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Da Nang is a diverse city in Central Vietnam. With one side lined with skyscrapers and hectic city streets. And, the other is built along a stunning stretch of beach. If spending 2 days in Da Nangย this guide is perfect for you. Iโll give you a rundown of the very best places that need to be added to your Da Nang / Vietnam itinerary.
Many have asked, โis Da Nang worth visiting beyond a day trip?โ, especially when the more popular town of Hoi An is only an hour south.ย
I defiantly think adding at least 2 days in Da Nang to your Vietnam itinerary is an awesome idea. The city has a lot to offer and with so much construction going on, I feel itโs only going to get busier. Plus Da Nang airport, conveniently close to the city, is one of the three largest airports in Vietnam and a great way to access Central Vietnam.ย
Below I have listed 6 of the best things to do during 2 days in Da Nang.ย
Best Things to do During 2 Day in Da Nangย
Beaches in Da Nang
Well, you wouldnโt come all the way to Da Nang without spending time at the beach. The main beach is My Khe Beach and I believe this would be the best beach in Da Nang because of its central location, clean, soft white sand and clear water that is very safe for swimming.ย
My Khe Beach stretches 51km and is the perfect place for a morning walk as the sun rises. For those who have been to Queensland, Australia, this beach really reminded me of Surfers Paradise (in all the good ways).ย
Also along My Khe Beach, you could enjoy water sports like jet skiing, surfing & stand up paddle boarding. Then just across the road are many of the largest hotels in Da Nang and I would recommend booking accommodation in this area.
Some of the other best beaches near Da Nang are; Non Nuoc Beach, Bac My An Beach, Thanh Binh Beach and Lang Co Beach.ย
The Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains are a group of 5 marble & limestone hills just south of Da Nang city. Out of the 5 mountains, only 1 is open to climb.ย
If you choose to walk up the mountain (well-paved stairs) then the entry is free. There is an elevator available but using this does cost.ย
Parking is said to be free but this isn’t as easy as it sounds. We tried to find a quiet side street to park and then start the walk but locals will always find you!
Telling us that entry to the mountain is only available from one street. Along the main street, the shopkeepers will all offer you free parking and ensure that your bike will be kept safe. And, yeah the parking was โfreeโ but on the way out we were pressured to purchase something from their store!
The Marble Mountains are a very sacred site in Vietnam and are home to many temples, statues, pagodas and caves.
During the walk up the stairs, thereโs calming music playing in different sections, the walk is very well sighed and so many stunning marble statues of Buddha along the way.
Although, the first big cave you will come across isnโt overly obvious. Thereโs a massive white Buddha statue and a temple and the entrance to the cave is to the left behind the temple. This cave is called DรNG TรNG CHON / TANG CHON CAVE. There are so many beautiful statues inside and the top of the cave is open so depending on the time of day there can be beautiful rays of sunshine beaming through.ย
Then HUYEN HONG CAVE is probably the main cave on the mountain and if youโd done a google image search Iโm sure this would have come up. Itโs an amazing place that gives you such a special feeling being there. I definitely recommend waiting around for any crowds to leave so you can really feel the peacefulness.ย
The Heavens Gate is a steep staircase that leads to the highest peak on the mountain. Itโs well worth the effort because the views of Da Nang from the top are so beautiful. But be careful up there because even on a dry day many of the rocks are very slippery.
In total, we spend around two hours exploring the tourism zone of Marble Mountain. Itโs hard to believe this is free entry because it is amazing and one of the best things we did during 2 days in Da Nang. Make sure youโre wearing comfortable shoes and take plenty of water.
Lady Buddha
The Lady Buddha statue is a part of The Linh Ung Pagoda complex and is just outside Da Nang city. You can actually see the bright white Buddha standing tall all the way from My Khe Beach.ย
Lady Buddha is the goddess of mercy and is 220 feet (67 meters) tall and standing atop a lotus-shaped temple.ย
As this is a holy place there’s no entrance fee and if you wish to use the car park you will need to make a donation upon exiting.ย
Itโs such a beautiful area with many gardens and other statues & temples to see. The Lady Buddha may be the star of the show but definitely still take the time to explore the whole complex.
Hแบฃi Vรขn Pass
Iโm not exaggerating when I say this is one of the best coastal drives I’ve ever done and taking a motorbike along Hแบฃi Vรขn Pass should definitely be included on your 2-day Da Nang itinerary.ย
The Hแบฃi Vรขn Pass is a 21km long mountain pass on National Route 1 in Central Vietnam. This long windy road offers jungle and mountains on one side then spectacular ocean views along the other.ย
There are a number of viewpoints and cafes (that are literally hanging off the cliff) along the way, so plenty of places to sit and admire the scenery.
The best way to explore the Hแบฃi Vรขn Pass is by having your own motorbike or scooter. This just gives you more flexibility and the option to stop whenever something captures your attention.ย
My husband was doing the driving and I was just loving life sitting on the back but there were a few hairy moments when we quickly had to overtake large trucks because sitting behind them would make you pass out from all the smelly fumes!
