Da Nang was the first city I moved to after leaving the USA in 2018. With a population of just over 1.2 million, Da Nang is split by the Han River, creating both a city side and beach side. And since the traffic is usually free-flowing, it’s super easy to experience everything Da Nang has to offer.
Many first-time visitors are drawn to Da Nang for its beaches (like My Khe Beach), but the city side offers excitement, too. Exploring Hai Chau (a city-side district) and looking for new coffee shops or local food spots is one of my favorite things to do in Da Nang.
I’ve explored Son Tra Mountain and interacted with the resident wild monkeys — we used to feed them graham crackers. I’ve driven over to the Hai Van Pass dozens of times. I also love riding my scooter down to Hoi An for coffee, lunch, or just to explore. It’s a great day trip from Da Nang.
If you’re planning a trip to Da Nang, you’ll need to know the best time to visit and how to get around. If Da Nang is part of your central Vietnam itinerary, see things to do in Hoi An and Hue here. If you have any questions, join my free Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue travel planning group.
Where to Stay in Da Nang
A lot of first-time visitors to Da Nang ask me whether it’s better to stay in the city or near the beach. There are pros and cons to each, and I’ve written a separate guide to where to stay in Da Nang, in which I cover the different city and beachside areas.
My quick advice: if you want to be in the city, look at the area around the HAIAN Riverfront (Agoda / Booking). For My Khe Beach, I like the Sala Danang Beach (Agoda / Booking).
I’ve also got guides to the best hotels and beach resorts in Da Nang. Here are my reviews of the Sala Danang Beach Hotel, the Risemount Premier, and the budget Fivitel Danang Hotel.
I personally use Agoda and Booking for hotels in Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. I recommend comparing hotel prices between the two, as sometimes there are discounts and flash deals.
Savor the Coffee Shops
Vietnam is the second-largest coffee producer in the world, and experiencing the coffee culture is an obligatory activity for any first-time visitor. So, I hope you like coffee (but they do teas really well, too).
There are a lot of great local specialty coffees to try, including egg coffee, peanut coffee, salted coffee, and coconut coffee.
I’ve discovered and had coffee at tons of great places in Da Nang. If you’re staying in the My An area (on the An Thuong streets near My Khe Beach), most of these coffee shops are geared towards tourists. There is good quality, but they sometimes lack the artisanal flair.
See my reviews of NAM House Cafe and Brewman Coffee Concept. These are both in Hai Chau (the city side of Da Nang). For coffee shops near the beach, check out Yen Coffee, Cafe Cua Ngo, and Moon Cafe.
Anthony’s note: Yen Coffee closed in June 2025. I’m leaving it in the article for historical context because it was a great little coffee shop.
There are a few chain coffee shops that are good for a quick Americano, black coffee, or something straightforward. I wouldn’t go to these shops for specialty coffee, like egg, coconut, peanut, or salted coffee. But the chain shops tend to have more comfortable seating arrangements.
Some popular chain coffee shops are Highlands Coffee, The Cups Coffee, Phuc Long Coffee & Tea, and The Coffee House.
Visit Lady Buddha and Linh Ung Pagoda
The white statue of Lady Buddha on the Son Tra Peninsula is one of the first things visitors notice after arriving in Da Nang. She’s visible from nearly the entirety of My Khe Beach. Here’s my detailed visitor’s guide to Lady Buddha.
The grounds here are very peaceful. There are also great views looking back on Da Nang and the ocean. This is the kind of place where you can come and enjoy the breeze, greenery, and pleasant atmosphere, and really take your time. When I visit, I always spend at least an hour here.
This attraction is free to visit, and it’s very easy to reach. Using the Grab app, you can reach Lady Buddha in 10 to 20 minutes, depending on where you’re staying in Da Nang.
Go See the Wild Monkeys
The Son Tra Peninsula is also referred to as Monkey Mountain because of the resident wild monkeys. Over the years, I’ve had many encounters with the monkeys. It’s important to remember that they are wild. They will try to snatch objects if you get too close — cell phones, water bottles, bags, snacks, etc. But if you give them space, they usually mind their own business.
If you visit the Lady Buddha statue, there is a small chance you’ll see monkeys on the outskirts of the grounds — sometimes hanging out in a tree on the grounds, too. But if you really want to come close to the monkeys, you’ll need to venture past Lady Buddha further onto the peninsula.
Hoang Sa Road runs north along the beach, onto the peninsula (to Lady Buddha), and continues further out to the InterContinental Danang Resort (Agoda / Booking). If you rent a scooter, it’s an easy, scenic ride. There are a lot of viewpoints along the way, like here, here, and here.
