14 Things to Do in Da Nang: A Local's Guide for First-Timers ahoyvietnam.com

Da Nang was the first city I moved to after leaving the USA in 2018. With a population of just over 1.2 million, Da Nang is split by the Han River, creating both a city side and beach side. And since the traffic is usually free-flowing, it’s super easy to experience everything Da Nang has to offer.

Many first-time visitors are drawn to Da Nang for its beaches (like My Khe Beach), but the city side offers excitement, too. Exploring Hai Chau (a city-side district) and looking for new coffee shops or local food spots is one of my favorite things to do in Da Nang.

I’ve explored Son Tra Mountain and interacted with the resident wild monkeys — we used to feed them graham crackers. I’ve driven over to the Hai Van Pass dozens of times. I also love riding my scooter down to Hoi An for coffee, lunch, or just to explore. It’s a great day trip from Da Nang, Vietnam.

If you’re planning a trip to Da Nang, you’ll need to know the best time to visit and how to get around. If Da Nang is part of your central Vietnam itinerary, see things to do in Hoi An and Hue here. If you have any questions, join my free Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue travel planning group, where I’ll personally answer them.