How To Spend 3 Days In Da Nang, Vietnam

Situated along the central coast of Vietnam, is the picturesque city of Da Nang. The city has a mix of modern charm and natural beauty with it's stunning beaches, cultural landmarks and mountainous landscape. I had a long weekend there in 2024 and here's my guide for making the most of a 3 day stay:

Day 1: Beaches, Marble Mountains and Han River

Morning:
Start your first day having a relaxing morning walk a long the palm tree lined My Khe Beach for sunrise. This is a really nice wide stretch of coastline, with golden sand and clear blue water, which is great to have a dip in. Afterwards, treat yourself to a traditional Vietnamese coffee at one of the many cafes close to the beachfront, such as NHAN Cafe or Banh Mi & Coffee.

Afternoon:
Arrange a taxi through your hotel, or you can use Grab if you have the app, and take a short drive up to Marble Mountains, which are a cluster of limestone and marble hills, with fantastic viewpoints over the coastline. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as it is a fair few steps to get to the top, but the hike is worth it. Once there, you can explore a network of tunnels, caves and towers, which feature a number of beautifully made shrines and pagodas. Huyen Khong Cave was a highlight for me, with the space being lit up by natural light, due to a collapsed ceiling.

Evening:
Take a walk along the Han River and check out Da Nang’s illuminated bridges. Particularly Dragon Bridge, which breathes fire and water at 9pm on weekends, which is something really unique to witness. There are plenty of riverside restaurants to choose from around here, where you can enjoy some fresh seafood or traditional Vietnamese dishes for your evening meal.

Day 2: Ba Na Hills

An absolute highlight of Da Nang is Ba Na Hills, a hill station and resort complex located just outside the city, high up in the mountains. You can either take a taxi there (approx 45 mins from Da Nang) or arrange a pick up from your hotel through a tour group (see link below).

Once there, the only way up to Ba Na Hills is via the the world’s longest cable car, which provides 360 degree picturesque views as you ride to the summit. It truly is a wonder how the complex would have been built all the way up in the mountains!

When you arrive at the top, there is something for everyone. The complex comprises a French Village, themed gardens, multiple restaurants, cute cafe's, amusement park and of course the iconic Golden Bridge, held by giant stone hands (pictured).

Day 3: Son Tra Peninsula and Local Markets

Morning:
For your final day, head to the Son Tra Peninsula (also known as Monkey Mountain) and visit the Linh Ung Pagoda, which is home to the large white Lady Buddha statue overlooking the city and ocean. This statue can be seen from miles away, as it is a whopping 67 meters tall. The lady buddha, known as The Statue of Goddess of Mercy, holds great important significance to the Vietnamese people, as she was built to overlook Da Nang and protect the city from danger. Even on my way up to see it, my taxi driver was telling me there has been no more typhoons since construction started in 2004. This spot has some other statues, shrines and pagodas to explore, whilst having great views over the bay. Note, you'll need to keep an eye out for playful monkeys in the area! Follow this link for a full video tour.

Afternoon/Evening:
Spend the final part of your day at Da Nang's largest market, the bustling Con Market. Here you can shop for local specialties like dried seafood or coffee and enjoy some very affordable meals at the market food stalls.

Final Thoughts

Da Nang is one of my favourite cities to visit in Vietnam, it offers an array of attractions, delicious food, vibrant nightlife and very affordable luxury hotels (check this link for my recommended hotels), whilst being a lot quieter and laid back compared to the likes of Ho Chi Minh. The ideal time to visit is between February and May when the weather is pleasantly warm and rainfall is minimal. The summer months from June to August can be quite hot and humid, while the period from September to January experiences a lot of rain.

If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, the next place I would recommend spending 3 days in is Hoi An, a beautiful ancient down a bit further a long the coast.