Hike the Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave
The Marble Mountains and Am Phu Cave are at the same site, about 10 minutes south of Da Nang’s beachside. The cave is on the ground level, and the mountains are above it — both require a separate entrance ticket. These activities are not for people with mobility issues. To get the most out of the Marble Mountains, you’ll need to go up and down a lot of stairs, and there are a few somewhat steep staircases to the best viewpoints. The cave and mountains are the first stop on my sample Da Nang one-day itinerary.
Klook.comStroll Along My Khe Beach
My Khe Beach is the best beach in Da Nang. It runs along the coast for several kilometers, most of which has a paved walking path. It’s great for jogging and evening strolls. I’ve covered Da Nang’s best beaches here.
During the day, the beach itself is relatively quiet except for travelers. At night (and in the early mornings), is when the Vietnamese exercise, so from around 5 or 6 PM onwards, the beach will start getting busy. There are several roped-off swimming areas, lounge chairs to rent, and food and drink spots along the beach.
There are a ton of great hotels directly across from the beach. Look at the M Hotel (Agoda / Booking) and the TMS Hotel Da Nang Beach (Agoda / Booking). This is a very convenient beach area to stay.
There are other great beaches in Da Nang, too. Some are quieter than others. Non Nuoc Beach is south of My Khe Beach and is very quiet, but it’ll be less convenient than My Khe Beach. North of My Khe Beach is East Sea Park. This is a nice beach area, too.
Admire the Dragon Bridge
The Dragon Bridge is one of five main bridges in Da Nang that connects the city’s beachside with its busier cityside. Of the five bridges, the Dragon Bridge is the one in the middle and is by far one of Da Nang’s most notable attractions.
The dragon’s head faces the beach, and its tail faces the city. At night, the bridge lights up and alternates colors. The dragon’s mouth breathes fire and water on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9 PM, lasting about 10 to 15 minutes.
Both sides of the bridge have an elevated sidewalk. On a clear and not-too-humid day, you should walk across the bridge — from the city to the beach, or vice versa. There are great views up and down the Han River and to the Son Tra Peninsula.
Cross the Nguyen Van Troi Walking Bridge
This pedestrian-only bridge is south of the Dragon Bridge. It is the oldest bridge in Da Nang and was built by an American company in 1965. Here is the location (it’s next to the park).
You can access the bridge from Hai Chau (city side, here) or from Da Nang’s beach side, linked above. You can make a nice exercise route by crossing this bridge west into the city, then walking north along the riverside path (Bach Dang Street), up to the Dragon Bridge, then crossing back to the beach side.
Take a Day Trip to Hoi An
Visiting Hoi An is a great and easy day trip from Da Nang. The ride from Da Nang to Hoi An takes about 30 to 40 minutes. I live in Da Nang and sometimes ride my scooter down to Hoi An for lunch, coffee, or to explore the rice fields outside of town. The easiest way to get from Da Nang to Hoi An is to use the Grab app. Learn how to get around Hoi An here.
Hoi An’s Ancient Town (Old Town) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A lot of first-time visitors find it too touristy or fake, but I personally love it. There is a lot more to Hoi An than just the Old Town area — which is just a small pocket of Hoi An. The roads heading outside of Old Town quickly become village-like, and it’s all very walkable. An Bang Beach and Cua Dai Beach are 10 minutes outside town. The area is also surrounded by beautiful rice fields, like Cam Thanh or the ones north of town by NGHE Rice Paddy Cafe. The Old Town, beaches, and rice fields are all part of my Hoi An three-day itinerary.
Explore My Son Sanctuary
The My Son Sanctuary is a great half-day trip from Da Nang (or Hoi An). The sanctuary is one of eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam. The easiest way to get here is to book a taxi through the Grab app. The trip is about an hour — similar if you’re coming from Hoi An instead. Alternatively, you can join a shared shuttle bus from Da Nang or Hoi An. If you want to go as part of a tour, look into this one or this one. Plan to spend close to two hours of slow strolling through the paths and ruins.
Wander Bach Dang and Tran Phu Streets
Bach Dang and Tran Phu streets are popular city-side areas in Hai Chau. The streets run parallel to each other, with Bach Dang Street having a nice promenade along the Han River. The path extends north-south along the river for several kilometers. It’s great for exercising and taking in the views of the Son Tra Mountain, the river, and Da Nang’s bridges.
Tran Phu Street is home to Han Market. The atmosphere is similar to Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Square in Ho Chi Minh City. Visiting Han Market is more of an experience rather than a place I’d recommend for quality shopping. You can find a lot of knock-offs, but be prepared to haggle.
