Da Nang is Vietnam’s most liveable city — a long stretch of clean beach, the Marble Mountains rising to the south, the ancient town of Hoi An 30 minutes away, and the mountain resort of Ba Na Hills above. It’s a strong base for exploring central Vietnam.
1 Day in Da Nang
- Morning: Marble Mountains — five marble and limestone hills each with caves, pagodas, and viewpoints carved into them; allow 2 hrs; climb Thuy Son (Water Mountain) for the best cave and panoramic views
- Midday: Lunch at a seafood restaurant on My Khe Beach
- Afternoon: My Khe Beach swim; Son Tra Peninsula drive (20 km coast road to the Linh Ung Pagoda with 67 m Lady Buddha overlooking the bay)
- Evening: Dragon Bridge — crosses the Han River; fire and water show every Saturday and Sunday at 9pm
2 Days in Da Nang
- Day 1: Marble Mountains → My Khe Beach → Son Tra Peninsula → Dragon Bridge evening
- Day 2: Ba Na Hills cable car (longest non-stop cable car in the world; French Village on the summit; Golden Bridge — the two hands bridge; allow a full day)
3 Days in Da Nang
- Day 1: City and beach day — Marble Mountains, Han River, My Khe
- Day 2: Ba Na Hills full day
- Day 3: Day trip to Hoi An (30 min south) — Ancient Town, bicycle to An Bang Beach, return in time for sunset
4–5 Days: Da Nang as a Central Hub
- Hue: 100 km north via the Hai Van Pass (one of Vietnam’s most dramatic coastal road sections)
- Hoi An: 30 km south — worth at least a night to experience the Ancient Town after dark
- My Son Sanctuary: 60 km south — 4th–15th century Cham Hindu temples in a jungle valley
- Bach Ma National Park: 90 km north — cloud forest, waterfalls, birdwatching
Activities to Build Into Any Itinerary
- Sunrise surf lesson on My Khe Beach (several surf schools operate on the beach)
- Han Market (Cho Han) morning visit — the city’s central wet market, freshest before 8am
- Museum of Cham Sculpture — the world’s finest collection of Cham art, often overlooked
- Craft beer at a local Da Nang brewery — the city has a growing craft beer scene
Practical Notes
- Getting around: Grab for city trips; hire motorbike for Son Tra and Marble Mountains; hire car for day trips to Hue or Hoi An
- Best areas to stay: My Khe Beach strip for a beach-holiday feel; Han River area for city access; An Thuong expat neighbourhood for restaurants and coffee shops
- Best season: March–August (dry season, beach weather). Avoid October–November (typhoon season; the beach is often closed)