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Overview from top of Son Tra

Da Nang (Đà Nẵng) is Vietnam's fifth largest city. It's in Central Vietnam on the South China Sea coast, midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The city has neither the ambiance of Hanoi nor the hustle-bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, but has its share of sights and is close to the charms of Hoi An and the imperial capital of Hue, making it a popular vacation spot for those looking to explore the attractions of central Vietnam or soak up some sun while hanging out on the city's beaches.

Understand

The regions surrounding Da Nang (My Son, Quang Nam) were founded by the Cham Hindus perhaps 3,000 years ago, serving as the capital city and centre of the Hindu Champa Dynasty. Vietnamese invasions into the region in the 17th century significantly halted Cham development.

Given that Da Nang was the first point of colonial invasion, many vestiges of French architecture are present in the historic buildings.

Da Nang used to be somewhat hostile to foreigners, a consequence of the attitudes of those who controlled the provincial government. In the early 1990s, however, this changed, and since then the provincial (actually autonomous city) government has been enthusiastically pursuing foreign investment and infrastructure development. Da Nang has some of the best roads in the country. The coast road is at least four lanes from northern provincial boundary to southern provincial boundary. Compared to either Hanoi or HCMC, traffic in Da Nang is always relatively light, although huge trucks blast through every now and again and there are brief rush hours.

The city is often overlooked by tourists but it is one of the friendliest to backpackers in all of Vietnam. My Khe Beach, known to American GIs as China Beach, is now home to a small community of guesthouse owners, marble statue shops, and other various trades. Some of the most beautiful and isolated beaches in Vietnam are found here, among some of the friendliest people. This is a must-stop for the budget traveler.

There are many remnants of the "American War" left over in Da Nang. During the war, many monuments and buildings were destroyed. On the way to My Khe Beach, the ruins of a military base remain in the form of helicopter hangars; however, these are now more easily spotted at the airport, which serves both civil and military flights.

The city has grown rapidly, and had a population of over 1 million in 2015. This growth had been outward and infill, but now there are high-rises going up. Development is visible and rapid; the city has expanded tremendously, and several multi-storey buildings and more beach resorts are under construction. This involves redevelopment of areas near the city beaches across the river, with whole blocks of old housing being razed, new roads paved, and luxurious villas constructed.

The downside to the very laid-back, less serious and frenetic aspect of Da Nang is that even locals frequently complain that there is nothing to do except drink, which they do a lot. This is not really true: there is a zoo, a soccer stadium, many tennis courts, pool halls, several large modern discos/night clubs, the beaches, and Son Tra Peninsula. However, it is also true that coffee- and beer-drinking are the most common leisure activities of most local residents.

Climate

Da Nang
Climate chart (explanation)
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96
 
 
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33
 
 
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation+Snow totals in mm
Source: w:Da_Nang#Climate
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
3.8
 
 
77
65
 
 
 
1.3
 
 
79
68
 
 
 
0.9
 
 
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1.1
 
 
89
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2.5
 
 
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94
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4.1
 
 
93
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14
 
 
89
75
 
 
 
24
 
 
85
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14
 
 
81
71
 
 
 
7.8
 
 
77
67
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

The hottest months of the year are Jun-Aug, when the temperature can go as high as 40°C, and it is very humid. There are usually tropical storms from Oct-Nov.

Get in

By plane

Da Nang International Airport

Many visitors now choose to stay in Da Nang as it is considered as a gateway to Central Vietnam World Heritage Sites: Hoi An (25–30 min, USD15) or Hue (2 hr, USD40–45 depending on car size), My Son (1-1½ hr). The hotels and resorts in Da Nang have their own travel desks which offer some half day or a day trips to those destinations. The fixed-price taxi coupon system has regrettably disappeared and now you have to haggle with the drivers outside, who ask silly prices but can be negotiated down to the amounts above. Perhaps find a few others to share the cost. If going to a destination within or close to the city, ignore offers to set a price in advance and insist on use of the meter (drivers may only be willing to accept pre-set fares during holiday times, such as Tet). If you arrive on a late night flight, you may encounter an unscrupulous taxi driver who has a fast meter, but usually there are lots of taxis and companies such as Mai Linh, Taxi Xanh and Song Han that are reliable. Avoid Airport Taxi, especially at night. Average metered fares to the city centre should be around 70,000 dong. A safer but more expensive option, especially for late flight arrivals (some lowsomet airlines such as VietJet can delay a morning or evening flight to a midnight arriving flight), would be to hire a driver. Several travel agencies can be used for this. To Hoi An, a typical price is around 350,000 dong.

By train

Da Nang Railway Station

The Reunification Express makes a stop in Da Nang and takes around two to two and a half hours to Hue. Many taxis are available outside of the station. Scheduled arrival and departure times are loosely followed. If you just want to get to Hue, you can also take the local train which is slow (about four to four and a half hours from Da Nang to Hue, with several stops along the way; a car or taxi does it in two), but cheap (25,000 dong including a meal) and passes through some spectacular coastal scenery. Best to avoid the motorbike taxis outside the station as many times they are the same price or more than regular taxi.

By motorbike

Motorbike taxis (xe ôm, literally hug-vehicle) are plentiful (get used to hearing "you want moto?" everywhere), cheap, and are generally quite safe. All riders are now required to wear helmets, a rule that is strongly enforced. Make sure the driver supplies you with a helmet. If he doesn't, find another one, as you'll be the one stung for the fine.

Agree on a price before you set off. Short hops around town shouldn't be more than 20,000 dong, if you go between districts this increases and all the way to the airport around 70,000 dong. Drivers are generally quite friendly and will go slower upon request. They're also not adverse to a bear hug if you're really struggling to hold on to the motorbike. Many of the moto drivers, especially in District 1, speak some English and like many Vietnamese will repay you in a flood of smiles, and probably point out all the sights, if you make a little effort to get to know them.

You can rent your own motorbike in many places, especially around the backpacker area (Tran Cao Van) in District Thanh Khe. 110,000 dong should get you a decent 100-110cc bike. Two main categories of motorbike are available for rent: scooters (automatic transmission); and four-speed motorbikes, the gears of which you change with your left foot. The ubiquitous Honda Super Cub is a common 4-speed bike that has a semi-automatic gearbox, i.e., no clutch, so relatively easy to drive. Other models may be fully manual and therefore you must also operate the clutch using your left hand. This takes a lot of skill and it's all too easy to over-rev and pull a wheelie or stall the engine. If you end up with such a bike then practice releasing the clutch gently before hitting the roads. Rental agents tend to steer foreigners toward scooters if available, on the (plausible) assumption that they don't know how to ride motorbikes that have manual gears. Motorcycles of 175 cc and above are only legal to ride if you make a connection with a Vietnamese motorcycle club.

By car

See also: Vietnam#By car

Da Nang is in the middle of the country, roughly speaking equidistant from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. It's possible to rent a car and drive yourself, but as Vietnamese traffic in general is chaotic and dangerous, foreign visitors and locals usually rent a car with a driver.

By bus

Bus service from Da Nang to Tha Khek

Several bus-pass services (incl. "Sinh Cafe" and "Cuc Tung") make stops in Da Nang, and can be taken from either Hue or Hoi An or further in either direction. From Hue the trip takes about three hours with one refreshment stop on the way (50,000 dong). The bus uses the tunnel so does not go over the spectacular pass between Da Nang and Hue.

From Hoi An, you can take the local bus to Da Nang, it is a yellow bus route number 01 that has "Hoi An - Da Nang" sign along the front window. Fare is 18,000 dong, see information in Hoi An#By bus for stop locations and to avoid getting scammed on the fare. Buses run roughly every 20 min during the day and take about 45-55 min to get from Hoi An to Da Nang.

