Top Day Trips from Da Nang, Vietnam

Sitting on the Eastern Sea coast between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang is a stunning destination in its own right for travelers looking to enjoy Asian hospitality and vibrant city life. At the same time, beyond the city’s inviting beaches and charm, there is plenty to see and do within a short distance of Da Nang. This makes the city an ideal “home base” from which to explore other areas of central Vietnam. Da Nang is the fourth largest city in the country, which means travelers will get all the conveniences of a large city (good choice of hotels, restaurants, and an international airport) while still being close enough to experience amazing day trips. With a decent travel insurance policy to put your mind at ease, you can explore some of the top day trips from Da Nang listed below:

Hoi An

Located south of Da Nang, the beautiful Old Town of Hoi An is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is accessible by bus from Da Nang in about 45 minutes. Top attractions include the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Quan Cong Temple. There are also plenty of museums in the Old Town with local artefacts and glimpses to the region’s culture and history. For a showcase of everyday family life, visit one of three old houses – Phung Hung House, Tan Ky House or Quan Thang House. At night, the town is transformed with lanterns that create a lovely atmosphere for shopping or a walk through the narrow Old Town’s streets.

See our article: Top things to do in danang

Hue

The former imperial capital of Hue is four to six hours by car or bus from Da Nang. The Thien Mu Pagoda sits atop a bluff overlooking the Perfume River, offering stunning views of the surrounding area. The Imperial Citadel, Dai Noi, was once the seat of government. This sprawling complex includes temples, walls, museums and galleries, moats, pavilions and more. When exploring the citadel, visit the impressive main southern entrance and the Thai Hoa Palace. Other attractions include the Tombs of the Emperors along the picturesque Perfume River. The tombs date from the late 19th to the early 20th centuries and are fine examples of Vietnamese Buddhist architecture.

Lang Co

A picturesque fishing village, Lang Co has a dazzling 15-kilometer white beach. Although there isn’t much to see or do in the village, this is a great place to simply relax. There is also a market in the heart of the village. Walk or bike along the Hai Van Pass for breathtaking views and to catch glimpses of ruins of American outlooks from the Vietnam War. Lang Co is also a good base to see some of central Vietnam’s natural wonders, including the Bach Ma National Park and the Elephant Springs Water Recreation Area.

Ba Na Hills

The scenic Ba Na Hills are just 25 kilometres southwest of Da Nang. Hitting an elevation of 1,487 metres above sea level, the hill sits in the Truong Son mountain range. The best way to visit is to travel to Lang Co and then take a local minibus, which takes you to the top in about an hour. There are modern cable cars linking the hills, which provide panoramic views of the Hai Fan Pass and Da Nang. China Beach can also be seen from the top, which has an imposing Buddha statue.

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