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How many days in Da Nang? 4 days of beaches, Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountains and Hue
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Da Nang, in central Vietnam, is a modern beach city with a long sandy shore, mountains and some of the country's best sights within an hour or two: the Marble Mountains, the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, the spectacular Hai Van Pass, the imperial city of Hue and the old town of Hoi An (30-45 minutes away). Four days covers the beach and the city, Ba Na Hills, the Hai Van Pass to Hue, and the Son Tra peninsula. Many visitors combine Da Nang and Hoi An in one trip.
Short answer
Three days covers the city, the Marble Mountains, Ba Na Hills and Hue. The fourth adds Son Tra and beach time.
The 4-day plan, day by day
Day 1: My Khe beach and the Marble Mountains
Morning. Swim at My Khe Beach, a wide, clean 10 km beach, popular with locals at sunrise and in the late afternoon.
Afternoon. Visit the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), five limestone hills with Buddhist pagodas and caves. Climb Thuy Son (stairs or an elevator) to see the Huyen Khong Cave, with a Buddha lit by sunbeams. Visit the stone-carving village at the foot of the hills.
Evening. On Saturday and Sunday at 21:00, watch the Dragon Bridge breathe fire and water over the Han River. Walk the riverside night market.
The Dragon Bridge show is best seen from the riverbank on the east (Son Tra) side, near the head of the dragon.
Day 2: Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge
Morning. Ride one of the world's longest cable cars up to Ba Na Hills (about 900,000 VND with the cable car), a hill resort at 1,487 metres founded by the French in 1919. Walk the Golden Bridge (Cau Vang), a curving walkway held up by two giant stone hands.
Afternoon. Visit the French Village, a replica of a French town, the gardens and the Linh Ung Pagoda; it is cooler than the coast.
Evening. Return to Da Nang for seafood at the restaurants of My Khe, where you choose fish and shellfish from tanks.
Arrive at opening time; the Golden Bridge gets very crowded by mid-morning, and the mountain is often misty.
Day 3: Hai Van Pass and Hue
Morning. Ride or drive the Hai Van Pass, a mountain road between Da Nang and Hue, made famous by 'Top Gear', with views over Lang Co lagoon. Many travellers go by motorbike with an 'Easy Rider' driver.
Afternoon. Visit Hue, Vietnam's imperial capital from 1802 to 1945: the Imperial City (UNESCO), the Forbidden Purple City and the Thien Mu Pagoda on the Perfume River, or the royal tombs of Minh Mang and Khai Dinh.
Evening. Try Hue's food: bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup), and return to Da Nang by car or train (about 2.5 hours).
The train between Da Nang and Hue runs along the coast and is one of the world's most scenic rail journeys.
Day 4: Son Tra peninsula and the city
Morning. Ride up the Son Tra peninsula (Monkey Mountain), a forest reserve home to the rare red-shanked douc langur. Visit the Linh Ung Pagoda with its 67-metre Lady Buddha statue facing the sea.
Afternoon. Visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, with the world's finest collection of sculptures from the Hindu Champa kingdom, then the pink Da Nang Cathedral and the Han Market.
Evening. Have a final dinner on the beach, or go to Hoi An for its lantern-lit evening (about 30-45 minutes).
Combine Da Nang with Hoi An: many travellers stay in one and take day trips to the other.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, do Days 1, 2 and 3.
Got extra days?
With more time, spend two or three days in Hoi An, visit the My Son Champa ruins (UNESCO), the Cham Islands, or the caves of Phong Nha (about 5 hours north).
Where to stay in Da Nang
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | An Thuong (near My Khe) | Cheap guesthouses, cafés, close to the beach. | 300,000-700,000 VND |
| Mid-range | My Khe beachfront | Sea views, beach at the door. | 1,000,000-2,500,000 VND |
| Mid-range | Han River / city centre | Dragon Bridge, markets, restaurants. | 900,000-2,000,000 VND |
| Comfort | Son Tra / Non Nuoc resorts | Luxury resorts with private beaches. | 4,000,000-15,000,000 VND |
Getting around
Use Grab for cars and motorbike taxis; they are cheap. Rent a motorbike only with a valid licence and insurance. Da Nang International Airport is just 10-15 minutes from the city centre. Trains go to Hue (about 2.5 hours) and the north and south; shuttles go to Hoi An.
What to eat in Da Nang
Try mi Quang (turmeric noodles with pork and shrimp), banh xeo (crispy pancakes), banh trang cuon thit heo (pork rolls with rice paper), fresh seafood, and in Hue, bun bo Hue. Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk or salt is excellent. A street meal costs 30,000-60,000 VND; a seafood dinner 300,000-800,000 VND.
Best time to visit
February to May is best: dry and warm (25-32°C). June to August is hot (up to 35°C) but good for the beach. September to December is the rainy season, with typhoons and floods possible, especially in October and November.
Month-by-month weather for Da Nang →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | 250,000 VND | 750,000 VND | 3,000,000 VND |
| Food & drink | 250,000 VND | 500,000 VND | 1,200,000 VND |
| Sights & tours | 150,000 VND | 600,000 VND | 1,500,000 VND |
| Transport | 80,000 VND | 250,000 VND | 800,000 VND |
| Total per person, per day | about 730,000 VND | about 2,100,000 VND | about 6,500,000 VND |
Approximate 2026 prices in Vietnamese dong. Cash is widely used; cards work in hotels and larger restaurants.
Before you go
Common questions
Da Nang or Hoi An?
Da Nang for a modern beach city and easy access to Ba Na Hills and the airport; Hoi An for the charming old town. They are 30-45 minutes apart, so many visitors combine them.
Is Ba Na Hills worth it?
For the cable car and the Golden Bridge, yes; the rest is a theme park. Go early, and check the weather: clouds often hide the views.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
Many nationalities can get an e-visa online (up to 90 days); some have visa-free entry for a limited number of days. Check the official e-visa website.
Is Da Nang good for families?
Very: a safe beach, Ba Na Hills' fun park, the Asia Park and Sun World, and easy transport.
When is the Dragon Bridge fire show?
On Saturday and Sunday evenings at 21:00, and on some holidays.
How do I get to Hue?
By train (about 2.5 hours), by car or motorbike over the Hai Van Pass (3-4 hours with stops), or by bus through the tunnel (about 2 hours).
Can I swim in October?
Seas can be rough during the rainy season, with red flags on many days. February to August is better for swimming.
Is Da Nang safe?
Very safe. Watch for traffic, and agree prices before services without fixed rates.
How far is My Son?
About 1-1.5 hours from Da Nang or Hoi An; go early in the morning to avoid the heat.
Is Grab reliable?
Yes: it is the easiest way to get around, with fixed prices for cars and motorbikes.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning Vietnam trips. Prices are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Da Nang tourism, Sun World Ba Na Hills and Vietnam e-visa websites before booking.
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