Should you visit Da Nang or Nha Trang?

Da Nang and Nha Trang are two famous beach towns in Central Vietnam. They are popular summer destinations for both local Vietnam and foreign tourists. They both offer beautiful beaches, a wide range of tourist amenities and attractions, and affordable cost of living.

In this article, I will compare Da Nang and Nha Trang. I will outline their similarities and differences in terms of locations, accommodations, beaches, nightlife, shopping, food, and cultural attractions.

I’m Vietnamese and I have traveled to both cities many times, so I hope to give you the information you need to decide which city is best for your visit.

Is it better to stay in Da Nang or Nha Trang?

I enjoyed my visit to Da Nang and Nha Trang equally. They both have great beaches, delicious seaside, warmer weather, cheaper cost of living and cleaner air compared to Hanoi where I’m from.

As a Vietnamese, I would say Da Nang is more popular than Nha Trang. This is because it has a wider range of attractions and activities. It’s also close to the famous Hoi An ancient town, which is one of the top places to visit in Vietnam.

From an international perspective, you’ll likely see images of Da Nang and Hoi An more often than Nha Trang. Famous sites such as Ba Na Hill, Golden Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Coconut Boat Ride, or the old town of Hoi An are often promoted as top destinations in Vietnam.

Generally speaking, Da Nang is better than Nha Trang if you’re first-timers to Vietnam, who want to explore some of the most iconic sights of the country, good range of night markets, and close proximity to Hoi An old town.

The city is also surrounded with natural attractions including beaches, rivers, and mountains. You can enjoy relaxing river atmosphere, mountain and beach activities without traveling too far.

Da Nang is the transport hub of Central Vietnam, so it’s also easier to access internationally. There are more international flights to Da Nang than to Nha Trang.

Not only popular with tourists, Da Nang also attracts a large number of expats and digital nomads. The city has an expat area called An Thuong, located close to the beach. Nha Trang also has expats, but it’s not as popular as Da Nang.

Nha Trang is closer to Ho Chi Minh City and is a popular weekend getaway for people from South Vietnam. It’s less popular than Da Nang, but still has offer good mix of beaches,cultural attractions, entertainment, and usually good weather year round.

The highlight of Nha Trang is beaches, watersports, island hopping tours, seafood, and mud baths. Even though both cities are popular with tourists, you’re more likely to encounter Russian, Chinese, and Korean visitors in Nha Trang.

If you’re first-timers to Vietnam, I recommend visiting Da Nang first. You can visit Nha Trang on your second visit to Vietnam, or combine a visit to Da Nang and Nha Trang in one trip.

There are few direct flights between these two cities per week and more during peak season, so if you plan in advance, you can choose to take an easy 1 hour flight. Another option is to take train or long distance buses between the two cities.

When traveling between Nha Trang and Da Nang on the road, I recommend staying a night or two in Quy Nhon, a good local beach city between these two places. When I took a train ride from Nha Trang to Da Nang, I got off at Quy Nhon for 2 nights to explore its city before continuing my journey to Da Nang.

My hand-picked hotels in Da Nang:

My recommend hotels in Nha Trang:

luxury: Meliá Vinpearl
Mid-range: Liberty Central Hotel
Budget: Azura Gold Hotel & Apartment

Location and How to Get There

Both Nha Trang and Da Nang are located in Central Vietnam. Da Nang is mid-way between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, while Nha Trang is closer to Ho Chi Minh City.

Da Nang is also close to Hoi An and Hue, making it a great base to explore central Vietnam. When you visit Nha Trang, you can probably explore the city itself. Popular tourist cities, such as Mui Ne and Da Lat, are located a fair distance away.

Both Da Nang and Nha Trang have their own international airport. Da Nang airport is conveniently located only 5km away from the heart of the city center. Cam Ranh airport is located around 40km south of the Nha Trang city center.

Additionally, both cities have a train station, making it easy for train travelers. I took a train from Nha Trang to Da Nang and it has beautiful countryside scenery. I booked the 4-beds cabin but it’s still comfortable.

Speaking of trains, if you are in Da Nang, you should try the heritage train ride between these two cities. It’s one of the best train rides in Vietnam with stunning views of Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach. And you can watch traditional performances on the train.

