Unique Things to do in Da Nang Vietnam
If you’re looking to explore Da Nang, Vietnam off the beaten path with unique experiences beyond the typical tourist spots, these are our personal recommendations for your visit.
To be clear: this is NOT a generic, exhaustive list of all the best things to do in Da Nang. This is a curated, subjective list based on our own experience.
Da Nang, Vietnam, is a vibrant and unique city, located right on the coast of Central Vietnam. It’s Vietnam’s third largest city with the third most popular international airport (airport code: DAD).
While we usually stay in Hoi An, Vietnam 40 minutes to the South (because we’re not big city people), we have grown to appreciate all that Da Nang has to offer.
Unfortunately, much of the tourism in Da Nang is catered for large group, package tours. With this post, we want to help you to go beyond the cookie-cutter options and find truly local, unique experiences.
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What To Do Off The Beaten Path in Da Nang Vietnam
Here are our suggestions of unique things to do that you may not find in a typical package tour itinerary.
A quick note about being a respectful visitor:Remember when you go to places where people do their daily life to be sensitive about taking pictures – try not to keep your camera out or in their face. Be present and experience the moment with people, rather than always trying to “capture” them for your own benefit.
1. Explore Non-Touristy Markets
Tour groups are constantly bused into Han Market near the river. It has more souvenir-centered shops and the vendors can be more pushy.
However, there are other more local markets like the Con market (Chợ Cồn) about a mile inland, which has every-day clothing, houseware items, cheap shoes, fabric (upstairs), meat, produce, and more. The vendors are not as accustomed to tourists and tend to be less aggressive as a result.
Even the superstores, which you can only find in larger cities in Vietnam, are fascinating. Check out the Go! Big C complex across from Con market, which has several floors of shops and a huge supermarket inside.
Visiting both a traditional market and a modern supermarket are a great way to immerse yourself in everyday, local culture and witness how people live in Da Nang.
2. Experience Da Nang’s Unique Cafe Culture
Coffee is a huge part of Vietnamese culture. Da Nang’s cafe scene is a delightful mix of hip, trendy as well as old school establishments.
Yes, you can even find Starbucks in Da Nang, but I encourage you to support local businesses and give Vietnamese coffee a try.
Specialty drinks from other cities have made their way around the country and you’ll now find menu items like egg coffee (from Hanoi), salted coffee (from Hue), and coconut ice cream coffee.
No matter what part of Da Nang you’re staying in, you’re likely to find some unique coffeeshops with cool aesthetics.
Nam House is a great example with their vintage furniture, boomboxes, and live plants (pictured below). Patrons are mostly locals and you may need to use Google Translate on the menu if you’re not familiar with the items.
Smoking is still allowed in separate areas of some establishments in Vietnam that are well-ventilated. At Nam House, smoking seemed to be relegated to the upstairs level of the cafe.
While not unique to Da Nang, a long-standing popular local coffeeshop chain with several locations in the city is Cộng Cà Phê. It’s the first place we had coconut coffee years ago.
Cong Ca Phe shops feature a photogenic, vintage, war-era aesthetic that’s unique to Vietnam.
3. Participate in Vietnamese morning exercise rituals
One of my all time favorite things to do in Vietnamese cities is join the throngs of people exercising in the morning.
Just head to the nearest body of water – in Da Nang, it’s the beach (in Hanoi it’s the lakes) – or the city parks at dawn.
This is a fun and fascinating cultural experience that I think every visitor should participate in at least once.
You’ll see all ages and all types of activities. From joggers and walkers, to badminton and hacky-sack, to tai chi and calisthenics, to zumba and ballroom dancing, to weight-lifting and yoga.
At Da Nang’s beach, there’s also swimming, surfing, and water aerobics.
I really admire how many people prioritize getting outside, staying active, and making it a communal ritual every morning. It’s inspiring and costs nothing to walk around and take part yourself.
4. Try Central Vietnam Food and Unique Restaurants in Da Nang
A trip to Da Nang wouldn’t be complete without indulging in its diverse culinary scene.
Try it all with this highly-rated backstreet Da Nang food tour.
We share more about Central Vietnam foods in this post on what to eat in Hoi An. Da Nang has most of the same specialties, including the savory noodle soup called Mì quảng (pictured above).
Find the alley labeled K280 Hoàng Diệu on Google Maps, with local restaurants serving banh xeo and nem lui. There are several, but we found Bánh Xèo Bà Dưỡng (not to be confused those similarly named next door) approachable with its picture menu.
The thick, flavorful dipping sauce adds an extra kick to the meal. It’s slightly spicy (which we usually avoid), but we loved the excellent flavors and textures from everything overall.
If you’re looking to go beyond regional foods, Da Nang has that, too. From bún chả Hà Nội (and other Vietnamese), to countless international restaurants and cafes, you’ll find just about every cuisine you can imagine.
One of our favorite recent discoveries was Vietnom Eatery, a collaborative kitchen concept featuring a creative Vietnamese fusion menu. You can also order from Rainbowl Poke and A Quiet Place cafe/smoothies in the same location.
In addition to the delicious and inspiring menu, Vietnom has a truly beautiful space with indoor and outdoor seating adorned with tasteful art. Some servers are hearing impaired so guests write out their order.
We went back just for their banh cuon lasagna – a brilliant combo of Vietnamese ingredients put together in a new way.
Feast with a local on this highly-rated backstreet Da Nang food tour.
4. Explore nearby natural and spiritual places
There are a handful of nearby attractions just on the outskirts of Da Nang that, while they are part of the typical “tourist trail”, we do recommend visiting if you have the time.
