Free things to do · Da Nang · Vietnam
9 free things to do in Da Nang
Da Nang without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Thevu69, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Da Nang without paying an entry fee: Dragon Bridge, My Khe Beach, Linh Ung Pagoda and the Lady Buddha and Son Tra Peninsula and Ban Co Peak are all free. Ride-hailing apps are cheaper and more transparent than street taxis.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Very affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- October–November
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · An Hai (east bank by Dragon Bridge)
1.Dragon Bridge
Stand on the east bank near the head for the fire show, but expect to get splashed during the water section.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- After dark
- Kids
- Photo spot
Beach · My Khe beachfront
2.My Khe Beach
Swim early in the morning with the locals, between the lifeguard flags, before the sun gets fierce.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Iconic
Religious site · Son Tra Peninsula
3.Linh Ung Pagoda and the Lady Buddha
Visit late afternoon for the light on the statue and views of the city; dress modestly.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
Nature · Son Tra Peninsula
4.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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Views
- Outdoors
- Active
Market · Hai Chau riverfront
5.Han Market
Buy dried squid, coffee and local snacks here to take home; agree prices before buying.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Rainy day
Market · Hai Chau riverfront
6.Con Market
Go hungry and graze around the food section in the afternoon; point at what others are eating.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
Religious site · Hai Chau riverfront
7.Da Nang Cathedral
The best view of the facade is from across Tran Phu Street; the interior is usually open only around services.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Waterfront · An Hai (east bank by Dragon Bridge)
8.Love Bridge and Carp-Dragon statue
Combine it with the Dragon Bridge show and the Son Tra Night Market on the same evening.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- After dark
- Photo spot
Experience · Son Tra Peninsula
9.Man Thai fishing village
Go at sunrise, when the boats come in and the beach market is busiest.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| An Hai (east bank by Dragon Bridge) | Dragon Bridge and Love Bridge and Carp-Dragon statue | 1 hour + 30 minutes |
| My Khe beachfront | My Khe Beach | Half a day |
| Son Tra Peninsula | Linh Ung Pagoda and the Lady Buddha, Son Tra Peninsula and Ban Co Peak and Man Thai fishing village | 1 hour + Half a day + 1 hour |
| Hai Chau riverfront | Han Market, Con Market and Da Nang Cathedral | 1 hour + 1 hour + 20 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Nature · Non Nuoc and the southern resort strip
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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Views
- Kids
- Active
Museum · Hai Chau riverfront
Museum of Cham Sculpture
Visit before a trip to My Son to see the finest carvings that once stood there.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Experience · Hai Chau riverfront
Han River night cruise
Choose a weekend cruise timed to pass the Dragon Bridge when it breathes fire.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
Market · An Hai (east bank by Dragon Bridge)
Son Tra Night Market
Head here for dinner after the Dragon Bridge show; compare seafood prices before ordering.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- After dark
- Shopping
- Kids
More ways to save
- Ride-hailing apps are cheaper and more transparent than street taxis.
- Eat at local single-dish restaurants and markets, where meals cost a fraction of beachfront prices.
- Book Ba Na Hills tickets online and avoid weekends and Vietnamese public holidays.
- Hotel rates drop sharply from September to December, though that is the rainy season.
- ATMs are everywhere; carry small notes for street food and markets.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Da Nang expensive to visit?
Da Nang is very affordable for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Da Nang?
Dragon Bridge: Stand on the east bank near the head for the fire show, but expect to get splashed during the water section.