Sleeper buses depart from Da Nang to:

  • The North of Vietnam (at 08:30 and 14:30): Hue, Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Phong Nha, Ninh Binh , Ha Long Bay, Hanoi (buses leave Hanoi's Giap Bat station in the afternoon, charge 380,000 dong (2012) and take around 14 to 16 hours.).
  • The South of Vietnam (at 16:30 and 19:00): Quy Nhon (200,000 dong), Da Lat (300,000 dong), Nha Trang (250,000 dong), Phan Thiet, Vung Tau, Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh City (around 400,000 dong, depending on the bus company).
  • Laos (daily at 06:00): Pakse, Vientiane, Champasak, Savannakhet (around 800,000 dong) (2015).
  • There are several buses to Pleiku, from where you can go on to Laos and Cambodia. Sleeper buses leave Da Nang around 20:00 to 20:45 and charge 220,000 dong to 230,000 dong (2012).

You may book tickets at the Da Nang Intercity Bus Station, travel agencies and at some hotels. It is wise to reserve your seat at least one day in advance for travel on weekends and during festivals.

  • Da Nang bus station. It's a few kilometers out of the city but is served by local buses such as #2 which goes to the town centre and #1 to Hoi An. 

By boat

  • 2 Da Nang port. The third-largest port in Vietnam, primarily used for cargo ships - but also serves human transport in a lesser degree. Da Nang Port (Q2636675) on Wikidata Da Nang Port on Wikipedia 
  • Karma Waters, 47 Cua Dai St, Hoi An, ☏ +84 510 3927632. Sustainable tour operator and vegetarian restaurant operates Da Nang-Hoi boat tours and shuttle service. 

Get around

By taxi

Taxi rates are very reasonable in Da Nang, and scams are less common than in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, but you're better off going with a reputable company to avoid any hassle.

  • Mai Linh (mostly green with white lettering, though sometimes green or silver), ☏ +84 511 356 5656. 
  • Vinasun (white with green and red lettering), ☏ +84 511 368 6868. have large fleets in the city and are generally honest and reliable, with meters that start automatically after the taxis have moved about 5 m. 

At the airport, Mai Linh taxi wardens wear green shirts with green ties, and Vinasun wardens dark green shirts with maroon ties. These wardens can radio taxis for you. Some travellers have reported that Song Han's yellow taxis are also fairly reliable. The ride sharing app "Grab" is common and can be used to arrange for a taxi or other ride.

According to reports, USD10 is the standard rate for going to Hoi An. You can try to negotiate with a taxi driver at the train station, and agree on a fare of USD10 (220,000 dong).

By bus

Local and regional bus service is under authority of DanangBus. Their website has a route map and ticket price info in English. There is a real-time bus map at http://ecobus.danang.gov.vn/web/guest/homepublish and a smartphone app (Android, iOS) named "DanaBus", also available in English.

Taxi drivers may park in front of the bus stop and tell you that the bus is not running. This is not true; they're just trying to get your business.

By motorbike

Style
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Epitomized in an episode of “Top Gear” riding a motorbike in Vietnam has become a goal for many people visiting the country. While riding in Vietnam is dangerous it can also be a life changing experience. You see things from the seat of a motorbike that you don't see while travelling in different type of vehicle. Some choose to traverse the entire country this way while most are satisfied with a few local day trips. If you are not an experienced motorcycle rider you should reconsider starting to ride here. While many visitors operate a motorbike without a proper licence this is not recommended.

Rent or purchase

Most places will want a deposit, which can be USD100-500, depending on the value of the motorbike, or in lieu of a cash deposit they will hold your passport. Some travelers have found it helpful to carry two passports for situations like this allowing them to retain identification and a current visa stamp.

If you choose to ride the entirety of the country consider traveling from Hanoi to Saigon instead of the other way around. Since most people travel south to north there is usually a surplus of low cost bikes in Hanoi. This means many times a bike purchased in Hanoi can be sold for the same price Saigon while buying in Saigon and selling in Hanoi will almost always lead to a loss.

Insurance

If you have traveler's insurance check with your insurance company to see if you are covered to ride. While most insurance policies will cover you if you have a valid motorcycle drivers licence from your home country and an International Driving permit, most will not cover you without them.

Safety gear

Consider bringing some motorcycle gear with you like a low cost, full-face helmet, riding gloves, jacket and trousers if you plan on spending a lot of time riding. While helmets are easy to find in Vietnam and make a great souvenir their quality can be questionable whereas an inexpensive helmet from the West that carries a safety certification should be better. Unlike low cost or generic helmets new, expensive helmets are more likely to be stolen. Also bring a cable lock with you to secure your helmet as opposed to securing with the strap which can be easily cut and replaced. When you're finished with your ride you can sell your gear.

Riding to Monkey Mountain

Honda Air Blade on Monkey Mountain overlooking the City of Da Nang at sunset.

Besides riding through the Hai Van Pass the iconic motorcycle ride in Da Nang is to Monkey Mountain. Many will ride up the road by the beach following it to the Intercontinental Resort, then ride along the north side heading west and finally down the mountain to be let out near the Port of Da Nang. It's a ride similar to the 11 mile "Tail of the Dragon" in Tennessee and North Carolina except with a steeper grade, more and sharper turns, amazing views of East [Vietnamese] Sea, wild monkeys and no one is checking to see if you're going over the speed limit. Other than the weekends it's common not to see another person for the entire ride leaving the mountain to yourself. If you go just before sunrise, head to the north side and are quiet you might see a red-shanked or gray-shanked douc. There are a few well posted areas that are military facilities and the signs, which are in Vietnamese and English, warning you not to enter or take pictures need to be respected. The road is well maintained but it's not uncommon to encounter a large boulder mostly blocking one's passage. There were a number of possible construction projects scheduled to begin in 2019 which will forever replace some of the views of nature for ones of hotels, condominiums and tour buses. It's recommended not to ride at night.

Riding to Hoi An

Renting a motorbike to travel to Hoi An from Da Nang costs about 80,000-150,000 dong per day from most hotel and rental companies in Da Nang. Locals pay about 50,000-100,000 dong. With a little bargaining and renting for a week or month at a time, you could possibly bring down the price. Haggle and ask if they include roadside service. The distance to Hoi An is approximately 28 km and takes about 45–60 min. The route is fairly simple and straightforward, and takes you along the coastline of Da Nang, allowing you an extraordinary experience and views along the beaches to Hoi An. The traffic is light. once you get outside the city. Make sure you bring along a windbreaker or sweater, during autumn and spring, as the temperature along the coastline can be a little cold. Be cautious riding in winter or rainy season from late September to January, as the wind is strong and rain is frequent. Avoid major roadways at night.

Motorbike taxis and “easy riders”

Considering the low cost of standard taxis in the city of Da Nang and throughout Vietnam one would be cautioned to avoid motorcycle taxis. While not as common in Da Nang as Saigon or Hanoi they are completely unregulated and are most commonly found outside the train station hustling tourists. If confronted simply say “ya không cảm ơn” or no thank you and keep walking.

"Easy riders" offer an alternative for someone wishing to travel by motorcycle but lacks the prerequisite skills to operate one. They can take you on a day trip from Da Nang to Hoi An or a week-long excursion throughout Central Vietnam. Most easy riders take a lot of pride in motorcycle and try to offer a pleasant trip. Ask at your hotel or hostel and other travelers who they recommend.

Electric bikes

Electric bikes are now common in Da Nang and offer an excellent alternative to gasoline powered motorbikes. They have more than enough power to drive most of the day throughout the city, can be driven without a driver's license and are easier to drive than their gas-powered cousins. While they won't make it back and forth to Hoi An or around Monkey Mountain they're well suited for city travel. Check with the company that issued you your traveler's insurance to see if you're still covered while driving an e-bike.

If you are pulled over or have an accident

Most local "Công An" (pine green uniform) and traffic "CSGT" (tan uniform) police in Da Nang will recognize an International Drivers Permit (IDP) which most likely means a quick traffic stop and being sent on your way after a simple paperwork check. This is less certain out in the country. To reduce your chances of being detained try not to stand out which means dressing like the locals including wearing a dust mask. Only tourists ride a Honda Win with a gold or yellow star on the tank. Drive with the crowd and obey the driving laws even when others around you are not. If signaled to pull over, some people recommend smiling and nodding but not stopping as it's unlikely the police will chase you.

