Your Guide To Da Nang & Hoi An

A short, affordable flight away awaits laid-back Da Nang and the old-school charm of Hoi An, here’s your insider guide to planning your holiday to Vietnam.

Still plotting ways to maximise your annual leave in 2024? Short-haul flights that get us straight to our destination make travel so much easier to plan, and one favourite amongst Hongkongers is Vietnam. We’re taking you with us on a beachside vacay at Da Nang and its neighbouring quaint town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Bookmark this guide for where to stay (oh the overwhelming choice of hotels and resorts!), pho-bolous places to eat, where to shop, plenty of insider tips and more.

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Jump To:
Travelling To Da Nang
Where To Stay In Da Nang
Where To Eat & Drink In Da Nang
Things To Do & Day Trips From Da Nang
Guide To Hoi An

Travelling To Da Nang & Hoi An: What To Know & When To Go

You’ll be pretty surprised to know a flight to Da Nang takes less than two hours and a round-trip ticket costs as little as $1,000 (thanks to budget airlines)! Hoi An is roughly a half-hour drive away from the airport and you can either take a taxi or contact your hotel for airport pick-up.

The best time to plan your Da Nang holiday is between January and May – the dry season with optimal beach weather.

Things To Know Before Your Trip

• Download Grab, the Uber equivalent, on your phone, the rides will be much cheaper than local taxis (the tourist tax could mean double the fare!). And if you do get on a taxi, be sure it’s a metred one to avoid being scammed.
• Carry enough cash with you, especially for shopping and eating at local markets. Don’t fret if not; there should always be an ATM nearby.
• One of the easiest ways to get around is renting a scooter, just present your passport and license (though most don’t ask for the latter). Only attempt this if you have sufficient experience riding a scooter or motorbike on the road!
• If you plan on adding luggage, do so when purchasing your tickets (Deluxe tickets are worth the extra weight), this will be much cheaper than if you add it later on.

Where To Stay In Da Nang: Hotels & Resorts

Don’t tell us you’re going to a beachside destination without booking a beachside resort! Whatever itinerary you have planned for your Da Nang holiday, we highly recommend setting aside at least one day to lounge around the beach and resort, and for that, we’ve listed some of the best resorts and hotels in Da Nang located by the shore.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

Don’t come at us for starting you off with the most indulgent, luxurious and breathtaking resort in Da Nang. The InterContinental is located at the Son Tra Peninsula with panoramic oceanic views (you wouldn’t spot a single tall building near you!) and is surrounded by a lush forest you can explore. The private beach vastly different to the public beach in Da Nang, with water sports, volleyball courts, a beachside bar and plenty of hammocks (at times you feel like you have the beach to yourself). For dining, you wouldn’t need to even leave the resort – Vietnamese restaurant Citron and Barefoot serving European fare will have you spoiled and sorted.

Another reason we highly recommend staying here is the service is impeccable and the rooms are a generous size (larger than Hong Kong apartments, mind you) – book a stay on the “Heaven” level and thank us later.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, họ Quang, Hải Châu District, Da Nang, Vietnam, www.danang.intercontinental.com

Read More: The InterContinental Danang – A Next Level, Luxury Escape

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa

More affordable, but still with top-notch service and amenities, Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa is also farther away from the main city, which means you get a bit more quiet for lounging by the beach. The resort has small details paying homage to Vietnamese culture and architecture and the overall wooden elements instantly lift your mood and scream relaxation. Your stay here wouldn’t be complete without a spa treatment! Plus, this hotel is in closer promixity to Marble Mountains and Hoi An.

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa, 5 Trường Sa, Street, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Da Nang, Vietnam, www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency-danang-resort-and-spa

Furama Resort Danang

Okay, we don’t blame you if it feels like you’re pushing you past your budget, but Furama is a great option if you’re going with a larger group of friends or are looking for a villa stay. Comofrtable and laid-back, Furama is a stone’s throw away from the beach and is also closer to the main city of Da Nang – meaning lots of cheap eats and spas to explore!

Furama Resort Danang, 105 Võ Nguyên Giáp, Khuê Mỹ, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Da Nang, Vietnam, furamavietnam.com

More Hotels & Resorts In Da Nang

• Four Points By Sheraton Da Nang – Mid-range hotel by the beach. www.marriott.com/four-points-danang
• TIA Wellness Resort – High-end wellness resort perfect for those looking for a retreat. tiawellnessresort.com
• Sanouva Danang Hotel – Comfortable and chic boutique hotel. www.sanouvadanang.com
• Radisson Hotel Danang – Beachside hotel with a stunning infinity pool. www.radissonhotels.com
• Sala Da Nang Beach Hotel – Suitable for budget travel but still a promising stay. salahotelgroup.com

Read More: TIA Wellness Resort, Da Nang, Vietnam – Sassy Tried & Tested

Where To Eat & Drink In Da Nang

Da Nang is sprawling with restaurants, cute cafes and bars, below are some of our recommendations.

Restaurants In Da Nang

• Bep Cuon – Popular for vegan and vegetarian food.
• Bun Cha Ca Hon – Restaurant serving grilled fish cake noodles.
• Bun Mam Tran Ke Xuong – Authentic Vietnamese cuisine, with rice noodles with fermented fish sauce.
• Citron – Upscale Vietnamese restaurant where you can sample dishes from all across Vietnam (the north, central and south). www.danang.intercontinental.com/dining/citron
• Madame Lan Restaurant – Cute restaurant with outdoor and indoor seating. madamelan.vn

Sassy Tip: Most local restaurants don’t have a website, if you’re looking to book a table, use a local number and call to book a table. We also saw NOBU is opening soon at Da Nang, FYI!  

