Da Nang is a major city in Vietnam and the fifth-largest in terms of population. Da Nang sits on the east coast and is a transition place between the north and south of the country.

Notably, Da Nang is at the mouth of the Han River, some of its most interesting tourist sites are the bridges crossing from one side to the other.

Da Nang is an increasingly popular destination amongst tourists wishing to relax at the city’s world-famous beaches and enjoy some of the best seafood restaurants with ocean views.

In addition, Da Nang’s strategic central location makes it an ideal place for exploring nearby areas including some of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Hue Imperial City and My Son Sanctuary.

This guide to Da Nang provides information about the best Vietnamese beaches in the area and other places to visit, in addition to useful travel advice.

What Do I Need to Go to Da Nang?

When planning a trip to Da Nang, foreign visitors should ensure they have the following:

• All necessary documents including a valid passport and visa for Vietnam
• High-factor sunscreen, especially when visiting during the hottest months
• Cool clothing which offers protection from the sun
• Insect repellant
• Swimwear for the beach
• Plug adaptors: Vietnamese plugs are generally types C and A

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Da Nang?

To travel to Da Nang and other cities in Vietnam, citizens of more than 80 countries can complete the Vietnam online visa application and receive the electronic visa for Vietnam within 3 days. To complete the form, it’s necessary to fill in a range of personal information and passport details, as well as provide details of travel plans and the applicant’s health history.

In order to apply for the visa for Vietnam online, it’s first required to meet some Vietnam visa requirements, which involve having a valid passport from one of the 80 eligible countries.  Applicants must also provide a scanned copy of the passport information page, as well as a digital passport-style photo. It’s also necessary to have a valid credit or debit card to pay the Vietnam eVisa fee.

What is Da Nang Known for?

Most tourists go to Da Nang to relax at one of its many idyllic beaches. There are plenty of resorts and hotels along the coast for travelers to choose from, including luxury spa accommodation.

In addition to spending time on the sand, visitors in Da Nang can experience the city’s vibrant nightlife, unique architecture, and excellent Vietnamese cuisine, especially seafood.

Beautiful beaches in Da Nang

Da Nang is best known for its stunning beaches. With translucent waters and white sand, locals flock there on the weekend and during the holidays. What’s more, the beaches of Da Nang are easily accessible, with most just a few minutes by car from the center.

Tourists can also take advantage of the many seafood restaurants concentrated close to the shore, a great place to sample some of Da Nang’s specialties at affordable prices.

There are a number of beaches to choose from, the following are some of the most popular amongst visitors.

My Khe Beach

Enjoy 20 miles of sandy beach at one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam.

• Location: just under 4 miles east of Da Nang
• Facilities: resorts and quality seafood restaurants
• Popular for: sunbathing and water sports (jet-skiing, snorkelling etc.)

Non Nuoc Beach

Known across the world for its natural beauty and white sand, Non Nuoc Beach is a popular sunbathing spot for locals and international tourists alike.

• Location: around 6.2 miles south of Da Nang
• Facilities: local seafood eateries and water sports facilities
• Popular for: visiting the villages and their pagodas situated in the nearby mountain ranges

Thanh Binh Beach

As the closest beach to the center of Dan Nang, Thanh Binh Beach is a great place to head in the evenings, to dine at local establishments and enjoy the nightlife.

• Location: around 3 miles north of Da Nang
• Facilities: mid-range hotels and seafood restaurants
• Popular for: sunbathing (plenty of chairs to rent), yachting, windsurfing, and swimming

Da Nang nightlife: bars and clubs

With a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene, Da Wang is a favorite amongst travelers seeking some of the best evening entertainment in Vietnam.

From exclusive cocktail lounges to more laid-back options, Da Nang boasts a wide range of bars for every taste and budget. In addition, a number of rooftop lounges offer some of the best views across the city. Some venues host live music events.

After dark, the city’s nightclubs come alive with sets by top DJs until the early hours of the morning.

Famous Bridges in Da Nang

A trip to Da Nang would not be complete without visiting the city’s incredible bridges. The unique design and impressive length of some of Da Nang’s bridges has converted them into major tourist attractions.

Dragon Bridge

In the form of a giant dragon, this bridge crossing the River Hàn is 666m long, 37.5m wide and has six lanes.

The best time to go and see the construction is Saturday and Sunday evening from 9pm when the sculpture is illuminated in different colors and the dragon’s head spews fire and water.

Tourists are recommended to view the spectacle from one of the cafes situated along the riverbanks, boat trips are also available throughout the day and are a great way to enjoy the scenery at night.

Golden Bridge

This structure was built in the Bà Nà Hills resort, just west of Da Nang. It is a pedestrian passage measuring 490 feet (150 meters) which connects the cable car station and the gardens.

The bridge appears to be supported by a giant pair of stone-like hands. This unique design has made the Vietnams’ Golden Bridge one of the most popular tourist spots in the country.

When is the Best Time to Visit Da Nang?

In order to enjoy the city to the fullest, in particular its beaches, it’s important to time a trip to Da Nang carefully.

The weather in Vietnam in the north is quite different from that in the south of the nation. Da Nang is a transition place between these climates, the conditions here are more similar to those of southern Vietnam with mild year-round temperatures and a rainy season.

Da Nang Da Nang’s 2 seasons are:

• Wet season: September to March
• Dry season: December to August

During the hottest months, from May to September the temperature peaks at around 95 ºF (35 ºC) whilst the cooler months from December to February see average temperatures closer to 77 to 78 ºF ( 25- 26 ºC).

To avoid the heavy rainfall and highest temperatures, tourists are recommended to visit from February to May, as these months offer optimal conditions for exploring and are a good time to enjoy the beach.

It should be noted that this time of year is also peak season meaning that visitors can expect large crowds at the beaches and top sites.

How Many Days Do You Need in Da Nang?

When traveling around Vietnam, how many days to dedicate to Da Nang depends on how much of the city and its surroundings a tourist wants to see.

For those who simply want to spend time on the sand and enjoy the restaurants and nightlife, a couple of days may be sufficient.

However, Da Nang is the ideal base for exploring the nearby Marble Mountain, Bana Hill, and My Son Sanctuary UNESCO World Heritage Site in the port town of Hoi An.

To visit all these places, it is a good idea to extend the time spent in Da Nang to around 5 days.

How to Get to Da Nang?

Travelers arriving from elsewhere in Vietnam or from overseas have several transport options available.

Whilst flying is the fastest and perhaps most convenient, train and bus travel provide the opportunity to enjoy some stunning natural scenery.

Flying to Da Nang

One easy way to reach the city is by plane. Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is in the downtown area and receives daily inbound flights from towns across Vietnam and international flights from cities including Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo.

Flights from Hanoi to Da Nang are inexpensive, depending on the time of year tickets can be found for less than $50 (1,160,000 VND).

Train travel in Da Nang

The train station in Da Nang is around 3 miles (5 km) from the center of the city. A popular route for tourists is to go by sleeper train from Hue to Da Nang. This scenic track goes along the coastline, passing rural villages, farmland, and mountains.

The train journey lasts around 3 hours costing approximately $15 USD (34,000 VND).

Traveling by bus to Da Nang

Buses are another option when arriving from a city or town in Vietnam. Da Nang bus station is one of the busiest in the country with arrivals and departures to and from many domestic destinations.

The bus is generally the cheapest option but also the slowest.

The bus from Da Nang to Hanoi takes 14 hours but costs just $37 (874,000 VND) for a second class seat.