Da Nang Travel Guide

Where Thailand is all hustle and commotion, and Cambodia is worn dirt paths and soft smiles, Vietnam is a mystifying mixture of lively landscapes, bustling towns, and compelling history.

Vietnam is diverse. From the overwhelming sprawl of Ho Chi Minh City to the seaside district of Da Nang haphazaradly spotted with mountainous peaks, each city is distinct in its drawcard.

Fly to Da Nang direct or via Ho Chi Minh City. If stopping through Ho Chi Minh City, make sure you stay for a few days to experience Vietnam's capital city.

Da Nang is a great base is you're looking for a seaside escape with a laidback lifestyle, preserved history and culture, and tremendous cliff to coast landscapes.

Da Nang

A coastal city in central Vietnam, you'll be floored by the staggering mountains that hide historic Buddhist temples and cave shrines. The mountains are dubbed the 'Marble Mountains' given that they host the material. The marble has been extracted by generations of craftsmen who sculpt it in the Stone Carving Village at the base of the mountains. Using ancient techniques, these artisans craft the marble for religious, burial, jewellery, and souvenier purposes.

Venture to the top of the mountains for an astonishing view of Da Nang Bay, interrupted only by the sheer peaks that are speckled throughout the districts of the area. Climb over marbled rocks and centuries-old staircases to reach Buddhist shrines encrusted into caves. These temples sit serenely beneath golden, vine-dappled sunshine, leaving you feeling otherworldly as incense and damp air fills your senses.

What to do in Da Nang

• Climb the Marble Mountain - go early to avoid the midday heat.

• Visit the Lady Buddha at the Linh Ung Pagoda Complex.

• Spend the early morning or late afternoon at My Khe beach - avoid midday due to the heat and the tourists.

• Ride a scooter along the Hai Van Pass for spectacular bay views and coffee stops.

• Watch the Dragon Bridge fire show in the evenings (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) from the shoreline.

• Camp or glamp along Cu De River.

• Take a day trip to Cham Island for snorkelling and diving.

• Experience the local's neighbourhood market at An Hai Bac Market, famous for authentic Vietnamese street eats.

Don't bother with

• The Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge - while the photos on social media are beautiful, the crowds and the westernisation make this place feel like a tourist trap theme park. Also, if you're not a fan of heights, you won't appreciate the cable car to the top of the hills (one of the longest in the world!).

• Son Tra Marina is so busy that you'll struggle to take those picturesque Greek-style photos on social media, and your midday lunch will be endlessly interrupted by shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.

Hoi An

A picturesque town that serves as a haven for food-lovers and shoppers, Hoi An is like a layered pastry treat filled with plenty of sweet pockets to taste.

Nudged up against the river, Hoi An offers a watery blend of life on land and travel by boat. Rowboats and wooden trawlers bob gently along the natural canals, as their oarsmen call out to each other or you in high spirits. Lively chatter pours from the brightly dyed stores that neatly line the rivers edge, inviting you in to taste their menus or browse local made crafts.

Shutters aren't drawn once dusk settles. Restaurants and cafes turn to bars that serve local beer and freshly squeezed cocktails, and street markets pulse with energy. Coloured lanterns hang delicately from buildings that look as though they have stood there for an age, and you can't help but wonder the stories they'd tell if they could talk.

What to do in Hoi An

• Browse handmade crafts in Hoi An's Old Town. Artisans sell their paintings, lanterns, and other handmade goods.

• Visit the Hoi An Night Market to try local street foods.

• Visit the Hoi An Central Market to experience life as a local - browse the spices, fresh produce, and snacks.

• Visit the Ba Mu Temple Gate, an iconic photo location

• Wake up early to avoid the tourists, take some spectacular photos of the empty streets and river

• Take a class - lantern-making, ceramic pottery, jewellery-making, or a cooking class.

• Get custom clothing from a local tailor (allow for three days for this!)

• Cycle around the rice fields (hire a bike from the Old Town).

• Visit the Tan Ky Old House - beautifully preserved antiques and a glimpse into old Vietnamese ways of life.

• Take a photo of the historic Japanese covered bridge (Chau Cau Bridge).

• Enjoy the cafe culture - how many can you try? Vietnamese coffee is famous!

Don't bother with

• Coconut boat rides - extremely tourist-y, not easily accessible from Hoi An's Old Town, and you have to pay extra for the spin.

• Lantern boat rides - only a 10 minute ride, it's more romantic to walk along the Old Town promenade at night (plus you get the same view).

• Staying in the Old Town - it's jam-packed with tourists. Instead, stay outside the historic centre near the rice fields or the outskirts of town. Visit the Old Town for the above recommendations but then you can retreat back to peace and quiet if you get overwhelmed easily!

Hue

Hue is a must-visit for history buffs and old-town lovers. This little city in Central Vietnam is rich in Vietnamese dynastic history that spans back centuries. The old imperial capital has a walled fortress called the Imperial Citadel, and although much of it was destroyed during the Vietnam War, some of the original structures still stand today as they rebuild the former capital of the Nguyen dynasty.

Hue has a slower atmosphere than Da Nang and Hoi An, and is a great way to change pace with tradition, relaxed mornings, and world-class food without the crazy price tag.

What to do in Hue

• Explore the Hue Imperial City

• Visit the Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, the grandest of 7 emperor temples in the city.

• Visit the Thien Mu Pagoda - you can reach it by boat along the Perfume River.

• Relax at Thuan An Beach if you'd like a break from temples and history.

• Explore the abandoned Ho Thuy Tien Water Park for an eerie afternoon.

• Walk the Hue Night Walking Streets for live music, beer, and excellent eats.

Don't bother with

• The Hue Incense Village - while still cool to visit and to support the locals, don't plan too much time around as it's a lot smaller than you're probably expecting.