18 Best Da Nang Attractions & Things To Do. (2024.)

LOOKING FOR THE BEST DA NANG ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO?

Da Nang is unquestionably one of the most breathtaking cities in Vietnam. Imbued with a fascinating blend of timeless culture, ancient heritage sites, and evolving modernity surrounded by beautiful coastlines, rugged mountain ranges and the quaint Han River, I found this spectacularly vibrant seaside city in the South Central Coast to be an endlessly endearing amalgamation of all the things that make this south-east Asian country such a beloved destination.

From the revered Marble Mountains and ancient Champa ruins to the fire-breathing Dragon Bridge and magnificent Golden Bridge at Sunworld Complex in the breathtaking Ba Na Hills, there is no shortage of incredible attractions and things to do in Da Nang.

🤩 I recommend visiting Sunworld’s incredible French Village & one of the world’s newest globally acclaimed landmarks, the Golden Bridge.

1. Be Transported To France And See The World’s Newest Landmark.
Sunworld Ba Na Hills. – $.

Have you ever dreamt of experiencing the unrivalled beauty of France, but found it too expensive to travel there? Well then, you’re in luck. Nestled in the stunning mountains behind Da Nang, the French Village is a captivating part of the Sunworld Ba Na Hills Complex, a spectacular world-class destination full of impeccable architecture synonymous with the European country and seamlessly infused with Vietnamese hospitality and spirituality.

But the highlight of this endlessly enchanting attraction isn’t just that it feels like you’re teleported to the other side of the world, but is, undoubtedly, that it’s home to the Golden Bridge, a magnificent structural masterpiece that instantly became a global landmark. Consisting of two colossal stone hands emerging from the mountain range to hold up a pathway it offers visitors unforgettable panoramic views back towards the city.

As if that wasn’t enough to make you want to drop everything and go there right now, there’s more. Just getting to the top is an experience in itself. Folks can opt to drive up, but the cable cars are a big part of what makes Sunworld Ba Na Hills such an outstanding attraction. The ever-expanding theme park currently has six, one of which is 5.8km long and holds the record as the longest non-stop single-track cable car in the world. These connect the theme park’s various worlds, rides, restaurants, gardens and other beautiful spaces to the entry gate at the base of the mountain offering even more superb views.

The expansive park is a phenomenal day-trip destination to visit by yourself or with a guided tour. But to fully appreciate this outstanding attraction, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND staying overnight or two at the exclusive Mercure Ba Na Hills French Village Hotel. This fantastic accommodation has many room options suitable for all travellers, allowing even more time to explore and become enchanted with this vast and endlessly endearing place. Plus, as a special treat for guests, they open up the Golden Bridge before the park is open to day visitors, giving even more reason to spend the night. We spent three days here and couldn’t get enough. It was, undoubtedly, our favourite place to visit in Da Nang. (Although, if you stay, bring earplugs, as the only major problem I had with this hotel is that it doesn’t appear to have soundproofing.)

2. Explore The Revered Marble Mountains.
Marble Mountains. – $.

Marble Mountains is a remarkable cluster of five easily distinguishable limestone and marble peaks that rise sharply out of the landscape 7km south of Da Nang. These revered hills are one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions thanks to its many intricately carved Buddhist grottos, pagodas and temples that lie nestled high up between the natural crags and inside the caves, providing a peaceful sanctuary for the devout to pray and reflect.

One of the most interesting things to do there, along with marvelling at the beautiful architecture of this profoundly spiritual place and enjoying the breathtaking panoramic views that come with being at this elevation, is climbing through a narrow opening in one of the caves to reach the picturesque summit of one of the mountains. It involves some clambering, but it’s among the Marble Mountains’ most satisfying experiences.

