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July 19, 2018
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Da Nang Travel Guide

Da Nang is one of the 20 cleanest cities in the world. Located in the South Central region, Da Nang has mountains, plains and sea. The famous tourist attractions in Da Nang include Ba Na Hills, My Khe beach, and Asia’s largest indoor amusement park: Fantasy Park. Da Nang also has many landscapes such as Hai Van pass, primitive forest in Son Tra peninsula and Marble Mountains. In particular, Da Nang is surrounded by three world cultural heritages, Hue, Hoi An and My Son; a little further one is Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Every year, Da Nang organizes fireworks festival attracting many tourists comes to attend.

The best time to travel to Da Nang

Da Nang city from Son Tra peninsula
Da Nang city from Son Tra peninsula

From May to September, every year is the high season of Da Nang tourism. Sea swimming in the summer is the good ideal. In the hot weather of 35 – 40 C degrees, you can jump into the cool seawater, the waves of the ocean. Swimming at sunrise and sunset is one of the most romantic things.

October – December is the winter season and the rainy season. In this season, Da Nang is quite and getting in to low season.

From January to April, this period in Da Nang is the time for festivals, especially air tickets to Da Nang are very cheap (only from 900,000 VND -1,500,000 VND / return ticket).

How to go to Da Nang?

There are many means of transportation to Da Nang such as coaches, airplanes, trains… You can freely choose one of them depending on your financial ability and time fund.

Airplane

Airplane is the most suitable means that we recommend you when traveling to Da Nang. Flight tickets from Hanoi or Saigon to Da Nang are from 400,000 đ to 2,000,000 đ. If you can book promotion ticket, it will be as cheap as bus ticket and you can save much your time.

We used Atadi.vn website to hunt and book air tickets because this website has searching tools to help find cheap tickets monthly, payment by ATM card, anybody can book ticket without experience of hunting ticket. In the low season (August this year to April next year), we can find a air ticket for Hanoi – Da Nang only 140,000 VND (including tax of about 400,000 VND), sometime you can hunt for “0VND air tickets”.

Note: Cheap tickets only in low season. High season ticket is about 1,500,000 VND 2,000,000 VND / return ticket.

Coach from Hanoi or Saigon

Da Nang coach is usually the North – South sleeping bus. Ticket price and quality do not differ much, but the best bus in service is Hoang Long bus and Mai Linh bus. If you take the bus to Da Nang from Hanoi, it is nearly one day for the trip and you can save money with this way. Ticket prices are from 400,000 VND – 500,000 VND / person.

There are also different bus companies to choose such as Hung Thanh, Hlink, Thuan Thao, Phuong Trang, Sinh Cafe… In Hanoi, you can take the bus to Da Nang from Giap Bat station and Nuoc Ngam bus station. In Saigon, you can buy bus tickets at Mien Dong Bus Station.

Note: You should book bus ticket in advance, or make a phone call for reserve ticket to avoid the tickets are no longer. Ticket prices are from 350,000 VND – 450,000 VND (depending on including lunch or not)

Train

Train from Hanoi or Saigon to Da Nang takes about 14 – 20 hours depending on the train slow or fast. Train from Saigon is longer than from Ho Noi because of the longer distance. This kind of transportation is not so popular, but sometime you can try new experience. Make sure you will cannot forget the scene outside the window of the train north – south runs through Da Nang, and cannot forget the spectacular scene when the train runs through the Hai Van Pass, one side is rock cliffs and one side is blue sea.

Train fares from Hanoi to Da Nang are about 300,000 VND- 650,000 VND depending on the type of seats.

Train fare from Saigon to Da Nang from 900,000 VND – 1,150,000 VND depending on the type of seat.

Da Nang's marina at night
Da Nang’s marina at night

Transportation inside Da Nang

Taxi

Taxis are also a reasonable choice, because the city is quite small so the cost is not too expensive

Mai Linh Taxi: (0511). 3.56.56.56. Hang Khong Taxi: (0511) .3.27.27.27. Han River Taxi: (0511) .3.72.72.72. Vinasun Green Taxi: (0511) .3.68.68.68

Shuttle bus

In Da Nang, taxi is not the optimal choice, because the price is high. In return, there is a shuttle bus services from Da Nang center to Ba Na, Ngu Hanh Son, Hoi An, My Son, Hai Van… A reliable service supplier is Mr. Chau’s company; he is providing shuttle bus service. Contact Mr. Chau:  0932.864.368.

