Danang Complete Travel Guide 2020

Welcome to Da Nang

Da Nang is the third largest city in Vietnam. With smooth and white sandy beaches stretching along its 30 km coastline, Da Nang was voted as one of the six most charming beach destinations on the planet by Forbes in 2013. This city is not only famous for its beaches but also for its geographical position. Right in the middle of Vietnam, surrounded by mountains, Da Nang offers a wonderful blend of nature and modern city life. For the perfect relaxation break, look no further than Da Nang.

TIME FOR A MEAL

  1. Pancakes, But not as you Know it: Bánh xèo

  • Address: Quán bánh xèo miền Trung – 280/14 Hoàng Diệu, Q. Hải Châu,

Bánh xèo is the number one dish you must try and the restaurant Quán bánh xèo miền Trung is the best place to do so. Why? Bánh xèo, a Vietnamese style pancake, is a Da Nang speciality. The pancake is stuffed with rich fillings such as pork, shrimps and bean sprouts. It’s then served with fresh greens including lettuce, basil, cinnamon leaves, cucumber, and sour mango. After rolling the pancake and leaves up in a rice paper, you dip it in a peanut sauce and enjoy the flavour sensation!

Quán bánh xèo miền Trung is located in a small small alley off Hoang Dieu Street. The bánh xèo here is delicious and highly appreciated by the locals. All the ingredients are carefully selected and cooked expertly. As well as the food, you will enjoy the hot, smoky atmosphere of this eatery.

  1. Who Needs Phở?: Mì Quảng

  • Address: Mì Quảng bà Mua – 259 Hồ Nghinh, Bắc Hải An, Q. Sơn Trà,

It would be a mistake to visit Da Nang without a taste of this dish. Phở may be the most famous noodle dish in other parts of the country, but here it’s all about Mì Quảng. Bà Mua is the most famous restaurant in Da Nang. You will get a bowl of fragrant noodles, soaked in a broth of turmeric, shrimps, pork, eggs, crispy rice paper and vegetables. Ba Mua is the first place mentioned whenever people want to have great Mì Quảng. With prices from $1 to $2, it won’t break the bank either.

The restaurant is located very close to the beach. It opens early in the morning and closes at night, so you can come for breakfast, lunch or dinner after enjoying sunset on the beach.

  1. A Rustic Rarity: Bánh tráng cuốn thịt heo (Sliced pork rolled with rice paper)

  • Address: Ẩm thực Trần – 04 Lê Duẩn, Hải Châu 1, Q. Hải Châu,

“Bánh tráng cuốn thịt heo” is a rustic dish characterised by the thinly sliced pork and unique flavor of the dipping sauce. This specialty dish has grown in popularity recently, and Ẩm thực Trần is a brilliant restaurant to try it at. Located in a quiet and airy space, Ẩm Thực Trần creates a peaceful and relaxing ambience, making it a lovely place to have a meal. As well as being a great place to try this rice paper & pork dish, this restaurant has a diverse menu featuring many local delicacies. Why not go and sample the full range of awesome flavours Da Nang has to offer?

  1. The Local obsession: Bún mắm (Noodle salad with pork anchovy fish sauce)

  • Address: Bún mắm Vân – 23/14 Trần Kế Xương, Hải Châu 2, Q. Hải Châu,

‘Bún mắm’ is the dish that every Da Nang local is obsessed with. Fresh noodles are served with a special relish made from pork, vegetables, unripe jackfruit, peanuts, and of course, fish sauce.

There is an area bún mắm connoisseurs call ‘The bún mắm hamlet’, where you will find the best bún mắm for very reasonable prices. Bún mắm Vân is the stand out restaurant in this hamlet. Named after the owner, Vân, this place has been making bún mắm for a long time and has an excellent reputation.

It’s a good spot to meet friendly locals who come here every day to enjoy this one of a kind noodle dish.

  1. Seafood Paradise: Hải sản (Seafood)

  • Address: The Antique restaurant – 354/1 Võ Nguyên Giáp, Bắc Mỹ An

Being a coastal city, seafood in Danang is abundant, fresh, and cheap. This is something that shouldn’t be missed when coming to Da Nang. Early evening, with the cool breeze blowing in from the ocean, is the best time for you to dine out on seafood.

The Antique restaurant is located near the beachfront. This restaurant is known as ‘the seafood paradise of Da Nang’ with a rich variety of fresh seafood. The price here will also make you feel like you’re in paradise: the dishes are all around $3 each. For the quality of food you get here, you won’t find better value in the city.

If you are looking for a place to get excellent seafood and a great atmosphere to go with it, The Antique restaurant is your destination.

