Nestled along Vietnam’s central coast, Da Nang is a vibrant city where natural beauty meets modern charm. Da Nang offers something for every kind of traveler. Whether wandering through the Marble Mountains, marveling at the iconic Golden Bridge, or savoring local street food, this coastal gem promises unforgettable experiences.
Things to know before you go
- Vietnam requires New Zealand Passport holders to apply for an e-visa. You can apply here and the fee is around $45 NZD.
- The power sockets in Vietnam are compatible with European plugs.
- Get cash out either before you go or as you arrive in the country. Cash is preferred for most things but especially taxis & markets.
Transport
To make things easier when travelling, download Grab, a rideshare app similar to Uber.
Taxis are also fairly cheap but you’ll still have to figure how much the ride should cost and potentially barter.
Where to Stay in Da Nang
Hai An Beach Hotel
My partner and I looked up various hotels on TripAdvisor, and booked Hai An Beach Hotel through Booking.com.
This hotel sits right on the beachfront, with a perfect view of the sunrise over the sea. Our booking included a buffet breakfast which had a variety of cuisine from all around Vietnam each day.
Food & Drink in Da Nang
Vietnam Daily Cuisine
This restaurant offered a ‘happy meal’ deal of a hot pot pork dish, small soup & drink.
We accidentally ordered so much food. We thought the spring rolls and pancakes were entree sized but each dish was a full platter. Our server explained that in Vietnam food portions are ‘big’ and ‘bigger’! It was so tasty and worth pacing ourselves to eat it all though.
Bánh xèo was our favourite food find of the trip. Crispy crepes with pork & shrimp filling, wrapped in rice paper with greens and slices of mango and a dipping sauce.
Sights & Activities in Da Nang
I booked a full day tour on Get Your Guide. This was more so a private driver to each of the destinations and did not include entry fees or a guide. However, it’s a great option if you like being left to explore in an area rather than be stuck in a group.
Linh Ung Pagoda & Lady Buddha Statue
Perched on the picturesque Son Tra Peninsula, the Linh Ứng Pagoda is one of Da Nang’s most serene and spiritual sites, with its breathtaking coastal views and tranquil atmosphere surrounded by lush gardens, bonsai trees, and ornate shrines. The star of the pagoda is the towering Lady Buddha statue, standing an impressive 67 meters tall—the tallest of its kind in Vietnam.
Visible from almost anywhere in the city, she faces the sea to protect local fishermen and bring peace to the land. We could spot her all the way from My Khe Beach and even from the plane before we landed in Da Nang.
The pagoda is a great place to visit for its culture, history, and moment of calm away from the city’s bustling atmosphere. The statue and pagoda are all free to visit. I recommend visiting early in the morning if you wish to avoid crowds – we arrived here at around 7.30-8am. It is important to know you must remove your shoes and cover your shoulders/legs when entering temples. Some have skirts or dress-like items you can wear over your clothes if you are just visiting. These were available on racks by the entrances.
Marble Mountains
The marble mountains are dotted with ancient pagodas and hidden caves that once sheltered soldiers during war. There are five mountains, each named after the five elements, however, Thuy Son mountain is largest and the only accessible mountain to the public. You can climb up the stone steps to explore intricate grottoes adorned with statues and shrines, or if you walk further along to the lookout on the highest peak, take in sweeping views of the coastline and city from the mountain top.
The marble mountains entry fee is a 40,000 VND (roughly $2.50 NZD). & another $1 if you want to take the elevator instead of the stairs. Honestly, the stairs aren’t too bad and only take five minutes to walk up, so I wouldn’t take the elevator.
There are many paths, caves and heights to explore while up the mountain but I would not consider any of them accessibility friendly. There are a lot of uneven steps and surfaces.
Sunworld & Golden Hands Bridge
Sun World Ba Na Hills is located about 45 minutes from the city center. Tickets cost around 900,000 VND (about $60 NZD) for adults, and include access to most attractions inside the park. The system to pay for entry at reception only allows one person per group to enter and buy the tickets as it is very busy at all times.
To reach Sun World you must use the cable car, which takes around 20 minutes and offers sweeping views of the mountains and coastline. It is famous for being the longest, non-stop cable car on a single track! Once at the top, it is cooler than in Da Nang, so bringing a light jacket is a good idea. I also recommend wearing comfortable shoes. There’s a lot of cobblestone with much of the park being inspired by the streets around Europe.
The Golden Bridge is the star attraction and best visited early in the morning around 7am as the park opens, before the crowds arrive. You must catch a smaller cable car to the smaller island to see it. Beyond that, there are landscaped gardens, a wax museum (with a small extra fee), and the indoor Fantasy Park with rides and games for families.
The French Village, with its restaurants, cafes, and performance stages, is the central hub where visitors often stop for food or to catch cultural shows throughout the day.
There was a Summer Festival on during our visit, so they were giving out vouchers as we entered for food & drinks at the Ba Na Brewhouse, a Bavarian-style beer hall that serves craft beers and hearty meals. As you enter the brewhouse, you’ll be guided quite quickly through its levels to see where their beer is brewed before you end up in the food court area. It reminded me a little of my time at Oktoberfest, and it was perfect for taking a break between sightseeing.
Here we also saw the Afterglow cabaret show, which has a 30 min performance 2 -3 times per day. You can buy tickets by the entrance to the brewhouse food court, and you choose out of 3 packages that include a variety of food and drink. We chose the cheapest option which came with a complimentary shot on arrival and a cocktail to enjoy while watching the performance.
Thanks for joining me on my Journey!
If you’d like to see more photos and travel inspiration for travelling Da Nang, check out my pinterest board!
Next up, I headed to Ho Chi Minh City! Blog post coming soon…
