trip to Da Nang be?
Many stay for about 2-3 days, which is just enough to see famous attractions such as My Khe Beach, the Marble Mountains, Cham island, and the Golden Bridge. Some even squeeze in time for a day trip to visit nearby areas like Hoi An.
If you have more time to spare, you can spend 4-5 days here to give yourself more time to fully explore the area, especially for places like Hoi An and Ba Na hills that are a little out of the way of the city.
What to do in Da Nang, Vietnam
Da Nang’s complimentary fusion of modern architecture, nature, and historical culture makes it one of the most charming places you can find in Vietnam.
With everything from beaches to mountains and whimsical cafes, you’ll certainly find a thing or two for your next getaway.
More travel guides and places to visit:
- Guide to Komodo Island & Labuan Bajo
- Kid friendly things to do in Genting
- Things to do in Desaru
- Late night things to do in JB
Cover image adapted from: @ruthordare15, @hglydt, @missjpyke via Instagram
Last updated by Joycelyn Yeow and Shannon Lee on 29th October 2024.