GRAB A DRINK

  1. Down by the River

  • Address: Bamboo 2 bar – 216 Bạch Đằng, Phước Ninh, Q. Hải Châu,

Bạch Đằng is a shimmering street which runs alongside the Han river. It is also the party street of the city, full of bars which stay open until the early hours.

Located right in the heart of this party street is Bamboo 2 bar. It’s a relatively small building with two floors, the second floor offering nice views over the river. The tables and chairs are made entirely of bamboo which creates a relaxed and airy space. It is also very stylish with fun sketches of customers covering the walls and a ceiling decorated with all kinds of beer labels. It serves delicious food and a variety of beverages such as cocktails, wines, and beers.

Bamboo 2 bar opens daily at 5 pm and only closes when the last customer leaves. This a great place for you to grab a drink and kick back by the river.

  1. Rooftop Views

  • Address: À la carte – 200 Võ Nguyên Giáp, Q. Sơn Trà,

Do you want to have a cup of coffee in the morning with sunrise or a glass of wine as the sun goes down? At À la carte you can do both. This cafe is located on the top of À La Carte hotel on the beachfront. It’s a beautiful modern cafe with an awesome view, ideal for getting the most instagrammable pictures of the city! In particular there is the infinity pool with a 360-degree view of the whole city. From this top bar, you can see directly over to Sơn Trà peninsula with the 67 metre high Lady Buddha statue. Spend some time sipping on your drink and looking down on the charming beaches, watching the daily activities of the fishermen and local beachgoers.

It’s the ultimate view to soak up the beauty of the sea, mountains, and city.

  1. For the Coffee Lovers

  • Address: 43 factory coffee – Lô 419, 422 Ngô Thi Sỹ, Bắc Mỹ An,

If you are a coffee addict on the hunt for a high quality cup of coffee 43 factory coffee is exactly what you are looking for. This cafe takes on a coffee factory model, allowing customers to observe the complicated processes of brewing their coffee; from choosing your beans, roasting them at the perfect temperature, to grinding and separating coffee beans. A sleek modern industrial design complements this factory theme nicely. There is a large tree in the middle of the building and the bar is arranged around this area with, where the expert baristas work their magic. With quirky outdoor seating also available, you can enjoy your coffee in the fresh open air (or inside with the air conditioning if it’s too hot!).

NIGHT TIME FUN

  1. Fire & Water

Da Nang has been dubbed ‘The city of bridges’ due to its many bridges linking the beach side to the city. Of these bridges, the Dragon Bridge is the most spectacular, especially at night. It’s also the only bridge that will breathe actual fire!

Watching the Dragon Bridge spitting fire and spraying water in the evening is an experience that will last long in the memory. Get up close and personal by standing under the head of the dragon, and feel the heat of the fire before being drenched in water. If you don’t fancy getting wet, you can watch the show from a nearby hotel or bar rooftop.

This event takes place on Saturday and Sundays at 9pm. If you’re in Da Nang on a weekend, this is a must do.

  1. Sky High

  • Address: Sky 21 bar – 216 Võ Nguyên Giáp, Phước Mỹ, Q. Sơn Trà,

Are you a fan of vibrant music, and sophisticated settings? Then make sure that you don’t miss Sky Bar 21 while in town.

Sky 21 bar is the hottest entertainment hub located on the 21st floor of the Belle Maison Parosand hotel, where you can unwind over signature cocktails. With the open air design, you can look out over the beach from the front and also see downtown Da Nang with brilliant colorful lights from the back. Luxurious, stylish, and charming, Sky Bar 21 is also praiseworthy for it’s modern international dance music which draws a diverse crowd. On weekends, this place is always buzzing with Da Nang locals, expats, and tourists.

THAT’S A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT!

  1. Magnificent Lady Buddha

  • Address: Linh Ứng pagoda – Hoàng Sa, Thọ Quang, Q. Sơn Trà,

Linh Ứng is the biggest and most famous pagoda in town. Located on a hill of Sơn Trà peninsula, it overlooks the East Sea and Da Nang city. This pagoda is notable for the city’s major landmark – the 220 foot Lady Buddha. At night, this statue is illuminated and from almost wherever you are in Danang, you will see it.

Coming to Linh Ứng pagoda, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the panorama of a city with both modern and traditional buildings. The view over the sea is magnificent, as is the long white sandy beach which stretches all the way to Hoi An. On a clear day you can see the whole city with tall buildings floating on the other side of the Han river.

Linh Ứng Pagoda is a highly spiritual destination for those who want to find an amazing view in peaceful surroundings.

