Da-Nang – Orientation – Maps
Map – The Center of Da-Nang :
Look at the following Map :
And look at this interactive Google Map :
Interactive Map : Tourist attractions + Transport + Center
- Points in Green : Airport + Train Station + Bus Central Station.
- Points in Red : City Center + Beaches.
- Points in Blue : Tourist Attractions.
There is a large river going vertically in the center of Da-Nang (Han river) :
And on that river there is a famous bridge with an impressive Dragon on it :
The head of the dragon is on the right bank of the river (this photo was taken from the right bank).
The river divides the city in 2 different parts :
1. The Left part : the city center :
2. The Right part : the beaches (on the far right).
How is the city of Da-Nang ?
A big city, on the beach. It is the third big city of Vietnam, after Saigon and Hanoi.
Da-Nang is located in the middle of Vietnam, so it is an important transport hub.
Until recently, Da-Nang was ignored by tourists (except head of states who tend to meet in this city), but now there is an increase in tourism and there is construction everywhere.
Should you Visit Da-Nang ?
There is not a clear answer to this :
Against Visit :
- There are a lot of other special cities to visit in Vietnam, so if you have only 1 month, Da-Nang is a candidate to be skipped.
- The city itself is busy and not particularly attractive. The beach in front of the city is not particularly beautiful.
- The distance between the city center and the beaches, may necessitate transport.
- You can visit the attractions of Da-Nang (Ba Na hills and the Marble mountains) also from Hoi An.
Pro Visit :
- If you have more than 1 month in Vietnam, do visit.
- Da-Nang is very close to Hoi-An and Hue, which are popular tourist attractions.
- There are some nice tourist attractions, outside the center of Da-Nang.
How to arrive to Da-Nang ?
Da-Nang is located at mid way between Saigon and Hanoi : 620 Km aerial distance from Hanoi and 610 Km aerial distance from Saigon.
Da-Nang is very close to Hoi-An and Hue, two “must see” cities in Vietnam.
By Flight
The cool way to arrive to Da-Nang. The airport is very close to the town center and there are a lot of cheap flights from many cities in Vietnam. The flight time is short.
- You can book Flights, Trains and Buses inside Vietnam with the site Baolau or 12Go Asia. Choose the Origin city and Destination city and it will show you All the available Transports to destination.
The location of Da-Nang airport and how to arrive to the city :
The airport of Da-Nang is very close to the city center. You can even walk to your hotel if you choose an hotel that is close to the airport rather than to the river.
Otherwise, to arrive to your hotel, use : A taxi, Grab (car or motorbike) or even the open tour Coco bus. A taxi ride to the dragon bridge has cost me 80,000 Dong (with some strange airport extras).
By Train
Yes, there is a train station in Da-Nang, not too far from the city center.
- You can book Flights, Trains and Buses inside Vietnam with the site Baolau or 12Go Asia. Choose the Origin city and Destination city and it will show you All the available Transports to destination.
- See the location of the Train station in Da-Nang, on the interactive Map, above.
- See what I wrote about the trains in Vietnam in the page : What to Visit in Vietnam.
Note : There is not a train station in Hoi-An, in case you plan to arrive from Da-Nang. There is one in Hue.
By Bus
The central bus station of Da-Nang is a little far from the town center, about 6 Km from the Dragon bridge, but you may not need that station because many bus companies are picking up tourists from the hotels, or at locations in the town center.
- You can book Flights, Trains and Buses inside Vietnam with the site Baolau or 12Go Asia. Choose the Origin city and Destination city and it will show you All the available Transports to destination.
- See the location of the Bus station in Da-Nang, on the interactive Map, above.
- See what I wrote about the buses in Vietnam in the page : What to Visit in Vietnam.
If you arrive to Da-Nang from Hoi-An :
The distance between Hoi An and Da-Nang is short, just 26 Km.
- There is a local bus. Bus number 1, that runs between Hoi-An and Da-Nang. The frequency is relatively high. In Da-Nang this bus has stops along the left side of the river (for example near the Dragon bridge). The travel fare is cheap and takes less than 1 hour. You can see the bus trajectory in the Da-Nang bus site.
- You can use a Taxi or Grab (car or motorbike).
