Da Nang is the third-largest city in Vietnam if going by population. The city is home to over 1.1 million people. Da Nang is an important port as it lies on the coast of the South China Sea at the start of the Hàn River. Da Nang is often overlooked when people are traveling around Vietnam but what are the things you do in Da Nang Vietnam?
In Da Nang you can enjoy wonderful food as Da Nang is a bit of a foodies paradise, there are many good restaurants and bars dotted around the city. Da Nang is blessed with a wonderful beach that is a big draw for many who come to Da Nang and of course, there are the water sports that you expect when at the beach.
In this post, we will go through things to do in Da Nang Vietnam. Let’s get started!
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Is Da Nang Worth Visiting?
Da Nang is worth visiting. You can enjoy the local food, explore the national parks, and enjoy the amazing beaches like My Khe Beach. There is also bustling nightlife, especially at the weekends.
Where Is Da Nang Vietnam
Da Nang is the third-largest city by population in Vietnam and is situated on the Eastern Sea coast with the South China Sea. It is midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and is the largest city in Central Vietnam.
The Best Time To Travel To Da Nang Vietnam
Da Nang experiences the rainy season from September to November and the dry season from December to August. And has an average temperature of between 22°C to 33°C all year round.
The best time to visit Da Nang is from February to May during the dry season.
Things To Do In Da Nang Vietnam
Da Nang is a good place to visit. There is a good range of things to do in Da Nang from relaxing on the beach to exploring the local temples. Then at night, there is the bustling nightlife to enjoy.
Here, are some of the fun things to do in Da Nang Vietnam.
See The Dragon Bridge
The ‘Dragon Bridge’ is not only the longest and one of the most beautiful bridges in Vietnam but it has become one of the most iconic sights in Da Nang. At 9 pm every Saturday and Sunday, the 666-meter bridge lights up in a spectacular light, fire, and water show that can be seen for miles around.
Whether you’re alone or with friends, it will make a wonderful picture for your Instagram. This should be number one on every visitor’s list simply because it can only be seen here in Da Nang.
Visit The Linh Ung Pagoda
The Linh Ung Pagoda is found at Son Tra Mountain and is one of the best things to do in Da Nang Vietnam, especially if you’re an Instagram addict. This pagoda is famous for having the tallest statue of the Goddess of Mercy in the region, built on a blooming lotus platform but there are also 21 small statues and 67 meters high statue of the Buddha.
There’s the main hall and the grounds are filled with Buddha statues and bodhi trees and pagodas. The grounds are quiet, making it a great place to relax and meditate. The views you get at the top of Son Tra Mountain are truly amazing.
Take A Cooking Class in Da Nang
While visiting Vietnam, many people enjoy Vietnamese food especially the wonderful flavors and smell of the local food. You can learn how to cook Vietnamese food by taking a cooking class. You can take a cooking class from Jolie Da Nang Cooking Class. They will teach you how to cook local Vietnamese food.
The cooking class starts off at the local market. At the market, you learn how to pick fresh ingredients and learn how to make traditional Vietnamese dishes before being returned to your hotel. The best thing about the cooking class is that the class or groups are small.
Visit My Son Sanctuary
This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the My Son Sanctuary is a unique part of Da Nang’s history. The ruins are the remains of Hindu temples between the 4th and 14th centuries. Largely decorated for the worship of the Goddess Shiva, these ruins are beautiful, culturally important, and Instagram-worthy.
Just remember to bring a hat and water to keep the sun at bay as the tours can take a few hours. Guided tours are the best way to see the sanctuary. All guides are bilingual and the tours are reasonably priced.
Enjoy The Museum Of Cham Sculpture
The Champa kingdom reigned in Vietnam from 197 AD to 1697 and the building which houses this museum is a fine example of Cham architecture. Inside, is a collection of Cham sculptures that is as diverse as it is beautiful.
This is the only museum of its kind in the world. Nowhere else in Vietnam or the world, showcases Cham Golden Age sculptures like this. Walk the exhibition rooms and immerse yourself in the cultural history of this great nation. You won’t be disappointed.
A fairly modern museum with helpful English signage but not everything has signage in English. You will see the history of local ethnic groups, costumes, work, and loads of artifacts. Remember to pick up an English guidebook as a souvenir of your visit
Snorkel At Cham Island
With miles and miles of coast at its disposal, Da Nang is the perfect place to participate in water sports. Whether you want to paddleboard, scuba dive, or surf there’s something for everyone around this city.
But of all the things to do in Da Nang Vietnam that involve its crystalline waters, snorkeling at Cham Islands is the one that everyone should try.
Cham Islands is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a Marine Protected area thanks to its amazing biodiversity and beauty. This is a swimming session you’ll never forget!
Have Fun At Hoa Phu Thanh
An area of outstanding natural beauty a little southwest of Da Nang, the Hoa Phu Thanh tourist area is not only a great place to get in touch with nature and the landscape but it’s home to some of the best river rafting in Da Nang.
This is an all-day activity that includes your lunch and all safety demonstrations are provided in English. While rafting at Hoa Phu Thanh isn’t the most cultural of things to do in Da Nang Vietnam, it is one of the most memorable.
See The Golden Bridge
The Golden Bridge is another amazing bridge near Da Nang. It is 150 meters long pedestrian bridge in the Bà Nà Hills resort. To get to the bridge, you need to enter the Sun World theme park and use the cable car to get to it.
The trip up to the bridge has amazing views. I would recommend waiting to do the bridge in the evening when there are fewer people as it gets very crowded during the day.
Besides the Golden Bridge, you can walk through gardens, there are food outlets and shops for souvenirs. Plus the French Village includes replicas of several French attraction locations and get on free rides in the Fantasy Park.
Visit Marble Mountain
The Marble Mountains are about 7 km outside Da Nang city. The Marble Mountains are 5 mountains made up of main marble and limestone hills with caves, tunnels, temples, and Buddhist shrines there to be explored.
Be prepared to climb very steep stairs or take the elevator to the top. To see the caves, pagodas, and different temples there is a lot of walking and climbing.
There are some amazing views of the city and the bay, plus the caves are amazing. There are also a few food and drink vendors where you can buy water and snacks.
USEFUL TRAVEL RESOURCES
Book Accommodation
Booking.com has a large range of properties from hotels, hostels, guesthouses, and resorts where you will find the best deals. Airbnb and Hostelworld also have a good range of places to stay at good prices.
Booking Flight
Skyscanner is a flight search comparison website that searches millions of flights all at once. Ultimately it is the best flight comparison website online at the moment.
Booking Transportation & Things To Do
Rome2rio and 12Go are useful to plan how to get anywhere by searching train, bus, car, and ferry routes. Especially useful in countries like Vietnam or Thailand. While Klook is great for exploring things to do in each place.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is cheap and more than likely you will never need to use it but you will have peace of mind if something does happen, you are covered in case of an emergency. World Nomads have great customer service and competitive prices.
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use when you travel.
Wrapping Up
Finally, Da Nang is a beautiful and vibrant Vietnamese city we recommend that you take the time to visit Da Nang. Whether you are interested in snorkeling at Cham Islands or learning to cook Vietnamese dishes. Or just relax on the beach for a few days. Just choose what you want to do and start enjoying what Da Nang has to offer.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on things to do in Da Nang Vietnam has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.