Planning a trip around Vietnam and want to know how to prepare the perfect 5-day Da Nang itinerary? This ultimate guide provides you with five days of detailed planning and local tips to make the most of it.
I was lucky enough to live in Da Nang for over a year, and that’s one of the cities in the country that you’ll enjoy the most – It’s not overcrowded, people are lovely, it’s full of history, and there’s great nightlife in Da Nang!
Starting from understanding the historical past of the marble mountains or getting lost in Hoi An Old Town to walking the legendary Golden Bridge, each moment in the coastal town is full of fun.
Da Nang has so much to offer and is definitely a place that should be on your radar!
Let’s jump in – I can’t wait to show you what a 5 days in Danang itinerary can look like! Spoiler alert, there’s much more to do than you imagined!
Da Nang Itinerary – Overview
Before discussing the main topic – the ultimate Danang Vietnam itinerary – let’s discuss the essentials you should know before visiting.
Where is Da Nang?
Located on the South China Sea, Da Nang is in Central Vietnam and is a popular tourist destination.
It’s close to nearby attractions like Hoi An, an old town just south of Da Nang, and Hue, the Imperial City. Da Nang is also close to other popular tourist spots like Ha Long Bay and Hai Chau District.
With so much to do and explore, Da Nang is the perfect destination for a 5-day itinerary!
How to Get to Da Nang?
Flying is the quickest and easiest way to get to Da Nang International Airport. With direct flights from cities in Asia such as Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok, as well as Singapore, getting to Da Nang is a breeze.
There are also connecting flights to Da Nang’s own international airport from other parts of Southeast Asia and beyond.
If you’re looking for a more budget option than flying, there are night buses from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang.
How to Get Around in Da Nang?
Getting around Da Nang is cheap and not so hard if you use the cheap Uber-like transport Grab motorcycle mobile app.
All you need to do is download the Grab app, sign up for an account, input your pick-up and drop-off, select your ride option (motorbike or car), confirm your booking, and off you go!
You can also find scooters for rent, but I only recommend this if you have experience and feel confident enough to ride a motorbike due to Vietnam’s chaotic traffic.
What is the Best Time to Visit Da Nang Vietnam?
If you’re traveling to Vietnam, visit Da Nang (and Central Vietnam) between February and May. The weather is beautiful, the humidity is low and this is the best time to visit Da Nang and enjoy all the tourist attractions!
The rainy season in Da Nang starts around September and ends around January so if you intend to visit, it will probably be wet during your stay.
How Long to Stay in Da Nang City?
5 days is enough to explore all attractions in the city such as the Ba Na Hills, the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang City, and My Khe Beach to name a few.
After exploring the city, you can also visit the surrounding towns that are beautiful and historic too! for example: Hoi An Old Town, Hue the Imperial City, and My Son Sanctuary.
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Ultimate 5-Day Da Nang Itinerary
Da Nang is famous for the most popular beaches in the country, mountains, and culture. From the Marble Mountains to My Son Sanctuary, there’s no shortage of attractions to explore.
With this complete 5-day itinerary, you’ll be able to hit up the main attractions in the city. Get ready to explore the old Imperial City of Hue, take a day tour to Hoi An, and take in the stunning views from the Ba Na Hills.
Of course, there’s much more, so let’s get started and discuss the program each day!
Day 1: Marble Mountains and Lady Buddha
The first day in Da Nang is all about exploring the Marble Mountains, as well as Son Tra Peninsula with Lady Buddha (and the Linh Ung Pagoda), some of the most breathtaking places in all of Southeast Asia in my book!
Here’s what you can expect to see at each stop:
Marble Mountains: Marble Mountains. A cluster of five beautiful marble and limestone mountains just outside Danang, named after the five elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth, each consisting of caves and pagodas and offering some great views over the area.
Son Tra Peninsula and Lady Buddha: The Son Tra Peninsula is a beautiful nature reserve located just up the coast from Da Nang which is home to a 67-meter tall statue of the Lady Buddha that looks out over the East Sea and offers panoramic views of the city. The Linh Ung Pagoda is worth checking out too, and you can take beautiful photos.
The best way to visit to visit is to take a day trip from Da Nang to the Marble Mountains – Not only will you go with an expert guide, but you’ll get to see these must-sees easily. This is the one I joined and I had a great time without breaking the bank, which I was so grateful for.
This day tour includes transportation from your hotel in Da Nang or Hoi An, a knowledgeable guide for the day who will tell you about the history at each stop and show you round the monuments, and time to explore to your heart’s content.
Check out the tour below, you’ll love it!