Further south on Tran Phu Street is the Da Nang Cathedral (official website). This is an active church with regularly scheduled Mass. The entirety of Tran Phu Street is lined with restaurants, cafes, boutique stores, and hotels. The Bikini Bottom Express has really good Western food. An Thoi is a nearby Michelin Bib Gourmand Vietnamese restaurant. The aforementioned NAM House Cafe is about 10 minutes away.
Rent a Motorbike and Explore
As I’ve mentioned in other articles, riding a motorbike is one of my favorite things to do in Vietnam. Da Nang hardly ever has traffic, so motorbiking offers unparalleled convenience in getting around and visiting attractions. Plus, when you get outside of the touristy areas, you gain a whole new perspective on the city — highly recommend if you’re able. Read more about getting around Da Nang here.
I’ve rented a scooter long-term from Quang Nga Motorbikes Rental in My An. Depending on the bike, rentals start at around 200.000 VND per day. Bigger and newer bikes can cost upwards of 300.000 to 400.000 VND+ per day.
The trip from Da Nang to Hoi An is easy and is a great activity. Here are the directions from My Khe Beach to Old Town Hoi An. Another great ride is along Da Nang Bay to the northwest and up to the Hai Van Pass. Here are the directions from My Khe Beach to the Hai Van Pass.
You can also ride north along the beach toward Lady Buddha and out onto the Son Tra Peninsula to see the monkeys. Here are the directions.
Lastly, Da Nang has five bridges. I’ve done rides zig-zagging from one side of the city to the other, crossing different bridges. You’ll want to ride over the Dragon Bridge at some point. But I also recommend riding along the northernmost bridge, the Thuan Phuoc Bridge, for the best views of Da Nang Bay and the Han River.
Eat Bun Bo at My An Market
I stumbled into the My An Market shortly after arriving in Da Nang in 2018. It’s a local market not catering to tourists, so it was a bit overwhelming at first. There’s a lot going on inside: clothes for sale, a blend of smells, raw fish, juice and smoothie vendors, food stands, and so on. One of my first meals was a bowl of bun bo Hue from a small stand run by a husband and wife. Years later, they’re still there, and I stop by every so often for more.
At the time of writing, the bowls are 25.000 VND each — and the fresh juice from a nearby vendor is 15.000 VND. Read about my other favorite places to eat in Da Nang here.
Day Trip to Ba Na Hills
Due to demand from readers in my travel group, I’m adding a section on Ba Na Hills. You can read my new guide to visiting Ba Na Hills here. If you’re after photos of the Golden Bridge, you want to arrive early (and preferably on a weekday). I recently went to Ba Na Hills on a Friday, arriving at 8:30 AM, and the bridge was already semi-crowded.
There is a lot more to see than the Golden Bridge. It’s a very visually striking place, with castles, gardens, and indoor shows spread over different levels and zones. You’ll need to take a cable car ride to the top (the only way to get there), which does have amazing views, but if you’re afraid of heights, it might not be for you. I am afraid of heights, and my hands were sweating. I spent over 6 hours at Ba Na Hills, and I’m glad that I did.
Klook.com
Hi Anthony,
It will be my first time visiting Da Nang this mid December and would appreciate it if it’s possible to share some good locations for astronomy photography, prefer somewhere dark and less light pollution reachable via motorbike for the night and any wildlife spots during day time. Thank you so much in advance.
Hey Ivan. I’m not too familiar with astrophotography, but I tried researching for you. As you said, the light pollution is going to be the biggest issue near Da Nang. There are a lot of lights in the city. But I’m happy to keep looking to try to figure something out for you. You’d likely need to head way outside town. For wildlife, you can pretty easily scooter onto the Son Tra Mountain/Peninsula and see wild monkeys. There is a rare species among them called the red-shanked douc. Not sure about finding this rare one, but I’ve seen numerous monkeys every time I ride out onto the peninsula or stop at Lady Buddha. Reach out if you need help, and I’ll try to research with you.
Thanks for the reply and tips, i’ve googled abit on Son Tra mountain and this could probably the best for for both. Just need to know if it’s dangerous to go there during dark of if there’s any time restriction? I’m not a hiker so i will be traveling only by bike, hope that’s ok to explore Son Tra mountain at night.
I wouldn’t personally explore it myself alone at night. There is wildlife and if you got into an accident, you’d have problems. There is a main road out to the InterContinental resort that I’m sure people ride along at night. It would be the most “traveled” part of the mountain. But further out from here is something I wouldn’t personally do.