Bars & Cafes In Da Nang

When in Vietnam, you need all the extra caffeine you can get to fuel you along. Try a cup of coconut coffee, Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk, salted coffee and even egg coffee!

• 43 Factory – Plenty of good bites to pair with your coffee. 43factory.coffee
• Apocalypse Beach Club – Outdoor seating facing the beach. www.facebook.com/apocalypsebeachclub
• Brewman Coffee Concept – Beautiful design and quality coffee.
• H Coffee – Great cafe to try special coffee like coconut coffee and salted coffee. www.facebook.com/hcoffeevietnam
• Maia – Hip beach bar with cabanas and a laid-back setting. www.instagram.com/maia_danang
• Sky 21 Bar & Bistro – Sea-facing rooftop bar in Da Nang. www.instagram.com/sky21bar.danang

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Things To Do & Day Trips

Ba Na Hills – Walk across the Golden Bridge

Everyone talks about crossing the Golden Bridge, which is definitely stunning but also pretty crowded and cloudy, but the cable car ride up to Ba Na Hills is what actually takes your breath away! Passing by forests, streams and waterfalls, and then actually going into the clouds, this is one experience not to be missed! Be sure to also explore the French village at Ba Na Hills (we felt like we were on the set of Beauty and the Beast!).

You can purchase tickets to Ba Na Hills at the theme park entrance directly or online.

The Marble Mountains

Up for a climb that rewards you with mystic caves, ancient Buddhist temples and pagodas? Marble Mountains is easily accessible from Da Nang and makes for a short and sweet day trip (whilst allowing time for you to also plan other activities in the day). Explore a total of six caves, each one different to the other and four pagodas frozen in time. We definitely recommend shoes with good grip as some paths can be slippery. Prepare to be in awe, especially when light rays hit through the creaks and crevices inside the caves!

You can purchase entrance tickets at the door.

The Mable Mountains, 81 Huyền Trân Công Chúa, Hoà Hải, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Da Nang, Vietnam, Location Map

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My Son Sanctuary – Ancient Hindu temple

If you’re a history buff and a fan of archaeological sites, the slightly long commute to My Son Sanctuary will be worth the while. An important worshipping area of the Champa Kingdom from the 4th century to the 13th century, it mostly remains of ancient Hindu temples. Getting around requires a bit of walking but it’s all well-paved with a map clearly showing which way is what. You can purchase entrance tickets at the door and catch a buggy to take you closer to the ruins.

Find out more about My Son Sanctuary here.

Dragon Bridge

Admire it from afar, get up close or even go for a scooter ride across it! This unique Dragon Bridge is iconic to Da Nang; watch it blow out fire and water at 9pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday! 

Go For A Massage!

Don’t get us started on how cheap massages are in Vietnam! Da Nang has plenty of spas scattered across its streets – though some may look a little dodgy so read up Google reviews before you decide to head into one. Some of the most recommended spas in Da Nang include Babylon Garden Spa, Golden Lotus Oriental Organic Spa, Trees Spa and Charm Spa Grand. 

Hoi An: Things To Do, Restaurants & Hotels

Hoi An is a must-do day trip if you’re in Da Nang, but to fully enjoy what this picturesque town has to offer, we recommend staying for a night or two in Hoi An.

Things To Do In Hoi An

First and foremost, go for a walk around the Ancient Town, it’s lined with souvenir shops (lots of them, don’t forget to bargain to half the prices!), local vendors, restaurants and a canal dividing the two sides of the town. A boat ride around the canal costs about $30 per person and it’s simply magical at night (runs until 9pm). We also highly recommend booking a bamboo show at the Hoi An Lune Centre (located in the ancient town) for jaw-dropping acts using the humble bamboo stick.

You can explore the lush green fields on a scooter or a bike, both easy to rent. Two villages to drop by include the Coconut Village (the very Insta-famous coconut boat ride where you can ask to be spun around like crazy!) and the Pottery Village to try your hand at this ancient skill and take home your own creation.

Hoi An is also known as the town of tailors, you can get custom-made dresses, suits and shirts and there are tailor shops literally everywhere! Though we wouldn’t say it’s cheap, it is cheaper than Hong Kong prices but only go for it if you have the time to go back for multiple fittings (in the span of two days). 

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Restaurants & Bars To Check Out In Hoi An

A lot of the bars and restaurants here are concentrated in the Ancient Town and night market area, and all of them offer outdoor seating so you can people watch as you eat. Dishes you need to try include mi quang, Vietnamese turmeric noodles and the White Rose, a special Hoi An shrimp dumpling. and Before you settle at a restaurant, the street food stalls in Hoi An are unmissable. From lip-smacking banh mi to Vietnamese pancakes (banh xeo) to banana with nutella and fresh coconut shaved on top, take your time and look around at the different options.

Hotels & Resorts To Book Your Stay

Hospitality is the utmost priority no matter which hotel or resort you check-in to, and you’ll be surprised how cheap the resorts are in Hoi An (they aren’t even the shabby kind!). Below are some of our recommendations across different price points:

• Four Seasons, The Nam Hai Hoi An Resort – High-end hotel right by the beach. www.fourseasons.com/hoian
• Anantara Hoi An Resort – A classic resort experience. www.anantara.com
• RiverTown Hoi An Resort & Spa – A cheap and excellent option with good location and spa. www.facebook.com/rivertownhoianresortspa
• Allegro Hoi An – A mid-range luxury resort. www.facebook.com/allegrohoian
• La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa – Beautiful resort with a good breakfast included. lasiestaresorts.com
• Hoiana Resort & Golf – One of the newer beach resorts with world-class golf facilities. hoiana.com

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