One Day in Da Nang Itinerary: What to do

Da Nang is a major city and a popular tourist destination in central Vietnam. In this article, we will be looking at Da Nang Itinerary for one day and what to do in 24h in Da Nang.

Da Nang is known for its beaches, river, several cultural attractions, and lots of luxury beach resorts. It is very well-connected with other parts of Vietnam by air, road, and train.

I visited Da Nang several times and I love its delicious food, vibrant markets, and beautiful bridges and beaches. 

Is one day enough in Da Nang?

Top things to do in Da Nang
Top things to do in Da Nang
Da Nang City Center
Da Nang City Center

In my opinion, two to three days is the minimum amount of time to spend in Da Nang to fully enjoy this beach city. However, if you are on a tight schedule, you can still do many things within one day. You can pick what you are interested in the most and add it into your one day itinerary.

If I have only one day in Da Nang, I would spend my time exploring the markets, rivers, bridges, beaches, as well as rooftop bars, trendy cafes, and restaurants in the inner city. I can also make a visit to the popular Linh Ung pagoda and Marble mountains.

You can also consider taking a morning exploring Ba Na Hill, then Visit Ling Ung pagoda and Marble Mountains in the afternoon. Have some swimming at My Khe Beach in the late afternoon. 

In the evening, you can check out Han River, Dragon Bridge, and Son Tra Night market. You can find many nice places to eat on the banks of Han River, along Bach Dang street and Tran Hung Dao street.

Where to stay in Da Nang for one night?

If you have one nights in Da Nang, I would recommend staying somewhere central to make the most of your visit. These central areas include The riverfront area and My Khe Beach.

If you want a more local atmosphere and affordable meals, I recommend staying in the city center along the Han River. If you want to stay right on the beach, you can choose many hotels, resorts, and apartments along Pham Van Dong street on My Khe Beach.

There are many high rise apartments in the city center that offer rooms with stunning views of the Han River and the iconic Dragon Bridge. If you want to have river views, you’ll need to pay a little more but it is well worth it. The views are especially beautiful at night when the city and the bridge light up.

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What to do and see in Da Nang in One day?

Han River

Da Nang Han River and Dragon Bridge
Da Nang Han River and Dragon Bridge
Han River
Han River

Taking a leisure stroll along the Han River is one of the top things to do in Da Nang. Running  through the heart of the city, Han River is full of life along its banks and is packed with beautiful bridges.

You’ll find many trendy cafes, restaurants, bars, and rooftop terraces on Tran Hung Dao and Bach Dang streets. Bach Dang street is on the left bank of Han River, has a wide pedestrian pavement and you can find many nice statues and beautiful flowers.

Tran Hung Dao street is located on the right bank of the river where you can find Son Tra night market and Love Bridge. Vincom Mall is also nearby. There are many street food stalls located on this side of the river. 

Dragon Bridge

Dragon Bridge
Dragon Bridge
Tran Thi Ly bridge
Tran Thi Ly bridge

Dragon Bridge is one of the most famous bridges on Han River. It is a symbol of the city and looks especially beautiful at night when it’s illuminated. Other bridges on Han River are Tran Thi Ly bridge, Han Bridge, and Thuan Phuoc bridge.

If you are in Da Nang on the weekend and public holiday, be sure to check out the water and fire show around 9pm. It can be seen at the Tran Hung Dao side of the river, at Love Bridge, or at one of the many rooftop bars along the river.

Markets

Han Market
Han Market
Food zone in Con Market
Food zone in Con Market

Da Nang has several markets and is a great place to go shopping. Han Market, Con Market, Bac My An Market are the most popular markets in the city. You can buy almost everything here, from clothes, local specialities, to souvenirs, and food.

Han Market is the most famous market for tourists, located within easy walking distance from Han River. Con Market and Bac My An market offer a more local atmosphere. 

If you visit these markets, be sure to check out the food area to try avocado ice cream which is a delicious dessert in the region.

Son Tra Night Market

Son Tra night market
Son Tra night market
Son Tra night market
Son Tra night market

If you are looking for things to do at night, I recommend checking Son Tra Night market. It is a vibrant market located at the foot of Dragon bridge, and very close to Love Bridge. The market has many stalls selling grilled meat and seafood, fresh fruits, and traditional handicraft. 