If you are pulled over be calm, smile, be respectful and apologetic. Take your motorbike's keys and put them in your pocket and don't hand the police anything of value to you such as your passport. Some people recommend to talk to them in any non-English non-Vietnamese language, while continuing to smile and be respectful so they'll tire from you and ask for bribes from someone else. The police in Vietnam are not confrontational like many police can be in the West and most likely they will not speak English well. Present IDP or local driver's licence and the motorbike registration card a.k.a "blue card." If you rented your motorbike it's quite likely the rental shop will have the registration card and they will need to be called. Most rentals have the shop's phone number on the key chain. When the officer is ready to make a decision on what to do with you it could be anything from letting you go or asking for a bribe a.k.a. "coffee money" and less likely seizing your bike or arresting you. Some have found it helpful to ride with no more 200,000 dong visible in their wallet as to limit the size of the bribe. Don't offer a bribe but be responsive to the request of one. If you do not have an IDP and/or driver's licence with a motorcycle endorsement from your home country you might be asked for a bribe which should be no more than 200,000 dong. Some clueless foreigners pay bribes up to a few millions which happens only due to unsubstantiated fear.

If you get into an accident you're most likely to be blamed for it, even if you were not at fault. If the other person is not trying to rip you off asking for too much money, it might be best to settle the amount on the spot and not involve the police. If the police gets involved, they should try to help all sides settle the issue. Be prepared means having access to the funds to resolve a problem like this. Having representation from a well connected attorney that speaks English is almost a requirement and good advice.

See

For years, tourists have bypassed Da Nang on their travel itineraries, preferring to spend their time viewing the ancient imperial court at Hue or walking the streets of the old town in Hoi An. And yet, as those who call it home are aware, Da Nang has plenty of interesting and beautiful sights of its own. Nestled between the Annamite Range and the South China Sea on the banks of the Han River, Da Nang's natural beauty is hard to miss; a trip up into the mountains and down to the beach should be on your to-do list. Culturally, Da Nang once lay at the northernmost reaches of the Kingdom of Champa; the Museum of Cham Sculpture, located in the city centre, should be mandatory if you're planning on visiting the ruins at nearby My Son.

Ba Na Hill Station
  • 1 Ba Na Hill Station (Bà Nà) (About 40 km west), ☏ +84 236 3791 999. Ba Na is 1,487 m above sea level in the Truong Son Mountains. It was formerly a 1920s French resort and once boasted 200 villas, restaurants, and clubs. It is known as the second Dalat or Sa Pa in central Vietnam. Its temperate climate, unspoiled forest, and spectacular views over the South China Sea and the Lao mountains made Ba Na a popular retreat for both the French and the wealthy Vietnamese. Today the area still attracts locals and tourists alike thanks to a cable car system that was opened in 2009 and set two Guinness World Records for its height and length. Great view from the top but it's really useless to stay overnight since the accommodation options are shabby and overpriced (USD80-150 per night). You need to get a taxi to Suoi Mo Station (USD25 one-way from Da Nang) then pay 550,000 dong per adult (250,000 dong for children between 1-1.3 m tall, free admission for children under 1 m tall) for the ticket to the cable car and the Fantasy Park. 
  • 2 Dragon Bridge (Cầu Rồng). A 2013 bridge built in the shape of a dragon, breathing fire and water each Saturday and Sunday night at 21:00. Dragon River Bridge (Q5305270) on Wikidata Dragon Bridge (Da Nang) on Wikipedia 
Bridge over Han River
  • 3 Han River Promenade, along Bach Dang Rd (Between Dragon Bridge and Da Nang Port). The beauty of the Han River has inspired poets and composers throughout Da Nang's history, and any local will probably be able to sing you a few lines of Sông Hàn Tình Yêu Của Tôi (Han River, My Love) as they stroll the edge of the water. The promenade on the western bank of the river is well built up, stretching from the Dragon Bridge in the south to the city port in the north. The promenade passes underneath the famous Han River Bridge, a swing bridge built in the late-1990s, one of four bridges across the Han you can glimpse from here (the others are the Thuan Phuoc, Dragon, and Tran Thi Ly bridges). All of the bridges light up with colourful patterns at night, making a walk by the river a delightful (and certainly romantic) escapade. Locals often gather here in the evenings to watch the water, play hacky-sack, or bring their children for a run. During the Tet season, the promenade is festooned with sculptures and art. The annual Fireworks Festival is also based here, but you're better off seeing the show from afar, as it tends to get quite crowded. 
  • 4 Linh Ung Temple, Hoang Sa Rd (Bai But, Son Tra Peninsula). Stunning views of the sea, the sky, and a 67-m tall statue of "Quan The Am" facing the ocean. The pagoda was built in 2010. 
Pagoda in the Marble Mountains
  • 5 Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) (9 km S of downtown and across the street from many of the larger beach side resorts), ☏ +84 511 961114. The group includes Kim Son (Mountain of Metal), Moc Son (Mountain of Wood), Thuy Son (Mountain of Water), Hoa Son (Mountain of Fire), and Tho Son (Mountain of Earth). Several Buddhist temples have been built into the caves and grottoes, and it's a popular pilgrimage site. The real fun, though, is at the Am Phu cave, where you can make the steep climb up toward the light and a view from the top of the mountain, surrounded by approving sacred images; or head in the opposite direction, physically and spiritually, down to the crude Hieronymous Bosch-esque statues of sinners getting their due in the caverns below, with appropriately eerie lighting. Either way, wear walking or climbing shoes. Open-tour buses will stop here, but you'll be rushed along; any motorbike taxi in Da Nang or Hoi An will be happy to take you and let you set the schedule. Guides are available. Watch out for the rapacious statue-sellers outside. 40,000 dong but may enter for free if arriving before 08:00. 
Museum of Cham Sculpture
  • 6 Museum of Cham Sculpture (Bảo Tàng Chăm), #2, September 2nd Rd (Near the roundabout at the corner of Trung Nu Vuong and Bach Dang St). Founded in 1915 by the École Française d'Extrême Orient, it houses a collection of stone sculptures from the Hindu-practicing Cham civilization, which occupied much of central Vietnam in the first millennium CE to about the 14th century. The museum can be toured in about an hour. The sculptures are nearly all made of sandstone, and some have weathered badly over the centuries, but you can still appreciate the delightful artistic quality of the figures, which include shiva, garudas, nagas, lions, monkeys, and elephants. The collection also includes striking examples of the ancient Hindu icons of fertility: lingam altars decorated around the sides with rows of breasts. The sculptures were mostly removed from the facades or interiors of Cham ruins (which would have been looted otherwise.) The ruins themselves, such as nearby My Son, now tend to be crumbling piles of bricks and somewhat disappointing, giving little sense of the spectacular artwork produced by the Cham civilization. Any visit to My Son should be paired with a visit to the Cham Museum. The collection is also interesting to compare with Balinese sculpture and the early, Hindu phase of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. However, the souvenir shops and cafe are closed as of Dec 2019. 40,000 dong. (updated May 2015)

