Attractions & Things To See In Da Nang

Tourists have omitted Da Nang from their travel plans for years, preferring to spend their time touring the historic royal court in Hue or strolling the ancient streets of Hoi An. Nevertheless, as its residents are aware, Da Nang offers a number of intriguing and attractive sights of its own. Nestled between the Annamite Range and the South China Sea on the banks of the Han River, Da Nang’s natural splendor is difficult to overlook; a visit to the mountains and the beach should be on your itinerary. Culturally, Da Nang was formerly the northernmost outpost of the Kingdom of Champa; if you want to see the adjacent remains at My Son, a visit to the Museum of Cham Sculpture is a must.

• Ba Na Hill Station (About 40km W of Da Nang). Ba Na is 1,487 m above sea level in the Truong Son Mountains. It was formerly a French resort with 200 villas, restaurants, and clubs in the 1920s. It is commonly referred to as the second Dalat or Sa Pa in central Vietnam. Ba Na’s mild climate, pristine forest, and breathtaking views of the South China Sea and the Lao mountains made it a favourite hideaway for both the French and the wealthy Vietnamese. A new cable car system, which was officially inaugurated in 2009 and established two Guinness World Records for height and length, continues to bring both locals and tourists to the area today. Great view from the summit, but staying overnight is pointless because the lodgings are substandard and grossly costly (USD80-150 per night). You must take a taxi to Suoi Mo Station (USD25 one-way from Da Nang) and pay 550,000 dong per adult (250,000 dong for children between 1-1.3 m tall, free entrance for children under 1 m tall) for cable car and Fantasy Park tickets.
• Han River Promenade, along Bach Dang Rd (Between Dragon Bridge and Danang Port). The beauty of the Han River has inspired poets and musicians throughout Da Nang’s history, and any local will likely be able to sing you a few words of “Sông Hàn Tnh Yêu Ca Tôi” (Han River, My Love) as they wander along the river’s edge. The well-developed promenade on the western bank of the river stretches from the Dragon Bridge in the south to the city port in the north. The promenade crosses beneath the famed Han River Bridge, a swing bridge constructed in the late 1990s and one of four Han River bridges visible from this location (the others are the Thuan Phuoc, Dragon, and Tran Thi Ly bridges). All of the bridges are illuminated with vibrant patterns at night, making a stroll down the river a wonderful and unquestionably romantic excursion. Evenings are a popular time for locals to observe the water, play hackey-sack, and bring their children for a run. During Tet, the promenade is adorned with sculptures and works of art. The annual Fireworks Festival is also held here, but it’s best to view the display from a distance due to the crowds.
• Linh Ung Temple, Hoang Sa Rd (Bai But, Son Tra Peninsula). There are breathtaking views of the sea, the sky, and a 67-meter-tall monument of “Quan The Am” that faces the ocean. In 2010, the pagoda was constructed.
• Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) (9km S of downtown and across the street from many of the larger beach side resorts), +84 511 961114. Kim Son (Mountain of Metal), Moc Son (Mountain of Wood), Thuy Son (Mountain of Water), Hoa Son (Mountain of Fire), and Tho Son are members of this group (Mountain of Earth). Numerous Buddhist temples have been constructed within the caves and grottos, making it a popular pilgrimage destination. The real fun, however, is at the Am Phu cave, where you can make the steep climb up toward the light and a view from the top of the mountain, surrounded by approving sacred images; or head in the opposite direction, physically and spiritually, down to the crude Hieronymus Bosch-esque statues of sinners receiving their punishment in the caverns below, with suitably eerie lighting. Wear either walking shoes or climbing shoes. Open-tour buses will stop here, but you’ll be hustled along; any motorbike taxi in Da Nang or Hoi An will take you and let you to establish your own pace. Guides are available. Beware of the aggressive statue-sellers outside. 15,000 dong.
• Museum of Cham Sculpture (Bảo Tàng Chăm), #2, September 2nd Rd(Near the roundabout at the corner of Trung Nu Vuong and Bach Dang St).It was established in 1915 by the École Française d’Extrême Orient and has a collection of stone sculptures from the Hindu-practicing Cham culture, which controlled much of central Vietnam from the first millennium BCE to the 14th century CE. The museum can be viewed in around one hour. The figures include Shiva, garudas, nagas, lions, monkeys, and elephants. Nearly all of the sculptures are constructed of sandstone, and some of them have deteriorated considerably over the years, but you can still see the figures’ great creative qualities. The collection also has spectacular instances of ancient Hindu fertility symbols, such as lingam altars adorned with rows of breasts. The majority of the sculptures were removed from the exteriors or interiors of Cham ruins (which would have been looted otherwise.) The Cham civilization produced some stunning artwork, but the ruins themselves, such as the nearby My Son, are now mostly collapsing mounds of bricks that convey little sense of this. Any trip to My Son should include a stop at the Cham Museum. Comparing the collection to Balinese sculpture and the early Hindu period of Angkor Wat in Cambodia is equally fascinating. 40,000 dong.