Da Nang isn’t your typical “Banana Pancake Trail” city. A day-trip is common, but most miss the vibrant lights and atmosphere as dusk crawls in. Historically a French colonial port, Da Nang quickly became Vietnam’s underrated city for me. While Vietnam’s third largest city has stunning points of interest nearby, such as the Marble Mountain or the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An, the city itself has a lot to offer.

How many cities do you know have a fire-breathing, water-soaking steel dragon!? (Yes, another Vietnamese dragon!)

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Pham Van Dong Beach

A boomerang-shaped beach parallels the city of Da Nang. Gentle waves caressing along the golden shoreline soak away any aches (or in my case, hangovers and jet-lag). If immersing in the salt water of the South China Sea and absorbing the sun’s vitamin D might not tickle your adventure funny bone. Parasailing and tubing are offered right on the beach, for those seeking more adrenaline! Traditional ‘Basket Boats’ of Vietnam rest up on shore, as if waiting for someone to take them for a spin (perhaps literally?).

 

Linh Ung Pagoda

Linh Ung Pagoda is a Buddhist Pagoda situated at the base of Son Tra Mountain, nine kilometers north-east of Da Nang. The area is popular among Buddhist Monks, Vietnamese, and tourists alike, described as the meeting place of heaven and earth’s sacred air. An intricate depiction of Lady Buddha stands towering at 67 meters high, overlooking the coastline of Da Nang. As dusk fades into night, Lady Buddha also transforms from pure white to a beacon of reflected golden glow. Shining bright against the dark backdrop of Son Tra Mountain, it’s easy to see why the peninsula is a favorite meeting spot for all. Linh Ung Pagoda’s grounds are vast and elaborate. Take your time to explore, there is always more to see!

 

 

A sunset view is always a welcomed sight, and the vista resembled a watercolor painting rich with purples and orange. Linh Ung Pagoda overlooks the Da Nang city skyline and with a setting sun, even clouds aren’t able to ruin the beautiful vista.

 

 

Vietnam’s Underrated City At Night

It wasn’t until the sky was lightless that Da Nang burst into a different form of life and Vietnam’s underrated city revealed it’s true colors. As if a phoenix had risen from the ashes. A once faded skyline erupted with over-saturated neon lighting. I felt like a moth to a light source, compelled to explore this new environment. Inside its city limits, Da Nang is like many other cities. A never-ending stream of vehicles rumble across Song Han Bridge, the vibration was so intense it shook my whole body. Colorful lights beam off the rivers glass surface, only interrupted by cruise boats roaming up and down the Han River. These boats cannot be missed cruising along the pitch black river. Da Nang’s spirit echoes in bright, multicolored neon lights strung throughout the boats. Da Nang lights up every night, but in the distance, another Vietnamese Dragon awaits an audience.

 

 

Cầu Rồng; Dragon Bridge in Da Nang

Staying in character of Da Nang, the entirety of the dragon’s steel scales would change from one hue to another, cascading colors shedding like the skin of a snake, from tail to teeth.

Around 8pm a crowd began to form below the Dragon’s head. The scattered chatter soon became louder and louder as time passed. Traffic was stopped 45 minutes later, all six lanes completely cordoned off, allowing the mass of spectators to sprawl out from cramped sidewalks onto the lanes. Anticipation was growing and at 9pm sharp the crowd went eerily silent. I had read all of the warnings online, yet I was not disappointed in my efforts to squeeze a few more meters forward before the show began!

POOOOOFFFF!!!!!

A ball of flames erupts from the beasts ferocious jaws. Fireball after fireball. The humidity that weighed heavy throughout the day was evaporated by hair-singeing heat. In unison, the crowd Ooo’d and Ahhh’d.

First Vietnam’s humid climate and now roasting flames? Give me a break! Well, Da Nang’s star heard my internal pleas for a drink. Steam surrounded the area where the flames erupted, and out shot a cannon stream of water! After three or four surges of water, shooting out over hundreds, if not thousands, I was completely drenched. I had grossly underestimated the super-soaker skills of this steel beast.

 

 

Shrieks of joy and excitement radiated through the night air, even the smarter girls who had donned an umbrella weren’t able to escape the fury. As I walked back through the lingering, laughing, soggy crowd, I was only greeted by cheerful smiles. It was contagious. It was in those few minutes that cemented Da Nang as Vietnam’s underrated city, and a night I won’t soon forget.

 

Golden Bridge

Vietnam’s Golden Bridge is a relatively new attraction just outside the city of Da Nang. This pedestrian bridge spans 150 meters, while two giant hands of stone appear to support this gold-painted scenic viewpoint.

While the Golden Bridge in central Vietnam is only 42km from downtown Da Nang, expect the journey to take around 1hr and 45 minutes, due to the intense winding, switchback-style roads leading up to the viewpoint. You can hail a taxi from Da Nang, or take a private tour to Golden Bridge.

 

Da Nang Information

(NOTE: the events of a fire-breathing, water-spouting dragon ONLY take place on Weekends and Holidays!)

Da Nang airport is located around 5km West of downtown Da Nang. Plenty of taxis greet passengers at the arrival doors. I found the green taxi’s to be usually a little cheaper than rivals. Thankfully, all taxis I encountered in Da Nang use meters. I suggest taking some kind of mapping app as a few drivers have been known to take…interesting routes, to say the least. Maps.me is an offline map app that allows you to pin locations and get directions, all while no internet whatsoever.

I stayed at Lighthouse Da Nang Hostel, a sleepy security guard woke up to allow me access to my dormitory at 3am. A private goes for around 400,000 VND ($17 USD) and a dorm bed around 127,000 VND ($5.50 USD)

Vietnam is full of amazing sights, a memorable activity is cruising Ha Long Bay!

 

Da Nang Map

 

Da Nang Highlights

• A fire-breathing, water-wielding steel dragon that changes colors. What more do you need, really?!
• Da Nang is stunning at night, stroll the streets of bright neon lights, or take a cruise on a boat that’s a damn good excuse for a light bulb!
• Linh Ung Pagoda gives a stunning view, especially at sunset. Coupled with the Lady Buddha statue beaming white, it’s a fantastic place to get acquainted with Da Nang and a local Buddhist temple.

 

Have your own story about Da Nang, this feisty dragon, or comments/questions?  Love to hear what you have to say! Leave a comment below!

 

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