There are 4 train rides a day between Da Nang and Hue. You can take a day trip, go at the earliest train and return at the latest train and see a bit of the destination in a few hours. In my opinion, it’s definitely a must-try experience in Vietnam.

Da Nang vs Nha Trang Accommodations

Both Da Nang and Nha Trang have a wide range of accommodations for all budgets. There are lots of 5-star luxury resorts, mid-range hotels and apartments, and budget backpacker hotels.

Both places have many high-rise style accommodations, with amenities like rooftop bars, infinity pools, and stunning views of the sea and the city.

Da Nang has a river running through the heart of the city, so you can book a hotel with views of the river and the bridge. Han River is lined with bridges and the most famous one is Dragon Bridge, where you can watch the fire-breathing show in the evening on weekends.

You can consider staying a night at the resort at the top of Ba Na Hill mountain for an unique experience. You can explore famous attractions like the Golden Bridge when most visitors are left.

In addition to hotels and resorts in the city center and along the beaches, Nha Trang also offers luxury resorts on nearby islands. To reach famous resorts like Vinpearl or Mariot, you can take the cable car to reach Hon Tre island, which is a unique way to travel to your hotel.

If you just relax and unwind in the luxury resorts, both Da Nang and Nha Trang have plenty of options for you to choose from.

See more:

Da Nang vs Nha Trang Beaches

Both cities have long coastlines with beautiful beaches. Da Nang beaches, especially My Khe Beach, is often known as one of the best beaches in Vietnam.

It has crystal clear water white sand, stunning views of the city’s skyscrapers, and Son Tra peninsula with the Big Lady Buddha statue. The beachfront is lined with beach facilities such as umbrellas, sunbeds, beach bars and restaurants.

The beach is great for swimming, sunbathing, walking, and surfing! If you can wake up early, you can go to the beach, watch the sunrise and watch local people doing early exercise or yoga.

Da Nang’s My Khe Beach is located around 2km away from the city center and Han River, while Nha Trang’s Tran Phu Beach is located right in the city center of Nha Trang.

Tran Phu Beach has good sand and is a great place for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying watersport activities. It has beautiful views of the city’s skyscrapers and the nearby islands such as Hon Tre.

There is a large square next to Tran Phu Beach where you can find Tram huong tower, which is the symbol of Nha Trang. It’s a popular place for locals and tourists to hang out.

In addition to the main My Khe Beach, Da Nang has some quiet beaches such as Non Nuoc Beach, and further south to Hoi An, you can explore An Bang and Cua Dai Beach.

In Nha Trang, apart from popular Tran Phu Beach, you can explore the quieter Hon Chong Beach, located just north Tran Phu Beach. At the southern end of Hon Chong Beach, you can find the beautiful rocky area where you can do a bit of rock climbing, watching the sunset, and the views of the beach and the city.

Further to the north of Nha Trang city center, you can find secluded beaches around Ninh Van Bay. This bay has many luxury resorts, which are often ideal for luxury peaceful retreats.

Island Hoping Tours

Nha Trang has dozens of islands off the mainland, making it a better destination for island tours. You can explore popular touristy islands as well as quieter ones.

The most popular island near Nha Trang is Hon Tre island. This island is home to famous luxury resorts, Vinpearl and Marriott. If you stay in these places, you can enjoy world-class amenities, great buffets, and private beaches.

Hon Tre is also home to VinWonders teeming with many many-friendly friendly activities, attractions, and games like to explore the water park, the rides, gardens, bird park, and the animal shows.

Hon Tre is just a 10 minute speed boat ride or cable car ride from mainland Nha Trang. I stayed a night in Vinpearl resort, took a cable one way to the island, and the speed boat back to the mainland.

I had a great time visiting Monkey island and I recommend it for those who want to see monkeys roaming in the wild. I booked a Grab Bike from Nha Trang City center to Long Phu Pier, located 30 minutes drive away, then bought a boat ticket to the island at the pier.

It was a good day trip, walking around the island, seeing the monkeys in the jungle, jumping from the cliffs to the swimming pool, and there were nice animal shows at certain times of the day. The island has beaches for swimming and restaurants for food and drinks.

There are also many tours to explore several islands in one trip where you can have boat parties, snorkeling, swimming, and BBQ lunch. You can visit Hon Mun Island, Hon Mieu, Hon Mot, Hon Tam, and further south to Cam Ranh are Binh Ba and Binh Hung islands.