Anthony
We are on a cruise, Seaborne, that arrives 8am and leaves 6pm on 11th Feb 26.
Can you recommend a guide with transport for a group of 6.
Should we try and spend some time in Hoi An or only visit Da Nang.
Hey Paul. Let me get back to you on the guide recommendation. I’ll email you if that’s OK or you can contact me here on Facebook if you use it. As far as visiting Hoi An…normally I’d say 100% yes. But with your tight timeframe, it’s more up to what you’d like to do. Are you wanting to “do” things or just see things? In and around Da Nang alone there’s the Lady Buddha/Son Tra Peninsula to the north, then the Marble Mountains to the south a bit. There’s My Khe Beach, the Dragon Bridge. The beach and bridge could be quick pitstops. Lady Buddha you could spend 1 hour there. The Marble Mountains could be 2 hours, with a lot of hiking involved. Whereas Hoi An is about 40 minutes south, so you’d have to factor that travel time in. I suppose you could jet down there, then spend a couple hours in Hoi An Old Town. Would just need to factor in the travel and figure out if anything interests you in Da Nang too.
Has anyone hiked monkey mountain? We’re wondering where to start the hike, it’s very difficult to find anywhere online.
There are some rough trails, like this one. But it’s still very much a wild jungle/forest. A few years ago, I was riding my scooter on the far side of the mountain, and I came within inches of a black cobra snake who hissed at me as I rode past. I thought it was a bike tire tube or some piece of trash because it wasn’t moving, and when I got close enough, it was too late to avoid or turn around.
Hi Anthony,
Great to go through your detailed articles, it is surely helping a lot of first timers like me. I am visiting Danang in December first week. I have few hotels to choose from like Fivitel Da nang, Grand gold Da nang and Grand Ocean Luxury Boutique. Would be really helpful if you can advise me which hotel would be best to stay depending on location as you have explored a lot in these years you have spent in Da nang.
Thanks for reading. The three hotels are in slightly different areas. The Grand Ocean Luxury Boutique is right in the action of the popular My An area near the beach. The Fivitel Da Nang is near the river. This hotel has good value. If you get a river-facing room, there are nice river views. This area is convenient too. The Grand Gold Da Nang (if I’m looking at the right one) is further north along the coast. As you go north along the coast, it becomes less and less touristy. I like this area up here personally. But it’s less touristy, more local, etc. It would help to know how long you’re staying and what you’re wanting from your trip.
Hi Anthony..thanks for the suggestion..I will be staying in Fivetel as per your recommendation. Is it raining pretty bad in Danang and is it flooded right now ? What are the expectations for next days if you can help with that as well please..?
Thanks
Nikhil
The Fivitel is a good value hotel. Next to the river (not the beach). Nice views of either the river or the ocean (it’s a tall hotel). But it’s been very rainy here the last few days. Weather looks like it will continue to rain for the next few days at least. I’m personally not seeing many floods in Da Nang, but I can’t speak for every area of the city.
Thanks Anthony !
Are the tourist areas open in Da Nang as you mentioned it has been raining from last few days..I have heard it is flooding in Hoi an as well and I am really worried if I should continue with my trip. Your response would be highly appreciated!!
Thanks
Nikhil
We’ve had record rain here the last few days/weeks. It looks like some on and off rainy days for the next week or so, too. October/November usually aren’t good times to visit Da Nang/Hoi An. If you can tolerate some rain, and this is the only time you can visit, then you’ll have to make do!
hi there.
My family and I are are going to Danang next May for 6 night, we can’t decide whether to stay at a beachfront resort or along Han River?
Hey. This is totally up to your travel tastes/interests for Da Nang. Do you want to wake up and be in the city, near the river? Or do you want to wake up and be able to walk to the beach within minutes? Remember that it’s easy to get from the city to the beach or vice-versa. You could walk from a city hotel to the beach in 35 minutes (or take a Grab taxi in less than 10 minutes). The area around the HAIAN Riverfront in the city is great (see it here: https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1919984&hid=15854209). And for the beach, you have a ton of options. That same brand has a beachfront hotel (see it here: https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1919984&hid=4842622). Also, last suggestion…you could do 3 days in a city hotel and 3 days in a beach hotel. Just an idea!
Hi Anthony, thanks for your great tips!
We are planning Hanoi down to Danang around the end of November , early December…. Is the rain really really bad or is there some sun? TX
You’re welcome, thanks for reading. The rain is really bad in October, less so in November. By the end of November things *should* be slowing down a bit. But I would still expect some cloudy/rainy days here and there. But compared to October, end of November is better.