If hiring your own bike isnโt an option, that doesnโt mean you should miss out. You can actually hire a local or join a group to take you along Hแบฃi Vรขn Pass. These are usually still on motorbikes and won’t leave you with the responsibility of driving.ย
There is also the option to book a trip with Viator which includes riding along the Hแบฃi Vรขn Pass.ย Link Below!
Dragon Bridge Da Nang
This eye-catching bridge in the centre of Da Nang was built in 2009 and is over the River Hร n.
The Dragon Bridge is bright yellow and huge, you wonโt miss it. If you are coming from the beach you can drive over Dragon Bridge on your way to the Hแบฃi Vรขn Pass.ย
If youโre lucky enough to be in Da Nang on the weekend you are in for a treat. Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday night at 9 pm the Dragon Bridge puts on an impressive water & fire show.ย
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Ba Na Hills & The Golden Bridgeย
Firstly, full disclosure; I didnโt actually visit Ba Na Hills and this was because of a mix of running out of time, it’s expensive and other Australians we met said it was extremely touristy and didnโt at all feel like Vietnam.
But thereโs a good chance you have seen the images of this golden bridge amongst the mists and delicately being held up by giant stone hands. And Iโm sure we can all agree it looks very impressive – maybe Iโll visit next time.ย
You canโt see the Golden Bridge without purchasing tickets to Ba Na Hills. Ticket prices change throughout the year but tourists can expect to pay around 900,000 VND per person and this includes a two-way cable car, Golden Bridge and games at Fantasy Park.ย
You can pre-book tickets to Ba Na Hills with Klook, which is one of Asia’s best activity booking platforms.
Best Time to Visit Da Nang
The best time to visit Da Nang is really anytime between January – August. When the weather is warm and there should be minimal rain, this just adds to why Da Nang is such a great destination because most of the year it’s perfect.ย
September to November is the rainy season so Da Nang should be avoided during this time. And during November & December, the weather can become quite cold with the cold winds blowing down from the North.ย
I visited Da Nang in June and the weather was perfect every day, clear, dry and hot. Although this was over the Vietnamese holidays so the beaches were packed every afternoon.
In Conclusionย
Da Nang is a beautiful coastal city in Central Vietnam and there is definitely a lot to do that will fill up 2 days in Da Nang.
Out of the 6 places I have mentioned, 5 of them are free so Da Nang is a great place to enjoy for a few days on a minimal budget. ย
People often ask โis it better to stay in Danang or Hoi An?โ And I would definitely suggest staying in both. We visited Hoi An first then spend 2 days in Da Nang before flying to Ho Chi Minh City. With a major airport very close to the city this became a very convenient option and we had so much fun during our 2 days in Da Nang.ย
Thanks for reading,ย
Happy Travels.ย
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Elyse is the author & content creator behind A World To Live. After traveling to over 40 countries, she has a passion for discovering new places. Elyse is a money-conscious traveller who loves writing independent travel guides to help her readers get the most out of their travels.
Vietnam has been on my travel list for a while now. Marble Mountain looks so beautiful! I’m saving this for a future reference. Thank you for the helpful tips.
This is a very interesting post which inspires me to want to Vietnam very soon. The beaches in Da Nang looks beautiful and the marble mountains look fascinating. Thank you for sharing ๐
I can’t wait to visit Vietnam and experience the things on your list. One day soon!
Nice post! Vietnam is on my list to travel someday especially since I visit Korea often
This is such a helpful guide! I am planning on visiting Vietnam soon as it was unfortunately still closed when I travelled Southeast Asia thanks to covid! Hแบฃi Vรขn Pass has also been top of my list!
That’s so exciting you’re finally able to go, Leah, I hope you have a wonderful time. And, yes! Hai Van Pass is a must
I love Vietnam, and Da Nang is such a great place to visit. I especially enjoyed visiting the Marble Mountains, I wondered what an earth could be there until I visited and discovered all the amazing caves and statues. An incredible place.
Totally agree, it’s beautiful
This destination is still on my bucket list ๐
Wow Da Nang should really get more of a highlight for Vietnam! It’s gorgeous! And I appreciate that a lot of the attractions are free!
Vietnam is on my list and the Dragon Bridge and the Golden Bridge would be the first sites my son would want to see. Thanks for the inspiraton!
Vietnam is just fascinating. I have a friend in Da Nang right now! I’m sending him this to make sure he does not miss all the best things to do and see!
Thank you so much
We sadly have not yet visited Vietnam but it is on our travel wish list. We will definitely have to make sure we plan a few days in Da Nang. The outdoor sights look stunning. A good reason to visit when it is not rainy season.
This is a part of the world that I have yet to explore. It looks amazing.
My husband and I just finished a world trip and somehow missed Vietnam, we definitely need to make it there! (and we’re saving this one for when we do)๐
Da Nang looks fabulous, would love to visit. It will definitely be on my itinerary when I visit Vietnam. The views on Hai Van Pass look stunning and I would love to see the lady Buddha and marble mountain.