What is the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang?

The Dragon Bridge in Da Nang is an iconic bridge crossing the Han River. As the name suggests, it’s shaped like a giant dragon, with its serpentine body snaking the length of the bridge. The dragon’s head is perhaps the most impressive part, breathing fire and spraying water from its wide open mouth during the weekend show.  

The bridge’s design is inspired by the Ly Dynasty Dragon, an important symbol in Vietnamese culture that represents prosperity and good fortune. The Dragon Bridge is 666m long, a number which is also symbolic of prosperity and considered lucky. 

While the bridge has become one of Da Nang’s most recognisable attractions, it also serves to cut down on travel time between key parts of the city, including providing a direct connection between Da Nang International Airport and the My Khe Beach area.

Dragon Bridge Da Nang Fire Show

If you’re hoping to see the Dragon Bridge fire show during your time in Da Nang, it’s important to know that the show doesn’t run every night. Here’s everything you need to know before planning your visit.

What Time Does Dragon Bridge Breathe Fire?

The Dragon Bridge in Da Nang breathes fire and sprays water every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 9pm. 

The show is also held during major holidays and festivals, including during Vietnamese New Year (Tet).

How Long Does the Fire Show Last?

The Dragon Bridge fire show is relatively brief, only lasting around 5 to 10 minutes in total. The show begins with the dragon breathing fire in several bursts before spraying water for the final few minutes.

Is the Dragon Bridge Show Free?

The Dragon Bridge fire show is a free attraction with no tickets required to view it from the bridge or surrounding waterfront areas. 

If you’re planning to watch the show from a cafe, bar or rooftop, you’ll generally be expected to purchase food or drinks.

You can also watch the show from a Han River cruise, with tickets available online via Klook.

Best Places to Watch the Dragon Bridge Fire Show

Choosing where to watch the Dragon Bridge fire show can make a huge difference to your experience, as the area gets incredibly crowded on show nights. You’ll also want to consider your viewing angle if you’re hoping to get the best photos.

If you’re planning to watch from the bridge or surrounding waterfront areas, I recommend arriving early to secure a good spot.

Watching Directly on the Bridge

One of the most popular locations to watch the fire show is directly from the bridge itself. You can stand on either side of the bridge along the pedestrian paths, and the bridge is temporarily closed to traffic before and after the fire show for safety. 

If you choose to stand on the bridge, keep in mind that after the fire display, the dragon sprays water, and if you’re standing in its path, you’ll definitely get wet!

From the Riverside Promenade

There is plenty of space along the Riverside Promenade and surrounding waterfront areas to watch the show, especially in the area around the Marina.

Personally, I think this is a better vantage point than standing directly on the bridge, as you can see more of the dragon and enjoy a wider view of the show.

From Nearby Cafes & Rooftop Bars

When I visited the Dragon Bridge fire show, I chose to watch from the elevated terrace of a coffee shop, which has since become a Starbucks, although the terrace itself appears to remain. While I did need to purchase a drink, being able to sit comfortably and enjoy the show from an elevated position away from the largest crowds was well worth it. 

Several rooftop bars, cafes and riverfront venues around the Han River also offer elevated views of the show, although many become busy before 9pm, so it’s best to arrive early.

From a Han River Cruise

If you’d prefer to see the fire show from the water while enjoying views along the Han River, you can book a Han River night cruise. The total duration of the cruise is around 45 minutes. 

If you decide to do this, make sure you book the 8:25pm departure to be on board for the 9pm fire show.

The boat specifically stops near the Dragon Bridge just before the performance begins for the best view of the fire and water show.

How to Get to Dragon Bridge Da Nang

Dragon Bridge Location

The Dragon Bridge is centrally located in Da Nang, connecting the city centre with the My Khe Beach area, making it one of the city’s main river crossings and an easy landmark to visit while exploring Da Nang.

The bridge crosses the Han River between the Han River Bridge and the Tran Thi Ly Bridge. The dragon’s head is located at the end of the bridge near Tran Hung Dao Street.

Walking to Dragon Bridge

Depending on where you are staying in Da Nang, it’s possible to walk to the Dragon Bridge. I typically stay in hotels near My Khe Beach, and from there it’s around a 30 minute walk.

By Grab

Grab is the easiest and most convenient way to get around Da Nang by car or motorbike. It’s the most popular rideshare app in Vietnam and works the same way as Uber. 

Keep in mind that the bridge is closed to traffic around 15 minutes before the fire show starts, so allow extra time to arrive and avoid getting caught in traffic closures and heavy traffic. 

When using Grab, always check that the driver’s license plate matches the one shown in your app. Drivers will often approach you while you’re waiting, so it can be easy to accidentally get into the wrong vehicle.

Best Time to Visit Dragon Bridge

Visiting Dragon Bridge During the Day

While most people visit the Dragon Bridge at night for the fire show, it’s still worth seeing during the day. Daytime visits are generally quieter, allowing you to take your time strolling along the Han River without competing with large crowds. 

You can also walk down to the nearby Han River bridge for a wider view of the Dragon Bridge stretching across the river. 

There are also plenty of local cafes nearby where you can cool down with a drink after your walk.

Visiting Dragon Bridge at Night

The Dragon Bridge truly comes alive at night, especially on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings during the fire and water show. Even on other nights of the week, the bridge is illuminated with colourful LED lights that reflect beautifully across the Han River. 

The surrounding area also has plenty of bars, restaurants and nightlife. If you’re looking for places to eat nearby, you can check out my full guide to the best restaurants in Da Nang. 

I’d also recommend visiting the nearby Son Tra Night Market, located just a few minutes walk away, where you can try local street food or shop for souvenirs.

Is Dragon Bridge Worth Visiting? 

If you’re a first time visitor to Da Nang, the Dragon Bridge is definitely worth a visit. 

Especially if you’re visiting on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night and you have the opportunity to see the fire show. While I’ll admit the show wasn’t quite as grand as I expected, it’s still a lot of fun joining in the spectacle and seeing the dragon breathe fire and spray water over the crowd.

There’s also a lively nightlife around the Han River, and you can easily combine your visit with a trip to the Son Tra Night Market or dinner at one of the nearby bars or restaurants. 

Overall, Dragon Bridge is one of Da Nang’s most unique landmarks and a fun experience to add to your itinerary. 

If you’re planning your trip, you can also check out my 4 day Da Nang itinerary for more ideas on how to include the Dragon Bridge alongside other attractions in the city.

Dragon Bridge Da Nang FAQs

Does the Dragon Bridge breathe fire every night?

No, the Dragon Bridge fire show takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, as well as during special holidays such as Vietnamese New Year (Tet).

Can you walk on Dragon Bridge?

Yes, you can walk across the Dragon Bridge. There are pedestrian footpaths on both sides of the bridge.

Is Dragon Bridge free?

Yes, it’s completely free to visit the Dragon Bridge, with no tickets required.

Where is the Dragon Bridge in Vietnam?

The Dragon Bridge is in Da Nang, a coastal city in central Vietnam, crossing the Han River.

What happens during the Dragon Bridge fire show?

The Dragon Bridge fire show begins with the dragon breathing several bursts of fire over a few minutes. This is followed by a water display, which often soaks crowds standing directly below the dragon’s head.