You are in the Heart of Da Nang

Da Nang looks as if someone decided to gather every argument in favor of travel in one place. A bridge among the clouds, beaches stretching for miles, mountains, jungles, ancient sanctuaries, and the aroma of street food in the evening. This checklist will help you build an itinerary that includes both iconic landmarks and unexpected discoveries.

1. See the landmark of Da Nan – the "Hands of God" bridge, also known as the "Golden Bridge".

2. Spend a day at the Vietnamese Disneyland – the Sun World Ba Na Hills amusement park.

3. Relax on the white sand at My Khe Beach, which stretches for 6 km.

4. In the evening, walk along the promenade of My Khe Beach or along the Han River.

5. Take a photo of the fire-breathing Dragon Bridge over the Han River.

6. Spend a day on the Son Tra Peninsula – a nature reserve with winding roads and jungle-covered hills.

7. See the symbol of Da Nang – the snow-white "Lady Buddha" statue, which is actually the goddess of mercy and compassion, Guanyin.

8. Watch a rare species of monkeys – red-shanked doucs – on Son Tra Mountain.

9. Visit a natural attraction – the Marble Mountains. There are five of them in total, and the most visited is the Water Mountain, also known as Thuy Son.

10. Visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

11. Go on an evening cruise along the Han River.

12. Watch planes take off from the terrace of the Noc Rooftop cafe.

13. Fly over Da Nang on a paraglider.

14. Try local street food at night markets – for example, Cho Dem Son Tra near the Dragon Bridge.

15. Visit neighboring Hoi An – an ancient museum-city under UNESCO protection.

16. Go snorkeling on Cham Island.

17. Walk along the scenic trails of the Bach Ma National Park.

18. For the most daring: rent a bike and ride the Hai Van Pass along a winding highway.

19. Visit My Son – a complex of ancient Hindu temples in the jungle.

20. Play pickleball – a popular hybrid of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.

What to try

- Pho Bo soup;

- Fish and seafood;

- Local rice noodles Mi Quang, served with bone broth, meat, or seafood;

- Banh Xeo – crispy pancakes with various fillings;

- Ca Phe Sua Da – a classic Vietnamese coffee drink with condensed milk.

What to bring back

- Dried seafood;

- Silk;

- Marble products;

- Traditional conical hat;

- Pineapple ginseng tea and sesame cookies.