Best-Rated Tour
Lady Buddha & Marble Mountains Tour
- Best tour from Da Nang
- Fun and convenient way to visit
- See Lady Buddha and the Marble Mountains
Includes
- Countless memories to be made!
- Entrance fees, lunch, bottle of water
- Expert guide, lunch, and hotel transfers
Day 2: Discover Ba Na Hills
The Ba Na Hills, a hill station opened by the French colonists in 1919, is something you don’t find in Southeast Asia, and that’s only one reason to visit.
It is worth coming from Danang for a visit up there and they also have amazing views, a theme park with fun rides, and the iconic Golden Bridge.
Plan to spend a whole day here if you want to experience it to the max – I spent the whole day here, and it was great fun.
There are two ways to get to Ba Na Hills in Da Nang:
- Call a taxi and have it drop you at the Ba Na Hills’ base, than catch another one on the way back.
- Book a shuttle from Da Nang to the Ba Na Hills, and buy tickets separately
- Book a day tour, which includes transportation, entrance tickets, and lunch (the best option, which is the one I did)
A day tour to the hills from Da Nang means transport from and to your hotel in Da Nang, entrance tickets, and lunch are included in the price, and that’s as convenient as it gets.
When you book your tour, you can choose the pick-up time and location, and I recommend going early before all the crowds arrive.
The park is huge, they give you a map at the entrance and you can use that to get around. You don’t even need to print your tickets, simply download the Klook app and come in with the QR!
You will have a lot of fun here, from checking out the French village to enjoying the thrilling rides: take your time with zip lines, roller-coasters, and 4D and 5D cinemas
You’ll also have the opportunity to do a lot of shopping and don’t worry because the restaurants are full of traditional (don’t forget Banh Mi) and international food.
On the tour, you will also go to a buffet restaurant with over 100 different dishes, a good option that is your only chance to do your tasting, rather than the other à la carte menus, and that’s a good way to fuel up for the afternoon.
If you want to get the ultimate experience, you can also spend the night at the Mercure Hotel Ba Na Hills, which is a cool way to experience the Ba Na Hills at night without the crowds, and that is nice!
As for meals and drinks in town, there are plenty of great restaurants in Da Nang. I can recommend Bikini Bottom Express for dinner as they have some very good burgers, or maybe to iVegan restaurant.
Both did fill our empty stomachs with some of the tastiest vegan and vegetarian meals we had in Vietnam.
Day 3: Go to Hoi An Old Town
Ah, Hoi An – Easily my favorite day trip from Da Nang, with its old town that’s known as a UNESCO World Heritage, its pretty lanterns on every corner, and stunning architecture and museums.
While you can stay longer in the area and spend 3 days in Hoi An, one full day should be enough to see the best places in town.
The Japanese Covered Bridge, the Old House of Tan Ky, the Hoi An Museum of History and Culture, and the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation are some of the main attractions in Hoi An that you can’t skip.
Book here: Transfer From Da Nang to Hoi An Old Town
Visiting Hoi An Old Town is free, but you’ll need an entrance ticket if you want to visit the main spots in town, which I highly recommend.
You can buy your entrance ticket online and with that, you can pick 5 spots in town out of a dozen. It only costs a few dollars and it’s definitely worth it. I did the attractions below and loved my day out:
- Japanese Bridge
- Fujian Assembly Hall
- Hainan Assembly Hall
- Cam Pho Communal House
- Hoi An Traditional Art Performance Theatre
After that, you can roam around town and take nice photos around. Hoi An is an Instagrammer lover’s paradise, and you’ll love every corner of it. That being said, it does get busy, so keep that in mind.
At night, the lanterns are lit, and the boats float on the river, offering the best night on your Da Nang itinerary by far.
The most convenient option is to stay in Hoi An for the night, take a morning tour to My Son Sanctuary on Day 4 (more of this below) and get back to Da Nang the day after.
For the transfer, I recommend booking it beforehand for added convenience – Check it out here below.
Where to Stay in Hoi An?
Since I recommend staying in Hoi An for one night before going to My Son on day 4, let’s discuss the best hotels in town so that you make your stay a comfortable one.
You’ll want to stay as close as the old town as possible so you don’t have to walk far from the night market and river, where the magic happens!
Luxury: Bay Resort Hoi An
Mid-Range: Hoi An Historic Hotel
Budget: Thanh Van 1 Hotel
Day 4: Take a Tour to My Son Sanctuary
Yes, there are tours that offer both Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary at once, but I feel like it’s all a bit rushed. There are many things to see in Hoi An, and you want to take your time in My Son to explore everything at your own pace, hence why I separated them into 2 days.
My Son Sanctuary is located about 40 kilometers southwest of Da Nang, and about the same distance from Hoi An. It was once the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom between the 4th and 13th centuries.