There are not many island tours from Da Nang, but you can take a boat trip from either Da Nang or Hoi An to Cham Islands. These islands are great places for snorkeling and driving, and experience local island life.

Da Nang or Nha Trang for Nightlife

Both Da Nang and Nha Trang have good nightlife scenes. They are some of the best in Central Vietnam. However, the nightlife in these places still can’t compare to bigger cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Da Nang has a more urban atmosphere with bars, nightclubs, and rooftop bars along the Han River and the beachfront. There are beautiful rooftop areas with romantic views of the river and bridges.

There are several big nightclubs in the city like Sky36, New Phuong Dong Club, New Golden Pine Pub, Nola Bar, and Top View Bar.

Nha Trang has a vibrant nightlife scene within many rooftop terraces, beach clubs, and bars along the beach and in the main roads in the city center. You can check out Sailing Club Nha Trang, Skylight Nha Trang, and Lousiane Brewhouse.

Da Nang or Nha Trang for Shopping

Both Da Nang and Nha Trang have good shopping scenes with big malls and markets. Da Nang has more markets where you can find more local products.

I like to browse shops at Vincom Plaza Da Nang near Han River. It has some internal brand stores such as H&M, Nike, and Adidas. Other malls are Lotte Mart, Indochina Riverside Mall, or GO! Da Nang.

Nha Trang also has numerous modern shopping malls in the city center such as Vincom Plaza and Nha Trang Center.

Da Nang has many big markets to explore. The most famous tourist markets are the Han Market located near Han River. Other ones less touristy are Con market and Bac My An market. You can buy cheap souvenirs and local specialties in these markets.

At night, you can check out the Son Tra night market at the foot of Dragon Bridge. If you’re visiting on the week evening, you can witness the fire breathing show from this side of the river. The An Thuong Night Market in the expat area is also worth checking out for more shops.

Nha Trang has one big market, Dam Market. Both locals and tourists go to this place to shop. You can find everything at the market such as souvenirs, clothing, seafood, dried fruits, and local snacks.

Nha Trang has a small night market on a small street opposite Nha Trang Beach and Tram Huong tower. It’s good to have a quick look around in the evening when checking out the city’s square and the beach.

Nha Trang vs Da Nang Food

Both cities have a great food scene and many seafood restaurants. Local Vietnamese come to these places mainly for fresh cheap seafood and their regional dishes.

You can find seafood at most restaurants in both cities. There are grilled squid, clams, and crabs cooked with local spices.

Local food in Da Nang is more popular than the local dishes in Nha Trang. Famous dishes that you must try are Mi Quang, Banh Xeo, Bun Cha Ca, and Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo.

The dishes from nearby town Hoi An are also easily found in Da Nang such as Banh My Hoi An, Cao Lau, or Com Ga Hoi An.

You can find food at local restaurants, or street food stalls along Han River, or at the day markets and night markets. I recommend checking out Son Tra Night Market, An Thuong night market, Han Market, and Con Market for local street foods.

Must try dishes in Nha Trang are Banh Can, Nem Nuong Ninh Hoa, Bun Ca Nha Trang, or Goi Ca (Fish Salad). There are less street food options in the night markets compared to Da Nang.

Historical Influences

Both Da Nang and Nha Trang have interesting histories. They were both part of Cham Kingdom, which is an ancient kingdom in central Vietnam.

They later integrated into Dai Viet (now Vietnam), witnessed the French colonial period, American war, and developed into the famous beach cities today.

Ancient Cham Kingdom (2nd-15th century)

The names of Nha Trang and Da Nang are believed to originate from the ancient language of the Cham people.

“Nha Trang” is a variation of “Eatrang”, ”Yatrang”, or “Jatrang” in the Cham dialect. Eatrang means the river of reeds. Long ago, this area was filled with reeds growing along both sides of the riverbanks.

“Da Nang” is a variation of the Cham word “Da Nak” or “Dak Nam”, meaning “large river” or “estuary,” reflecting its location at the Han River mouth.

Both Da Nang and Nha Trang were important port towns under Cham Kingdom from the 2nd to 15th century before integrating to Dai Viet. The Cham people were profoundly influenced by India, absorbing Hinduism and later Buddhism into their life.

