Da Nang 3-day itinerary

Begin at the Marble Mountains — five limestone and marble peaks rising from the coastal plain, each named after an element (water, fire, earth, metal, wood). Climb or take the elevator to Thuy Son (VND 40,000 entry, elevator VND 15,000) — the main peak. The Am Phu Cave takes you through a dramatic representation of Buddhist hell and heaven, emerging at a sunlit opening with coastal views. The Huyen Khong Cave is the most impressive — a vast cavern with a natural skylight and Buddhist altars. At the base, the stone-carving village has been producing marble sculptures for generations.

Head to My Khe Beach — Da Nang's pride and one of Asia's best urban beaches. Thirty kilometres of white sand, warm water (25–29°C), and gentle surf stretching from the Marble Mountains to Son Tra Peninsula. The beach is clean, free to access, and rarely crowded compared to Bali or Phuket. Rent a sunbed from a vendor (VND 30,000–50,000 for the day) or just lay a towel on the sand. Swimming is safe in most areas — lifeguards patrol the main stretches. Lunch at one of the beachfront seafood restaurants on Vo Nguyen Giap Street — grilled squid and rice for VND 60,000–100,000 ($2.40–4).

Walk the Han River waterfront as the city lights up — Da Nang's bridges are an architectural light show every evening. The Dragon Bridge (a 666m dragon-shaped bridge), the Han River Bridge (swings open at midnight), and the Sail Bridge (shaped like a sail) are all illuminated in changing colours. If it's Saturday or Sunday, the Dragon Bridge breathes fire and water at 9pm — arrive early for a good viewing spot on the east bank. For dinner, head to Con Market (Cho Con) area for local street food — mi quang (turmeric noodles with pork and shrimp, VND 30,000), banh trang cuon thit heo (rice paper rolls with pork, VND 25,000), and banh xeo (crispy pancakes, VND 40,000).

Take the cable car to Ba Na Hills (VND 900,000/$35 for full-day entry including rides and attractions) — a hill station resort 1,400m above Da Nang. The cable car ride is 5.8km long and one of the longest in the world — the views over the jungle and mountains are spectacular. The Golden Bridge (Cau Vang) is the main attraction — a pedestrian bridge held up by two giant stone hands emerging from the mountainside. The French Village is a kitschy recreation of a European town with rides, a wax museum, and gardens. Love it or hate it, it's a unique experience.

Return to Da Nang and rent a motorbike (VND 100,000–150,000/day) to explore the Son Tra Peninsula — a mountainous jungle peninsula jutting into the sea just north of the city. Ride up the winding road through primary forest to the Linh Ung Pagoda — home to the tallest Lady Buddha statue in Vietnam (67m) with sweeping views over Da Nang and My Khe Beach. The road continues to the summit (693m) and military observation point. The peninsula is home to the rare red-shanked douc langur — one of the world's most colourful primates, often spotted in the trees.

Da Nang has a significant Korean community and tourist presence — the area around My Khe Beach and An Thuong neighbourhood has Korean restaurants, BBQ joints, and bars alongside Vietnamese spots. Try a Vietnamese-Korean fusion dinner at one of the beach road restaurants — grilled meat and seafood are excellent. An Thuong Street (sometimes called "the backpacker street") has rooftop bars, craft beer spots, and live music. Try 7 Bridges Brewing for local craft beer (VND 60,000–90,000 per pint) or OASIS Rooftop for cocktails with ocean views (VND 80,000–120,000). Da Nang's nightlife is relaxed compared to Saigon — more sunset drinks than all-night clubs.

Take a Grab car or motorbike 30km south to Hoi An (VND 150,000–200,000 by Grab, 40 minutes). This UNESCO Ancient Town is one of Southeast Asia's most atmospheric places — a preserved trading port with Chinese merchant houses, Japanese bridges, and French colonial buildings along a river. Buy an Old Town ticket (VND 120,000/$5, covers entry to five heritage sites). Walk through the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (Chinese temple), and the narrow alleys of the Ancient Town. Visit the Central Market for fresh produce and banh mi — Madam Khanh ("Banh Mi Queen") sells the best in Vietnam for VND 25,000 ($1).

Hoi An is famous for its hundreds of tailor shops — get a custom suit, dress, or shirt made in 24 hours. Yaly Couture and Bebe are well-reviewed. A custom suit starts from VND 2,000,000–4,000,000 ($80–160) in good-quality fabric. If tailoring isn't your thing, rent a bicycle (VND 30,000/day) and ride to An Bang Beach — a beautiful stretch of sand 4km from the Old Town with beach bars, clear water, and a more relaxed vibe than Da Nang. Lunch at Soul Kitchen on An Bang Beach — Vietnamese-Western fusion with ocean views (VND 80,000–150,000 mains). The cocktails here are excellent value.

If visiting on the 14th of a lunar month, Hoi An's Lantern Festival transforms the Ancient Town — electric lights are switched off and thousands of coloured lanterns and candles illuminate the streets and river. Even without the festival, Hoi An at dusk is magical — the lanterns glow along the river, vendors sell floating candles (VND 10,000), and the reflections on the Thu Bon River are mesmerising. Return to Da Nang for a farewell seafood dinner at Hai San Phuong (Nguyen Chi Thanh Street) — a bustling local spot where you choose live seafood from the tanks. Grilled lobster, crab, and prawns for VND 300,000–500,000 ($12–20) for two.