Da Nang Travel Guide 2026: Beaches, Bridges & Ba Na Hills

Da Nang is Vietnam's most underrated city. While most travelers rush through to Hoi An or Hue, those who stop discover a clean, modern coastal city with excellent beaches, impressive bridges, and easy access to some of Vietnam's best attractions.

Think of Da Nang as Vietnam's Miami - beach resorts line the coast, the infrastructure is modern, and there's a genuine city vibe rather than a tourist town feel. Located in central Vietnam between the ancient capitals and beach destinations, it's the perfect hub for exploring the region.

Quick Facts

→Location: Central Vietnam, South China Sea coast
→Coordinates: 16.0544°N, 108.2022°E
→Region: Central Vietnam
→Best Time to Visit: February to May (dry, warm)
→Rainy Season: September to December
→Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND) - $1 USD = 24,000 VND (2026 rates)
→Population: 1.2 million
→Nearest Airport: Da Nang International Airport (DAD) - in the city
→From Hanoi: 764km / 1.5 hours by flight
→From Ho Chi Minh City: 960km / 1.5 hours by flight

Why Visit Da Nang

Da Nang has transformed from a sleepy port into Vietnam's most modern city. The infrastructure is excellent, the beach is right in town, and you can use it as a base for the entire central region.

▸Beach Life in the City

My Khe Beach runs along the entire eastern edge of the city - Forbes once named it one of the most luxurious beaches in the world. You can be on the sand within 15 minutes of anywhere in town.

▸The Bridge Collection

Da Nang is obsessed with bridges. The Dragon Bridge breathes fire on weekends. The Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills has giant stone hands holding it up. The Love Lock Bridge glows with lights. They're cheesy and magnificent.

▸Central Location

Da Nang sits perfectly between major attractions:

→Hoi An: 30 minutes south
→Hue: 2 hours north
→Ba Na Hills: 45 minutes west
→Marble Mountains: 15 minutes south

▸Modern Infrastructure

This city works. Roads are good, traffic is manageable, Grab is everywhere, and you can find anything you need. After the chaos of Hanoi or HCMC, Da Nang feels refreshingly organized.

Top Attractions

▸My Khe Beach

This 10km stretch of white sand is Da Nang's main draw. The water is warm, the waves are good for surfing, and beach clubs offer loungers and food.

→Entry: Free
→Best time: Early morning (6-8am) or late afternoon (4-6pm)
→Water sports: Surfing, jet skiing, parasailing available

▸Dragon Bridge

A 666-meter bridge shaped like a dragon. On weekend nights at 9pm, it breathes fire and water. It sounds ridiculous but draws huge crowds.

→Fire show: Saturday and Sunday, 9pm
→Best view: East side of the river
→Cost: Free

▸Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge

This French-colonial themed hill station is 1,400 meters up in the mountains. The famous Golden Bridge - held by giant stone hands - is here, along with a cable car, French village, and amusement park.

→Entry: $35-40 including cable car
→Getting there: 45 minutes from Da Nang
→Time needed: Full day

▸Marble Mountains

Five limestone hills with Buddhist caves, pagodas, and panoramic views. The elevator saves the climb, but the stairs through the caves are the real experience.

→Entry: $3, elevator $2 extra
→Time needed: 2-3 hours
→Best time: Early morning to avoid heat

▸Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain)

A forested peninsula with beaches, viewpoints, and the 67-meter Lady Buddha statue at Linh Ung Pagoda. Good for a half-day motorbike loop.

→Entry: Free
→Best experience: Rent a motorbike and drive the coastal road
→Time needed: Half day

▸Han Market

Da Nang's central market for local food, souvenirs, and atmosphere. Less touristy than markets in Hoi An or HCMC.

→Entry: Free
→Best time: Morning for food, evening for atmosphere
→Must try: Banh xeo, mi quang

Where to Stay

▸My Khe Beach (Best for Beach Lovers)

Most visitors stay along My Khe Beach. High-rise hotels and resorts line the waterfront, with the beach just steps away. This is where you'll find the best swimming and sunrise views.

Price range: $40-150/night

The Hyatt, Pullman, and Furama are the luxury options. Plenty of mid-range hotels offer beach views for $50-80.

▸City Center / Han River (Best for Nightlife)

Stay near the river for bridge views, rooftop bars, and easy access to restaurants. You're 10-15 minutes from the beach but closer to the city vibe.

Price range: $25-80/night

Good option if you want more than just beach time.

▸Son Tra Peninsula (Best for Peace)

Secluded resorts on the peninsula offer privacy and nature. The InterContinental is the standout, but you'll need transport to get anywhere.

Price range: $150-400/night

Food and Dining

Central Vietnamese cuisine is distinct - more seafood, different noodles, and flavors you won't find in the north or south.

