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Best Activities and Places to Explore in Da Nang

Situated in the heart of Vietnam, Da Nang is renowned for its stunning long beaches adorned with pristine white sand and breathtaking mountain ranges. The city was recognized by Smart Travel Asia online magazine as one of the top 10 captivating holiday destinations in 2013. Traveling to Da Nang allows you to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a rapidly developing city while immersing yourself in its rich cultural heritage and untouched natural wonders.

Discover a multitude of activities and fascinating attractions that await you in this city. Here are some enticing ideas to get you started:

Best Activities and Places to Explore in Da Nang

Top 13 Activities to Experience in Danang, Vietnam

Danang: A Beautiful Destination

Indulge in the Beach

When visiting Danang, it is essential to take a few days to unwind and soak up the beauty of the city’s stunning beaches. Renowned by Forbes as one of the most captivating beaches in the world, Danang offers pristine white sand, crystal-clear blue waters reflecting the cloudless sky, enchanting coconut trees lining the shore, and a serene ambiance perfect for sunbathing and reading.

Enjoy Water Sports

Aside from swimming, Danang’s beaches offer a plethora of sports and activities catering to various preferences. During the afternoon, especially in summer, the beaches are bustling with locals and tourists engaging in soccer, volleyball, jogging, and other recreational pursuits. For thrill-seekers, Danang is an excellent destination for surfing, paragliding, and parachuting, thanks to consistent surfable waves at Non Nuoc Beach and affordable living costs. Additionally, Son Tra Beach provides fantastic snorkeling opportunities, boasting over 40 types of coral reefs.

Explore Son Tra Peninsula

Son Tra Peninsula: Experience the Beauty of Nature

Son Tra Peninsula, located just 13km from the city center, offers a true connection with nature. Designated as a national park, this picturesque peninsula is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The journey to Son Tra itself is enchanting, as it takes you along the stunning beachfront streets of Danang. As you drive up the mountain, the temperature drops and the views become increasingly captivating. From Ban Co Peak, where legends speak of fairies playing chess, you can behold the breathtaking panorama of Danang city, its beautiful beaches, and Danang Bay. Sunrise and sunset here are truly magical experiences.

Ba Na Hills: A Heavenly Retreat

Situated at an altitude exceeding 1,500 meters, Ba Na Hills is a sanctuary away from the chaos of city life. This remarkable destination offers all four seasons in a single day, with a delightful spring morning, warm summer afternoons, cool autumn evenings, and nighttime temperatures dropping below 15°C. Originally established by the French, Ba Na has evolved into a resort and recreational center, earning several World Guinness Records since 1919. A 20-minute cable car ride to the mountaintop provides an invaluable experience, offering the most awe-inspiring vistas of the landscape and surrounding areas. At Ba Na Hills, visitors can enjoy modern amenities, unwind in the midst of pristine nature, hike along forest trails, explore cultural and religious sites like Linh Phong Tu Tower and Linh Ung Pagoda, indulge in wine tasting at the cellar, or entertain children with games and shows at the theme park.

Best Activities and Places to Explore in Da Nang

Traditional Vietnamese Folk Dance Shows at Night

At nightfall, traditional Vietnamese folk dance shows take place around a campfire.

Cham Museum

The Cham Museum is prominently featured in travel guidebooks as a must-visit attraction in Danang. It houses an extensive collection of sculptures and artworks from the flourishing period of the Champa Empire (7th to 15th century). The exhibits include sandstone sculptures, carvings, clothing, photographs, household items, and some bronze artifacts. The museum provides insights into the history, religion, and cultural interactions of the Cham Empire, offering visitors a glimpse into the enigmatic nature of Asia. Located approximately 4km from the airport, admission to the museum costs only 40,000 VND/person (less than 2 USD).

Local Cuisine

Danang’s culinary scene never fails to impress food enthusiasts and adventurers worldwide. While Vietnamese cuisine shares similarities in recipes, preparation methods, and ingredients throughout the country, Danang’s food stands out with its bold spices and flavors. The local cuisine features distinctive dishes such as fish cake noodle soup (bun cha ca), Quang noodle (my Quang), grilled pork with rice vermicelli noodle salad (bun thit nuong), and spring rolls (goi cuon).

Street Food in Danang and Typical Dishes

Danang offers a variety of delicious street food options. You’ll find numerous food stands throughout the city, selling fast-food delicacies like Vietnamese-style bread, hollow bread, sticky rice, Vietnamese honeycomb cake, and more. Local people, especially young ones, enjoy eating at these street restaurants and often gather there with friends.

Typical dishes in Danang include Mi Quang (Quang Noodle) and Da Tron (Pork skin salad).

Han River’s Attractions and Activities

The Han River flows through the center of Danang, enhancing the town’s charm. Along Bach Dang Street, you can go for a stroll, enjoy the refreshing breeze, marvel at the beautiful bridges, and experience various activities like local dance performances, musical shows, and street vendors selling arts and crafts. The riverside area is dotted with coffee shops, bars, and pubs, making it a popular hangout for expats and young people. If you’re interested, you can even take a cruise tour along the Han River, with prices starting as low as 70,000 VND (or 3.5 USD).

