Da Nang is a famous city in Central Vietnam, and Phu Quoc is a famous island in South Vietnam. Both are popular beach destinations with luxury resorts, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural attractions.
In this article, I will compare Da Nang and Phu Quoc, based on their locations, attractions, beaches, accommodations, nightlife, shopping, food, and entertainment activities.
I’m Vietnamese and have traveled all around the country. I have visited Da Nang and Phu Quoc several times, so I can share my opinions about these two places based on my personal experiences and local perspective.
Is it better to stay in Da Nang or Phu Quoc?
I visited both Da Nang and Phu Quoc and I had great experiences in both places. If you’re traveling around Vietnam, I recommend visiting them all. Da Nang is a great place to visit in Central Vietnam, and Phu Quoc is only 45 minutes from Ho Chi Minh in South Vietnam.
If you have to choose one, I recommend visiting Da Nang, especially if you’re first-timers to Vietnam. Da Nang has a wider range of attractions, activities, nightlife, shoppings, and food. Additionally, it’s closer to Hoi An and Hue, offering more cultural experiences.
Phu Quoc is a great choice if you want beaches, island hopping, relaxation, and natural attractions rather than having many cultural attractions to explore.
The island doesn’t have lots of unique food choices like Da Nang. There are no big shopping malls and the nightlife is also quieter than Da Nang. It has a more remote atmosphere than the big city vibe of Da Nang.
Both Da Nang and Phu Quoc have a wide range of luxury 5-star resorts, so both places are perfect for a luxury retreat on the beach. From my experience, accommodations in Phu Quoc are generally more expensive than in Da Nang, though.
Da Nang is one of the main gateways to Vietnam, along with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This means it’s easier accessible internally, making it a popular destination. Phu Quoc only has direct flights from some Asian countries like South Korea, Taiwan, or Thailand.
Its location in central Vietnam, half way between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, is also a factor that makes the city more popular. Phu Quoc is further south Vietnam, which is a popular beach destination for people from South Vietnam, staying in Ho Chi Minh City.
The weather is also an important factor when deciding where to visit. The peak rainy and storm season in Da Nang is from September to December, while Phu Quoc’s peak rainy season is from July to September.
It’s a good idea to avoid these places during the storm season and consider other alternatives. The best time to visit Phu Quoc is from October to April and the best time to visit Da Nang from January to August.
My recommended resorts and hotels in Phu Quoc:
- Luxury: Regent Phu Quoc
- Mid-range: Camia Resort & Spa
- Budget: Sea Star Resort
My hand-picked accommodations in Da Nang:
- Luxury: Novotel
- Mid-range: Sala Danang Beach Hotel
- Budget: Wink Hotel Danang Centre
Location and How to Get There
Da Nang is located in central Vietnam, midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It is close to Hue and Hoi An. Phu Quoc is located in South Vietnam, 45 minutes flight from Ho Chi Minh City. The direct flights between Da Nang and Phu Quoc are around 2 hours.
Both Da Nang and Phu Quoc have their own international airports, so it’s convenient to reach these places on an airplane. Da Nang is a larger airport, so it has more frequent flights than Phu Quoc.
Da Nang airport is located just 5km from the city center. Phu Quoc Airport is located in the Southern Part of the island, around 14km to the main town, Duong Don. From both airports, you can use Grab Taxi to get to your hotel.
Da Nang is also reachable by long distance trains and buses. The train station is located right in the city center. The train connects the city to most parts of Vietnam.
Phu Quoc is an island, so it’s also reachable by speed boats and ferries. You can catch the boat at one of two piers on the mainland, Ha Tien or Rach Gia Pier. The journey is around 1.5 to 3 hours.
Da Nang vs Phu Quoc Beaches
In my opinion, both Da Nang and Phu Quoc are great destinations for beach holiday in Vietnam. They have beautiful beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoy water sport activities. You can enjoy stunning sunset and sunrise views.
The beaches in Da Nang have good conditions for surfing, especially in the rainy season. So if you want to surf and want to learn to surf, Da Nang is a better place to go.
Da Nang’s beaches are more busy than in Phu Quoc. It’s often packed with people in the early morning and late afternoon. Vietnamese people like to wake up early to watch the sun rise and exercise. We often avoid mid day due to the heat. When the sun comes down, they head back to the beach for sunset and beach activities.
The beach road is full of restaurants, bars, and shops. You can have the views of high buildings from every corner of the beach.
The beaches on Phu Quoc have a quieter atmosphere, away from road traffic. The beaches are within a short walk to the main road. Many sections feel like a private beach area.
The beaches on the west coast are more developed and popular while the beaches on the east coast have a more secluded atmosphere with less tourist amenities.
There are more public amenities such as umbrellas and beach chairs for rent in Da Nang. There is more public access to the beach in Da Nang, while in Phu Quoc it often feels like the beaches are blocked by resorts and bars.