Want to go with a local guide? Try this highly rated day trip to visit our recommended Da Nang attractions.
Son Tra Peninsula / Monkey Mountain
Son Tra Da Nang, a.k.a. Monkey Mountain, is a scenic peninsula just to the North of the city. While there are a couple resorts, much of the land remains undeveloped.
Tour groups go to the Buddhist temple complex on the South side, which is free to enter. The Lady Buddha visible from Da Nang beach, pagodas, temples, and arboretum of bonsai-style trees are worth the trip.
The whole complex is bigger than I expected. Even with several big tour groups perusing the grounds, it’s large enough to accommodate a lot of people.
To visit on your own: you can get a ride with the Grab rideshare app, park your motorbike (no fee, but a donation box as you exit), or even bicycle there (if you’re up for some real exercise – I wouldn’t recommend a single-speed bike).
Of course, you can also go with an English-speaking local guide, with pick up from your hotel.
Our first visit to Monkey Mountain yielded zero monkey sightings. However, on a more recent trip, the monkeys were everywhere! (This was from 9:30-11:30 am.)
Beware though—the moneys are quite aggressive and are known to scavenge leftovers and go through bags and jackets left out on motorbikes. I even saw one appearing to sip from a discarded to-go drink.
All along the main Son Tra road (Hoàng Sa) are views of Da Nang city and the peninsula coastline.
There is a checkpoint near the entrance to the majestic Intercontinental resort where only manual motorbikes and hikers are allowed to continue up the steep mountain roads. Nevertheless, there’s plenty for scooters see on the wide, well-paved main road, which even has a decent bicycle lane on both sides most of the way.
There are a few hidden, sandy beaches you can hike down to though reviews say they’re quite polluted with trash.
There are a couple little makeshift shops for coconut water or coffee along the way, as well as cliffside viewpoints to marvel at the sea and even encounter some monkeys.
See more like this in our Jumping Jedd Gallery!
Another potential stop – when it’s open – is the peaceful bamboo gardens (Sơn Trà Tịnh Viên). It’s supposed to be open on weekends, but the gate was locked on Saturday morning.
Marble Mountains Da Nang
Marble Mountain’s religious and historical significance, natural caves, and amazing views make it one of Da Nang’s most famous destinations. I have always enjoyed visiting (when it’s not too crowded).
For the best experience, I highly recommend visiting Marble Mountains first thing in the morning before the big tour groups arrive.
It’s hard to describe this interesting system of caves and tunnels, combined with pagodas, shrines and gigantic statues.
Be prepared to climb some stairs. There is an option to take an elevator up and down, but that only gets you so far.
Go with a local guide: Try this highly rated day trip to visit both Monkey Mountain and Marble Mountains.
6. Check out Da Nang bridges and beaches
While it doesn’t have as much historic architecture as Hanoi and Saigon, what makes Da Nang unique is that it’s a modern, coastal city.
Even if you’re not there for a beach vacation, you can enjoy the beach vibe and seafood along the coast.
The Han River that runs North-South through the city is connected by several bridges. Each has a unique design.
If bridges make it onto your list of things to see in Da Nang Vietnam, you can admire them from the riverwalks along the banks, or even walk across them.
Perhaps the most iconic is the award-winning Dragon Bridge, near Da Nang night market, which spews fire and water on weekends at 9pm!
7. Have fun at Asia Park (with or without rides)
I was skeptical, but our visit to Asia Park was a delightful surprise. While the rides and games require tickets, the park itself is free to enter.
The amusement park is quite spacious and wasn’t busy at all at 5pm on a Saturday in January. Each area has a regional theme, so you can stroll through re-creations of iconic landmarks like Angkor Wat and a Korean temple.
There are several roller coasters, kids rides (like the Disney-esque tea cups), bumper cars, a haunted house, carnival games to win prizes, some food booths, etc.
There’s a package deal to enjoy unlimited rides, including the impressive Sun Wheel, for about $10 per person.
This would be an easy family-friendly thing to do with kids, or a fun date night.
More things to do in Da Nang
For adventure travelers and special interests, there’s a good chance you’ll find it in Da Nang. From paragliding to rock climbing, bird watching to crafting, this city truly has a lot to offer.
Another thing we always recommend is a motorbike tour where you ride behind an experienced local guide. This is a great way to explore the backroads, off-the-beaten-track, or see the famous Hai Van Pass and DMZ to the North of Da Nang.
Learn more and contact our friend Phu if a motorbike tour interests you.
LikeLocal is a site connecting travelers to unique experiences led by locals. Learn a craft, share a meal in someone’s home, or even attend a Vietnamese wedding!
Browse Vietnam experience listings on LikeLocal here >
Where to Stay in Da Nang
Mid-Range Luxury Beach-side (above): Voco Ma Belle Hotel (IHG)
Central Apartment with Balcony: Han Apartment
Central Budget Homestay: Bao Tran Homestay
Wrapping up: Unique Da Nang Things To Do
Da Nang has so much more to offer beyond the usual tourist attractions. Try some of these unique experiences, and you’ll find yourself making memories that go beyond the ordinary travel itinerary in Vietnam.
We hope this post helps you decide what to do in Da Nang Vietnam. If you have tips and recommendations of your own, we’d love to hear them in the comments below!
You might also like:
Our Guide to Vietnam Travel Tips and Destinations
What to Do in Hoi An on a Budget
Hoi An 3 Day Itinerary + Map
Where to Stay in Hoi An
Where to Eat in Hoi An
Day Trips from Hoi An
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