Morning Activities at Han Bank

Witness the vibrant morning scene at Han Bank, where people engage in various activities to kickstart their day.

Danang International Fireworks Festival

Experience the awe-inspiring Danang International Fireworks Festival, a biannual event held in Danang city. Previously an annual event, it takes place towards the end of April each year.

This captivating festival showcases magnificent fireworks displays by five teams from different countries. Each team selects a theme and accompanying music, resulting in a colorful spectacle with dazzling effects that illuminate the sky over the Han River.

The festival is often accompanied by other festivities such as music festivals, dance performances, and art exhibitions.

Best Activities and Places to Explore in Da Nang

Visaonlinevietnam.com: The Legit Website for Vietnam Visa Applications

Trust Visaonlinevietnam.com as your reliable website for applying for a Vietnam visa.

Danang: An Extraordinary City

Discover the wonders of Danang, a city that never fails to amaze visitors.

Savor Rooftop Coffee and Beers

Indulge in peaceful, romantic, and unforgettable moments while sipping coffee or beer on the rooftops of Danang. Choose from various locations, such as Green Plaza Hotel and Hoang Anh Gia Lai Plaza, which offer open-air terraces on their highest floors. Additionally, A La Carte glassed-wall bar on Vo Nguyen Giap Street provides stunning views of the beach and the entire city. For a more upscale experience, visit Sky36 bar atop Novotel Danang, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city while savoring drinks in an elegant setting.

Explore the Diverse Tropical Fruits of Danang

Danang, like many other tropical cities, offers a splendid variety of fruits. Visitors from Western countries will be captivated by the wide range of shapes and vibrant colors these fruits come in. Not only are they delicious, but they are also fresh and affordable. Indulge in the nutritional benefits of fruits abundant in vitamins and minerals, such as mango, rambutans, mangosteens, dragon fruits, papayas, and sapodillas. Danang locals enjoy fruits in various forms, including eating them raw, making fruit juice, smoothies, and jams.

Immerse Yourself in Local Traditions at Traditional Markets

To truly understand the culture, living standards, and lifestyle of the locals, visiting traditional markets is the quickest way. Among the oldest markets in Danang are Han Market and Con Market. Han Market, conveniently located on Tran Phu street facing the Han River, has seen continuous development throughout the years. Find a diverse range of products here, including groceries, clothing, kitchen items, souvenirs, and local specialties perfect for bringing back home. Another bustling shopping center worth exploring is Con Market, where you can immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere filled with people, noise, and chaos, offering an authentic experience of life in Danang.

Negotiating at the Market: Tips and Tricks

Not everyone enjoys haggling, being dragged around, or dealing with aggression. However, when you leave the city days later, these experiences can become cherished memories that you proudly share with friends!

Besides the major markets mentioned, the city offers various small traditional markets, street markets, as well as modern supermarkets and shopping centers.

When it comes to places other than modern Western-style stores, it’s important to bargain with shop owners for the best deals.

Tips for Successful Negotiation

Do’s:

  • Conduct research beforehand to understand fair prices.
  • Offer a price range to sellers.
  • Learn basic Vietnamese words and phrases for negotiation.
  • Pay attention to sellers’ body language.
  • Have clear goals in mind.
  • Establish the right tone from the beginning.
  • Gradually increase your offer rather than making a single large jump.
  • Explore multiple shops before making a decision.
  • Ask for a better discount when buying more items.
  • Walk away (or pretend to) to assess if sellers will call you back.
  • Enjoy the experience!

Don’ts:

  • Ignore sellers’ body language.
  • Appear overly desperate for an item.
  • Start with an offer that is too low.
  • Lose your temper.
  • Settle for too little.
  • Get into a bidding war.

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  • Tel: +84 839 20 24 26
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List countries exempted from Vietnam visa

Vietnam visa exemption.

A Vietnam visa is; required for all nationalities except those eligible for a visa exemption. With the visa exemption program, visitors can enter Vietnam with just their passport and a return ticket. If these visitors wish to stay longer than the stated period, they can apply for a visa at a local Vietnamese embassy or consulate, or apply online for a Vietnam visa-on-arrival.

Below is a list of nationalities who can enter Vietnam without a visa:

NationalitiesTime Allowance
The United Kingdom *15 days
Spain *15 days
France *15 days
Italy *15 days
Germany *15 days
Sweden15 days
Norway15 days
Denmark15 days
Finland15 days
Russia15 days
Japan15 days
South Korea15 days
Thailand30 days
Brunei14 days
Laos30 days
Cambodia30 days
Malaysia30 days
The Philippines21 days
Indonesia30 days
Singapore30 days

* Countries marked with Asterisk are granted visa exemption from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 only

*** Vietnamese Overseas are eligible for a 5 years visa exemption. Read Visa requirements for Vietnamese Americans for example.