You can have your meal here, do some shopping, and people watch. You can walk to Mỳ Quảng Cô Sáu restaurant nearby if you want to have dinner in a nice restaurant setting.

Vincom Plaza

Vincom Center Da nang
Vincom Center Da nang

Vincom shopping mall is a great place to go if you like shopping in the mall with air conditioning and avoid the heat. It is located right on the corner of Han River and has a variety of shops, as well as  a supermarket, and some restaurants.

My Khe Beach

My Khe Beach in morning
My Khe Beach in morning
My Khe Beach surfing area
My Khe Beach surfing area

My Khe Beach is white sandy beach located 10 minutes drive from the city center of Da Nang. It is a great place for swimming, sunbathing, relaxing, and surfing. The beach is especially crowded in the early morning and late afternoon when the sun is not so strong.

It is beautiful to watch the sunrise and see people on the beach in the early morning if you can wake up early. Locals exercise, yoga, swim, and fish from very early in the morning. 

The beach is lined with beach facilities such as umbrella, bed chairs for rent. There are also many beach bars and cafes along the beach where you can enjoy the drink with ocean views.

Linh Ung pagoda & Son Tra peninsula

Linh Ung pagoda
Linh Ung pagoda
View from Son Tra peninsula
View from Son Tra peninsula
Ban Co peak
Ban Co peak

Linh Ung pagoda are famous attractions located in Son Tra peninsula and can be spotted from My Khe Beach. It is a 10 minute ride from the city center and you will have stunning views of the sea and the city skyline.

Marble Mountains

Marble Mountains are located in Ngu Hanh Son district, a 15 minute Grab ride from the city center. This complex has stunning caves, temples, and pagodas. 

It has an elevator at the entrance but still requires lots of hiking for exploration. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, breathable clothing, and a hat especially on hot days to avoid the sun.

The Huyen Khong Cave is an especially notable caves in this area. Also be sure to check the highest point of Marble Mountains for sweeping views of the city and Han River.

Ba Na Hill

Ba Na Hill is a popular tourist attraction in Da Nang, located on the high hill, a 45 minute drive from the city center. This mountain is known for its cooler climate, French colonial architecture, and major attractions such as Golden Bridge, French Village, Fantasy Park, and the cable car.

Food 

My Quang
My Quang
a traditional Vietnamese meal
a traditional Vietnamese meal

Da Nang has many famous dishes including My Quang, Com ga, Banh Xeo, and Banh Cuon Thit Heo. The dishes here are delicious and affordable.

This city is also famous for its cheap and fresh Seafood. You can find many popular seafood restaurants along the beach and in the city center where you can choose the fresh seafood from the tank and they will cook it for you onsite.

Rooftop bars

Rooftop bar at Vanda Hotel
Rooftop bar at Vanda Hotel

Da Nang has many skyscrapers, and as a result, numerous rooftop terraces. I stayed in a couple of hotels in Da Nang and they all have their own rooftop bars and infinite pool. 

If your hotel doesn’t have one, you can check many of those along the Han river and in the beachfront area.

One Day in Da Nang Itinerary

Morning: You can spend morning exploring Ba Na Hill (half day) or spend your morning explore in inner city including markets, malls, and bridges:

  • Han Market
  • Museum of Cham Sculpture
  • Vincom Plaza
  • Check out the trendy cafe on Bach Dang street with river views

Afternoon:

  • Linh Ung pagoda
  • Marble Mountains
  • My Khe Beach

Evening:

  • Dinner along Han River
  • Son Tra night market
  • Dragon Bridge
  • Rooftop bars

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These are my recommendations for one day in Da Nang and the top things to do. While you can see many things in the city within 24h, I recommend spending an extra day or two to fully experience the city. 

About Author: Huong Tran

My name is Huong, a Vietnamese girl who has a big passion for Vietnam. I was born and grew up in a small village outside of Hanoi in northern Vietnam. I have traveled around Vietnam from north to south extensively, visiting many cities and provinces in the country.

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