Do

The Cham Islands
  • Cham Island Tour, ☏ +84 510 8505605. Pick up at hotel at 07:00, transfer to Cua Dai beach harbour by an air-con bus. Cruises to the Cham Islands board at 08:00, travelling by wooden boat for 1¼ hours or by speed boat for 30 minutes. On arrival, there are visits to Hai Tang Pagoda, the boat shelter, a local market at Bai Lang, then cruise to Bai Chong for swimming and snorkelling to see the coral reef before having lunch at a local restaurant on the island. Relax for a while after lunch and get ready for cruising back to Cua Dai Beach harbour. Departure is at 15:00 and transfer back to your hotels. Wooden boat USD27, speedboat USD89. 
  • 1 Motorbike ride up Monkey Mountain (Son Tra Mountain) (follow Hoang Sa Rd. towards the mountain). If you feel like a ride with an amazing view, rent a motorbike and make your way up the side of Monkey Mountain (aka Son Tra Mountain), where an American army base used to be. Although access to the base is closed off, you can still follow Hoang Sa Rd. for a good distance and enjoy getting lost in the beautiful scenery on this road that hugs the mountainside while offering an expansive view of the Pacific Ocean. You can also stop off at Linh Ung Temple along the way, both to pay your respects to Quan The Am and to enjoy the wonderful view. 
  • 2 My Khe Beach, Hoang Sa Rd. Across the Han River from the city centre, My Khe Beach is a wide, sandy beach long known for its beauty. Locals will often gather here as early in the morning as 05:00 to enjoy the surf while the sun rises over the ocean. Tourists often arrive later on, when the locals have already started their day; you'll probably find that by 09:00 or 10:00 the beach is mostly deserted. The beach isn't steep, meaning that you can swim far out and still feel your feet touch the bottom. During busy times, lifeguards float around in coracle boats, whistling at those who venture too far out. In the distance on Monkey Mountain, you can make out the giant statue of "Quan The Am" at Linh Ung Temple. There are change rooms and public showers you can use as you enter and leave the water, as well as motorbike parking for a small fee. (updated Dec 2017)
  • 3 Ride a motorbike up the Hai Van Pass (Hai Van Pass) (follow the coast road N until you reach Rd 1A). The Hai Van Pass is a great day trip from Da Nang (or Hoi An). The road was called "a deserted ribbon of perfection—one of the best coast roads in the world" in the BBC show Top Gear. Since the tunnel opened, most heavy traffic has diverted from the pass, making the ride much safer, and you'll only meet a few trucks ferrying live animals or dangerous goods, plus quite a few motorbikers coming to enjoy the views. Make sure you ride down the north side of the pass all the way to Lang Co and enjoy the view of the lagoon set against a background of mountains. Make sure you fill up your tank before hitting the pass (there's a petrol station a few kilometres before the road starts climbing) as you won't find petrol there. 
  • 4 Salem Spa Garden (Salem Spa branch 2), 528, 2/9 Str, Hai Chau Dist, ☏ +84 511 363 8888. 09:00 - 22:30. The construction area of Salem Spa Garden is 1000 m², with 45 beds which are designed according to a spa standard and ecological space with different types of room. USD 15-30. (updated Aug 2016)

Learn

It is difficult to learn Vietnamese in Da Nang as the expat community is small and the demand for language learning is not great. You will be able to find many people who are willing to do language exchange with you and there are a number of qualified Vietnamese teachers. The rate is about USD5/hour.

The Da Nang dialect of Vietnamese is distinct from both Hanoi and HCMC versions, although closer to HCMC than to Hanoi. If you learned your Vietnamese in Hanoi, many ordinary people in Da Nang will have some difficulty understanding you until they realize you are trying to talk like the presenters they see on TV. Even trained teachers will tend to teach you to speak like a Da Nang person unless you emphasize that you want to learn Hanoi dialect, which is understood {eventually} throughout the country as it is the official version and that used on TV. If you spend a fair amount of time in Da Nang, either employed or as a volunteer, it is fairly easy to find recent English graduates, or students studying English at the College of Foreign Languages of the University of Da Nang who will happily work through a Vietnamese textbook with you for a lot less than USD5/hour, and this is probably as good a way as any to acquire some Vietnamese. There are Vietnamese course books for foreigners: Teach Yourself Vietnamese (Huong Dan Tu Hoc Tieng Viet, a Complete Course for Beginners) by Dana Healy is one of the best; Jake Catlett and Huong Nguyen's Vietnamese for Beginners is easier and less comprehensive; Nguyen Anh Que's Vietnamese for Foreigners is good and has a lot of material and vocabulary.

Work

There are a number of schools (ILA, Apollo, Academy English Center, and the University of Da Nang) where qualified teachers can teach English. The salaries are many times above the average national wage.

Buy

Shops often operate from the ground floor of their homes, selling any number of things: coffee, bánh mì sandwiches, dry goods, clothing, SIM cards and more. Walk a little farther and you'll eventually come across a neighbourhood market where people sell fresh foods like fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, and fish. You can do a lot of shopping but be aware that, as a foreigner, you're likely to be overcharged unless you haggle. There are an increasing number of supermarkets appearing where prices are fixed.

Han Market

Markets

  • 1 Big C supermarket, 255 Hùng Vương (corner of Hung Vuong and Ong Ich Khiem). Large supermarket complex with a mall beneath it and food court above. There is also a CGV cinema on the top level. The Western-style supermarket is on the third floor. The parking entrance is on Ông Ích Khiêm. 
  • 2 Han Market, 119 Tran Phu St (corner of Tran Phu & Hung Vuong). 06:00-21:00. A typical Vietnamese market, with vendors selling everything from shoes to silk and souvenirs, candles to coffee, and candied plums. The upper part of the building is mainly dedicated to clothing, accessories and silk, while the lower part is mainly dedicated to foodstuffs. There's an extensive fruit and vegetable market on the side that's closest to the river, from which you can access the Han River promenade. Be prepared to haggle for prices, like at any neighbourhood market. 
  • 3 Lotte Mart shopping centre. Large shopping complex with cinema [dead link] on top level. (updated May 2015)
  • 4 Metro Cash & Carry, Cach Mang Thang Tam St (Near Hoa Xuan bridge), ☏ +84 511 3644933. 06:00-21:00. An international chain of cash & carry supermarkets, Metro carries most of the things you'd expect to find in Western supermarkets: a variety of groceries (including fresh, fully refrigerated meat, if you're squeamish about buying meat at the open market), clothes, home and office supplies, electronics, and more. It's a little far from the city centre, but it's easily accessible by taxi, so you can stock up and carry all your bags home easily. You can also arrange for delivery at a nominal cost. Metro requires a membership similar to other membership-only retail warehouse clubs. Also similar is that many times they will extend a one day membership upon request. 
  • 5 Oceans Western Goods (Blue Ocean [Market]), 30/7 Trần Phú, Hải Châu (Between Lê Duẩn and Quang Trung), ☏ +84 90 5 60 50 50 (mobile). A small shop that specializes in Western goods, featuring things that are hard to find elsewhere, whether at Big C or Metro: spices, oatmeal, Nutella and baking supplies. If they don't have it, there's a good chance they can order it. Fixed (though expensive) prices for everything. Indispensable if you're spending any length of time in Da Nang. (updated Jan 2018)

Other

  • 6 Danang Souvenirs & Cafe, 34 Bach Dang St (Next to Novotel), ☏ +84 511 3827 999. 07:00 - 20:30. Specialises in tourism souvenirs and gifts about Vietnam and Da Nang. They design their own products, and there is a wide range to choose from, including such typical souvenir products such as t-shirts, teddy bears, key rings and magnets. (updated Jun 2015)

Eat

Mì Quảng, a regional specialty

Although not a culinary capital like the ancient imperial capital Hue, Da Nang still has more than enough variety to keep you well fed throughout your stay. Seafood (hải sản) is popular, so you shouldn't be surprised to see plenty of fish (cá), shrimp (tôm), squid (mực), clams (nghêu), snails (ốc), the list goes on. There are many vegetarian restaurants which are listed as "Quán chay" ("vegetarian") or less frequently "Quán ăn chay" ("vegetarian restaurant"), and most are vegan. The vegetarian restaurants have a wide selection of dishes and are generally cleaner than places that are not vegetarian.

Then there are regional specialities like mì Quảng, or Quang Nam-style noodles, featuring chicken, shrimp, quail eggs, peanuts and rice crackers in a turmeric-spiced broth; bún chả cá, or rice vermicelli with fish sausage; and bún mắm, or rice vermicelli served with a strong fish sauce that's not for the weak of palate. Central Vietnamese love their food to be spicy, so be warned that the chili peppers (ớt) can be strong even if small.