▸Must-Try Dishes

Mi Quang - Da Nang's signature dish. Wide yellow noodles with pork, shrimp, peanuts, and herbs in a small amount of turmeric broth. Different from pho - fewer noodles, less soup. $1.50-2.50

Banh Xeo - Central Vietnamese crispy pancakes, smaller and crispier than southern versions. Filled with shrimp and pork. $2-3

Bun Cha Ca - Fish cake noodle soup, a Da Nang breakfast specialty. $1.50-2

Seafood - Fresh and cheap. Whole grilled fish, steamed crab, garlic shrimp. Head to the seafood restaurants along My Khe Beach. $10-20 for a feast.

Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo - Pork and rice paper rolls. You wrap your own at the table. $3-5

▸Where to Eat

Ba Duong - The most famous banh xeo in Da Nang. Always packed. Cash only.

Mi Quang Ba Mua - Locals' choice for mi quang. Multiple locations.

Quan Hai San Be Man - Seafood restaurant where you pick your fish from tanks. On the beach road.

Madame Lan - Upscale Vietnamese in a French villa. Good for a nice dinner. $15-25

Sky36 - Rooftop bar on the 36th floor. Not for food, but the views are worth a drink.

Getting Around

▸Getting to Da Nang

By Air: Da Nang International Airport is 3km from the city center. Grab to your hotel costs $3-8. Direct flights from Hanoi, HCMC, Singapore, Bangkok, and more.

From Hanoi:

→Flight: 1.5 hours, $50-100
→Train: 15-17 hours, $35-60 soft sleeper

From Ho Chi Minh City:

→Flight: 1.5 hours, $50-100
→Train: 16-18 hours, $40-65 soft sleeper

From Hoi An:

→Grab/Taxi: 30-45 minutes, $15-20
→Local bus: 1 hour, $1

▸Getting Around Town

Grab: The easiest option. Bikes and cars available. Most trips $2-5.

Motorbike: Rent for $5-8/day. Traffic is manageable compared to other Vietnamese cities.

Bicycle: Good for the beach area. Hotels often provide free bikes.

Taxi: Metered taxis are honest here. Mai Linh and Vinasun are reliable.

Budget Guide

▸Budget Travelers ($30-45/day)

Da Nang is great value for a beach city.

→Hostel/basic hotel: $10-15
→Local food: $8-12 (mi quang, banh xeo, street food)
→Beach: Free
→Transport: $5-8 (Grab, buses)
→One attraction: $5-10

▸Mid-Range Travelers ($60-100/day)

→Beach hotel with pool: $40-60
→Mix of local and restaurant meals: $15-25
→Ba Na Hills day trip: $40 (entry + transport)
→Grab everywhere: $10

▸Luxury Travelers ($150+/day)

→5-star beach resort: $100-200
→Fine dining: $40-60
→Private tours: $80-120
→Spa/wellness: $30-50

The Hyatt, InterContinental, and Furama deliver proper luxury at lower prices than Western equivalents.

Practical Tips

▸Best Time to Visit

February to May is ideal - dry season with comfortable temperatures (25-30°C).

June to August is hot (35°C+) but good for beach and surfing.

September to December brings rain and occasional typhoons. Check forecasts.

▸Beach Tips

→Red flags mean no swimming (dangerous currents)
→Best surf is October to March
→Beach loungers at restaurants require a purchase (usually drinks)
→Sunrise over the ocean is worth the early wake-up

▸Dragon Bridge Schedule

Fire and water show: Saturday and Sunday at 9pm, lasting about 15 minutes. Arrive by 8:30pm for a good spot on the east bank.

▸Day Trip Suggestions

| Destination | Distance | Travel Time | Highlight | |-------------|----------|-------------|----------| | Hoi An | 30km | 45 min | Ancient Town, tailors | | Hue | 100km | 2.5 hours | Imperial Citadel | | Ba Na Hills | 40km | 45 min | Golden Bridge | | Marble Mountains | 10km | 15 min | Caves, pagodas |

▸Common Mistakes

→Don't skip My Khe Beach - it's legitimately good
→Don't go to Ba Na Hills on weekends - it's packed
→Don't miss the Dragon Bridge fire show if you're here on a weekend
→Don't eat only at beach tourist restaurants - the local spots are better
→Don't forget sunscreen - the central Vietnam sun is intense

▸Nearby Destinations

| Destination | Distance | Travel Time | Direction | |-------------|----------|-------------|----------| | Hoi An | 30km | 45 min by car | South | | Hue | 100km | 2.5 hours by car | North | | Phong Nha | 300km | 5 hours by car | North | | Nha Trang | 520km | 8 hours by train | South |

FAQ

How many days do you need in Da Nang?

2-3 days is enough for Da Nang itself. Add more days if using it as a base for Hoi An and Hue day trips.

Is Da Nang better than Hoi An?

They're different. Da Nang is a real city with beaches. Hoi An is a preserved ancient town. Most travelers visit both - they're only 30 minutes apart.

Is Da Nang safe?

Yes, very safe. It's one of Vietnam's cleanest, most organized cities. Normal precautions apply but crime against tourists is rare.

Is Da Nang worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you want beaches combined with day trips to Hoi An and Hue. It's also a good break from Vietnam's more chaotic cities.