Plan 01
1 day in Da Nang
- 01
Day 1: Cham gods, a dragon and the river
Start at the Museum of Cham Sculpture when it opens and spend about an hour among the Hindu carvings. Walk to Han Market for fruit and coffee, then have a vegetarian lunch at a plant-based restaurant. In the afternoon, take a car to the Marble Mountains and see the caves if the heat allows, or rest and go to My Khe Beach for a gentle walk. After dark, walk the Han River promenade and see the Dragon Bridge lit up; on a Saturday or Sunday, check the show timing.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Museum of Cham Sculpture 1-2 hours Easy Morning, or any time it is raining or very hot Han Market 1-1.5 hours Easy Morning, before about 11 am Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) 2-3 hours Demanding Early morning, in the drier months from about February to May My Khe Beach 1-3 hours Easy Early morning or late afternoon; the sea is usually calmest in the dry months from about February to August Han River Promenade 45-90 minutes Easy Evening, after about 5 pm Dragon Bridge 30-60 minutes Easy Evening after dark; weekend nights for the show Pace: Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.
With parents at Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son): The summit stairway has 156 steps, plus uneven cave paths with little handrail and low light. Older travellers can skip the top, use the lift where offered and choose one or two pagoda courtyards near the bottom.
Plan 02
2 days in Da Nang
- 01
Day 1: Museum, market and river
Spend the morning at the Museum of Cham Sculpture, then Han Market. After a rest, walk the Han River promenade to the Dragon Bridge and eat near the river.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Museum of Cham Sculpture 1-2 hours Easy Morning, or any time it is raining or very hot Han Market 1-1.5 hours Easy Morning, before about 11 am Han River Promenade 45-90 minutes Easy Evening, after about 5 pm Dragon Bridge 30-60 minutes Easy Evening after dark; weekend nights for the show Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
- 02
Day 2: Hills, caves and sea
Go to the Marble Mountains in the early morning, then return for lunch at a vegan cafe near the beach. In the late afternoon, visit My Khe Beach or drive over Son Tra Peninsula to Linh Ung Pagoda for the Lady Buddha and the sea view.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) 2-3 hours Demanding Early morning, in the drier months from about February to May My Khe Beach 1-3 hours Easy Early morning or late afternoon; the sea is usually calmest in the dry months from about February to August Son Tra Peninsula 3-4 hours Moderate Morning, in the drier months from about February to May Pace: Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.
With parents at Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son): The summit stairway has 156 steps, plus uneven cave paths with little handrail and low light. Older travellers can skip the top, use the lift where offered and choose one or two pagoda courtyards near the bottom.
With parents at Son Tra Peninsula: Most of the experience is from a car or scooter taxi on winding roads. Older travellers should choose a car with a driver, avoid steep walks and carry water, as facilities along the road are limited.
Plan 03
3 days in Da Nang
- 01
Day 1: Cham heritage and the river
Visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture, Han Market and the promenade. End at the Dragon Bridge after dark.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Museum of Cham Sculpture 1-2 hours Easy Morning, or any time it is raining or very hot Han Market 1-1.5 hours Easy Morning, before about 11 am Dragon Bridge 30-60 minutes Easy Evening after dark; weekend nights for the show Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
- 02
Day 2: Marble Mountains and the coast
Do the Marble Mountains early. Rest through the heat, then take a gentle walk on My Khe Beach at sunset.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) 2-3 hours Demanding Early morning, in the drier months from about February to May My Khe Beach 1-3 hours Easy Early morning or late afternoon; the sea is usually calmest in the dry months from about February to August Pace: Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.
With parents at Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son): The summit stairway has 156 steps, plus uneven cave paths with little handrail and low light. Older travellers can skip the top, use the lift where offered and choose one or two pagoda courtyards near the bottom.
- 03
Day 3: Son Tra or the hills
Choose between a half-day on Son Tra Peninsula and Linh Ung Pagoda, or a full day at Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge. Book the cable car early and carry a light jacket. If you prefer a drive, take the old Hai Van Pass road towards Hue with a driver.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Son Tra Peninsula 3-4 hours Moderate Morning, in the drier months from about February to May Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge 5-7 hours with travel Moderate Weekday mornings; the hills are cooler than the coast Hai Van Pass 3-5 hours as a round trip, or on the way to Hue Easy Clear mornings, in the drier months from about February to May Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Son Tra Peninsula: Most of the experience is from a car or scooter taxi on winding roads. Older travellers should choose a car with a driver, avoid steep walks and carry water, as facilities along the road are limited.
With parents at Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge: The cable car and paved paths avoid steep climbs, but the resort is large, crowded and has long queues. Take wheelchair or buggy options where available, plan rests and carry a light jacket, as the top is cooler and often misty.
Read before you go
Guides for the stops on these routes
Pacing
Pacing a Da Nang trip for parents and children
- Plan sightseeing before 11 am and again after 4 pm; midday heat and humidity from May to August are tiring.
- Choose the Cham Museum, the riverside promenade and Linh Ung Pagoda as easier days, and keep the Marble Mountains steps and Ba Na Hills for the best-rested day.
- Use a car with a driver for longer trips, and agree the price before you leave; Wikivoyage warns that some taxi drivers raise return fares on long routes.
- Travel insurance matters. Hoan My Hospital and Family Medical Practice are both on Nguyen Van Linh Street and are used by expats; ask your hotel for the nearest option and carry prescriptions.
- Cross roads at a steady pace and let scooters pass around you; do not stop or run mid-road.
- Carry a card with your hotel name and address in Vietnamese for taxis.
Book the pieces
Stay close to the route
Pick a base near the first day's sights. Our guide to where to stay in Da Nang compares the areas.
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