The sanctuary contains over 70 temples and tombs built in a unique style that blends Indian and Southeast Asian architectural elements.
The best day tour you can join is from Hoi An, early morning before the crowds leave from the ancient town and early enough to back to Da Nang on the same day afternoon.
On the way to My Son, you will have a chance to enjoy Vietnamese coffee – a real kick-starter! By 6:30am, you are at My Son to walk through history surrounded by ruins and lush greenery for over 2 hours of history and mystery.
It was an ancient city built a long time ago, dating from around the 4th to the 14th century. Built by the Champa, an important civilization in Vietnamese history, and you’ll learn everything about the Cham culture on this tour.
This tour includes coffee, breakfast, roundtrip transportation, and a walking tour of the site. You’ll be back in Hoi An around 11.00 AM, and you then spend some more time in Hoi An or go back to Da Nang for the afternoon.
Day 5: Visit Da Nang City
On Day 5, explore the city of Da Nang – Once you’ve visited all the incredible spots around, it’s time to give a chance to Da Nang itself, with the old town, its Central Market, the Da Nang Cathedral, and the endless delicious eateries.
Start the day by checking out the Han River and its Dragon Bridge, two of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Located on the banks of the Han River, the Dragon Bridge is a cool spot to take photos of.
After that, just a few minutes’ walk away, visit the awesome central market for good-quality copy goods, coffee and snacks, as well as shoes and other memories of Vietnam.
Then, visit the Cham Museum, one of the best museums in Vietnam, housing a variety of Cham artifacts and sculptures from digs around the central coast and My Son Sanctuary, ranging from the 5th to 15th century. The An Long Temple right behind is a must-do too!
If you want a more off-the-beaten-path kind of thing, you can check out the Fresco Village and its street art, the Museum of Da Nang City, or the Fine Arts Museum.
Of course, you can’t skip My Khe Beach, one of the best beaches in Vietnam, and you can definitely stay here and work on your tan for a while!
And of course, make sure to enjoy the city’s food and drink scene. Here below are some of the best restaurants in Da Nang for lunch and dinner:
- Adobo Mexican Grill
- Roots Plant-based Cafe
- Emo’s Vietnamese Restaurant
- Bravo Pizzeria
- Athena Souvlaki
I personally went to each of these places and loved them all, and I’m sure you will too. Don’t forget to get some fresh seafood!
If you didn’t do it on your first night, make sure to see the bridge show, which happens every Saturday and Sunday at 9.00 PM – a show you definitely don’t want to skip before leaving!
I have an ultimate guide about Da Nang with endless things to do here below, so make sure to read it before traveling!
Want to know more?
Here’s a complete guide with all the
best things to do in Da Nang Vietnam.
Da Nang Itinerary – FAQ
Now that we’ve covered the perfect Da Nang itinerary, including Ba Na Hill, Monkey Mountain, the Han Market, and all the other spots for the ultimate beach vacation, let’s answer some questions from first-timers in Central Vietnam.
Is 5 Days in Da Nang Enough?
5 days is enough to get a taste of the wonderful sights and culture of the region. With its incredible beaches, historic architecture, and gastronomic delights, this city has plenty to enjoy in a short time.
Plus, My Khe Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Asia where you can expect white sand and crystal clear waters. The city is also famous for various historical points that you certainly won’t want to miss.
Where to Stay in Da Nang?
Finally, let’s highlight the accommodation options in Da Nang, whether you travel on a budget or looking for a boutique hotel.
The best area for a tourist to stay in My An is right near My An and My Khe beaches; they have many restaurants, bars, and nightlife, but there’s more to the city, so these below are the best areas and hotels.
Want to know more?
Here’s a complete guide with all the
best areas in Da Nang Vietnam.
Luxury: Danang Marriott Resort & Spa
Mid-Range: Hotel Del Luna Boutique
Budget: Amunra Ocean Hotel
More Vietnam Travel Guides
- All Vietnam Travel Guides
- Awesome Things to Do in Hoi An
- Plan the Perfect 3-Day Hoi An Itinerary
- Plan the Perfect 7-Day Central Vietnam Itinerary
Conclusion – 5-Day Danang Itinerary
This 5-day discovery of Da Nang is perfect if you are looking to spend some time in Central Vietnam, so book your ticket to Danang International Airport now!
From Marble Mountains and Lady Buddha to the Dragon Bridg and My Son, this 5-day Danang itinerary has something fun for everyone.
In addition, the delicious Vietnamese coffee or cuisine, all the entertainment and recreation activities, and getting to know local people will keep you amazed on your trip to Vietnam!
Thanks for reading until the end and I hope this itinerary was helpful!
