Marble Mountains

The Marble Mountains are a group of marble and limestone mountains located just a few kilometres south of the city centre of Da Nang. This spiritual site is made up of pagodas, caves and scenic viewpoints, and holds cultural significance for the Vietnamese. 

I’d recommend visiting early in the morning as you are guaranteed to get hot and sweaty making your way to the highest peak, but it is absolutely worth it for the views. Wear comfortable walking shoes, protect yourself from the sun and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. 

The climb itself isn’t too difficult, though there are some steep sections along the way. There are plenty of opportunities to take breaks on the way up as you visit the pagodas and caves, and there’s even a relaxation area before you reach the top. This area does have cool drinks for sale and toilets if you need them. If you’d prefer not to climb, there’s also an elevator for an additional fee.

To visit the Marble Mountains, you can take a Grab, which will drop you off directly at the entrance. If you’re short on time or would rather have transport and entry organised, you can also book a guided tour:

Marble Mountain and Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang

This tour includes free pick up from Da Nang City Centre or a central meeting point near My Khe Beach. You’ll enjoy a guided visit to the Marble Mountains and the Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village, before travelling to Hoi An for dinner in a local restaurant. After dinner, you’ll have time to explore Hoi An in the evening, when the town is beautifully lit with lanterns, before returning to Da Nang.

Da Nang Morning Half-Day Tour: Lady Buddha, Son Tra Peninsula & Marble Mountains with Lunch

This morning tour includes hotel pick up and takes you to two of Da Nang’s most iconic attractions. You’ll start at Son Tra Peninsula to see the towering Lady Buddha statue. From there you’ll explore the Marble Mountains and the Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village with a guide. The tour also includes a Vietnamese lunch before returning to your hotel in the afternoon.

Classic Da Nang Half-Day Tour

This classic half-day tour includes pick up and takes you to the Marble Mountains, where you’ll explore with your guide. Afterward, you’ll head to the Son Tra Peninsula to visit Linh Ung Pagoda and the Lady Buddha statue. This tour runs in both the morning and afternoon. No food is included, so be sure to eat before you’re picked up.

My Khe Beach

My Khe is a long stretch of white sand beach lined with palm trees, and one of the best places in the city to relax. It’s perfect for laying on the beach with a book, and if you want to cool down with a swim there are designated netted areas in the water. 

There are also plenty of beach bars and cafes nearby if you want a drink or a bite to eat. The beach can be quite busy in the afternoons, especially as locals come to unwind after school or work, often starting up games of volleyball or heading in for a dip in the sea.

Da Nang Beach Walk 

The beachfront in Da Nang stretches for kilometres, with around 7 kilometres of almost uninterrupted walking path. If you’re coming from a busy city like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll quickly notice how nice it is to walk without the chaos of trying to cross the road with motorbikes weaving past, uneven pavements, or roads with no footpaths at all. 
 
Along the way, you’ll pass beach clubs, bars and food trucks, making it easy to stop and take a break or reward your walk with a drink or snack. 

My favourite stretch is between Vo Van Kiet and Ngo Thi Si, which takes around 30 minutes at a relaxed pace.

Dragon Bridge

The Dragon Bridge is a long bridge stretching over the Han River shaped like a golden dragon.  It’s an iconic sight on its own, but the real highlight happens every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 9.00pm when the dragon breathes fire. 

If I’m honest, the fire isn’t as dramatic as you might expect but it’s still fun being part of the spectacle and gathering with the crowds in anticipation. 

While you’re here,  you can also take a walk along the Han River waterfront promenade. This area is also packed with restaurants and cafes, making it a great spot to stop for dinner or a drink after the show.

Son Tra Night Market

The Son Tra Night Market is open daily from around 5.30pm until late. Here you’ll find a mix of 
Stalls selling everything from clothing and souvenirs to handmade crafts, making it a great spot to pick up small gifts to take home from your trip. 

Food is one of the highlights, with dozens of vendors cooking up local Vietnamese street food. You’ll find seafood, all kinds of grilled meat loaded onto skewers, fruit juices, as well as sweet snacks like pancakes and ice cream. Even if you’re not hungry, it’s fun to walk through just to watch the cooking and see what’s on offer. 

It’s definitely a touristy market, but worth wandering through if you’re in the area. I’d recommend timing your visit with the Dragon Bridge fire show, as it’s only a few hundred metres away from the market.

Da Nang Cathedral

The Da Nang Cathedral originally made it onto my itinerary after seeing it on Instagram. Its pretty pastel pink exterior makes it the perfect Instagram photo spot. I must admit, I’ve never ventured inside the Cathedral and have only admired it from the outside. It’s centrally located and easy to stop by while exploring Da Nang, making it a quick and easy photo opportunity.

Son Tra Mountain

Son Tra Mountain, also known as Monkey Mountain, is located on the Son Tra Peninsula just kilometres from the Da Nang city centre. When you’re walking north along the beach, it’s the lush green peninsula that rises up as a backdrop against the ocean. 

From the mountain you have sweeping views out over the beach, ocean and city. 

I took a guided tour up the mountain as I wanted to spot the endangered and rare red-shanked douc langurs. I was very glad I hired a professional guide, as I don’t think I would have been able to see them otherwise. The guide was excellent at tracking them and carried a large telephoto lens, allowing us to admire them clearly without getting too close or disturbing them in their natural habitat.

Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge

Ba Ha Hills is a large theme park located in the Truong Son Mountains, around 25 kilometres from Da Nang. As it’s located high in the mountains, your visit begins with a ride up in a cable car. It’s an over 5 kilometre journey that takes roughly 20 minutes and is one of the longest cable car routes in the world. 