The main and most popular beaches on Da Nang is My Khe Beach, located around 2km away from the city center and Han River. Further to the south of My Khe are quieter beaches such as Non Nuoc Beach, An Bang, and Cua Dai beach.
The major beach in Phu Quoc is Long Beach on the west coast of the island. Other quieter beaches are Ong Lang Beach, Cua Can Beach, Khem Beach, or Sao Beach. Sao Beach is my favorite but other beaches are also beautiful.
Phu Quoc vs Da Nang Accommodations
Both Da Nanng and Phu Quoc have a wide range of accommodations for all budgets. You can find budget hotels in the city center, and luxury resorts along the beachfront.
There are a large range of luxury all-inclusive resorts on Da Nang and Phu Quoc. Da Nang is known for its affordable cost of living, and from my experience, accommodations in Da Nang are generally cheaper than in Phu Quoc.
In both places, you can easily find resorts with swimming pools, and even rooms with a private swimming pool, and other facilities such as beachfront restaurants/ bars and a fitness center.
Just make sure to book well in advance if you’re traveling into the peak tourist season. Phu Quoc is from November to April, and from January to August for Da Nang.
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Da Nang or Phu Quoc for Nightlife
The nightlife in Da Nang is more lively and diverse than in Phu Quoc. Da Nang has more bars, rooftop lounges, and night clubs than Phu Quoc.
You can find bars and clubs along Han River in the city center, in An Thuong expat area, or along the Beach Road. Additionally, there are a couple of night markets to explore street food and do some shopping, such as Son Tra Night Market and An Thuong Night Market.
The Han River sparkles at night, with colorful lights from the bridges and venues on both banks. If you are in town on the weekend, you must check out the fire breathing show at the foot of Dragon bridge. May rooftop bar nearby where you can see the show while drinking.
In Phu Quoc, there are some popular beach bars along the beach such as Oc sen Beach Bar, or Sunset Sanato Beach Club. Most resorts have their own beach bars and restaurants, so you can enjoy BBQ sea food, have a drink, and watch the romantic sunset.
Phuket is also home to a night market, located in Duong Dong town. This place is great for street food and souvenir shopping. If you stay at a resort outside the main town, you can take a taxi to the night market at least once to experience the market.
Da Nang or Phu Quoc for Shopping
Da Nang is without a doubt a better place to go shopping. The city has several big shopping malls, as well as local minimarts, and huge night markets, so you can find almost everything here.
Da Nang has a large expat community, so it also has shops with western groceries for long-term travelers.
I enjoyed shopping at the air-conditioning Vincom Plaza because it’s conveniently located near Han River and close to My Khe Beach. My favorite shop here is H&M with many cute clothes. The mall also has a departmental store, indoor playground, and foot court.
Shopping at the traditional markets in Da Nang also offers great experience. You can find almost everything at Han Market, Con Market, or Bac My An market. You can have fun bargain with locals. There are typical Vietnamese souvenirs, clothes, and food inside these places.
Phu Quoc doesn’t have big shopping malls like in Nha Trang, but you can shop for souvenirs at Kingkong Mart or Phu Quoc Night Market. You can find local specialties and everyday necessities such as cafes, clothing, hats, bamboo stuff….
Da Nang vs Phu Quoc Food
Both Da Nang and Phu Quoc are known for their fresh seafood, so if you are a seafood lover, you can find good seafood restaurants in both places.
Da Nang is a more developed and more urban city, so it has a wider range of restaurants and cafes. The restaurants are scattered all around the city, along the river, small alleys, along the beachfront. You’ll likely have to pay more when dining at the beach area.
Additionally, there are many street food stalls at the night markets such as Son Tra night market on the foot of Dragon Bridge and An Thuong night Market.
The food scene in Da Nang is also more unique and nationally known than in Phu Quoc. As a Vietnamese, I prefer the regional food in Da Nang and Hoi An more.
The local dishes in Da Nang are Mi Quang, Banh Xeo, Bun Cha Ca, Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo, Bun Mam Nem, and Nem Lui. I recommend checking Mỳ Quảng Cô Sáu, which is a popular restaurant near the Love Bridge.
The restaurants and bars in Phu Quoc are contented around Duong Dong Town and lower part of Tran Hung Dao Street. Out of this central zone, you only find restaurants and bars within your resorts.
There are many good restaurants along Tran Hung Dao street, within Duong Dong town, and street food stalls in Phu Quoc Night Market.
Phu Quoc also has local special food called Bun Quay. The restaurant’s name Bun Quay Kien Xay has two branches on Bach Dang street Duong Dong Town and on Tran Hung Dao Street.
Da Nang has a wider range of expats, so it’s also easier to find restaurants serving international dishes such as Mexican, Italian, Indian, Japanese, and Korean.
