Things to do in Da Nang & Hoi An, Vietnam
Da Nang is known as the Singapore of Vietnam. Thereβs lots to do in the city centre and the colourfully lit up bridges are a delight to witness at night. Not to mention, the ferris wheel is also great to hop into to see the city from a different perspective. Moreover, there are many cruises that run on the river which makes for a delightful experience. Otherwise, simply walking on the promenade gives you a lovely view of the skyline against the water. The favourite of many is the Dragon Bridge that breathes fire and water out for a couple of minutes making for a spectacle worth witnessing. Hoi An is less than an hour away from Da Nang city, an ancient town on Vietnam’s central coast that’s a melting pot of Japanese, Chinese, and French culture. There’s a lot of unique things to do in Da Nang and Hoi An which has been shared in this article to assist you with planning your trip!
Da Nang
π How to get to Da Nang?
βοΈ By Flight
Da Nang has an international airport and you can even fly in from major local cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Da Lat.
π By Bus
If you opt to get to Da Nang by bus you could do so from major centres such as Dong Hoi, Quy Nhon, Kon Tum, Hue, and Hoi An. The prices vary depending on which destination you’re coming in from and the bus company but on average costs between VND 40,000-85,000 (USD 1.7-3.7). Most buses stop at Da Nang’s prominent intercity bus station at Dien Bien Phu street which is 3km west from the city centre.
π By Train
Both the North-bound and South-bound trains go through Da Nang and the trips can be made from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, though the journey can be quite long. However, the good thing about the trains is that many of the berths are equipped with soft sleeper and air-conditioner. The train stops at major centres such as Nha Trang and Hue as well. The prices vary depending on which point you are starting from and the train company, and on average costs between VND 470,000-550,0008 (USD 20.3-23.7).
π Renting a bike in Da Nang
Renting a bike is perfect to explore Da Nang and is a great way to get to Hoi An. We highly recommend a bike rental shop called SΖ‘n TrΓ Motorbike Rentals that is located across the airport (750m distance). They can rent out a 150cc bike for VND 120,000 (USD 5.2). The normal price range is between VND 100,000-150,000 (USD 4.3-6.5) depending on the model you choose. A deposit of VND 500,000 (USD 22) or your passport is mandatory.
π Things to do in and around Da Nang
- City Tour by Bus β The Coco Hop On Hop Off city tour is a wonderful way to experience Da Nang city on Vietnam’s first open-top double decker bus. Check out the Coco City Tour website for more information on attractions, schedule, and ticket purchase. An impressive thing about this tour bus is that you have an option to start the journey from Da Nang airport!
- Da Nang Beach β Spend some time under the sun at one of the most luxurious beaches in the world, as voted by Forbes magazine.
- Dragon Bridge β The longest bridge in Vietnam, measuring 666m in length, the bridge is a golden dragon that has six lanes. The coolest thing about it is that the Dragon Bridge spits out fire and water at 9pm every Saturday, Sunday, and on important occasions.
- Han River Bridge β Da Nang’s unique swing bridge that swings on its axis in the middle of the night (while its beautifully illuminated) to allow shipping traffic to pass along the river.
- Chợ ΔΓͺm Helio (Night Market) β Open from 5pm to 10:30pm everyday, the night market attracts thousands of visitors every night offering a diversity of culinary highlights and shopping experience
- Son Tra Peninsula β An iconic land form that defines the Da Nang coastline, where you will find the Linh Ung Pagoda and towering lady Buddha statue against a beautiful landscape, and an eco jungle home to many rare wild animals like the red-shanked douc.
- Monkey Mountain β Located adjacent to the city centre of Da Nang, go the extra mile and explore the small idyllic bays that offer the feeling of lost paradise, encounter primates, and witness a spectacular 360-degree view of Da Nang and the coast atop the mountain.