Motorbikes for rent

What you need to know before renting a motorbike: You should ask about the time of pick-up or delivery, the procedure (leave any papers), and you can choose to rent an automatic or gear motorbike.

Binh Minh motorbike Company: 0986.86.29.86 – 0938.006.843 (Mr. Khoa). This company is near Dragon Bridge and My Khe beach, Son Tra district. Address: 36 Ta My Duat Street, Son Tra, Da Nang. Website: dichvuthuexedanang .com

Mr. Phat’s motorbike rental company has contact: 0947.080.083 or Ms. Oanh 0988.60.30.20. They can bring motorbike to airports, bus stations, train stations and hotels in Da Nang city. Price is from 80,000 VND – 120,000 VND / day. Address: No. 75 Huynh Tan Phat Street, Da Nang.

Motorbike rental service in Da Nang – Nguyen Hoang: phone numbers are 0975,048,408 – 0986,520,065 (zalo, viber). He has all kinds of scooters such as Jupiter, Sirius, Wave, RSX, Airblade, Honda Vision, Lead, Nouvo … Prices are from 80,000 VND -150,000 VND / day. They offer freely 1 liter of gasoline, a raincoat, and a map.

Renting motorbikes of Mr. Hung is at 21 Le Quang Dao Street, Da Nang. Hotline: 0903 40 60 39 – 0915 922 439. Motorbike rental rates are from 80,000 VND -120,000 VND / day.

Grab bike – Grab taxi

In 2018, Grab came to Da Nang. If you need move the short distance, you can book Grab bike because it is very cheap. If I take a cab, I will choose Grab, because taxi prices in Da Nang are “the most expensive in Vietnam”.

Panoramic view of city from Son Tra peak at night
Panoramic view of city from Son Tra peak at night

Accommodation in Da Nang

When looking for a hotel you need to note: in the summer, you should stay near My Khe Beach or Pham Van Dong. Hotels beside the beach are usually very expensive, you can choose hotels 50 – 100 m away from the beach will be cheaper and they are also is not too far for walking. In the winter, you can stay near Han River Bridge, or Dragon Bridge for evening walks.

Hotels along the beach in Da Nang
Hotels along the beach in Da Nang

Hotels in Da Nang also have all kinds of prices, average from 200,000 VND to 1,000 USD. The four-star resorts located on Truong Sa Street are often priced like that (Furama, Inter Continental, Fusion Maia, Hyatt, Crown Plaza, Life Style, Ocean Villas …).

InterContinental Danang Hotel
InterContinental Danang Hotel

For budget hotel, I recommend Nguyen Hotel. Nguyen Hotel is located in the resettlement area very close to the beach, 5 minutes walk to My Khe beach.

Other cheap and good hotel is Kieu Thanh Hotel on the way to My Khe Beach, 500 m from city center in the direction from Tran Thi Ly Bridge to the sea. Address: 130 Nguyen Van Thoai Street – My An – Da Nang (next to gas station). Contact: 0924.566.686 – 0962403487 – 05113.958.099 to get incentive price.

Famous tourist spots of Da Nang

Hai Van Pass with the view of beautiful Lang Co beach
Hai Van Pass with the view of beautiful Lang Co beach

The city of bridges

There are many bridges, which are located in the heart of the city. I will mention five most impressive bridges in the city.

Han River Bridges

This romantic bridge is the symbol of the city. It is also the first swing-bridge in Vietnam. Last time, when the need to across the river is high, every day at 1:00 am the bridge rotated 90 degrees for ships passing and rotated back to its original position at 3:30 am. Today, this bridge usually turns on at 11:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays to serve visitors. One of the most enjoyable experiences you cannot miss is coming and watching this bridge!

Han River Bridge
Han River Bridge

Dragon Bridge

The second bridge is Dragon Bridge; the bridge with a golden dragon is facing the East Sea. The bridge spits fire and spout water at 21:00 on Saturday and Sunday. This bridge is the largest dragon iron bridge in the world, with a unique design. An attractive place you must definitely visit when traveling to Da Nang.

Dragon Bridge
Dragon Bridge

The Bridge of Love

Near Dragon Bridge is the Bridge of Love. The bridge is built for visitors. Coming here, couples can hang locks of love on the handrail of bridge, just like the famous Love Bridge in Paris!

The Bridge of Love
The Bridge of Love

Tran Thi Ly Bridge

If you stand on the Dragon Bridge, you can see a bridge with sail shape – this is Tran Thi Ly Bridge. The bridge was also inaugurated along with the Dragon Bridge. It is one of the new symbols of Da Nang city.