  1. Into the Hills

  • Address: Bà Nà Hills – Hoà Vang, Đà Nẵng, MAP/LINK

Ba Na Hills is one of the most famous places that you can’t miss when traveling to Da Nang. It’s a miniature European area with a lot of interesting architectural features and old buildings.

You will have the opportunity to visit the French village, especially the Debay wine cellar, which was built in 1923 and is the only French construction still remaining after the French war. It was used to luxurious store wines, reserved for high-ranking French military officers in colonial times. Bana Hills is notable for its unique climate within Vietnam. Due to its high altitude, it is said that you can enjoy all four seasons in one day on this hill station. There are all kinds of beautiful flowers and a lot of temples and pagodas to visit. The highlight of your trip to Bana Hills is likely to be the ‘Golden Bridge’. Resting on two giant hands, this bridge offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

A LITTLE BIT OF NATURE

  1. Beach Heaven

  • Address: Mỹ Khê beach – Phước Mỹ, Q. Sơn Trà, MAP/LINK Of the many beaches in Da Nang,

Mỹ Khê beach is the most beautiful. Hanging out here is an essential part of any visit to Da Nang. What exactly makes it one of the most charming beaches on Earth (as voted for by Forbes)?

It fully meets the voting criteria such as having convenient transportation, a free open beach, long flat sand for playing sports, waves for surfing, and ensured safety for visitors. A lot of international hotels and resorts are dotted along the beachfront, making spending time there as easy as going to your back garden at home.

The water is clear and a stunning blue. Lying under the blue sky, on the fine white sand, with a gentle slope and palm trees all over, My Khe beach offers you a peaceful and relaxing space.

Our recommend hotel near Mỹ Khê beach:

Hanami Hotel Danang – Hotel near Danang airport

  1. Mysterious Mountains

  • Address: Marble mountains – 52 Huyền Trân Công Chúa, MAP/LINK

Rugged scenery along with a large number of limestone and marble mountains make this an interesting place to spend a few hours. It’s also a well-known pilgrimage site with peaks, caves, tunnels, and temples all just waiting for you to discover.

Seen from above, five big limestone mountains are bunched close together, which are named after the five elements metal, wood, water, fire and earth. That’s why this place is called Ngu Hanh Son (its Vietnamese name), which is derived from these five limestone mountains. Each mountain has its own mythical history about the formation of this site which you can read about when visiting.

The mountains are covered in caves ripe for exploring. There are also Buddhist sanctuaries and places of worship dotted across the mountains and inside the caves which are a much-visited spiritual site. Climbing through the caves, to the top of the mountain, you will be able to enjoy views of the whole city. Be sure not to miss out on that!

PARKS & OUTDOORS

  1. Where the Sea Meets the Land

  • Address: Eastern Sea Park – Võ Nguyên Giáp, Q. Sơn Trà,

Eastern Sea Park is a favorite entertainment destination for locals, and an ideal spot for tourists too. One of the special things that attracts people here are the thousands of white pigeons fluttering in the sky. The image of the flock of pigeons gliding in the air and then swooping down gently around the wide yard, creates an extremely beautiful and peaceful picture.

In addition, you can also feed and have fun with these friendly pigeons to find a feeling of relaxation with nature.

  1. A Bit of Something for Everyone!

  • Address: Asia Park – 01 Phan Đăng Lưu, Q. Hải Châu, MAP/LINK

Are you a lover of artworks? Are you a fan of thrilling games and rides? If you answered yes to either of these questions, Asia Park has something for you.

This place is divided into 3 main areas: the cultural park, the games park, and the multipurpose performance area. The cultural park combines the architecture, entertainment, and handicraft industry of Asian countries such as Japan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, China, Nepal, and Vietnam.

Once you have had your fill of culture, head to the games park and have some fun! Be sure to take a ride on the ‘Sun Wheel’, which is one of the largest ferris wheels in the world. From the cabin of the Sun Wheel, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Da Nang at night, looking over the beautiful river with millions of colorful lights.

LET’S GET CULTURAL

  1. Take the time to visit the War Museum

  • Address: Hồ Chí Minh museum – Duy Tân, Q. Hải Châu,

If you’re interested in history, you must check out this museum. It is home to a lot of precious memorabilia from the Central Region and Central Highlands.

It is divided into 4 galleries, with many images, artifacts and scientific documents covering the whole life and revolutionary career of the hero of national liberation, Ho Chi Minh.

The rare images and artifacts on display will give you an appreciation for the resilience and ingenuity of the Vietnamese people during the two wars against France and The United States.

  1. Art , inspired by nature, culture and people

  • Address: Chăm museum – 2/9, 02, Bình Hiên, Q. Hải Châu, MAP/LINK

For those looking to learn about the local artistic culture, this is a great place to visit. The Chăm Museum is the only sculpture museum in the world about the ancient Chăm Pa civilization.

