Things to know about Da Nang
Da Nang City is a major city in central Vietnam, about halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, and rich history.
Best time to visit Da Nang
Da Nang is located in central Vietnam, and its climate is a mix of the northern and southern regions of the country. The city has a tropical climate, with two distinct seasons: a dry season from January to July and a wet season from August to December. There are occasional cold spells in the winter, but they are not severe.
Here is a breakdown of the weather in Da Nang by month:
December to March: The weather is cool and pleasant, making it the ideal time for sightseeing. Hotel and dining prices are also at their most stable during this time. It is advisable to bring a light jacket, as it can be chilly in the evenings. There may also be occasional spring showers.
April to September: This is the best time to visit Da Nang for beach weather. However, it is also the peak tourist season, so it can be crowded and expensive. April is the time of year when the trees in the Son Tra Peninsula change color to yellow and red.
September to December: The weather is no longer hot and sunny, and there are occasional showers. However, the peak season is over, so airfares, accommodation, and dining are more affordable.
How to get to Da Nang
Da Nang is a major city in central Vietnam. It is located about halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, and rich history.
By plane: The most convenient way to get to Da Nang is by plane. Some airlines offer direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang International Airport. The flight time is about 1 hour.
By train: If you have more time, you can also take the train to Da Nang. The train journey from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang takes about 17-18 hours.
By bus: Many buses operate between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. The bus journey takes about 20-24 hours. You can reference here: Ha Noi – Da Nang route, Ho Chi Minh – Da Nang route
What to do in Da Nang
Watching the breathtaking fire and water show at Dragon Bridge as the dragon breathes flames and spouts water at exactly 9:00 pm on Saturday, Sunday. This free event is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for families with children. Head down to the Dragon Bridge area to experience this awe-inspiring spectacle. You can watch from the bridge itself during the traffic closure or find a good spot along the riverside. Be sure to arrive early as the area can get crowded.
Visit the Marble Mountains: The Marble Mountains are a group of five limestone mountains that are located just outside of Da Nang City. The mountains are home to several caves, temples, and pagodas. You can book the tour HERE
Visit the Ba Na Hills: The Ba Na Hills are a mountain range located just outside of Da Nang City. The hills are home to several amusement parks, resorts, and pagodas. You can book the tour HERE
Relax on the beach: Da Nang City has many beautiful beaches, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing.
Take a boat trip on the Han River: The Han River is a major waterway that flows through the City. There are several boat tours available that offer stunning views of the city and its surroundings. You can book the tour HERE
What to eat in Da Nang
Mi Quang: Mi Quang does not have a “fixed” recipe, but is very diverse in flavor such as Mi Quang with shrimp and pork, Mi Quang with snakehead fish, Mi Quang with crab cakes… Mi Quang is a dry dish and a bowl of Mi Quang is never without roasted peanuts and crispy sesame rice paper.
Mỳ Quảng Frog Bếp Trang: 24-26 Lê Hồng Phong Street, Hải Châu District
Mì Quảng Dung: 121 Đỗ Bá
Banh trang thit heo (Rice paper rolls with pork)
A fairly simple dish, however, it is the careful selection of ingredients that makes the dish special. Pork is only taken from the thigh or shoulder, the accompanying vegetables must be fresh and green such as lettuce, basil, fish lettuce, banana flower, cucumber, green banana, bean sprouts… The dipping sauce for rice paper rolls with pork is irreplaceable. Rice paper rolls with pork are sold by portion for about 50,000 – 200,000 VND per portion.
Address: Mậu Restaurant: 35 Đỗ Thúc Tịnh, Cẩm Lệ District
Be thui Cau Mong (Grilled beef on Cau Mong Bridge)
When taken out of the oven, the beef must have two layers of rare and cooked meat, the skin is cooked to the point of being transparent and at the same time both crispy and soft.The dipping sauce is made from whole anchovies with sugar, garlic, chili, ginger and roasted sesame. When eating, it is served with herbs and rice paper similar to the rice paper rolls with pork.
Bê Thui Cầu Mống Ngọc Lan| Address: 895 Ngô Quyền, An Hải Đông Ward, Sơn Trà District
Goi ca Nam O (Nam O fish salad)
When eating, the dry salad is served with tightly rolled rice paper, inside is fish salad, fresh vegetables and dipping sauce.
– Gỏi cá Thanh Hương| Address: 1029 Nguyễn Lương Bằng, Hòa Khánh Nam Ward, Liên Chiểu District| 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Kem bơ(Creamy avocado ice cream): Made with fresh, ripe avocados, the ice cream boasts a rich and subtly sweet flavor. The smooth texture is perfectly complemented by a variety of toppings, often including condensed milk and crushed peanuts.
Kem bơ cô Vân| inside Bắc Mỹ An Market, Da Nang| 7h-18h30
Where to stay in Da Nang
Da Nang is a popular tourist destination in central Vietnam. The city is known for its beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, and rich history. There are a wide variety of accommodation options available, from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious resorts.
You can check my curated list here:
Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills, Mikazuki JAPANESE RESORTS & SPA, Melia Vinpearl Danang Riverfront
Hotel Del Luna, Bonny Boutique Hotel, Kua Casa Suite, Canvas Danang Beach Hotel, Mangata Beachfront Hotel
More affordable option: Alibaba Hotel, Le House Boutique Hotel