Tran Thi Ly Bridge
Tran Thi Ly Bridge

Thuan Phuoc Bridge

The last one is Thuan Phuoc Bridge – the longest suspension bridge in Vietnam (1.8 km) and built in 8 years. Standing on this bridge, you can see how long and beautiful it is. This is the ideal location for admiring sunset, which I have found.

Along the banks of Han River are two clean and beautiful one-way streets. On the street, there are many cafes, restaurants, entertainment services overlooking the river. In the evening, you can stroll here to get cool and clean space.

Thuan Phuoc Bridge
Thuan Phuoc Bridge

Tourist attractions in the city center

Museum of Cham Sculpture: this is one of the great destinations, where almost the Cham sculpture is preserved over time from the 8th century to the late of 16th century. This is an invaluable treasure for those who love and want to learn Cham culture.

There are also other attractions, such as the Asian Amusement Park (There are the Sun Wheel and many other interesting games). Ticket price is 200,000 VND / person (games like Ba Na Hills, so you should choose Ba Na Hills for more beautiful scene)

Con market and Han market is the small Central food area, where you can find gifts of Da Nang for friends and family.

Beautiful beaches in Da Nang

Away from the city center about 2 km, you will see one of the six most attractive beaches of the planet.

When swimming here, you can see the fish around your feet because seawater is very clear. Waves are bigger than any other beach I have ever known. In the morning, you should get up early to watch the sunrise, walking down the fishing village to see the fisherman pull the net, the fishing boats is crowded in the far, and basket boats bring fresh shrimp and fish to the shore for selling… one of the most interesting experience in Da Nang.

Two most famous beaches in Da Nang are My Khe and Pham Van Dong. They have blue water and big wave. The beach is clean and beautiful. My Khe is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

There is also Bac My An Beach located near Ngu Hanh Son. There are fewer people than My Khe and Pham Van Dong, because it is located near big resorts so it is very quite, mostly local people around here come to swim. This is my favorite beach, because it is uncrowded. In the fish season (from August),ifyou walk on the sand you can see small fishes which were hit by waves to shore. However, this beach is a bit far from the center, only suitable for those who like to stay in Ngu Hanh Son.

Son Tra Peninsula

Located on the left hand side on the way from the city to the sea is Son Tra peninsula, a place you should not miss when traveling to Da Nang. Son Tra Mountain is famous for Linh Ung Pagoda with the largest Quan Yin Buddha statue in the country. People in Da Nang say that since the Buddha statue is facing to the sea, the city has less natural disaster than before.

In Son Tra, you will experience extremely interesting services such as snorkeling to see coral reefs, fishing with anglers, exploring Son Tra forest and panoramic view of the city on Ban Co top of Son Tra Mountain. Contact with Mr Phuc 0934.799.748 if you intend to try the service of fishing or diving with fishermen.

Parachuting on Son Tra Mountain
Parachuting on Son Tra Mountain

Marble Mountains

Located on the right hand side of the coast is Marble Mountains, this is also a place you cannot miss when traveling to Da Nang. This place is famous for Non Nuoc handicraft village, which produces marble handicrafts famous throughout the country and abroad. In Marble Mountains, there are beautiful Pagoda and cave, temples on the side of the mountain and in the cave. The pagoda in Huyen Khong cave and Van Khong cave retain the vestiges of the Cham people in ancient times. Also on Marble Mountains, there are two ancient temples: Tam Tai Pagoda and Linh Ung 1 Pagoda.

Tourist attractions around Da Nang

You should visit Ba Na Hills (30 km from Da Nang), Hai Van Pass (30 km from Da Nang), Lang Co Bay (40 km from Da Nang), Nam O Reef (15 km from Da Nang), Van village (30 km from Da Nang), Tam Giang Lagoon (45 km from Da Nang), world heritage Hue Imperial City (100 km from Da Nang) and World Heritage Hoi An ancient town (30 km from Da Nang). An Bang beach is in the top beaches of the planet with many trees, white sand and big waves. The World Biosphere Reserve of Cu Lao Cham (34 km + 15 km by sea). My Son Sanctuary (60 km from Da Nang): Champa treasure of culture, architecture and sculpture. Bich Hoa Tam Thanh Village (100 km from Da Nang) is the village with 3D paintings on the wall. Ly Son Island (130 km from Da Nang)…