Budget

Bún bò Huế ở Đà Nẵng. The local version of the classic dish from Quán Thảo.
  • 1 Bánh Mì̀ Bà Lan, 62 Trưng Nữ Vương, Bình Hiên, Hải Châu, ☏ +84 93 564 62 86. 16:00-19:00. One of the most famous sandwich carts in the city. Try their bánh mì que which is a string baguette filled with a pork pâté. USD1. (updated Jan 2018)
  • 2 Quán Thảo, 135, Dương Trí Trạch, An Hải Bắc, Sơn Trà (take Phạm Văn Đồng (heading towards the beach), left on Lê Minh Trung, right on Morrison and a quick left on to Trí Trạch; Quán Thảo is on the right). 06:00-10:00. Traditional street food establishment frequented mostly by locals for breakfast, on a quiet side road. While Ms Thảo serves Mì Quảng or [Province of] Quảng style noodles, she's known for her bún bò or beef noodle soup. Some like to add a baguette for an additional 5,000 dong. 20.000d. (updated Jan 2018)
Mỳ quảng cá lóc ở Đà Nẵng at Quán Dung Mỳ Quảng, Tp. Đà Nẵng. Quảng Province style noodles with snakehead fish.
  • 3 Quán Dung Mỳ Quảng, 99 Nguyễn Thị Định, An Hải Bắc, Q. Sơn, ☏ +84 122 727 4421 (mobile). 06:00-21:00. Well known for their mì quảng cá lóc, the best known noodle dish of Đà Nẵng, served with broad rice noodles, fresh greens, a broth seasoned with turmeric, shallots and garlic topped and with peanuts. It is served in a shallow and pungent pool of broth unlike its better known cousin phở, which is milder and fills the bowl. Cá lóc is snakehead fish; when prepared correctly, which this place is known for, has a mild flavour and very light texture. Take some of the fresh greens and stir them into the broth to give them a bit of warmth and flavour making this dish half salad and half soup. Menu with prices are on the wall. As the restaurant faces west, if you go around sunset, you'll have a pleasant view. Plenty of parking. The cleanliness of Quán Dung Mỳ Quảng is to Western restaurant standards. 20,000 dong. (updated Jan 2018)
Bún mắm thịt heo luộc ở Đà Nẵng from Bún Mắm Vân, Đà Nẵng. Rice noodles served with boiled pork and a strong, fermented shrimp paste, Đà Nẵng style.
  • NGHỀ BẾP Á ÂU: học nấu ăn để mở quán nhậu kinh doanh hoặc đi làm ở những nhà hàng – khách sạn lớn ngày càng nhiều hay đơn giản chỉ là áp dụng những công thức nấu ăn để tạo ra những món ngon “đạm bạc” để chiêu đãi gia đình vào mỗi bữa ăn tối ngay tại nhà bếp của bạn. Nghề Bếp Á Âu xây dựng chương trình DẠY NẤU ĂN thỏa mãn nhiều mục đích, sở thích của nhiều đối tượng khác nhau. Với phương pháp giảng dạy đa dạng về hình thức, thực hành với thời lượng lên tới 90% thời gian và đội ngũ Giảng Viên là những Đầu Bếp Trưởng – Bếp Phó tại các nhà hàng – khách sạn 4-5* nổi tiếng trên cả nước, cơ sở vật chất hiện đại thêm vào đó LỊCH HỌC linh động là những ưu điểm NỔI BẬT mà Nghề Bếp Á Âu có thể đem lại cho bạn một trải nghiệm tốt nhất.
  • 4 Bún Mắm Vân, 23/14 Trần Kế Xương, Hải Châu 2, Hải Châu, ☏ +84 236 3818 009. 13:00-20:00. Bún mắm is an extremely pungent noodle dish made with a fermented fish sauce called mắm nêm. Mắm nêm can best be described as "smells like hell, tastes like heaven." Bún Mắm Vân is located in what is called "Bún Mắm Alley" where a few bún mắm shops have congregated. You can smell this alley from a block away. Try the bún mắm thịt quay or bún mắm with roasted pork. If you are put off by the smell of strong fish sauce this is not the place for you. If you like bún mắm this place is heaven. USD1. (updated Jan 2018)
  • 5 Mi Quang 1A, 1 Hải Phòng, Hải Châu 1, Q. Hải Châu (take Lê Duẩn heading east, turn left onto Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, first right onto Hải Phòng; it's on the right), ☏ +84 236 3827 936. 06:30-21:00. Mi Quang 1A is one of the best known mì quảng restaurants in the area. While still good it has lost a bit of its luster over the years. Prices are higher than most places at 30,000 to 45,000 dong. Make sure you are in Mi Quang 1A as there is a "copycat" place next door. Before going in grab a fresh sugarcane juice from the cart in the front. (updated Jan 2018)
  • 6 Kem Ý Sasa Gelano (Coffee SaSa Gelato), Lô 9 A2 Khu Biệt Thự Đảo Xanh, Quận Hải Châu (head east on Cầu Trần Thị Lý towards the "sail bridge", take the first right after the roundabout nearest the bridge and then an immediate left; follow the road for about 350 m turning right at the fork), ☏ +84 0946 059 339. 0800-2200. A good place to satisfy your sweet tooth. Each scoop of gelato is about 15,000 dong; choose from many local fruit flavours and the regulars, like chocolate. Sa Sa also serves sundaes and other treats to enjoy. Good for families. Take away available. The staff speak basic English. Very close to the Grand Mercure Hotel. (updated Jan 2018)

Mid-range

  • 7 Bao Nam Tran, 27 Nguyen Chi Thanh St (between Nguyen Du and Ly Thuong Kiet). Private, popular place for coffee, business dealings, meals and light Vietnamese pastries, drinks and desserts. The restaurant/coffee house's ancient Vietnamese architecture incorporates heavy, dark, ornate wooden panels and furniture mixed with modern amenities (escalator) and is a must-see. Wireless Internet connection and a selection of reading material is available. The restaurant has a lovely ambience at night. 
  • 8 Com Nieu Nha Do, 176 Nguyễn Tri Phương (across from March 29 (29/3) Park), ☏ +84 511 3990086. 10:00-22:00. Cơm niêu is a type of rice that's baked in a clay pot and served with any number of sides — beef, chicken, fish, hot pot — but it's the way it's served that catches your attention. Waiters come out of the kitchen bearing hot clay pots straight out of the oven, pull out hammers, smash them at your table, and fling the crusty, baked rice inside back and forth across the room. Otherwise, the food is what you'd get at a normal restaurant, but it's fun to see the show. Located near the airport, just across from March 29 Park. There are many of these restaurants on Nguyen Tri Phuong St, but this one is a favourite. USD5-12. 
  • 9 Karma Waters, 113/10 Nguyen Chi Thanh (gind the intersection of Le Duan St and Nguyen Chi Thanh St. Take a right onto Nguyen Chi Thanh (it's one-way); stay on right hand side of the street and you will come to an alley with a hat shop on the corner (#113), turn right into the ally and the restaurant will be on your right), ☏ +84 511 3849790. 10:00-21:00. This is the only vegan Western friendly restaurant in Da Nang. It's owned by a Viet/Kiwi couple, and is a family place. If you are looking for a restaurant that avoids white sugar, MSG and gluten this is your best option. The cafe is clean and in the city centre. Menus are in English, and the staff are very friendly and good with English. You don't have to be a vegetarian or vegan to have a good meal here. Has a sister restaurant in Hoi An. USD5-10. (updated Mar 2018)
  • Koi Sushi, Bento and Sake Bar, 53 An Thuong 2, ☏ +84 090 1991165, . Daily 11:00-14:00 & 17:00-0:00. Japanese sushi bar with big bento boxes and the largest sake list in town. It's one of the few places in town that serves late, 7 days a week. Clean bathrooms and air-con. USD1-15. (updated Aug 2016)
  • 10 Red Sky Bar and Restaurant, 248 Tran Phu St, ☏ +84 511 3894895, . An expat-run Western restaurant. The food is excellent, always delicious with generous portions. The staff are good and know how to look after customers and make them feel at home. Prices are above average by Vietnamese standards, but not too expensive for the quality of food and service received. 
  • 11 Bread of Life Western Bakery and Eatery, 4 Dong Da (located upstairs one level), ☏ +84 511 3565185. M-Sa 10:00-22:00. Take out delivery for orders over 100,000 dong. Bread of Life is run by an American couple who use the business as means of providing training for young Vietnamese deaf. All baking, cooking and serving is done by the deaf and profits go into school for teaching deaf Vietnamese the Vietnamese sign language and English. They serve breakfasts, lunch, and dinner from a menu that includes pizza, pasta, hamburgers and other Western dishes. Good coffee and fresh baked pastries and cakes every day. The quality is high and you will enjoy interacting with the staff. Orders are accepted in person or by phone for a variety of breads. Order a day ahead, then pick them up in the restaurant. 
  • 12 Merkat, 79 Lê Lợi, Thạch Thang, Q. Hải Châu, ☏ +84 236 3646 388. 11:30-22:00. Merkat serves the food of Northern Spain run by a husband and wife from Spain. The paella is outstanding. A great place to go when looking for a Western-style meal. Top notch food, an outstanding chef, good wait staff and very clean. Very easy to find. Dishes start at 100,000 dong. Afterwards travel down the street about 200 m to the iconic Long Coffee. 100,000 dong. (updated Jan 2018)