The entire building and the original architectural style of the museum are still preserved to this day, despite two important expansions in 1936 and 2002. The combination of Gothic and French architecture, in a wide space full of flowers gently spread throughout every corner, will be a pleasant surprise. The main materials of the sculptures here are sandstone, earthenware, and copper. Sandstone was most used in the period from the 7th century to the 15th century with an extremely sophisticated and unique engraving station pattern developed by the Cham people. If you appreciate ancient architecture, don’t miss this museum.

DON’T BE LAZY

  1. Reaching new heights

  • Address: Parasailling Da Nang – Mỹ Khê Beach, Q. Ngũ Hành Sơn,

Do you ever wonder how a bird feels and what it sees while flying in the sky? Parasailling will give you the answer.

This is one of the most exciting things to do in Danang. The adrenaline rushof being hoisted into the air by the power of the speed boat is quickly followed by epic views of the ocean and city. Everything is like a scene recorded from a drone, but the difference is that is recorded by your own eyes.

Because this is an adventure sport, make sure that you’re healthy and not scared of heights!

  1. Time for some water adventures

Address: Surfing – Mỹ Khê Beach, Q. Ngũ Hành Sơn, MAP/LINK

Da Nang is well-known a coastal city with charming beaches, big waves and beautiful blue water. Therefore, there are a lot of water sports in this city, surfing being one of the most popular.

You will see many surfboard shops where you can rent one for reasonable price. And what next? Go straight to the beach and enjoy those waves for as long as you want.

SHOPPING TIME

  1. Market Madness

Address: Hàn market – 119 Trần Phú, Hải Châu 1, Q. Hải Châu,

The Hàn market dates back to the 1940s. It’s a large and diverse market with various kinds of goods, from shoes, clothes, bags to souvenirs, gifts, and more. Especially good here is the fresh seafood, fruits. There are many specialties of Da Nang sold here such as fish sauce, or coffee which make for great gifts or souvenirs. This place has everything you need and a few things you didn’t know existed.

  1. Art As a Way of Life

Address: Non Nuoc Fine Art Village – 160 Nguyễn Duy Trinh, Q. NHS,

This village was founded in the 18th century by the Northern Vietnamese artist Huynh Ba Quat. In the 19th century, the whole village made a living from the profession of making and selling art.

These talented artists still work today, using precious stones are used to make as rings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants. You can also observe artists crafting beautiful works from natural stone, before choosing as many souvenirs as you want for your friends and families.

DAY TRIPS

  1. Jungle Exploration

  • Address: Bach Ma National park – Da Nang, Vietnam, MAP/LINK

Bach Ma National Park is a destination for those who love to explore nature.

It is about 100 km from the city, making it a great place for a day trip from the city. The landscape here is wild yet peaceful. There are many ways to get here, but for the adventurous type, a motorbike is definitely the best option! After buying an entrance ticket (which costs about $2), you will have a 16km journey to get to the top of the forest. From here, you can see the whole jungle, green lakes, and the majestic Truc Lam Zen Monastery. One of the highlights here is Do Quyen waterfall. It is 300m high, meaning you will have to walk up several hundred stairs to get here. Once you get to this spot, you will realise that it was worth the climb. Bach Ma is a rare piece of naturally preserved beauty that you must give a try.

  1. Monkeying Around

  • Address: Monkey Mountain – Thọ Quang, Q. Sơn Trà,

Monkey mountain is the nickname for Son Tra peninsula, which acts as the green lung of Da Nang with its masses of trees and flowers.

From the downtown area, rent a motorbike for short term and start your journey. You can easily spend hours exploring this beautiful mountain. On the way to the peak, you will pass Linh Ung pagoda with the giant Lady Buddha. Keep driving a few more miles, and you will see so many big trees.

It’s worth stopping your motorbike to listen to the many different sounds from birds and insects.

As the name suggests, you can also see wild monkey families, which are very rare. There are a lot of people who spend their entire day just waiting to see them. So, why not give it a try?

LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT

  1. Enjoy a Traditional Vietnamese Show

  • Address: Bài Chòi show – Trần Hưng Đạo, Q. Ngũ Hành Sơn,

Bài Chòi is a type of traditional music that is very popular in Central Vietnam. This show is a unique combination of music and folk activity. Bài Chòi was traditionally held in spacious and airy public places such as the first corner of the village, the market, or the town yard. In Da Nang, it now takes place on weekends on Tran Hung Dao street, by the river. Watching this show is a memorable experience, which will help you to understand more about the Vietnamese culture in this part of the country.

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