All Things About Da Nang City

All Things About Da Nang City

Located in Central Vietnam, Da Nang, the 4th largest city in Vietnam, marks the halfway point between Hanoi capital in the North and Ho Chi Minh city in the South. It is also the center of commerce, tourism and education. Has long been recognized by locals as the most worth-living place in Vietnam, Danang was listed in the world’s top 10 worth-living cities in 2018 the famous travel magazine Live and Invest Overseas. It additionally consolidates Danang’s position in the world tourism market.

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Danang Weather & Best time to visit

Danang marks the northern limits of Vietnam’s tropical zone and has a pleasant climate all year round. There are two seasons: wet season from August to December and dry season from January to July. The highest temperature is 30°C and the lowest one is around 18°C. The best time to visit Danang is from March to May and September to October when the weather is cool and dry. If you can, avoid the summer months from June to August when Danang becomes a popular retreat for domestic tourists. It is very hot then, but very little rain and the sea is clear and calm.

How to get to Danang

Danang is considered as a tourism hub of central Vietnam so there are many ways to reach Danang conveniently.

2.1. By Airplane

Danang has international airport within the city. There are many daily domestic flights connecting Danang with Hanoi, Saigon, Nha Trang, Dalat, Haiphong. The flight time is just over 1 hour. You can easily find the best suitable flight with reasonable price at Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways and two low-cost airlines, namely, Vietjet Air and Jestar Pacific.

Besides, international flights to Danang are available from Guangzhou (China), Bangkok (Thailand), Seoul (Korea), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Shanghai (China), Siem Reap (Cambodia), Singapore, Taipei (Taiwan) and Tokyo (Japan). This mean of transportation makes your trip to Danang easier.

2.2. By Train

Compared with the plane, the time to travel to Danang by train will be much longer, about 17-19 hours, either from Hanoi or Saigon. However, it is a best choice for those who want to take advantage of the beautiful scenery throughout the train windows. With prices ranging from 25USD (hard seats) to 50USD (air conditioned, soft berth), you have a lot of options to choose from depending on your budget. You can get the train ticket directly at train stations or contact with local agent to book in advance.

2.3. By Bus

To save money, tourists can choose travel by a local bus to Danang. The price is around 15USD – 20USD/ one way from either Hanoi or Saigon. There are many local buses serving the route Hanoi – Danang such as Hoang Long, Phuong Trang, Camel Travel… and Sai Gon – Da Nang: Hoang Long, Phuong Trang, Thuan Thao, Xuan Tung, Dinh Nhan… It also takes around 17-19 hours like a train trip.

2.4. By private car

Private car is another option you may consider when planning to visit Danang. It is more comfortable than a local bus and a train. An experienced driver will accompany with you, passing by breath-taking sceneries from North or South to Central Vietnam. You can stop anytime and anywhere along the way you want to take a short rest, take some photos and admire the Vietnam’s beauty.

Sightseeing in Danang

3.1. My Khe Beach

My Khe is recognized as the best beach in Da Nang city. It was voted as one of six most charming beaches on the planet by Forbes Magazine in 2005. With 900m in length, My Khe beach is famous for blue sky, white gentle slope sandbank, mild waves, clear warm water all year round and beautiful areas surrounded by coconut trees. It is definitely an ideal place for relaxing, sightseeing, swimming, surfing, sunbathing and taking the best photos.

For those who want to enjoy sunrise and sunset, My Khe is one of the best choices. You will immerse in the fresh air and magnificent view, which gives you a huge energy. So stay close to the beach and get in close touch with the nature’s beauty.

3.2. Non-Nuoc Beach

Stretches 5km along the shore of Hoa Hai Ward at the foot of Marble Mountains, Non Nuoc beach is famous for its seaweed, which reaches exportation standards. Many five-star hotels were built in Non Nuoc to accommodate the domestic and foreign tourists in the area. Together with its feature of wave degree, climate, weather and salinity, the beach is suitable for water sports, especially surfing. In 1993, there took place an international champion with the participation of nearly 40 athletes from many countries around the world.

Along the beach, on the white sand is a forest of age-old casuarinas which is shady, green and is waving in the whistling wind. This is an ideal place for resting and camping. When the darkness falls and the moon rises, you can set yourself free on smooth benches along the beach to listen to melodious sounds of the waves and enjoy the occult space.

3.3. Son Tra Peninsula

Son Tra Peninsula, also called a precious gem in Danang, is not only famous for the beautiful, picturesque landscapes but also a highly potential eco-tourism-oriented resort area. Just 13km away from the city center, Son Tra Peninsula is an ideal getaway from the crowded and busy life. Visiting this place, you have a chance to immerse yourself in the beauty’s nature of white sand beaches, untouched natural scene, dense green forest, and see many kinds of rare animals.