Something to note about this place is that due to the nature of where it is, there are many stairs. Thankfully, the eastern entrance has a lift (additional fee), which gets most of the steps out of the way, but it’s still not the best for those with mobility struggles. It’s also best to try planning a visit on an overcast day because we visited on a clear day, and even though there was plenty of shade, the intense humidity and exertion from climbing up and down the stairs made me feel like I was on the verge of heatstroke.

3. See The Famous Fire Breathing Bridge.
Dragon Bridge.

Golden Bridge isn’t the only landmark attraction Da Nang is home to. It also has the mythical Dragon Bridge. This unique yellow bridge in the heart of the city is a devilish 666m long, 37.5m wide and crosses the River Han. Not only does it have a fun design that looks like it’s swimming in the river, but it also famously breathes fire and water! This unusual feature makes it one of the best things to do in Da Nang at night.

Thankfully, there are plenty of vantage points along the river, or boats you can board that get close to the bridge, allowing you to witness it unfold. But the Fire And Water Show only happens at 9 pm on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, so be sure to plan your visit around then as it’s such a fun and unique experience that will especially delight the kids.

But if you don’t like getting amongst the crowds, plenty of hotels around the bridge have rooms that face it, so that’s something to consider when searching for accommodation. We specified that when we booked at the Grand Mercure Da Nang and got a great albeit distant view. Even though it was a fair distance away, we enjoyed it more than being down there the following night as while seeing the fire up close was cool, it was a much more personal experience watching it peacefully from our room.

4. Explore The Ancient Ruins Of The Champa Dynasty.
My Son Sanctuary. – $.

Those who love ancient history and architecture will not want to pass up the opportunity to explore My Son Sanctuary. This certified UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fascinating archaeological complex nestled in the dense jungles of Quang Nam, southwest of the city. It was only discovered in 1889 when a Frenchman stumbled across it while setting up a telegram line. But its rich history as an ancient Indian Champa civilisation is estimated to date back to the 4th and 14th centuries.

Today, it’s a popular tourist site for those looking to bridge the gap between the past and present, as walking amongst the beautiful architecture of the Hindu Temples and the intricately engraved carvings some of them are adorned with is a great way to appreciate Vietnam’s unique cultural heritage.

As for those who’d like to understand more about the site and the people who resided there hundreds of years ago, a guided tour is highly recommended. Alternatively, you can hire a headset at the counter and do a self-guided audio tour of the Sanctuary.

5. Discover The Best Views Of The City.
Son Tra Peninsula.

For those who love nature and scenic landscapes, visiting the Son Tra Peninsula, AKA Monkey Mountain is a must. Located about 40 minutes out of the city, the drive to and up the mountain is gorgeous, with many stunning viewpoints along the way.

One of the most spectacular sights is Ban Co Peak, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of the sprawling city of Da Nang, the Han River, and the South China Sea, framed by the lush green forests of the peninsula’s seaside foliage and the distant mountain range. It’s such a beautiful place, it looks like something that would feature in a movie.

Helpful Tip: Since the peninsula is quite far away from the city if you are hiring a Grab motorbike to take you there, ask them if they can wait for you while you look around as it will be hard to get another Grab to come this far out to pick you up. My boyfriend and I had this experience at My Son Sanctuary. We thought because it was a popular tourist attraction, plenty of people would be coming by Grab, but everyone came by tour bus. Luckily, the ticket lady was lovely and called a taxi for us, but it was a valuable lesson learnt as there were no other Grabs there except the one I asked to stay.

6. Go Rafting & Ziplining.
Hoa Phu Thanh Tourist Area.

Those with an adventurous spirit will not want to miss spending a day at the Hoa Phu Thanh Tourist Area. Located south of SunWorld Ba Na Hills, this beloved tourist attraction offers numerous exciting nature-based activities perfect for those who love incorporating beautiful landscapes with unforgettable experiences. 

Two of the more exhilarating things to do is embark on a 2.5km white-water rafting adventure in a mini 2-person inflatable raft to plunge down a series of natural waterfalls and fly through the air across the beautiful landscape on a zipline. When that’s done and done, visitors can then also bathe in the stream. 