Ba Na Hills
Ba Na Hills

Food and Specialties in Da Nang

Da Nang cuisine

Food is a part of culture; it is the best way to learn about indigenous people’s customs. Da Nang has a lot of good food that famous in the Central. We had to refer to a lot of placeman to find a few delicious dishes such as pork with rice paper rolls, Quang style noodles, spring rolls, rice pancake folded in half, fish sauce rice noodle, girdle cakes, grilled stingray, unhatched baby duck egg in Central style (it is very interesting, duck eggs are placed on a small cup, the seller will smash one egg tip for you to use coffee spoons to eat)….

pork with rice paper rolls
pork with rice paper rolls

There are many good restaurants in Da Nang, if you do not have much time to choose and you want to try some of the specialty here, you just go straight to Con market and go to the food court. There is more than what you want, not just Da Nang, but “a small Central of Vietnam is in Con market”. Last time, we stopped at Con market at noon, eating rice paper rolls, with a glass of fruit juice, it costed 40,000 VND for a full meals. There are many eateries close together, this area is very interesting, should not be missed anywhere!

Desserts in Da Nang are very cheap and delicious. In the street eatery, a big grilled stingray for three people is only about 100,000 VND. Regarding to seafood, there is one thing you should know: from Da Nang to Quang Ngai is the delicious seafood area – the best in the country! Maybe the reason is water or salinity. Seafood is very tasty, sweet and cheap. You should eat seafood when you go to Da Nang.

Good restaurants in Da Nang

Crispy Pancake: Ba Duong restaurant is located at K280 / 23, Hoang Dieu Street, Hai Chau District.

Pork rolls wrapped in rice paper: Tran shop (4 Le Duan, Hai Chau District, Da Nang), Mau shop is at 35 Do Thuc Tinh, Cam Le District, Da Nang.

Quang style noodle: There are many famous restaurants such as Ba Vi shop at 155 Trieu Nu Vuong Street, Ba Mua eatery on Tran Binh Trong Street or the shop at 1A Hai Phong.

Spring rolls: Di Hoa restaurant, open from 16 – 21h (address K231 / 10 Le Duan, Hai Chau District, Da Nang.

Fish sauce rice noodle: Van noodle: Van shop is at 23/14 Tran Ke Xuong, Hai Chau 2, Hai Chau, Da Nang). Ba Thuyen shop is at K424 / 03 Le Duan, Hai Chau District, Da Nang.

Seafood: Be Anh restaurant is at B14-15 Ho Nghinh – Nguyen Cao Luy Street, Son Tra district, Da Nang city. Be Man shop is at Lot 11 & Lot 14, Vo Nguyen Giap, Son Tra District, Da Nang, Nam Danh. K139 / H59 / 38 Tran Quang Khai, Tho Quang Ward, Son Tra District

Da Nang city in sunset
Da Nang city in sunset

What you should note in Da Nang

Early morning and sunset, the sea is very beautiful. City center is more beautiful at night. Early morning, you should go to the beach to see the sunrise and the people pull the fishing net, a wonderful scene in Da Nang.

The airport is located near Da Nang city center; you take a taxi just about 50,000 VND to reach Han River Bridge.

If you are ripped off, you should call the Market Management Department 05113825467 or 0903502480 and the Inspectorate Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Da Nang: 05113886761 or 0905155159. In about 10 minutes, office bearer will come to help you “reclaim justice”.

Shopping should be done at Con market. If you shop in Han market, you will be ripped off.

During the day, women remember to wear hats, caps, sunscreen and low shoe while visiting the city. The sunlight in this area is very strong.

If you go to Son Tra, remember to visit Linh Ung Pagoda and climb up the top of Ban Co to see overview of the city.

Saturday night and Sunday at 21h at Dragon Bridge with fire, spray water you can see

The Han River Bridge is no longer turning at 1:30 am, instead it turn at 21:00 on Sunday to serve tourists.

On My Khe and Pham Van Dong beach at 4:00 pm, people feed pigeons, you can come here to take pictures and play with beautiful pigeons.

Look carefully at the quality and consistency of the price of the goods before deciding to buy.

Taxis companies can be trusted Mai Linh, Xanh Taxi and Song Han Taxi. Keep in mind the number plate of taxi before take it, and note the phone number of Taxi Company and telephone number of the police.

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About the author

Hi, I'm Ho Lam! That's me, the boy who wants more experience each day. I'm slowly but surely working my way, travelling and sharing is my taste. The articles of this blog are not only from me, but also from my friends and the travellers mailed to me.

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