Situated on Vietnam's breathtaking central coast, Da Nang has a lot to offer in terms of culture, street food, and gorgeous sea views. Because of its seven over-the-water structures, it is sometimes referred to as the "City of Bridges."
Traverse the Golden Bridge that spans two mountains. See the hallowed pagodas situated atop the five hills known as the Marble Mountains. Visit the Danang Fine Arts Museum to see more than 1,000 examples of traditional crafts, modern art, and folk art. For breathtaking sunsets, head down to the picturesque My Khe Beach. There's so much to do here that you will be spoilt for choice. There are now several direct flights to this seaside destination in Vietnam. Here's a curated list of must-have experiences in Da Nang.
Da Nang now has six bridges connecting the city centre to the Son Tra and Ngu Hanh Son districts, earning it the moniker "City of Bridges." Among these, the breathtaking Cau Vang, or "Golden Bridge," opened in June 2018, and is shaped like a massive pair of hands reaching out from the mountain to the sky. It reaches a height of 3,280 feet above sea level in the Ba Na Hills. To get to the bridge, visitors must take one of the world's longest cable car rides, which crosses the Ba Na forest. Its nearly 150m length provides visitors with stunning views. You can also visit nearby attractions such as Fantasy Park, a theme park which offers an amazing 7D experience.
Built over the Han River, the 2,185ft-long Dragon Bridge is shaped like an undulating golden dragon. Come here on weekend nights, because, much like a dragon, the bridge spews fire (and water) every Saturday and Sunday.
This group of five limestone peaks is home to a network of caves, tunnels, towers, shrines, and pagodas constructed by Mahayana Buddhists and Nguyen Dynasty Kings.
There are five karsts (land made of limestone) in the area. In Vietnamese, these are known as Ngu Hanh Son and are named after the five elements: Kim (metal), Thu (water), Mc (wood), Ho (fire), and Th (earth). Marble Mountains have held special significance for the people of Central Vietnam for centuries. Check out the impressive pagodas, some of which have incredibly detailed archways and lotus ponds. The Xa Loi Tower houses 200 Buddha statues and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Shop at bazaars and markets where your money will benefit the locals. And Vietnam is known for its colourful markets. Visit the local markets for tonnes of atmosphere and to learn about this beachside city's unique culture. Shop from a wide variety of local products, including food, spices, fabrics, and handicrafts.
Hit up Han Market, located in Hải Châu, which has been around since the 1940s and has stalls selling everything from handicrafts to local produce, custom made suits and dresses, rice crackers, dried squid, and more. The Son Tra Night Market, located close to the Dragon Bridge, is a great place to sample the best of Da Nang's street dishes. Another popular place to shop at is Con Market which has thousands of stalls selling find fresh produce, dried goods, coffee beans, and more. The ground floor has food stalls and the upper floor has many stalls selling handicrafts and clothes.
Vietnam has around 2,000 miles of coastline dotted with beautiful beaches. Da Nang has several including My Khe Beach, the closest beach to the city centre. Considered to be one of Vietnam's most beautiful beaches, it is known for smooth white sands, clear blue skies, and coconut trees. If you are an adventurous soul, you will be happy to know that the facilities for surfing, snorkeling, and jet-skiing at the beach are world renowned. The 10-kilometer stretch, from the Son Tra Peninsula to the Marble Mountains, gives sun seekers one of the best beach experiences in Asia.
Spread across three floors, Da Nang Fine Arts Museum has more than 1,000 pieces of modern art, folk and traditional craft products and acts as a repository and protects the collective memories of Vietnam. The space also hosts exhibitions of artists from across the world.
Timings: 8am–5pm (daily)
Ticket: VND 20
Address: 78 D. Lê Duẩn, Thạch Thang, Hải Châu, Dà Nẵng 550000, Vietnam
By Air
Daily flights ply from Danang International Airport and connect the city with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Da Lat. You can also take direct flights from Mumbai to this seaside destination in Vietnam.
By Rail
Da Nang Station is one of the three largest train stations in Vietnam welcoming daily trips for both North-bound and South-bound trains.
Indian citizens can apply online for visas on arrival in Vietnam. Indians arriving in Vietnam can obtain a visa on arrival at one of the country's participating international airports, which include Ha Noi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nha Trang. Nguyn Van Jung, Vietnam's Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, recently announced that they may introduce short-term visa waivers for India.
Da Nang has a variety of options for accommodation, from hostels and homestays to luxury hotels. In the luxury range, you have the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort known for culinary artistry at La Maison 1888, led by three-Michelin-star Chef Pierre Gagnaire, and the Mi Sol Spa. If you are travelling on a budget, choose one of the many hostels like the Kon-Tiki Da Nang Hostel which has a terrace overlooking the city’s skyline, free breakfast, and even a large TV in the bar.