Thank you for this extensive guide. I am visiting Da nang in three week
Hi, I’ve been reading Da Nang reviews for three days now, and yours is the best. It has the most useful information, great. Thank you.
Thanks, Jerzy!
Hi Anthony, great article!
We’re planning on staying in Da Nang around November, we know its rainy season but was hoping to be around for when swells would be present for surfing. We read that there’s some surfing during shouldering monsoon season… have you noticed good waves around November?
Thanks for your advice and guidance!
Hey Linda. I don’t know anything about surfing! There are several surfing companies out here, though. I would contact them and ask. Here’s one, Go Surfing VN.
Great article…I just arrived in Da Nang this afternoon, and I am excited to try most of what you covered here. Thanks!
Thanks, Mark. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in my Da Nang/Hoi An travel group on FB.
do you know where can we buy cheap souvenir like keychain or ref magnets aside from han market?
You could try Con Market (located here), further in the city. It’s far less touristy than Han Market. If you’re staying near the beach, you could check out this souvenir shop.
Hi Anthony,
Thank you for sharing. What’s the weather like in Da Nang in April? We’re thinking of April 9-13.
Hey! April is a great month to visit Da Nang. Not too hot yet, low chance of rain. Have a look at this weather chart.
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for sharing. After reading your article, I feel like my 4D3N trip won’t be enough to experience everything! Anyway, I’ll make sure to highlight some of the places you suggested—especially to have at least one cup of coffee in Da Nang, hahaha.
Nice to know you!
Thank you. Is it 4D3N in all of Vietnam or in Da Nang? Big difference! Either way, I’m sure you’ll find time for a coffee somewhere. If you have any questions, you can ask here or ask me directly in my Da Nang & Hoi An travel planning group on Facebook. Here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/danangtravelplanning
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for this informative article. My partner & I will be going to Da Nang in July. Btw, do we need international driving licenses to rent a bike? Otherwise will need to settle for e-bike, as mentioned by another commentator.
Hello Fern, thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy your trip in July. The rules on licensure have gray areas and they changed again this past December. However, plenty of scooter rental places rent out scooters to customers with or without licenses. It would be best to contact whatever rental company you’re thinking of renting from.
Hi Anthony,
Great article.. really very useful information
Thanks Nikesh! Glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Anthony,
Man, its great to get the info ahead of time, I’ve booked the hotel you suggested. I did compare and booking . com was cheaper so went there. I always try and compare the two. Are you still in Danang now? BTW is the My Kee beach open for swimming everywhere or does it close at time or are locations restricted for swimming in some areas? Thanks. Kevin
Hey Kevin. That hotel I linked wasn’t me suggesting where to stay, rather showing you an example of hotel text/policies with regard to extra beds for kids. It is not a bad hotel to stay at, though. Good value, good views. It’s on the beach side of Da Nang, but along the river portion. Will probably be about a 20-minute walk to the beach. My Khe Beach has roped areas for swimming and lifeguards on duty at certain hours. It’s very quiet during the day.
If you want a beachfront hotel in a similar price range, look at the HAIAN Beach Hotel. Agoda: https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1919984&hid=4842622 and Booking: https://booking.stay22.com/ahoyvietnam/8Shofwh4uK
Hi, some areas are restricted regarding swimming when it’s necessary for safety reasons. Overall, you got a massive area to swim but there can be a lot of people.
Just getting ready to visit Danang in a couple months. Ran across your site, lots of good info. Thanks. For the hotels, can we have my 8 yr old with us and not pay extra for him. Just book the room and have him sleep on the floor or in a sofa or the bed.
Hey, Kevin. Thanks. That will depend on the hotel. I use Agoda to book, so you’ll have to scroll down to a specific hotel’s “Property policies” section. Here is what it says on Fivitel Da Nang Hotel’s page:
The hotel: https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1919984&hid=2915722
“Children and extra beds
Extra beds are dependent on the room you choose. Please check the individual room capacity for more details.
All children are welcome.
Others
Children under 6 years old stay for free if using existing bedding.
Children 6-11 years old will be charged VND 150,000 per child per night when using existing bedding.
Children 12 years old and above Surcharge at VND250.000, sharing bed with parent
Maximum children allowed per room is 1.
When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.”
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Great article. In a couple of weeks we will be in Da Nang for the second time and this time we will rent electric scooters. (No licence needed) We will be able to do lots more then we did last time. Thanks for more suggestions.
Thank you. Having a scooter opens you up to more activities and convenience. Enjoy.
Where to rent scooters?
There are a bunch of places. I’ve used Quang Nga on a long-term basis. Here’s their location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pWx2dmih9TnA92XS7