Son Tra is surrounded by many nice pristine beaches like Bai Bac, Bai Nam, Bai But and Tien Sa beach. Each of them boasts their own beauty with smooth sandbank, clear blue water and colorful coral reefs. If you want to explore the amazing life under the sea, it also provides you the best opportunity to go snorkeling or scuba diving.

3.4. Linh Ung Pagoda

Linh Ung Pagoda – Bai But is located at the Son Tra Peninsula. This is one of the biggest, newest and the most attractive of the three pagodas with the same name in Danang. The pagoda features a perfect harmony of modern and traditional architectures of a Vietnamese pagoda, especially in the three-entrance gate, the main chamber and the ancestors’ house. Situated on an area of about 20 hectares on the side of Son Tra Peninsula, this pagoda is a magnificent artwork. There is the highest Quan Yin statue (67m) in Vietnam which leans on the mountain and looks toward the sea. You can see this statue from every corner of Danang city.

With its unique architecture and mountain landscape, Linh Ung pagoda has become a popular place for worshipping, living and practicing of monks and Buddhists as well as a spiritual tourist attraction in Danang. Just 10km from Danang city center, this pagoda can be reached by motorbike, taxi or private car for comfortable. This is a must-see place on the way to Son Tra Peninsula.

3.5. Marble Mountains

Marble Mountains or “Ngu Hanh Son” in Vietnamese, are located about 8km southeast of Danang city, close to the sea. It is a group of five marble and limestone mountains named according to the five elements of nature: “Kim Son” (metal), “Moc Son” (wood), “Hoa Son” (fire), “Tho Son” (earth) and “Thuy Son” (water).

Among these five mountains, “Thuy Son” is the largest and the most beautiful one. It has become the main attraction for visiting. It has many caves and Buddhist temples, many dating back to the 17th century. A natural stone stairway leads you up to the top of the “Thuy Son” Mountain or you can take a glass elevator instead to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views from above.

3.6. Champa Sculpture Art Museum

Located at the junction of Trung Nu Vuong and 2/9 Streets, Danang City, the Champa Sculpture Art Museum was built in 1915 under the sponsorship of the French School for Far Eastern Studies in Vietnam. It is based in the Danang region which was the seat of the old Champa Kingdom and boasts many attractions like Tra Kieu, Dong Duong, My Son and Thap Mam. In 1936 the Museum was expanded and opened to the public in 1939. It conserves the last collection of the Champa Sculpture Art in Vietnam and the world. Its architecture bears the features of Cham architecture. It boasts a row of showrooms white in color with simple yet graceful decorations. The Museum exhibits 300 original sandstone sculptures and some baked clay products collected from the temples and towers that lie scattered from Quang Binh to Binh Thuan in Central Vietnam. The exhibits are statues, embossments, images, and patterns displayed in 10 rooms named after the places where they were found.

3.7. Danang’s Golden Bridge on Ba Na Hills Resort

Considered as a work of art, Golden Bridge (Cau Vang) in Danang has attracted a big number of both domestic and foreign tourists since opening to the public in June 2018. People come here to see and take a photo with a novel piece of architecture famed for its unique design. The shimmering bridge is held up by two giant concrete humans above the clifftops. During the forest, the bridge stands out in yellow and looks like a golden silk trip hiding in the clouds of Danang. Especially, the hands look aged and weathered as if they have been there for centuries.

Golden Bridge rises above the Thien Thai gardens at the Ba Na Hills Resort, about 30km from Danang city. Opened in 1919 by French colonists with around 200 villas, today this area holds attractions like an alpine roller coaster and the longest nonstop, single-track cable car, according to Guinness World Records. You have to buy a ticket to enter this resort with the price of 750,000 VND a ticket/ adult including all cable cars and theme park entrance ticket. Then you freely explore Ba Na Hills and check out the world’s most striking footbridge.

3.8. Dragon Bridge

As its name suggests, Dragon Bridge illustrates the image of a dragon flying towards the sea with the architecture inspired by Ly dynasty. It was opened on the 38th anniversary of the liberation of Danang city in 2013. This inventive design is not only a reflection of Vietnamese customs and beliefs but also highlights Da Nang’s growth and development. Due to its unique design, the bridge has attracted worldwide attention.

Having 6 lanes crossing the Han River, Dragon Bridge forms a direct way from Danang International Airport to this city’s various main routes, easier to reach My Khe beach and Non Nuoc beach, two stunning beaches of Danang. Especially, there is dragon’s fire breathing and water spraying performance at 9pm every weekend and during the holidays. This is an incredible scene you should not miss in Danang.

Danang Special Cuisine

Danang is a heaven of the authentic local cuisine. Check out some review articles about food in Danang, you will see many choices from the luxurious restaurants to street vendors. So don’t forget to try some famous specialties to complete your amazing trip here.