Additionally, they also offer camping, making the Hoa Phu Thanh Tourist Area full of the most unique outdoor experiences you can have in Da Nang.

7. Zone 5 Military Museum.

Vietnam’s 20-year war in the mid-20th century was one of the most revolutionary and contentious conflicts, not just for the country but the world, as people questioned why the Americans were invading a peaceful nation. It’s one of Vietnam’s darkest eras, so to appreciate the people’s strength, resilience and ingenuity used to fight back and ultimately defeat the Americans, a visit to the Zone 5 Military Museum is a must.

Located in the heart of Da Nang, the attraction has four sections. The first is a poignant memorial dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh, their beloved leader who led them to victory, and local war heroes. Second is the general museum, which has an impressive display featuring thousands of battle relics, detailed articles, and photographs taken by troopers of the Fifth Military Division.

Surrounding the buildings is the third section, which features genuine military planes and tanks used throughout the wars with the French in the French Indochina War and the Americas during the Vietnam War, while at the back of the complex is the fourth area, a tranquil garden space dedicated to Ho Chi Minh with a scale replica of his beloved stilt house, and a fish pond honouring the national hero and showcasing the simple way of life he fought for.

9. Get Creative And Snap Up Some Fun Photos.
3D Art In Paradise Museum. – $.

One of the best affordable things to do in Da Nang for kids, couples & groups is to get imaginative at the Art In Paradise 3D Museum. This delightful interactive photographic attraction features numerous novelty scenes painted on the walls and floors that visitors can insert themselves. When observed and photographed at certain angles, the flat 2D image appears to come to life and looks like you’ve teleported into a captivating 3D world.

What’s so fun about this place is that there is virtually no limit to how creative you can make faces and pose for the snapshot. It can be as appropriately simple, as outlandish over the top or as irrelevant as you like, making it a fantastic bonding activity for all involved. It’s an especially great place to visit when it’s raining or too humid outside.

11. Learn About The City’s History.
Da Nang Museum.

For those looking to learn more about the city’s cultural heritage, the Da Nang Museum is the perfect place to visit. Located inside the Special National Monument of Dien Hai Citadel, which earmarks the city’s centre, this fascinating attraction preserves over 2,500 significant and sometimes centuries-old historical, cultural and social relics collected from Da Nang and the Quang Nam provenance.

Some of the most poignant displays are of artifacts collected from the Vietnam War, along with much older sculptures, ceramics and other findings from bygone eras, giving visitors a fascinating insight into the city’s storied history.

12. See Vietnam’s Tallest Buddha.
Lady Buddha, Ling Ung Pagoda.

Tourists visiting Da Nang won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to visit the Linh Ung Pagoda, a peaceful and spiritual place near the water’s edge on the southern side of the breathtaking Son Tra Peninsula.

While the beautiful Buddhist place of worship is well worth visiting on its own, what makes it one of the coastal city’s must-see attractions is Lady Buddha. At 67m tall, this towering statue is one of Da Nang’s most recognisable landmarks, as it is easily observable from many places across the city, including the famous My Khe Beach. It symbolises peace, joy and prosperity. It’s also thought to bring good luck to those who come to see it, giving even more reason to do so.

 13. Go Swimming In The Ocean.
My Khe Beach.

As a coastal city in a high-humidity country, one of the best things to do in Da Nang is go swimming. There’s plenty of beachfront south of the Son Tra Peninsula to choose from, but one that remains the favourite is the gorgeous My Khe Beach.

This stretch of sand is popular with locals and tourists alike. But with the unrelenting heat, accessibility to the CBD and such a beautiful view, it’s understandable why people flock here. It’s a lovely place to take a dip in the ocean. And don’t worry about bringing your own surfboard, as those who prefer riding the surf rather than splashing around in it can rent one right off the beach. And for those who decide this is the place they want to learn how to do just that can with a beginner surfing lesson.