Da Nang Travelers Recommend

With three days in the city, you can see all that Da Nang has to offer, cover Hoi An’s highlights, and still have time to explore farther out. Visit one of the world’s most impressive theme parks on a day trip to the Ba Na Hills, and delve deeper into Vietnam’s history during a visit to the imperial city of Hue, via the iconic Hai Van Pass. See below for the ultimate 3-day itinerary.

Day 1: Express Da Nang and Hoi An

Devote your first day to getting an overview of Da Nang and Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located 45 minutes away. Day trips generally cover the Marble Mountains and the Buddhist shrines of Son Tra Mountain (Monkey Mountain) and give you free time to explore the Old Town in Hoi An, famous for its colonial buildings and lanterns. Other day-trip options include a ride on a traditional basket boat, an eco-friendly cooking class, and a bike ride through the organic vegetable farm Tra Que Village. In the evening, get the best views of Da Nang by night from the water during a dinner cruise on the River Han. 

Day 2: Hue and the Hai Van Pass

Devote your second day to delving deeper into the rich history of Vietnam. Hue—the historic capital of Vietnam—is only two hours from Da Nang, making it a popular day-trip option. Most Hue tours cover such attractions as the Citadel (Dai Noi) UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Tomb of Tu Duc, in addition to a cruise on the Perfume River (Song Huong). Some excursions make stops along the Hai Van Pass, hailed as one of the most scenic roads in Asia, and Lang Co Beach, famous for its white sands and turquoise waters. Motorcycle tours—which give you the choice of driving your own bike or riding on the back of a guide’s—allow you to fully appreciate the Hai Van Pass without worrying about navigating unfamiliar roads. 

Day 3: Head for the Hills

Spend your final day marveling at the Ba Na Hills, a hill station and resort modeled on a quaint French village. The theme park was catapulted to fame after the completion of the Golden Bridge, which is held up by two giant stone hands. Ba Na Hills day trips tend to include round-trip transportation from Da Nang, a buffet lunch, a ride on the cable car, and help navigating the sprawling resort. Alternatively, you can spend your final day on Cham Island (Cu Lao Cham), a tiny archipelago home to white-sand beaches and granite cliffs. Cham Island tours tend to explore the islands by speedboat or wooden boat and nearly always include time to snorkel and swim. 

Often overlooked in favor of Hoi An, Da Nang promises visitors a wealth of cultural and natural delights. In just one day, you can experience hidden temple caves, ancient ruins, and colossal shrines to Lady Buddha, plus one of the most exciting nightlife scenes in Vietnam. Here’s how. 

Morning: Sightseeing in the City

Kick-start your time in Da Nang with a visit to Han Market, a traditional shopping complex that offers a glimpse into local life. Browse stalls selling traditional Vietnamese goods and enjoy a crusty banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) for breakfast before taking a walk over Dragon Bridge, which spouts fire and water on weekends. History buffs can delve into Da Nang’s ancient past at the Museum of Cham Sculpture and the Dong Dinh Museum, while food lovers can master the art of Vietnamese cuisine during a cooking class at a local home. 

Afternoon: Mountains of Marble and Monkeys

In the afternoon, discover Da Nang’s religious heritage on a guided tour of the Marble Mountains and My Son Sanctuary. Scramble into Buddhist and Hindu cave temples and explore the 4th-century ruins of My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site hailed as Vietnam’s answer to Angkor Wat. For sunset, head to the summit of Son Tra Mountain (Monkey Mountain) for the best coastal panoramas. Here, you’ll also find the Linh Ung Pagoda and the 220-foot-tall (67-meter-tall) statue of Lady Buddha and great opportunities for spotting wildlife. 

Night: City of Lights

Once the sun has set, immerse yourself in the neon glow of Da Nang on an evening food tour, during which you’ll visit eateries that devote their energies to perfecting just one or two dishes. To admire the city lights as you eat, book a Han River dinner cruise and float downstream while you feast on Vietnamese classics. If you’re looking to explore Da Nang like a local, you can book an evening sightseeing tour, which whisks you around the city on the back of a scooter and takes you to local haunts that few first-time visitors get to see. 

Located smack-dab in the middle of Vietnam—close to both Hoi An and the imperial city of Hue—Da Nang is the perfect base from which to explore the central highlands. Two days in Da Nang allows you to get a feel for Vietnam’s fastest-growing metropolis and explore farther afield. Here’s how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: A Tale of Two Cities

**Morning:**Begin your time in Da Nang by orienting yourself on an express sightseeing tour, which allows you to cover city highlights in just a few hours. Tours typically cover the Marble Mountains, My Son Sanctuary, and the Son Tra Mountain, home to two Buddhist shrines. 

**Afternoon:**Dedicate the afternoon to discovering Da Nang’s food scene, which packs a real punch when it comes to flavor and diversity. Some tours give you the chance to ride between eateries on the back of a motorbike, while others take you to the bustling Han Market and explore street-food stands on foot.  

**Evening:**In the evening, head out of town to explore Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s at its most magical when illuminated at night. Night tours usually include a guided walk around the Old Town, a Vietnamese dinner, and round-trip transport from your Da Nang hotel. 

Day 2:

**Morning:**Start the day with a drive along the famous Hai Van Pass, considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world. If you don’t feel confident enough to drive the intimidating mountain road yourself, guided tours let you skip the stress of navigating and typically include a stop at Lang Co Beach, a secluded coastal spot. Alternatively, devote your morning and afternoon to exploring the nearby imperial city of Hue, home to the UNESCO-listed Citadel (Dai Noi).

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, continue your Hue tour or dig deeper into Vietnam’s past on a tour of the lesser-known demilitarized zone (DMZ), used to distinguish north and south Vietnam during the Vietnam War. 

**Evening:**For your last evening in Da Nang, swap sightseeing for self-care with a package that includes a hot-stone massage and Vietnamese dinner. Alternatively, choose to admire the city lights from the water on a Han River cruise, most of which include live entertainment and hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off.