Once at the top, there’s a huge amount to explore. If I’m honest, I don’t think I managed to see even half of it, as it’s spread out across multiple zones. You’ll find a French themed village complete with European style architecture and cobblestone streets, an indoor amusement park filled with games and rides, and plenty of restaurants and cafes if you’re looking for something to eat.

One of the main highlights is the Golden Bridge, famous for its large hand sculptures appearing to reach and hold it up, you’ve likely seen the photos online. You can only see the Golden Bridge as part of a visit to Ba Na Hills as you need to take the cable car up to reach it. If you’re only interested in seeing the bridge, you’ll still need to purchase an entrance ticket for the park. 

To reach Ba Na Hills, you can take a Grab or book the bus. You can pre-purchase your tickets to save time when you arrive.

There’s also the option to book a guided tour, which I’d recommend if you want to see as much of the park as possible. I managed to miss seeing half of it by navigating on my own, and a tour saves the hassle of organising transport.

Is it worth visiting Ba Na Hills? 

When I visited Ba Na Hills, I met up with a work colleague and her family who happened to be in Vietnam at the same time. As a solo traveller, I don’t think it would have made it onto my itinerary otherwise. I was interested in seeing the Golden Bridge but probably wouldn’t have made the trip there for that alone. 

That said, I did really enjoy my time at Ba Na Hills because there was so much to explore and it was a bit of fun going on the amusement rides. 

If you have limited time in Da Nang, I’d personally skip Ba Na Hills and prioritise the other attractions in the city. However, if you have a full day to spare or you’re travelling with family, this is a fun and unique experience to add to your itinerary.

Day Trip to Hoi An

I’ll start by saying, you should spend a few days in Hoi An if your itinerary allows but if you’re short on time it’s worth making a day trip from Da Nang. 

Hoi An is a beautifully well preserved ancient town that is known for its yellow french colonial buildings and lanterns, and is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a quick day trip you should prioritise wandering through the historic old town, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge and exploring the night market.

Hoi An is approximately a 45 minute drive from Da Nang if travelling by Grab or private car transfer. Alternatively you could book a guided tour which includes your transport and activities for the day:

Hoi An and Coconut Forest Private Day Tour from Da Nang

This private full day tour (around 7–8 hours) includes hotel pick-up and return transport. You’ll visit the Coconut Forest for a ride in a traditional basket boat before exploring the ancient town of Hoi An. The tour also includes a taste of Vietnamese Coffee and a local dinner. Being a private tour, you can set your own pace and focus on the parts of Hoi An you want to see.

Hoi An City Tour and Coconut Basket Boat Tour from Da Nang

This guided tour combines a visit to Hoi An with the Coconut Forest, where you’ll hop on one of the bamboo basket boats, followed by a local lunch. The tour includes pick-up and drop-off in the Da Nang city centre.
Note: that this tour does not include entrance fees, which need to be paid separately.

Marble Mountain and Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang

This tour includes free pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Da Nang city centre. You’ll enjoy a guided visit to the Marble Mountains and the Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village before travelling to Hoi An for dinner in a local restaurant. After dinner, you’ll have time to explore Hoi An in the evening, when the town is beautifully lit with lanterns, before returning to Da Nang.

Top Tips for Visiting Da Nang

Use Grab for getting around

Grab is an easy and affordable way to get around Da Nang, by car or motorbike. It’s the most popular ridesharing service in Vietnam and works in a similar way to Uber. 

Always check that the driver’s license plate matches the one shown in your app. Many drivers will approach you while you’re waiting and it can be easy to get confused.

Get an eSIM 

On my first visit to Vietnam, I bought a tourist sim card that quickly ran out of data, and I found myself wandering around the city facing language barriers while trying to top it up. I’m completely lost without data on my phone, as I rely on it for maps and Google Translate when travelling. 

On my most recent trip, I used an airalo eSIM. I was able to set it up before leaving Australia which meant I was connected from the moment I landed in Vietnam. The eSIM used the Viettel network, the largest in the country offering a reliable connection everywhere I went, making travelling around much easier.

Carry cash

While hotels and larger restaurants accept cards, most street food stalls and markets are cash only. Having smaller notes also makes paying much easier.

Visit Popular Attractions Early

Marble Mountains, Son Tra Mountain and even the beach get hot and busier later in the day. Visiting in the morning means cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.

Book Tours If You’re Short On Time

Guided tours are a cost-effective and convenient way to see several of the city’s attractions combined into one itinerary. Some of the tours I’d recommend include:

Son Tra Peninsula, Marble Mountain, and Hoi An Tour from Da Nang

This full day tour (around 6.5 hours) includes hotel pick-up and drop-off and combines three of the region’s highlights: Son Tra Peninsula, the Marble Mountains, and a visit to the ancient town of Hoi An. You’ll enjoy scenic viewpoints, pagodas, dinner and free time in Hoi An before returning to Da Nang in the evening.

Da Nang City Highlights and Hoi An Day Tour

This guided tour takes you through the city’s main sights, including Son Tra Mountain, Dragon Bridge and Marble Mountains followed by lunch. After lunch, you’ll be dropped back at your hotel for a few hours rest before being picked up again to travel to Hoi An, where you’ll explore the ancient town and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel.

Da Nang City Private Tour and Han Cruise by Night with Aodai Rider

Enjoy a guided city tour riding on the back of a motorbike. After seeing the key landmarks around the city, you’ll stop for some local food before boarding a cruise along the Han River. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included.

Da Nang City & My Khe Beach Private Day Tour with An Spa Experience

This private guided tour includes pick-up from your hotel and takes you to city highlights, along with an extended visit to My Khe Beach. To end the tour, you’ll relax with a 60 minute massage at An Spa & Massage before being dropped back to your hotel.