- Shared minibuses, like the company Hoi An Express. Especially from the airport of Da-Nang.
In the photo, inside bus number 1 :
The stop of bus number 1, near the dragon bridge :
Where to Stay in Da-Nang ? – Hotels
Let’s look again at the Map of Da-Nang :
You have to make a basic choice between living near the beaches or in the town center. There is a certain distance between the 2 areas (around 3 Km, 1 hour walk) and you may need to use transport to move between the two zones.
The strategic, ideal point to stay (theoretical point) , is in the middle of the Dragon bridge, but there are no hotels on the bridge :-).
Option 1 : In the city center (down town)
Advantages : City life, animated, close to the dragon bridge. Big choice of western restaurants, it is easy to catch a local bus. Close to the airport (almost a walking distance).
Disadvantage : A lot of traffic noise. The hotels are on noisy streets, you have to be lucky to receive a back side room.
See Hotels in Da-Nang, near the Dragon bridge. After you click and fill the dates, you will see a Map icon. Click on the Map icon and look for hotels in the city Center. Note : The city center is on the left side of the dragon bridge. The Map is a great way to search for the right hotel (you immediately see the price and the score received by visitors).
Option 2 : Hotel near the beaches – The Digital Nomads area (around Hoàng Kế Viêm street)
On the beaches, there is an area which is very popular within expatriates and Digital Nomads. It is good to stay in a hotel in this area because there are plenty of restaurants with international cuisine and also a great nightlife. I recommend to stay here. If you rent a motorbike, you are directly on the beach road that leads to Hoi-An (about 30 minutes ride).
See Hotels in Da-Nang, near the beach, the Digital Nomads area (around Hoàng Kế Viêm street). After you click and fill the dates, you will see a Map icon. Click on the Map icon and look for hotels near the beaches. The Map is a great way to search for the right hotel (you immediately see the price and the score received by visitors).
Option 3 : Hotel near the beaches – A quiet zone
Advantage : There are some quiet streets near the beach, some of the hotels even have a balcony. The hotels on the first line are very tall. The beach area has a life of its own, with restaurants and bars.
Disadvantage : A relatively big walking distance to the dragon bridge and town center.
See Hotels in Da-Nang, near the beaches. After you click and fill the dates, you will see a Map icon. Click on the Map icon and look for hotels near the beaches. The Map is a great way to search for the right hotel (you immediately see the price and the score received by visitors).
How is the Climate in Da-Nang ?
If you arrive from Saigon, you will immediately feel the difference. It is cooler in Da-Nang (but warmer than Hanoi).
At day time it is warm but in the evening people are wearing a sweat-shirt rather than a T-shirt (no need for coats, unless you are riding a motorcycle). Like in all Vietnam, there is the dry season and the rainy season. In the Da Nang region, the rainy season begins later and ends later. It begins in August instead of May. The weather is not always optimal for the beach even on the dry season (it could rain).
Here are average temperatures and rain :
Month |
Max (C) |
Min (C) |
Rain (mm) |
| January | 25 | 19 | 85 |
| February | 26 | 20 | 25 |
| March | 28 | 21 | 20 |
| April | 31 | 23 | 35 |
| May | 33 | 25 | 84 |
| June | 34 | 25 | 90 |
| July | 34 | 25 | 87 |
| August | 34 | 25 | 117 |
| September | 32 | 24 | 312 |
| October | 29 | 23 | 650 |
| November | 27 | 22 | 432 |
| December | 25 | 20 | 216 |
How to Move in Da-Nang ?
By Foot
Da-Nang is not a compact city for walking. Saigon, for example, which is also a big city, is much more “walking friendly”, regarding the center).
In Da-Nang, just to cross one of the bridges could take 10 minutes. Walking between the beaches and the city center, could take more than half hour.
By Moto-Taxi (if you are single)
An excellent way to move around Da-Nang if you are travelling solo. The service of Grab-Moto (motorbikes), is excellent , but you need a Smartphone and a phone number (see what I wrote about Grab, in the Saigon Transport page ).
A typical ride in Da-Nang is bigger than in Saigon, so the prices are a little bit higher, but still very cheap.