Historical Influences
The history of Da Nang can be traced back to ancient times, around the 2nd century when it became a part of the Champa Kingdom. Da Nang has more diverse historical influence with its combination of Cham culture, French colonial legacy, and significant role in the American War.
The history of Phu Quoc can be traced back to the 17th century when it was first founded by a Chinese man. The history on the island is more centered on the French colonial period and war-related events.
Ancient Cham Civilization (2nd-15th century)
Da Nang was part of the Cham Kingdom, which was an ancient kingdom that occupied most of central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 15th century.
Part of northern Cham Kingdom, which include Da Nang, was offered to Dai Viet in 1306, as the wedding gift of Champa King Chế Mân to married Dai Viet’s princess Huyen Tran.
However, the Da Nang area fully belonged to Da Viet later in 1471 under Emperor Le Thanh Tong during Vietnam’s expansion to the south.
From 17th – 18th century
In the 17th century, a civil war effectively divided Vietnam into two parts: the Trinh Lords controlled the North and the Nguyen Lords controlled the South. Da Nang was under the management of Nguyen Lords.
Nguyen Lords expanded to the land south, absorbing the Cham Kingdom and regions of the Mekong Delta to their land.
At the beginning of the 18th century, Da Nang became the main trading port in the region, replacing Hoi An as the Thu Bon river silt up.
The Nguyen Dynasty paid special attention to Da Nang, due to its strategic location in the East Sea and close proximity to the capital Hue. The Nguyen court built a special system for port management and coastal defense here.
The Điện Hải Fortress and the An Hải outpost were built on both sides of the Hàn River to monitor the sea and defend Da Nang. Today, you can still see the ruins of the fortress in the city center of Da Nang.
The Chinese merchant, Mac Cuu arrived on Phu Quoc island in 1680. He settled and developed the island. In 1708, Mac Cuu merged the land to the southern Dai Viet under the rule of Nguyen Lords. The Mac family ruled Phu Quoc and Ha Tien for 7 generations.
Phu Quoc and Tho Chu islands were also where Nguyen Anh (the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty) fled when escaping the Tay Son Dynasty in 1782 and 1786. He later recaptured the mainland from the Tay Son dynasty and became King in 1802.
French Colonial Period (1858-1954)
The French attacked Da Nang in 1858, starting the invasion of Vietnam. The city was under the administration of the French colonial government in 1887, along with Hanoi and Hai Phong.
The French called the city “Tourane” and developed it into a Western-style urban area. They built wide streets, French-style buildings, and a train station along the banks of the Han River. The Ba Na Hill resort was also built this time as an escape from the summer coast.
In 1950, France handed over Da Nang to the government of Bao Dai, who was the last King of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Phu Quoc was under the administration of the French colonial government in 1867. The French set up rubber, coconut, pepper plantations, and a prison on the island.
American-Vietnam War
The United States landed in Da Nang in 1965 and turned it into a major military base. The city was also a designated rest and recreation spot for US troops.
During the Vietnam-American War, The American used the coconut tree prison from the French colonial period and expanded it to hold more than 40,000 prisoners of war. The prison was closed after the war ended and today became a museum.
Today
Today, both Da Nang and Phu Quoc are popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. They have beautiful beaches, great facilities and entertainment complexes for all visitors.
Da Nang is the hub for trade and business in central Vietnam. It’s one of the most liveable cities in Vietnam, attracting lots of visitors and expats.
Phu Quoc has been designated as a Special Economic Zone by the Vietnamese government. The island provides visa exemptions for travelers from several countries.
Cultural & Historical Attractions
Da Nang has more cultural and historical attractions to explore. Additionally, it’s close to Hoi An, Hue, and My Son sanctuary, so you can take more sightseeing day trips.
Phu Quoc has three main cultural attractions inducing Phu Quoc Prison Museum, Ho Quoc Pagoda, and Dinh Cau Temple. If you take a sightseeing tour around the island, you will see most of these sights.
Phu Quoc Prison Museum is the former French and later Vietnam War prison. It is now a museum and memorial site, where you can learn more about the turbulent past of the island.
Ho Quoc Pagoda is a peaceful temple with beautiful architecture and stunning views of the sea. You can see the temple while taking the cable car ride between An Thoi and Hon Thom Island.
In Da Nang, you can visit Linh Ung pagoda and Ban Co Peak in Son Tra peninsula. These places have stunning views of the Da Nang and the city on a clear day. Linh Ung pagoda is home to a big Lady Buddha overlooking the city.
Don’t miss out on the Marble mountains located near Non Nuoc Beach. You can explore the peaceful temples, caves, or if you’re fit, you can hike up to the top for stunning views of the city and the ocean.
If you’re interested in the history of the Champa Kingdom, you can check out the Cham Museum or visit the nearby My Son Sanctuary to see the ancient Hindu temple ruins from the Champa empire.