Splurge

  • 13 Apsara, 222 Tran Phu St, ☏ +84 511 3561 409. A reasonably good, somewhat expensive place with a huge, mostly seafood menu and performances of traditional music on some evenings. Food style is Vietnamese with some Chinese influences, and some Western dishes thrown in. Caters to overseas tour groups; tour buses are often seen parked outside. One of their specialties is mantis shrimp, a delicious creature halfway between a shrimp and lobster. 
  • 14 Bambino, 122 Quang Trung. Quiet location, good food wine selection. Australian steak grilled to order. International, French and local foods, run by a French couple. A good place for a quiet meal with friends. 
  • 15 [dead link] Blue Whale, Hoang Sa Rd. (Just N of Vo Van Kiet roundabout; next to "4U"), ☏ +84 511 3942 777, +84 511 3942 728, . One of a number of seafood restaurants looking out onto My Khe Beach, the Blue Whale is a great place to get acquainted with what the beach really has to offer. Their menu features a wide variety of seafood cooked in many different ways — steamed, grilled or baked or in hot pot or sashimi — along with a number of local specialities. The prices are a little high, but the food and the ambience should more than make up. USD10-25. (updated Mar 2018)
  • 16 Limoncello, 187 Tran Phu St, . 12:00-23:00. Great Italian food with homemade limoncello. 
  • 17 Memory Lounge, 7 Bach Dang St (On the riverfront, just north of Han River Bridge), ☏ +84 8 511 3575899. 07:00-23:30. Quite possibly the most expensive place to go for coffee in Da Nang. Just north of the Han River Bridge, the high-end Memory Lounge overlooks the river — in fact, it was built directly on top, jutting out onto the river and accessible from the promenade. Built by the wife of a former president of South Vietnam, it's quite a fancy affair — with foreign chefs blending Asian and European cuisines and using organic and sustainable ingredients to create an impressive menu. USD8-20 for main dishes. 
  • 18 Waterfront, 150 Bach Dang. Open every day. Open to the street and with a view of the Han River, this restaurant has modern international décor. Its layout consists of the bar on the ground floor; the full restaurant, for lunch and dinner, on 2nd level; and balcony seating. This is a gathering place with comfortable seating, a selection of local and imported beer, and a large selection of wines by the glass or bottle. Owned by expatriates. 

Drink

Bars and discos

  • 1 Bamboo Bar 2 (Corner of Bach Dang and Thai Phien). Popular haunt for expats. Bamboo 2's owner speaks excellent English, there are always foreigners there. 
  • 2 Festival Disco (on the second corner going up river from Cau Song Han on Tran Hung Dao). The newest disco and the only one on the My Khe Beach side of the river. It's part of a complex with a restaurant and karaoke rooms. If you buy the staff a drink here (a normal thing to do in this kind of disco-night club) they can be very aggressive about drinking it fast and running up a big bill for you. 
  • 3 Golden Pine. This is a popular bar opposite Memory Lounge on the river side. Open till 04:00 or last customer, they play music on request from customers. Lots of regulars here and a casual vibe. (updated May 2015)
  • 4 Green Town Bar, 50 Bach Dang St. One of relatively few bars open past the witching hour and most expats drop in there for either an early evening or late night drink. The view is excellent with an outdoor terrace and 2 big pool tables inside. The prices are very reasonable. Food is available until 22:00. 
  • 5 New Phuong Dong Disco, 20 Dong Da (near the mouth of the Han River). New Phuong Dong has a resident Ghanaian DJ and many visiting singers from Saigon and Hanoi. 
  • 6 Red Hot Bar, 179 Nguyen Van Linh (on Nguyen Van Linh St). A real late night place. ("Late night" is more flexible in Da Nang than in Hanoi. Most of the time discos and places like Red Hot, an approximations of a Thai girlie-bar, close at 01:00 or 01:30, but if the police decide to crack down, they may unexpectedly close at midnight or 00:30). 

Coffee

Café Trúc Lâm Viên

Coffee is a large part of the Vietnamese culture and it's enjoyed differently from place to place. Coffee served in Da Nang and throughout Central Vietnam tends to be stronger than coffee served in the south. One of the most popular variations of coffee in the south is "cà phê sữa đá Sài Gòn" which is coffee prepared in a "phin" filter and served with sweetened condensed milk in a tall glass filled with small cubes of ice. When in doubt what type of coffee to get this is the one to order. In Da Nang and throughout central Vietnam they tend to drink a style of coffee called "cà phê phin sữa đá Đà Nẵng" which is similar to "cà phê sữa đá Sài Gòn" but is instead served in a short glass with one large block of ice, which melts as slowly as the coffee drips down from its metal filter—leaving them time to chat with friends, colleagues, or whoever might be sitting nearby. A common variation is "cà phê sữa đá Đà Nẵng" which is similar except the coffee is brewed before serving as some places brew their coffee in batches. Try both the Saigon and Danang versions. On cold days many will drink "cà phê sữa nóng" which is a hot and very strong coffee with sweetened condensed milk served in a 100 ml glass. Expect to pay 15,000 to 30,000 dong.

There are several kinds of coffee shop in Da Nang, from street-side cà phê cóc, through mid-class shops to more luxurious ones. Most offer Wi-Fi nowadays, in case you want a place to relax and get online.

Cà phê cóc (Frog coffee)

Walk down any street in Da Nang and you'll no doubt come across a group of Vietnamese men squatting on tiny plastic chairs, sipping cups of coffee—often sold out of a cooler or a drink cart—as they chat with friends or playing Chinese chess. This is cà phê cóc (literally, "frog coffee", from the way patrons squat to drink), a humble, yet popular way to drink coffee in Da Nang and, in fact, most of Vietnam.

  • 7 Ca Fe 49, 49 Loseby, Phước Mỹ, Sơn Trà (Take Phạm Văn Đồng east until the end, turn left onto Võ Nguyên Giáp, take second left onto Loseby), ☏ +84 236 3932 995. 06:00-15:00. Ca Fe 49 is a simple, family-run, outdoor cafe serving excellent coffee at a good price. Enjoy a "cà phê sữa đá Đà Nẵng" while enjoying a quiet view. The husband and wife owners are friendly. Recommend if you're out in Sơn Trà. USD1. (updated Jan 2018)
  • 8 Long Coffee, 123 Le Loi (Corner of Le Loi and Quang Trung St). Crazy popular cà phê cóc-style coffee shop in Da Nang that serves and sells its own brand of coffee—not the best, according to some, but very popular with locals. It's always busy, noisy and smoky, but that's part of the atmosphere. Go there with a local friend to shoot the breeze and enjoy a quintessential Vietnamese experience. 

Mid-class coffee

Mid-class shops are found everywhere; the drinks are quite cheap and they are a place to relax or meet friends. A step up from cà phê cóc, these shops are usually quite comfortable and serve a variety of non-alcoholic drinks besides coffee, such as tea, smoothies and fruit juices.

