Planning a trip to the beautiful central city of Da Nang, Vietnam? I’ve put together a short list of the best things to do in Da Nang which includes some relaxing yet adventurous recommendations. While you can always go to the beach and lay in the sun, I found the most memorable parts of this trip were traveling through the Vietnam countryside, chatting with locals, eating mouthwatering meals, and learning bits of history. I hope this post helps make your next trip to Da Nang an unforgettable one:
1. Rent a motorbike and eat delicious local food
The best way to get around Vietnam is on a motorbike, so do a little research or ask your hotel front desk about renting a motorbike for a few days while in Da Nang. You’ll get to experience life like the locals, see a lot more of the city, and try many different dishes. The streets and alleyways are generally very narrow so it makes sense why the motorbike is the easiest way to get around. Pictured above were some of my favorite dishes we ate which included Mi Quang, a very popular noodle dish originating in central Vietnam. The main ingredients are noodles, meat, and herbs, most commonly served with a small amount of broth, which is generally infused with turmeric.
2. See the Golden Dragon Bridge at night
The Golden Dragon Bridge is one of the main bridges connecting the two sides of Da Nang. You can’t miss it as it’s bright yellow and shaped like a dragon. We opted to stay at a hotel next to the Golden Dragon Bridge so it was pretty easy to take pictures. On some nights around 9pm, they actually have fire come out of the dragon’s mouth!
3. Ride to Hội An
Hoi An is only an hour motorbike ride from Da Nang, so head over to explore the city of lanterns. During the ride there, we passed vast green fields and ox along the road. Once in Hoi An, be sure to explore the many street vendors and clothing shops. We drank fresh coconut and pineapple juice while chatting with some of the locals; it was so wonderful. At night, you can experience the array of colors from the lanterns decorated throughout the city. It’s believed that lighting the lanterns on the water will bring good fortune, health, and happiness. After taking in the night market of Hoi An, we rode back to Da Nang and walked along the beach.
4. Explore the Lady Buddha temple (Chùa Linh Ứng)
Chùa Linh Ứng is a Buddhist temple in Da Nang and has the tallest Buddhist statue in the country. Along with the Lady Buddha statue, there’s also a beautiful pagoda, and amazing views of the city from the top. There’s no fee to enter but you can contribute to the temple via donations if you’d like. As you walk around the temple, you may also spot little monkeys climbing the trees and taking trash from the garbage bins.
5. Take a bus shuttle 2 hours to historic Huế
The city of Hue is about 2 hours north of Da Nang and holds a ton of history. Hue was Vietnam’s capital for over a hundred years and was home to many emperors back in the day. This will be a great city to explore to learn more about Vietnam’s long history. Also, make sure to eat Bún bò Huế (pictured below) – a spicy noodle dish packed with flavor. It’s one of my favorite dishes which originated from Hue. Since you’re in Hue, if you keep traveling up north, you’ll hit the city of Dong Hoi which is next up on the list….
6. Train to Đồng Hới for Phong Nha caves
Lastly, book a tour to explore the Phong Nha caves outside Dong Hoi, Vietnam. If you’re in Hue, it’s about a 3.5 hour train ride to Dong Hoi, and if you’re in Da Nang, it’s about a 6 hour train ride. Either way, it’ll be an unforgettable experience exploring the caves. This was by far the best thing we did while in Vietnam. I loved the adventure of kayaking into the caves where it’s pitch black and dead silent. Then trekking for miles into mystery and unknown. We booked with Phong Nha Explorer – they have lots of different packages to choose from depending on your level of comfort. Our tour guide, Hieu, was also so knowledgeable and friendly. I would highly recommend adding this to your itinerary.
In conclusion, I hope this post has inspired you to explore central Vietnam. I know there’s so much more to do while traveling throughout this area, so please feel free to add your recommendations in the comment section below. While you’re in Vietnam, I would also encourage you to learn as much of the Vietnamese language as you can, since it’ll give you a much deeper connection with the wonderful people. If you’re hoping to discover more of Southeast Asia, check out my Asia travel destinations page. Happy wandering!