In the Da Nang region, you can visit the ruins of My Son sanctuary, located 50km from the city center. You can learn the history of Cham people at the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture and visit the Marble Mountains for more attractions dating back to the Cham Kingdom period.

The most iconic legacy in Nha Trang is the Po Nagar Cham Towers, built between the 7th-12th centuries. The red-brick tower is located on Mount Cu Lao, overlooking the Cai River, dedicated to the goddess Po Nagar, considered the mother of the kingdom.

From 15th-19th century

Da Nang was considered part of Dai Viet in 1306 under Tran dynasty as a wedding gift from Cham king Che Man (Jaya Simhavarman III) to Vietnamese princess Huyen Tran. It’s fully under Dai Viet’s rule in 1471 during the southward expansion under Emperor Lê Thánh Tông.

Under Nguyen Lords, Da Nang became an important trading and military port town due to its deep harbor and its strategic location in the East sea and proximity to the capital Hue. It replaced Hoi An in the early 18th century, attracting lots of big European ships to come here.

The Nguyen Dynasty built Dien Hai Fortress and An Hai Fort on the banks of the Han River to monitor the sea and defend Da Nang.

Nha Trang was known as Panduranga under the ancient Cham Kingdom. It’s officially merged to Dai Viet) in 1653 under Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan period. The Cham king, Ba Tham, surrendered and offered the land stretching from the eastern side of the Phan Rang River to Nha Trang.

Nha Trang became a bustling fishing village from the 17th century under the Nguyen Dynasty. In 1973, Nguyen Anh Lord built the Dien Khanh fortress to fight with the Tay Son army.

French Colonial period (mid 19-20th century)

The French attacked Da Nang in 1858, starting the French colonial period in Vietnam. In 1887, Da Nang was under the control of The French colonial government instead of the Nguyen Dynasty.

The French changed the layout of the city into Western style with wide boulevards, churches, villas, and resorts. Some French colonial style buildings still exist till today such as Da Nang church on the left bank of Han River, and Ba Na Hil resort, 50km from the city center.

Under the French colonialists rule, Nha Trang was also built into a port and resort city called the “Nice of the East”. Some attractions dating back to the 19th century such as the Stone Church and Long Son pagoda.

In 1895, Pasteur Institute was founded in Nha Trang by famous scientist Alexandre Yersin to study tropical diseases. The National Oceanographic Museum was founded in 1923 to study marine life.

The French administration also built Da Nang train station and Nha Trang station, which is one of the train stations connecting North and South Vietnam. These stations still run today.

American-Vietnamese war

Da Nang was the major military base of the US during the American-Vietnam war. They built infrastructure in Da Nang such as an airport, seaport, warehouses, roads, and radar station.

You can learn about the war history and see military equipment at the Military Zone 5 Museum and Ho Chi Minh Museum on Duy Tan street in Da Nang city center.

Attractions from Vietnam-American in Da Nang include the Son Tra Radar Station, Landing Zone on Son Tra Peak, and Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, built by American to transfer weapons between the port and the city center/airport.

During the War, the US also built a major Cam Ranh Air Base in Nha Trang. It’s now renovated and used as the main airport for Nha Trang.

Today

Both Da Nang and Nha Trang today are popular tourist destinations in Vietnam known for their beautiful beaches and luxury resorts. They are rich in both cultural and natural attractions, so you’ll have plenty of things to do and see while visiting these two cities.

Historical and Cultural Attractions

Da Nang has more cultural and historical attractions to explore. Nha Trang is mainly about the beaches but it also has several cultural sites to visit.

Linh Ung pagoda is one of the iconic cultural sights near the city center of Da Nang. It’s located in Son Tra peninsula, overlooking the city and My Khe Beach.

Another famous attraction are the Marble Mountains, which is a group of five limestone and marble hills, where you can explore the caves, and Buddhist temples, and hike to the top for the views of Da Nang city, Han River, and My Khe/ Non Nuoc Beach.

The Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills is also an iconic attraction of Da Nang. This pedestrian bridge is held up by giant hands and provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests.

Additionally, Da Nang is close to Hoi An, Hue, and My Son sanctuary where you can explore dozens of cultural and historical sites.

