Danang

History & Culture Cuisine Beaches & Islands

Danang, an important coastal city in Vietnam, is located on the estuary of the Han River. The mountains and peninsulas around Danang provide a safe harbor for the port and offer fantastic landscapes to visitors. Danang enjoys a pleasant climate and a strategic geographical location, boasting white sandy beaches and developed riverfront areas.

It serves as the gateway to Central Vietnam and is situated between the beautiful UNESCO-listed destinations of Hue and Hoian. The city is well-connected, with a train line running from north to south and an international airport. Its central location places it approximately halfway between various attractions in Central Vietnam: 30 km from Lang Co, 100 km from Hue, 30 km from Hoian, and 70 km from Myson.

Things to see and do

Cham Sculpture Museum
Explore Bana Hills by cable car and visit the Golden Bridge
Beautiful beaches in Da Nang
Marble Mountains
Hai Van Pass
Son Tra Peninsula and Linh Ung Pagoda, observing monkeys and birds in the forest on this peninsula
Charming Danang Show
Dragon Bridge and DHC Marina
Con Market
Unusual:

Before being conquered by the Vietnamese of the Tran Dynasty, Danang was the ancient land of the Champa Kingdom. The ancient city called Indrapura, the capital of the Champa Kingdom between 875 and 978, is located near the city of Danang.

The history of the Cham people began around the 3rd century and abruptly ended in 1832 when Emperor Minh Mang ordered the destruction of the last remnants of the Cham Kingdom. The Cham people were strongly influenced by Hinduism and Buddhism. The rich Cham culture left behind brick towers, temples, and various sculptures, such as those displayed in the Cham Museum in Danang.

Cham Museum:

The Cham Museum in Danang houses the largest collection of Cham sculptures in the world.

This museum was built by the French at the suggestion of Mr. Henri Parmentier, a French archaeologist from the French School of the Far East.

The museum displays over 2,000 Cham artifacts dating from the 5th to the 15th century. These Cham antiquities are made of sandstone, terracotta, and copper and were discovered at archaeological sites in Central Vietnam.

Marble Mountains:

Located 9 km south of the city and close to the sea, you'll find a group of five white marble limestone mountains. They are symbolic of Danang. These marble mountains hide a system of caves and mine tunnels, Buddhist temples, and viewpoints offering panoramic views of the surroundings. You can take a one-way elevator ride up, then descend leisurely through the sanctuaries and Buddhist and Hindu pagodas.

The Beach:

Danang has a 30 km-long coastline, including a beach that stretches from north to south to Hoian. This beach, called My Khe, is highly regarded by tourists for its combination of beach relaxation and water sports.

The white sandy beach is stunning, and offshore, you can discover Cham Islands and the Son Tra Peninsula.

Bana Hills by Cable Car:

Bana Hills is located at an altitude of 1,500 m and was once a French colonial hill station.

Today, Bana Hills is an amusement park located 25 km southwest of Danang. The climate here is cool all year round, and you can experience four seasons in a single day.

It's an ideal destination, especially if you have children. About 80% of the area is an amusement park, a Vietnamese Disneyland.

The main attraction for Western visitors will be the Golden Bridge with its giant hands, spanning 150 meters in length, and the 5 km cable car ride over the forest and mountains.

Son Tra Peninsula:

Located 6 km from the city center of Da Nang, Son Tra covers 4,439 ha, with 4,140 ha covered by forests. The forest is home to many monkeys and birds, making it a rich area for wildlife and flora. There are several small white sandy beaches and some spots for viewing coral reefs.

Activities to do in Son Tra include beach activities, diving, observing monkeys, visiting Linh Ung Pagoda, Ban Co Peak, and the thousand-year-old banyan tree.

In addition to its biodiversity value, Son Tra also plays an important role in national defense, with military radar systems and aviation capabilities to cover the sky and the South China Sea.

The best time to visit Son Tra is from February to September.

Hai Van Pass:

Hai Van Pass is a coastal road situated at an elevation of 496 meters above sea level, offering magnificent views of Danang Bay on one side and Lang Co Lagoon and Beach on the other. Its name comes from the mist coming from the sea that often envelops the summit.

The slopes of Hai Van Pass form a climatic barrier between the north and the south and historically marked the boundary between Vietnam and the Champa Kingdom. An abandoned French fort still stands at the top of the road.

Good to Know

When to visit?

The best season to visit Da Nang is from February to September.

Access

By Plane: Several airlines, such as Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietjet Air, operate regular flights from Da Nang to destinations including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Nha Trang, Buon Me Thuot, and Can Tho.

By Train: There are 8 daily train departures from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang.

By Bus: National Highway 1 passes through Da Nang, resulting in several different bus lines connecting various cities in Vietnam. From Da Nang, you can also reach Laos if desired.