Last spring we had the chance to spend 6 days exploring Da Nang Vietnam and its surrounding areas. I wasn’t really sure what to expect of this trip, I had done some minimal research online, but I didn’t make an official itinerary. I really just wanted to have a more laid back experience with some time for relaxing and also exploring. Let’s just say, it exceeded my expectations, and I hope we get a chance to go back and see more.

I realize going in late March that we hit the weather jackpot, it was a solid 70’s/80’s forecast, and while it was fairly humid, it was manageable. We stayed on the coast at the Sheraton Grand Denang Resort.  A quiet property with an amazing pool, beaches and facilities. 

Hoi An

We enjoyed some relaxation for a day or two before adventuring out to the nearby city of Hoi An, about 30 minutes by taxi through the rice fields. You immediately notice the old town charm, small walkable streets and charming shops and cafes on every corner.   A tourist day dream with instagram worthy photo ops on every where you turn.  One can imagine this was how many of the older towns of Vietnam existed prior to the skyscrapers of the modern day cities.

One of the main attractions of Hoi An is to visit the many stores that will make you custom clothing within the day (many times within hours).  I didn’t take advantage of this and part of me wishes I had… you could really design whatever you wanted and pick the exact fabric for very reasonable prices.   We wandered, shopped the sweetest handcrafted boutiques and bought local snacks. We had dinner next to the river watching daytime give way to the magic of the river lanterns of night. Hoi An really came alive after dark, they dial up the charm, and we enjoyed just strolling the streets.

Da Nang

Next we decided to leave the beach and venture into the city of Da Nang for the day. Bustling with motos, tour buses, and busy markets you will find large chain cafes, lots of shopping and modernized living. We used the Grab App to get taxis around town and that couldn’t be easier. We did get solicited quite a bit to buy products, but most were friendly enough when we declined.

I didn’t love the city of Da Nang as much as I wanted to, but that could also have to do with my lack of preparation. I didn’t scout out any particular destinations before hand, I just picked a busier area and off we went.  We wandered around checking out a small market, some cafes (please try the lychee iced tea, the coconut coffee & the passionfruit cheesecake) and getting a good look at the Dragon Bridge (admittedly very beautiful), but I would’t say that it had loads of cultural charm. Many tourists rent moto scooters and explore the town that way. Although I am a comfortable driver, I didn’t feel like this was a good choice given it was just my daughter and I that day.   If given the choice, I wouldn’t spend as much time there again.  

Ba Na Hills

The last area we decided to visit was Ba Na Hills. I can’t even describe how unprepared I was for this experience. We originally booked a tour bus that transported us, but it wasn’t a great experience and I would advise to just get a taxi. The price difference isn’t so significant and having a private car that can take you directly to your hotel is worth it. About 40 minutes outside of Da Nang, you pull up to SunWorld in Ba Na Hills, which is a dense tropical forest with lush mountains jetting into the sky. You line up for the 20 minute gondola ride up the mountains and be prepared to have your breath taken away.

As you approach the top of the gondola ride, you are immediately greeted by the Golden Bridge, aka “The Hands Bridge”. A stunning view and beautifully designed, the bridge is overly crowded but still a must see. We were lucky to get there on a clear day with no fog.

Sun World

Past the bridge and another short gondola ride, you come to the main area of Sun World. An amusement park of sorts, where you can wonder medieval towns, ornate gothic castles, and stunning garden scapes. There were beer gardens, a spiritual center with Buddhist temples, a full blown arcade, a Starbucks, a Mercure Hotel and much more. We stopped and enjoyed fresh coconuts overlooking one of the medieval courtyards. It wasn’t very crowded, which made wondering around that much more pleasant, and although I didn’t understand entirely who this place was created for, I enjoyed it all the same.

I genuinely loved our time exploring Da Nang and its surrounding areas. The food was amazing, the people were warm and friendly, and I found the culture to be really charming and beautiful. I already have plans for return trips to other parts of Vietnam such as Halong Bay and Hanoi. So much of our travel in Asia is new to me and so far nothing has been what I expected it to be. I love being continually surprised by how much I am enjoying this part of the world.

If you are interested in more content around Asian travels, check out our trip to Osaka/Kyoto Japan.