Da Nang is known as the city of the bridges. There are several beautiful bridges along the Han River, and they all light up at night, creating a romantic atmosphere. The fire show at the head part of the Dragon bridge is a must see on weekend night.
From Da Nang, you can easily take day trips to Hoi An Ancient Town with a 30-minute drive. This town is home to many well-preserved merchant houses, temples, and lantern-lit streets.
If you’re interested in the royal past of Vietnam, you can visit Hue. It’s possible to do it by taking a heritage train ride from Da Nang to Hue. You can visit the royal citadels and many royal tombs with beautiful architecture.
Outdoor Activities & Island Hopping
The main outdoor activities of Da Nang and Phu Quoc are the beaches. You can swim, sunbathe, and enjoy watersport activities.
In Da Nang, there is a mountain nearby on the Son Tra peninsula where you can go running, cycling, or just taking in the fresh air.
From Da Nang, you can take a boat trip to Cu Lao Cham island, for snorkeling and diving, and exploring some more local cultural and historical attractions.
Phu Quoc is surrounded by many smaller islands with more secluded beaches, so you can visit 3-4 islands within one tour. You can even take tours that combine the cable car ride to Hon Thom island then speed boat to other islands such as Xuong island, Gram Ghi island, or may Rut Trong island.
Cable Car Ride
Both Phu Quoc and Da Nang are great palaces to take the cable car ride. Da Nang’s cable car ride overlooking the mountains and valleys, while Phu Quoc cable car ride overlooking the ocean.
The Da Nang cable car ride takes you to the French colonial architecture style Ba Na Hill Mountain where you can visit French Village, Golden Bridge, Linh Ung Pagoda, and the Fantasy Game Park.
The Phu Quoc cable ride takes you to Hon Thom island where you can find an Aquatopia Water Park, with lots of activities for all ages. This is a unique experience in Vietnam taking the ride in the world’s longest oversea cable car.
Local farms experiences
Phu Quoc has many tours where you can visit local farms and agriculture to learn more about local produce, agro-tourism, and traditional farming practices. You can buy local products right at the farm.
The island is famous for its high-quality black pepper, and several farms welcome visitors to stroll through the vines and learn about cultivation and harvesting.
The Bee and Honey Farms are also interesting places to visit where you can learn about beekeeping, honey production, and buy honey to bring home.
Phu Quoc fish sauce is also a famous fish soucane around Vietnam, so you can visit the fish sauce factory to learn about the island’s agricultural heritage. The sim wine farms are also unique places to visit in the island.
Da Nang is a more modern city, with less farming experience, but you can visit Hoi An ancient town and its countryside for more vegetable farming practices.
Cost of Living: Is Da Nang cheaper than Phu Quoc?
Da Nang usually has a lower cost of living compared to Phu Quoc. Accommodations, food, and drinks are generally cheaper. It’s one of the reasons why many expats and long term travelers choose to live in Da Nang.
Phu Quoc is still cheaper compared to other islands in the Gulf of Thailand though. I can confirm that because I have also traveled to other islands of Thailand Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phang, Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak
Phu Quoc vs Da Nang Weather
The peak rainy and storm season of Phu Quoc is from July to September, while in Da Nang is from September to December. It’s best to visit these places during these periods. The best time to visit both places is outside their storm season.
Getting Around
Getting around both Da Nang is easily done by taking local taxis or riding shared services such as Grab Bike, Grab Car, or Taxi Xanh SM.
Da Nang is a more developed city, so it’s easier to order a ride from any part of the city. In Phu Quoc, it’s easy to order Grab from the main town but might be more difficult if you stay further away from the town center. You can always ask your resort to book a taxi for you.
If you have a valid license, you can consider renting a scooter to explore the places at your own pace. It’s also a cheap way to get around.
There are also dozens of tours taking you to famous places. You can also consider hiring a private driver, especially if you are with families or a group of friends.
See more:
- Da Nang or Nha Trang
- Hanoi vs Da Nang
- Da Nang or Hue
- Da Nang vs Nha Trang Vs Phu Quoc
- Ho Chi Minh City vs Da Nang
- Phu Quoc or Nha Trang
- Hoi An or Phu Quoc
I hope you have found some useful information after reading my article. Both cities are some of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam with beautiful beaches and a wide range of things to do and see.
In concussion, I recommend visiting Da Nang if you want a good combination of beaches, nightlife, shopping, food, and cultural & historical attractions.
Phu Quoc is a better choice if you want a purely beach holiday with beautiful beaches, island hopping, and some cultural and entertainment options. The tourist amenities in Phu Quoc are limited compared to Da Nang.
Very informative and helpful article
Thank you! great to hear that you found my comparision between Da Nang and Phu Quoc helpful! Enjoy!