  • 9 An's Café, 5 Hoàng Kế Viêm (corner of Le Loi and Quang Trung St). 
  • 10 Café Vi Lan, 79 Le Hong Phong St, ☏ +84 511 3565 346. Comfortable, typical coffee shop that plays soft music and plays HBO movies on mute. Upper floor is air-conditioned. 
  • 11 CheRo, 79 Le Dinh Ly St. 
  • 12 Hai Quynh Café, 468 Hoang Dieu St. Known as the "Rock Coffee Shop", where you can enjoy coffee and listen to rock music at the same time. You can request songs. Usually, they play ballads and soft rock in the daytime and hard rock and metal in the evening (very loudly). 
  • Scorpions, 140 Yen Bai St. 
  • 13 Tuy Anh Chinese Chess Coffee Shop, 79 Le Dinh Ly St (on the corner of Do Quang and Le Dinh Ly). Hangout for coffee-drinking Chinese chess enthusiasts. 

Splurge

Luxurious coffee shops can be found on many streets of the city, they are quite nice and elaborately decorated—with higher prices to match. Many can be found along Phan Chau Trinh St. Some incorporate open-air gardens, with air-conditioned areas indoors, and some even feature live music in the evenings.

  • 14 Trúc Lâm Viên, 8 Trần Quý Cáp (Near Da Nang Port), ☏ +84 511 3582 428. 06:30-22:30. Pleasant garden-style café. Food is a little expensive; worth it mainly for the décor. Tends to be busy. (updated Mar 2018)

Sleep

Budget

There are many small hotels along the east side of the river (Tran Hung Dao St), which may be as cheap as 90,000 dong for a double room and have Wi-Fi, hot water, air-con, tv and fridge. Pham Phu Thu is a good street with many budget hotels in the center on the west side of the river.

  • 1 Danang Backpackers Hostel, 106 Nguyen Chi Thanh, ☏ +84915571505, . Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Cheap, clean and spacious hostel. Breakfast included, free playing billiards, free beer every night, fast Wi-Fi. Comfy beds, A/C, hot shower. English speaking staff 24/7. USD6. (updated Jun 2015)
  • 2 Dang Viet Hotel, 11-12 Ho Nghinh (one minute to the beach), ☏ +84 5 1139 41445, . Air-con, comfortable beds, fast Wi-Fi, hot showers, refrigerator and international cable TV. Staff speak English. From 300,000 dong. 
  • 3 Funtastic Hostel, 115 Hai Phong (500 m east of train station), . Modern hostel with comfy beds, big lockers, good Wi-Fi and friendly English speaking staff. Breakfast on the rooftop, with some nice views, is included and the hostel offers a free daily shuttle to Hoi An and airport dropoff. Dorm: 150,000-180,000 dong, Double: 430,000 dong. (updated Jan 2017)
  • 4 Funtastic Beach Hostel, 5 Hà Bổng, Phước Mỹ, Sơn Trà (East on Phạm Văn Đồng until end, right onto Võ Nguyên Giáp, first right at Đình Nghệ, first left at Hà Bổng and first right into the alley. Funtastic is the yellow building on the left.), ☏ +84 02363 928 789. Sister hostel to the Funtastic [City] Hostel on Hai Phong and very similar except it's a three minute walk to the beach. Excellent staff most of which speak English. Ask them about their local restaurant suggestions and their food tour. 160,000 dong. (updated Jan 2018)
  • 5 Hải Hòa Guest House (Hoa's Place), Unnamed street, Bãi tắm non nước, Trường Sa, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Đà Nẵng (adjacent to the north side of the Meliá Danang Resort, on the right when heading towards the beach), ☏ +84 236 3 969 216, . Hoa's Place is a well known and long serving homestay run by Hoa and his wife which has a very friendly atmosphere and has become a local gathering place.. Hoa speaks excellent English and happily greets you with a smile. A few years ago due to expansion from the Meliá Danang Resort Hoa had to rebuild in an adjacent lot. For many years Hoa's Place has been a gathering spot for backpackers in the evenings, as Hoa hosts "family dinners." For about USD1.50 you get treated to an all-you-can-eat buffet, courtesy of Hoa's wife. As a child Hoa worked for the US Marines and his place has also become a respite for some returning war veterans. Picnic tables are full of travellers inside this tiny cafe, starting around 19:00. Closed during Tet. Email for reservations. Hoa can also recommend English speaking motorbike mechanics. (updated Jan 2018)
  • 6 Nhà Nghỉ Cát Tường (Nha Nghi 278), 278 Lê Đại Hành, Hòa Thọ Đông, Cẩm Lệ (from the airport head south on Nguyễn Hữu Thọ, turn right onto Lê Đại Hành), ☏ +84 5 1138 44877. Cheap, but nice guesthouse with Wi-Fi, hot water, air-con. Possibly closed. Call first. 200,000 dong for a single room. 
  • 7 Thien Duc Motel, 187 Dong Da, ☏ +84 511 382 5232. An OK option, although services are far from superior. USD8. 
  • 8 [dead link] Danang Carpe Diem Hostel, Dinh Thi Hoa Street, An Hai Bac Ward, Son Tra District, ☏ +84969347968, . Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Complimentary breakfast consisting of specialities, sausage, bacon, ham, fresh fruits, eggs any style, bread and homemade jam every morning. High security standard of key card access, free wifi in all area, big lockers, free luggage storage on check out day and quick laundry service.Front desk is always available, USD10. 
  • 9 Sea Wonder Hotel, 57 Nguyen Cong Sau, Phước Mỹ, Sơn Trà (take Phạm Văn Đồng east, left at Hồ Nghinh and take the fourth left onto Nguyen Cong Sau), ☏ +84 5 1135 06143, +84 9 8323 8256. The Sea Wonder is similar to other basic hotels in the area. The great advantage is that it's on a beautiful and quiet street very near the beach, cafes, taxis and street food. The rooms are clean and the staff friendly. A taxi into the city can be found one street over and costs less than USD2. USD10. 
  • 10 Conical Hats Homestay, 1, Nguyễn Công Sáu, Phước Mỹ, Sơn Trà, ☏ +84 163 714 9914, . Conical Hats Homestay is a family-run, budget, long-term homestay also available for weekly rentals. Located in a new building it's situated in a quiet neighborhood and only a five minute walk to the beach. While lacking some amenities it offers a pleasant change to staying in a hotel or hostel offering a kitchen on the first floor. Lots of great street food and coffee right out the door. The staff is helpful, friendly and speak some English. Email them for details. (updated Jan 2018)
  • 11 Rom Casa Da Nang, Lot 26 An Thuong 4, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang (300m from My Khe Beach), ☏ +84 901969373, . Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Unique hostel offering private rooms and dorms in... shipping containers! Pool as well is made out of a container. Rooftop terrace. Common room with board games and table football. Library. Free WiFi accessible from the whole property. All rooms feature AC, lockers, reading lamps, power sockets. On site bar. Working space. Very clean, modern & eco-friendly hostel. Very friendly staff members who speak excellent English. USD12 for dorm beds, USD30 for private rooms (double beds). (updated May 2018)

