5 days in Da Nang

Day by day

1. Day 1: Dragon Bridge and Love Bridge and Carp-Dragon statue

   Dragon Bridge, Love Bridge and Carp-Dragon statue and Son Tra Night Market, then Han River night cruise in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Dragon Bridge

      Stand on the east bank near the head for the fire show, but expect to get splashed during the water section. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Love Bridge and Carp-Dragon statue

      Combine it with the Dragon Bridge show and the Son Tra Night Market on the same evening. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Quang-style noodles

      Specialist mì Quảng shops throughout Hai Chau, mostly from breakfast to lunch.

   4. Afternoon

      Son Tra Night Market

      Head here for dinner after the Dragon Bridge show; compare seafood prices before ordering. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Han River night cruise

      Choose a weekend cruise timed to pass the Dragon Bridge when it breathes fire.

2. Day 2: My Khe Beach and Marble Mountains

   My Khe Beach, Marble Mountains and Linh Ung Pagoda and the Lady Buddha, then An Thuong in the evening.

   1. Morning

      My Khe Beach

      Swim early in the morning with the locals, between the lifeguard flags, before the sun gets fierce. (Half a day, free).

   2. Late morning

      Marble Mountains

      Go early, take the lift up and walk down, and allow extra time for Huyen Khong Cave, where light shafts fall through the roof. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pork in rice paper with fermented anchovy sauce

      Restaurants that specialise in this dish across the city, often busy with local families at lunch.

   4. Afternoon

      Linh Ung Pagoda and the Lady Buddha

      Visit late afternoon for the light on the statue and views of the city; dress modestly. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      An Thuong

      Craft-beer bars, pubs and cocktail bars in the streets behind My Khe Beach.

3. Day 3: Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge and Son Tra Peninsula and Ban Co Peak

   Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge, Son Tra Peninsula and Ban Co Peak and Museum of Cham Sculpture, then Bach Dang riverfront in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge

      Arrive at opening and go to the Golden Bridge first; by late morning it is packed and cloud often rolls in. (Full day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Son Tra Peninsula and Ban Co Peak

      Go early in the morning for the best chance of seeing langurs in the trees by the road; carry water, as there are few shops. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fish-cake noodle soup

      Noodle shops in Hai Chau, especially in the morning.

   4. Afternoon

      Museum of Cham Sculpture

      Visit before a trip to My Son to see the finest carvings that once stood there. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Bach Dang riverfront

      River-view bars and rooftop terraces facing the bridges.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Hoi An

   About 45 minutes by car each way. Getting there: Ride-hailing car, taxi or shuttle bus.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Hoi An

      About 45 minutes by car (Ride-hailing car, taxi or shuttle bus); about 30 km.

   2. Day

      Hoi An

      The lantern-lit UNESCO-listed old trading port, with its Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese assembly halls and merchants' houses. Best for first-timers, couples, culture and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Da Nang

      Dinner: try Vermicelli with fermented anchovy sauce.

5. Day 5: Han Market and Con Market

   Han Market, Con Market and Da Nang Cathedral, then An Hai and the Dragon Bridge in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Han Market

      Buy dried squid, coffee and local snacks here to take home; agree prices before buying. (1 hour, free).

   2. Late morning

      Con Market

      Go hungry and graze around the food section in the afternoon; point at what others are eating. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Vermicelli with fermented anchovy sauce

      Street stalls and Con Market food section.

   4. Afternoon

      Da Nang Cathedral

      The best view of the facade is from across Tran Phu Street; the interior is usually open only around services. (20 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      An Hai and the Dragon Bridge

      Night market, street food and riverbank crowds on weekend evenings.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Hai Chau riverfront keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, My Khe beachfront ($$) suits beach, families and first-timers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–27 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.2 hours in December to 13.1 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Da Nang
• 2 days in Da Nang
• 3 days in Da Nang

Questions travellers ask