WTF Da Nang! Where’s the fun in Da Nang?

Being located in the middle of Vietnam is what makes Da Nang City an ideal place for living and vacation. This city in the central region offers a gateway to the capital: Hanoi is 764 kilometers up north, while Ho Chi Minh city is about 964 kilometers down south. 

Furthermore, Thua Thien-Hue Province is just a few kilometers north of Da Nang city. Quang Nam province, home to the ancient town of Hoi An stands in the southwest of the city. The East Sea is, well, in the eastern part of Da Nang. The location and natural conditions in Da Nang have made it a perfect place for many fun activities. 

Da Nang City has three things that anyone could be looking for: mountains, beaches, and a lively urban area. The locals are teeming with friendliness, and enjoying the place is the easiest part, but the question is WTF? Where’s the fun in Da Nang?
One activity which is popular and easy to do is sightseeing! Da Nang is not one to lack beautiful scenery or places for lazy strolls. Check out these places for some fun sights to see:

Ba Na Hills

This place sits atop a mountain and houses the globally-famous Golden Bridge or Cau Vang. Aside from the magical hands that seem to hold up the bridge, Ba Na Hills has many recreational facilities like an amusement park, a flower garden, a European village, etc., that are perfect for getaways! 

Ba Na Hills is 36 kilometers from the city center. To get here, a 45-minute ride via private shuttle or taxi will suffice, however to reach the actual destination taking the cable car is a must!

Linh Ung Pagoda at Son Tra Peninsula

The Linh Ung Pagoda is a sight to visit when traveling to Da Nang. Its location is just 10 kilometers away from the city center. It provides a tranquil escape for anyone who wants to relax. It also stands 639 meters above sea level, giving a perfect skyline view of Da Nang city. 

Apart from its views, Linh Ung Pagoda is popular among Buddhists internationally, who want to see the statue of the Lady Buddha and enhance their religious journey. The whole place gives a glance into the practice of Buddhism in Vietnam as well.

Da Nang Cathedral at Tran Phu Street

The intricate design with the soft pink color of this old Catholic church has put it into one of the most famous churches in Vietnam. Inside the church are big stained-glass windows and a striking interior reminiscent of colonial architecture. Locally, it is known as the Chicken Church because of the weathervane with a chicken placed on the top of the church’s cross. Entrance is free, and Catholics may hear mass in English or Vietnamese, depending on the time.

Bridges in the city

Da Nang is famously known for having several bridges in the city, particularly, in the city center. Five of the bridges connect to the Son Tra peninsula and all of them offer a pleasing sight to the eyes. Tourists can enjoy the Dragon Bridge, the Han Bridge, the beautiful Tran Thi Ly Bridge, the historic Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, and the Thuan Phuoc Bridge which is leftmost from the city center. On the other side,the Love Bridge exists. It holds thousands of locks from lovers all over the world.

Museums around the city

Culture and history are not short in Da Nang City, and the existence of multiple museums supports this. A Fine Arts Museum is open everyday in the city center, and tickets are free until the end of the year. Aside from the Fine Arts museum, there is the Military Zone Museum which houses war remnants and other objects that have great importance during the Da Nang’s fight for liberation. 
Just beside the famous cone-shaped building in the city proper is the Da Nang Museum which is situated right on Dien Hai Ancient palace. Da Nang Museum contains artifacts from: ancient Da Nang, during the Resistance War, and the Da Nang today. Another museum worth visiting is the Museum of Cham Sculpture along the Han River. It contains many artifacts about the Cham culture, heritage, and history.

Furthermore, Da Nang is blessed with a beautiful shoreline ideal for many water-related activities. Of course, swimming is on top of the things to do. Locals and travelers flock to My Khe beach to swim, but more than swimming, there are plentiful water-related activities we can do at Da Nang.

Sơn Trà Peninsula, Chàm Islands, Ghềnh Bàng

These areas of the city are attractive sites for snorkeling and scuba diving! What is more exciting than exploring life under the sea? The Cu Lao Cham Marine Park, UNESCO-recognized several kilometers from the city proper, is a place with stunning coral reefs and marine biodiversity. Here, tourists can relax, swim, and snorkel. Tour companies usually organize snorkeling trips for tourists.

Hàn River, Vân Village, Sơn Trà Peninsula, Hòa Trung Lake

Stand-up Paddling or SUP is a new water activity gaining popularity nowadays. There is a growing SUP community in Da Nang. Now SUP is also open to tourists! The waves on the Da Nang coastline are not too strong and are friendly to first-timers. Professionals usually head the SUP tours, so even beginners can try the activity! SUP allows tourists to appreciate the sunset or sunrise and the stunning views of the beaches, rivers, and lakes around the city.

Da Nang Beaches (My Khe, Man Thai, Nam Son Tra, Tien Sa)

Water sports are available for everyone to enjoy on the beaches mentioned above. The thought of driving an electric motor on the water appeals to adrenaline seekers; this is where a jetski comes to play. Jetskis can be rented for varying durations: 15 mins, 20 mins, 30 mins, and 1 hour. The rental price usually starts at 500k VND.

Parasailing is another water sport that is widely popular in Da Nang. Anyone looking for more action should try parasailing because it combines the thrill of water and heights! Sailing with a parachute sounds a bit scary at first, but riders don a life jacket, and workers will be ready to assist at any time. Like jet skis, durations vary for this activity, and prices start at 500-600K VND.

A fun water sport for a group of friends is the Banana Boat ride. The speed of the boat increases gradually, putting the group in a water frenzy. Banana boat riding is a very fun activity involving a lot of turning, bumping, and surfing on the waves. Five people can ride in one boat and can share the fee that begins at 950K VND for about 15 minutes.

There are also other outdoor activities available in Da Nang. The city has trails for mountain biking, trekking, hiking, etc. Nature lovers or just anyone who is keen to explore new things should be able to get the best experience in the following places:

1. Ban Co Peak – Son Tra Mountain Trail

Alltrails has classified Ban Co Peak as a moderate trail, however it is also noted as the longest trail in the city, about 23 km long. The altitude is around 700 meters above sea level. This length takes about 7 hours or more to hike. It offers a panoramic view of the city on one side and a majestic enclosing of mountains on the other. Ideally, sunsets and sunrises can be seen from this peak too.

 This place is also accessible by motorbike, but climbing up the mountain is still required to reach the peak. Driving a manual motorbike may take around 1-2 hours as compared to hiking the area.

2. Marble Mountains

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Da Nang City is the Marble Mountains. Five separate limestone hills comprise Marble Mountains, which is around 7 kilometers from Da Nang city center. Buddhists and ancient kings built a network of caves, tunnels, and pagodas in the area, thanks to its natural landscape. Hiking around the Marble Mountains will give tourists a glimpse of ancient religious practices for this place is also a spiritual site. It also provides a historical backdrop and awesome scenery for anyone!

The peak of the Mountains is a steep climb up, but beginners are still free to visit. Several precautions must be kept in mind while doing so. Some people who have been to the place recommend exploring the area for about 2-4 hours. There is an entrance fee of 40K VND, and lifts are available for people who do not want to climb up.

Da Nang city is never lacking in spectacular places to visit. The fun never stops in one place. It should always go on and on and on. Everyone can enjoy different activities–lazy strollers, museum-hoppers, water sports enthusiasts, outdoor buddies, or nature lovers. Name it, and Da Nang city has it for you! Next time anybody says WTF, this article will give them an idea about where’s the fun in Da Nang!