Mid-range

View of My Khe Beach
  • 12 Daia Hotel, 51, Yen Bai St, Hai Chau District, ☏ +84 5 1182 7532. A friendly old hotel. The owner is involved with charity. You can visit "the Northwind Broom Workshop" and "Bo Mung Orphanage". USD17-30. 
  • 13 My Khe Beach Hotel 1 and 2, Truong Sa St (Just S of the beach plaza & roundabout at Vo Van Kiet Rd), ☏ +84 511 6260 214. These hotels, both under the same management, are comfortable and very reasonably priced especially given that they are just the other side of the beach road from My Khe Beach, but still only a five minute or less moto ride from downtown. My Khe 1 is older, has smaller rooms, but the electricity does not go off in the room when you leave; My Khe 2 has very large rooms, caters more to groups of Saigon tourists (My Khe gets lots of Vietnamese business and government travellers, plus some tourists and some Lao visitors, business or government). Staff at both places are friendly and pleasant, with adequate English. The only downside is no in-room Internet access. From USD18, breakfast included, air-con room with refrigerator and private bath (My Khe 1) or shower (My Khe 2). 
  • 14 Night Sky Hotel. Opened early 2015. Large Samsung TV with lots of good reception cable TV channels. Free breakfast included. Nice quiet location but a little out of town. Their free bicycles more than makes up for that. USD18-35. (updated May 2015)
  • 15 Red Beach Resort and Spa, Nguyen Tat Thanh St, Hoa Hiep Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District, ☏ +84 5 1138 42767. All rooms are equipped with LCD TV with cable channels, balcony/lanai/terrace, Air conditioning, complimentary breakfast, private toilet, and bath. Restaurant, spa, swimming pool, Pearl Island tour and water sports facilities. From USD72. 
  • 16 Sanouva Danang Hotel, 68 Phan Chau Trinh, ☏ +84 511 382 3468, . The Sanouva Danang Hotel is a city hotel at the center of Danang. USD40. 
  • 17 Sao Minh Business Hotel, 137 Nguyen Du St, ☏ +84 5 1135 30555. Spacious and cosy rooms, all equipped with air conditioning, TV with cable channels, and mini-bar. Facilities include business centre, restaurant, and bar. 
  • 18 [dead link] Trendy Hotel, B2-B3 Tran Hung Dao (Near the Han River Bridge), ☏ +84 5 1139 43888. Nice view of the Han River Bridge, with a river view available in the deluxe rooms. Offers motorbike rental for 30,000 dong/hr or 150,000 dong/day. USD30-50. 

Splurge

  • 19 Furama Resort, Truong Sa St (15 min from Da Nang International Airport), ☏ +84 5 1138 47333. One of the first resorts built in Da Nang, and probably still the only one with a five-star rating. 198 rooms and suites. The resort has its own dive centre, spa, and health centre. Club Tourane opens daily from 20:00-02:00 with a Filipino Band. Hai Van Lounge serves cocktails and light snacks. Many restaurants. From USD175. 
  • 20 One Opera Da Nang, 01 Nguyen Van Linh St (corner of Nguyen Van Linh & Hoang Dieu), ☏ +84 5 1122 23344. 206 air conditioned rooms, all of which have cable TV, Internet, minibar, and shower with bathtub. Has spa and swimming pool, fitness room/gym, and restaurant, bar and café. From USD96. 
  • 21 Hyatt Regency Da Nang, Truong Sa St, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, toll-free: +1 800 233-1234. 200 comfortable rooms and 27 ocean-view villas. From USD200. 
  • 22 Pullman Danang Beach Resort (formerly Lifestyle Resort), Truong Sa St, Ngu Hanh Son District (Bac My An Beach), ☏ +84 5 1139 58888. From USD400. 
  • 23 Grand Tourane Hotel, 252 Vo Nguyen Giap, Son Tra District (My Khe Beach). The hotel includes 189 rooms with 22 floors. It offers 2 conference rooms, restaurant with Asia and Western food. Its facilities include spa and swimming pool, fitness room/gym, bar, and café From USD100. 
  • 24 Pulchra, Lo 22, Duong Trung Sa, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District (Marble Mountain), ☏ +84 511 392 0823, . The resort is an all-villa with 31 villas only in a 10-ha beach front property. The first resort in Danang to offer a "Cham" experience in terms of architecture and cuisine. From USD500. (updated Sep 2016)
  • 25 InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Thọ Quang, Sơn Trà (Take Phạm Văn Đồng east until the end, turn left onto Võ Nguyên Giáp which turns into Hoàng Sa. Follow Hoàng Sa up the mountain. Look for the large sign on the left.), ☏ +84 236 3938 888. This might be the finest hotel in the city. It's where US President Trump, Russian President Putin and other world officials stayed during the 2017 APEC conference. Located in a very secluded area and has a private beach. From USD500. (updated Jan 2018)

Connect

Internet

There are plenty of Internet shops scattered around Da Nang that will charge a small fee for an hour's use of web, e-mail, or whatever you like. You'll be able to spot them by their walls lined with computers. Online gaming is huge (and controversial) in Vietnam, and you'll often see these shops packed with teenagers playing online games together, especially after school and into the evening. Some shops will have printers, some not; if you have a thumb drive, you can always load it up with what you need to print, and walk over to a print shop.

If what you want is a quiet place to relax and check your email, you may be better off stopping into a nearby coffee shop; most of these have free Wi-Fi, and outside of peak hours (early mornings and lunch time) they're fairly quiet.

Post

There's a convenient post office branch right on Bach Dang Road, right next to the Han River Bridge. There are also major branches in each of Da Nang's districts, so you can drop off a letter or postcard wherever you might be.

Stay safe

In general, you'll find that Da Nang is a safer and far more laid back city compared to hectic Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. As the number of tourists rises, of course, things begin to change. That doesn't mean you'll have to walk down the street clutching your bag like you would in bigger cities. Still, it pays to observe some rules of thumb to avoid unnecessary hassles:

  • Avoid wearing ostentatious jewellery or clothing that flaunts your (comparatively) rich lifestyle.
  • Carry cash and copies of important papers in a thin wallet rather than in a large purse.
  • It's safe to leave a rented motorbike outside during the day, but be sure to bring it inside during the night.
  • While cannabis is fairly common and sold at some bars it's still illegal and possession carries a stiff penalty.

Taxi scams

One thing to beware of is the standard taxi scam: When going on a long trip to Ba Na Hills, Hue, or elsewhere, an unscrupulous taxi driver may stop and agree to a very low price for a return journey. Once you reach your destination, he triples or quadruples the price, knowing you have no other options. When you do return to your hotel—parking the car slightly away or out of sight of the main entrance—he locks the doors and demands the price first before letting you go. To avoid getting caught in this kind of situation, stick with taxis from reputable companies such as Mai Linh or Vinasun, and agree a price with them. To play it even safer, take your driver to the hotel reception to confirm the price again and leave the taxi details, including the licence plate number, with hotel reception.

Another scam that appears to be reported for transport from Da Nang airport to Hoi An at night, is that even when the driver confirms that he knows where the hostel is located, at some point he says he needs help from a passerby to locate it and, just by chance, this person will speak English fluently. This person then boards the taxi saying he will help the driver giving directions and eventually will start promoting his business to the passenger. To avoid this scenario it is suggested that for late arrivals a private transfer be arranged with a travel agency or with the hostel in advance. The extra cost may well be worth the peace of mind.

Cope

Da Nang is less Westernised than Hanoi or HCMC, so it can be more difficult to feel settled here. All the same, the locals are friendly/curious enough to always be willing to help you, even when there is no common language.

Medical

  • 1 [dead link] Da Nang Women's Hospital, 26C Chu Văn An, ☏ +84 511 2222 055, fax: +84 511 2222 056. The Women's Hospital has a very good reputation in Da Nang for its quality of service, especially for prenatal care. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 2 Family Medical Practice, 50-52 Nguyen Van Linh Street, ☏ +84 511 3582 699, fax: +84 511 3583 049, . Family Medical Practice is a national group with clinics in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. Costs are higher than at regular Vietnamese hospitals, but the care is good, and trusted by expats; the resident doctors are expats themselves. Check up from USD70. (updated Apr 2016)
  • 3 Hoan My Hospital, 161 Nguyen Van Linh (corner of Nguyen Van Linh and Phan Thanh), ☏ +84 511 3650 676, fax: +84 511 3650 272. Mon-Sat. Established around ten years ago, many expats in Da Nang find Hoan My to be a good approximation of a Western hospital, with many doctors and nursing staff having been trained in America, Europe, Australia, and elsewhere. The downside is that costs of care approach those of Western hospitals but much lower than Family Medical. Checkup 300,000-400,000 dong. (updated Apr 2016)

Immigration office

  • Immigration department, 7 Tran Quy Cap. For visa extensions. 

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