There are also the “free lancers” with motos. They will address you on the streets. It is much less attractive than using Grab. Their motos are in bad shape and they will ask you for an higher price and they will try to take you to places you didn’t ask for.
By Taxi or “Grab” Taxi
Using Grab cars is easy (see what I wrote about Grab, in the Saigon Transport page ). Even if you want to use a regular taxi, the Grab application can be useful because it can indicate the price of the ride (fill the destination in the application and it will show you the tariff). Grab cars is slightly cheaper then regular taxis (Grab moto is much cheaper).
Rent a Motorbike
Yes, tourists can rent a moto in Da-Nang. It is convenient (and cheap) in order to visit the attractions in the suburbs.
A typical rent price is 150,000 Dong per day.
Make sure you have experience riding a motorcycle and it is better to be equipped with an international driving license for the case of accident.
Coco City Tour
It is an Hop-On Hop-off city tour. I saw it only once or twice in town so I guess the frequency is very low, it’s not like the ones existing in Barcelona, London and the other cities in Europe. The bus passes through : the airport, Marble Mountains, Lady Buddha, the beaches and Asia Park. You can see details in their website.
What to Eat in Da-Nang ?
If you like Vietnamese food, then there is no shortage of possibilities in Da-Nang. If you prefer western food and in addition you are also Vegetarian (like me), then there is much less choices in this city compared to Saigon or Hoi An.
In the night market, I had to buy an avocado in one stand and bring it to another stand where they prepared me a sandwich :
The sandwich with avocado, was still not invented in Vietnam :
All the other choices in the night market were “sea food” :
And also strange things like this :
And like this :
And on the street, I met this (it was once a pig) :
Some restaurants with western food that I like in Da-Nang :
Italian restaurant (Italian owner) – Limoncello
Casual Veg restaurant, near the beach – Roots.
Use Google Maps to search for international cuisine in Da-Nang. Use the Happy Cow application if you are Vegetarian.
There are less convenience stores (type “7 Eleven”) in Da-Nang, compared to Saigon, so if you see one, buy water (the chains, will probably arrive soon).
Where to go out at Night in Da-Nang ?
Option 1 :
The right place to be is near the head of the Dragon, which is on the right side of the bridge, point number 1 on the following map.
There are great views (over the dragon), night illuminations and cafés.
On week-ends , the dragon is spitting fire and water.
The night market is also close to the head of the dragon :
The night market has food stands and different articles for tourists :
These cards are everywhere in Vietnam :
Option 2 :
Another choice for nightlife, is on the left bank, not far from the Dragon bridge (point 2 on the map).
There are some active bars for tourists :
It is also possible to walk on the promenade, beside the river. It is live until sunset but not so much at night :
There is a promenade, on both sides of the river :
Option 3 :
There is some nightlife near the beaches (point 3 on the map), but it is not very attractive.
Unless, you just want to walk along the beach :
Continue to Page 2 – What to Visit in Da-Nang ?
More on Vietnam :
- How to Visit Vietnam ? – Transport, Best Time, Priorities…
- How to Reserve : Trains, Buses and Flights in Vietnam ?
- How much does it Cost to Visit Vietnam? Common Prices
- How to get a Visa for Vietnam ?
- Where to Stay, What to Visit, How to Arrive to :
- How is the Internet in Vietnam ?
- Is it Safe to visit Vietnam?
- What to Pack for the trip to Vietnam ?
On Thailand :
- Bangkok – What to Visit, Where to Stay, Transport…
- The Islands in Thailand – Which one to choose, Where to stay, How to arrive ?
- Chiang Mai – What to Visit, Where to Stay, Transport…
- Pattaya city – What to Visit, Where to Stay, Transport…
Other Stuff :
- What to Pack ? the visual list that will help you prepare the suitcase.
- Visit my Vegetarian Page. Why be Vegetarian ? What to eat ?
- Visit my Salsa Dance Page. Salsa main Styles. Why Dance Salsa ?
- See City Information about 2 more cool cities: Barcelona and Tel-Aviv.
- Listen to nice Songs with translation in French, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew.
- Listen to basic Words In Spanish, French, Hebrew
If you find incorrect data on this page, like a restaurant that has closed or a big river that has moved or you want to tell me something, please write me to contact.