- Marble Mountains β Located at midway point between Da Nang and Hoi An, go to Marble Mountains to see the amazing landscape of the southern sky with 5 mountains named after 5 elements – metal, water, wood, fire, and earth. You can hike all the way up to the view point, or take a lift that’s priced at VND 15,000 (USD 0.65) one way, which excludes the VND 40,000 (USD 1.7) entrance ticket. Without the elevator, the hike and exploration takes 45 minutes. With the elevator, the hike and exploration takes 30 minutes to complete.
- Sun World Ba Na Hills β Located 1487m above sea level, Ba Na Hills is a temperate zone in a tropical rainforest, famous for its cool climate all year round. It serves as a fantastic escape from the intense summer heat, so don’t forget your sweater and beanie because you will experience 4 seasons in a day! Stay overnight at French Village for an absolutely lovely and classical romantic experience, and also stay back for the gardens, wine cellar, wax museum, and fantasy entertainment park (kitsch theme park). Hop on the world’s longest single-rope cable car and drool while looking at the mesmerizing views around you. The highly commendable 150-metre-long Golden Bridge can be found in Ba Na Hills.
- Bach Ma National Park βΒ A French era hill station with mountainous peaks reaching 1450m, offering some beautiful treks and staggering waterfalls.
- Museum of Cham Sculpture β Find the pearl of culture in Da Nang city here, which is home to sculptural artifacts of the Champa Kingdom dating back to the 15th century.
- Hai Van Pass βΒ At 500m above sea level, experience one of the top 10 most scenic drives in the world through the boundary of Thua Thien – Hue Province and Da Nang city. Stop by Hai Van Gate while you ride through jungle-clad cliffs and hairpin bends with incredible vistas along the way. This was an ex-military feeder road that provides the backdrop for the perfect adrenaline fueled adventure. If you’re on the train to Da Nang, the ride via the Hai Van Pass is simply stunning.
- The world cultural heritage My Son β My Son is a cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Hindu temples in Vietnam, comprising of eights groups of 71 brick monuments dating back as far as the 7th century.
Hoi An
π How to get to Hoi An?
Hoi An is a cute little country town about 50km away from Da Nang. Hoi An is beautifully lit up at night, even more so during the lantern festival that happens once in a month on a full moon night. You can go there on a tour bus, or rent your own bike that will also be handy to explore the little town. There’s also an option to ride a bicycle while you are there.
πΒ Things to do in and around Hoi An
- Visit the Old Town (entry ticket of VND 120,000 is valid for the entire duration of your stay) where you will find lots of gorgeous lanterns dotting the vicinity. The town also makes for a unique cultural shopping experience! Did you know that Hoi An’s Old Town is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site.
- Hop on a traditional sampan boat for a tranquil ride on the Thu Bα»n River, or choose to kayak.
- Visit the Japanese Bridge!
- Keen on some seafood and experiencing rural fishing life? Go to either Thanh Nam or Tra Nhieu Fishing Village for an eco-tour!
- Experience the daily life of farmers and visit Tra Que Vegetable Village and Herb Garden for a farming activity and cooking class using the freshest ingredients of the day! You can also attend another cooking class by going for the Cam Thanh Eco Water Coconut Village where you can explore the water coconut fields on basket boats.
- Love carpentry and traditional woodwork? Stop by the Cam Kim Village, also known as Kim Bong Carpentry Village.
- Get creative and visit the Thanh Ha Pottery Village!
- If you are up for some more DIY activities, enjoy the boat building, mat weaving, rice noodle making, and lantern making!
- Visit some of Vietnam’s lovely beaches that are an easy reach from Hoi An such as the An Bang Beach (4km) and Cua Dai Beach (6km).
- If you’re up for some more adventure, there’s always the option to go scuba diving or snorkeling at the Cham Islands.
Pro tip: Choose to stay in the outskirts of Hoi An where itβs more peaceful. You will find some very quaint and cozy wooden lodges to indulge in!
Da Nang city’s urban splendour and the old town feeling of Hoi An amidst emerald green rice paddies await you! Keen to explore more of what Vietnam has to offer? Check out our travel guides to plan a trip to Nha Trang and Da Lat. Happy Reading π