Hoi An was an ancient trading town, known for its ancient wooden houses, lantern lit street, and temples, and museum. Hue was the capital city of Vietnam under the last imperial dynasty, the Nguyen Dynasty. You can explore ancient temples, royal citadels, and royal tombs.

Nha Trang is home to the ancient Po Nagar Cham Towers, dating back to the 7-12th century. It has beautiful architecture and stunning views of the sea. In Da Nang, you can also learn about the Cham people history at the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

Nha Trang is also home to Long Son Buddha temple, where you can hike to the top to see the big Buddha and view the city. It’s an active temple where locals go to pray.

Additionally, you can visit the Nha Trang cathedral. It’s a stone Neo-Gothic architecture style Catholic church in the middle of Nha Trang City Center. It’s located on a small hill overlooking the city.

Outdoor Activities/ Day Trips

The common outdoor activities in both cities are the beaches and boat tours to nearby islands. You can swim, sunbathe, watch the sun set/ sun rise, and enjoy watersport activities. Da Nang is also a great destination for surfing.

Within a short drive from Da Nang city center, you can explore the jungle and fresher air at Son Tra peninsula. If you’re lucky, you can spot the rare yellow & white face monkeys on the mountains. It’s a great place for hiking, cycling, and enjoying the views of the city and the sea.

A bit further away, you can take a jeep tour or ride a scooter to Hai Van pass, which is one of the most scenic roads in Vietnam, connecting Da Nang and Hue. There are many beautiful viewpoints along the way, where you can have breathtaking views of the mountains and the ocean.

In Nha Trang, in addition to island boat trips, you can visit the Ba Ho Waterfall, located 20km north of the city center. It’s a great place to hike and swim in the middle of the jungle and change the beach scenery.

Cost of Living: is Nha Trang cheaper than Da Nang?

Both cities generally have lower cost of living compared to big cities of Vietnam like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. These are some of the reason, these places attract lots of expats and long term travelers.

Having stayed in both cities, I personally believe that accommodations in Nha Trang are cheaper than in Da Nang. For the same amount of money, I can have better quality hotels and resorts in Nha Trang.

Food and drinks have quite similar prices when dining in the tourist areas in the city center and along the beach. If you venture into local areas, you can find cheaper deals with more local prices.

Da Nang vs Nha Trang Weather

Both cities have warm weather all year around, which is perfect for a beach holiday. Nha Trang is located further south, and has a hotter and longer dry season, from January to August, so you can enjoy sun, sand, and sea for a longer time.

The dry season in Da Nang is shorter, from March to August. The winter season is from December to March which often has cooler weather with cloudy, rain, and high humidity.

Both cities are coastal cities, and they often experience typhoons and flooding in the rainy season, especially from September to December. If you’re traveling to Central and South Central Vietnam during this period, make sure to check the weather forecast often.

Getting Around

You can easily get around both cities by motorbike taxi and traditional taxi. There are also plenty of ride share services such as Grab. When I was a solo traveler, I preferred to use Grab Bikes to save money. When I am with my family or friends, I prefer using Grab taxis.

I used Grab to explore most major attractions in both Da Nang and Nha Trang. Most major attractions are located within a short drive from the city center, so it was easy to request a Grab Ride.

To get to the more remote place to Ban Co Peak in Son Tra peninsula, it will be hard to get the Grab Taxi/Bike back as it’s in a more remote area, so it’s best to ask the driver if he can wait and take you back and ask how much he will charge.

I paid four hundred VND for the Grab Driver to take me from the city center, to Linh Ung pagoda, then to Ban Co Peak, and back to the city. He waited for me while I was exploring each attraction.

Similarly in Nha Trang, I got a Grab Bike to the pier to get to Monkey island, which is located 30 minutes drive from the city center. The driver offered to pick me up later when I came back from the island. I paid him the same Grab price and just needed to let him know before I got the boat back to the mainland.

Local people on both Nha Trang and Da Nang are very friendly and willing to help. They don’t overcharge like in some other big cities, which is one of the things I enjoyed about these places.

Being said that, if you are with a group of friends or families, or you have a list of attractions to visit within a day, it’s good to hire a private driver. These are touristy cities with lots of friendly tourists, so drivers often speak little English to communicate with you.