Often overlooked by travelers eager to discover nearby cities like Hôi An, Danang is a port city in central Vietnam that shouldn't be missed. Located near beautiful beaches and surrounded by major sites of interest, it merits a 2 to 3-day stay. Discover everything there is to see and do during a visit to Danang.

Admire the Iconic Dragon Bridge and Watch the Nighttime Spectacle

A true icon of Danang, the Dragon Bridge spans the Han River. It was inaugurated in 2013 to celebrate the 38th anniversary of Danang's liberation during the Vietnam War. Revered by Vietnamese people, its tail shaped like a lotus flower symbolizes Vietnam's rebirth, and the dragon itself represents luck and good fortune. Every Saturday and Sunday, you can watch it breathe fire and water starting at 9 p.m.

Enrich Your Knowledge in Danang's Museums

There's nothing better than exploring one of the city's museums to learn more about Danang and the region's history. Among the main museums in Danang, we recommend:

• Danang Museum, which traces the city's history from before its liberation to its modernization.
• Cham Sculpture Museum, which houses the world's largest collection of Cham art and offers extraordinary insight into Vietnam's history.
• Ho Chi Minh Museum of Danang, which traces the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh.
• Military Zone 5 Museum, which houses airplanes, tanks, armored vehicles, and large cannons used by French and American forces during the last two wars of resistance.

Visit Danang's Religious Buildings

The Danang region is home to numerous religious buildings worth visiting. Among them are:

• Cao Dai Temple: This is the largest Caodaist temple (apart from the one in Tay Ninh) and welcomes around 20,000 of the city's followers.
• Danang Cathedral: Distinguished by its pink color, it was built in 1923 and is one of the country's most original Catholic churches.
• Lady Buddha: This is one of the city's must-see attractions. Standing 67 meters tall, it is Vietnam's tallest statue. It represents the Goddess of Mercy and is located in the courtyard of Linh Ung Pagoda.
• Phap Lam Pagoda: This Buddhist pagoda is a two-story monument with magnificent gardens perfect for strolling.
• Tam Bao Pagoda: It features a five-level tower. Nearby are the remains of the city's ramparts, dating from the early eighteenth century.

Explore the Marble Mountains

Located near Danang's city center, the Marble Mountains are among the region's major sites. They form a set of 5 mountains named after the five elements of ancient Oriental philosophy: kim son (metal), moc son (wood), hoa son (fire), tho son (earth), and thuy son (water). This is a spiritual site where you'll find tunnels, caves, pagodas, and temples.

You can climb to the top of Thuy Son to enjoy breathtaking views of the South China Sea, the city of Hôi An, and the surroundings of Danang.

Spot Monkeys on Son Tra Mountain

Son Tra Mountain is located on the Son Tra Peninsula. It is home to a nature reserve populated by a significant colony of monkeys, including rare species such as rhesus macaques, long-tailed macaques, pygmy slow lorises, and red-bottomed monkeys...

You can observe them by going on a hiking expedition. We recommend climbing the mountain to enjoy an exceptional view of My Khe Beach, the Cham Islands, and the surroundings. You'll also see the famous statue of the Goddess of Mercy at Linh Ung Pagoda.

Relax on Danang's Beaches

Looking to take a break and unwind between visits? Head to the many beaches in the region. Here are the most beautiful beaches in Danang and the surrounding area:

• Non Nuoc Beach: Located about fifteen minutes' drive from Danang (near the Marble Mountains), Non Nuoc Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam.
• My Khe Beach: This is one of the beaches closest to Danang's city center. It is appreciated for its long stretch of white sand and calm, shallow waters, making it an excellent swimming spot.
• Pham Van Dong Beach: With its white sand beach and vast lawns under coconut trees, it's the ideal spot for a picnic.
• Xuan Thieu Beach (Red Beach): This is THE beach not to miss for admiring the sunset. Its waters are painted with vivid red reflections at the end of the day (hence its nickname, Red Beach). As a fun fact, it was on this beach that the first American soldiers landed during the Vietnam War in 1965.

Shop at Danang's Markets

Whether you're shopping, tasting Vietnamese specialties, or buying travel souvenirs, don't miss Danang's markets, here are our favorites:

• Cho Han Market: This is the most well-known and touristy market in Danang. You'll find absolutely everything here (fabrics, clothing, accessories, handicrafts, food items...).
• Cho Con Market: Located in a 3-story building, this is the region's largest wholesale and retail sales point. More authentic than the previous one, it also features food stalls, fresh local products, clothing, handicraft shops, and custom tailoring services.
• Bac My An Market: Famous for its countless street food stalls, this is a paradise for Vietnamese street food! The perfect opportunity to try several local specialties like the many varieties of noodles or stir-fried snails with lemongrass and chili!

Visit Typical Villages in the Region

For travelers seeking authenticity and encounters with the local population, don't miss visiting the region's typical villages. We especially recommend Non Nuoc Village, located at the foot of Thuy Son Mountain, where you can see and interact with the village's stonemasons, a tradition that has been passed down through generations.

You can also venture further to Prao Village (located 2.5 hours from Danang), where an ethnic minority lives: the Co Tu. It's an opportunity to learn more about their traditions and ancestral way of life.

Note: We recommend visiting the village with an English-speaking guide to facilitate interactions with the community and fully understand their rituals.

Have Family Fun at Asia Park

If you're on a family trip to Vietnam, you can plan a day at Asia Park, an amusement park located between the Han River Bridge and the Dragon Bridge, which will delight both children and adults!

Marvel at Ba Na Hills

In the mountains, 25 kilometers southwest of Danang, lies an unexpected place where castles, French buildings, pagodas, and an amusement park coexist. This is the Ba Na Hills leisure park, perched at 1,500 meters altitude.

Built by French colonists in the early twentieth century as a retreat and leisure destination, this mountain resort includes:

• A replica of a French village,
• An amusement park called Sun World Danang,
• A cable car (the world's longest single-rail cable car without a stop),
• The famous Golden Bridge characterized by giant hands supporting it,
• A wax museum,
• Temples and pagodas,
• Hotels and restaurants...

It's the ideal destination for a family trip with children.

Cross the Cloud Pass (Hai Van Pass)

Also known as Hai Van Pass, the Cloud Pass is one of Vietnam's most spectacular mountain passes. Part of the famous Mandarin Road that once connected the North and South of the country in feudal times, it spans nearly 21 kilometers and traverses some of the most picturesque landscapes in the country.

You can plan a road trip by car, motorcycle, or bicycle (for the more adventurous) or organize an excursion with a guide to ensure you don't miss any of the treasures along the way. It's also one of the possible routes to reach the city of Huế from Danang. To make the most of the panoramic views the road offers, we recommend going when the weather is clear.

Florine Dergelet