The Skyscanner guide to visiting Da Nang
Dragon Bridge, Mable Mountains, China Beach. There’s so much to see and do in Da Nang.
You’ll discover caves home to century old Buddhas, relax on one of the six best beaches in the world and discover classic Vietnamese street food.
So, let’s plan your trip. With our Da Nang travel guide, you’ll be sorted for flights, visas, where to stay and your journey from the airport.
Destination routes and airlines
You can fly to Da Nang from major Indian cities including Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and more. Most flights aren’t direct and stop in travel hubs like Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. View the available routes below with airlines including VietJet Air, Air Asia and IndiGo.
Da Nang International Airport
Airlines operating direct flights from India to Da Nang include:
Viet Jet Air
Flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata
Air Asia
Flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad
IndiGo
Flights from Mumbai, Delhi
Vietnam Airlines
Flights from Mumbai, Hyderabad
Visas & travel insurance requirements
You need a visa to travel to Vietnam. The easiest way is to apply for an e-Visa from the Vietnamese government before you travel. For a fee of USD $17, your visa will be processed within two working days and gives you 30 days to explore Vietnam.
You can apply for a Visa on Arrival, but a Vietnam e-Visa is the simplest option. You can even get it processed in four hours in an emergency, but we recommend applying a few days in advance to make sure you have plenty of time.
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival date
- You need two blank pages in your passport for stamps
You don’t need travel insurance to fly to Vietnam, but it always makes sense. Good travel insurance will cover for you medical expenses, cancelled flights, loss or theft of valuables, and more. Make sure you shop around to get a good deal. And if you’re planning on doing any water sports – always popular on the beach in Da Nang – check you have travel insurance to cover it.
Getting into Da Nang from the airport
If you’re flying straight to Da Nang, you’ll arrive at Da Nang International Airport. It’s one of the third biggest airports in Vietnam, alongside Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
Your flight from India will arrive at the international terminal, and you’ll need to travel the 5km into the city centre.
Taxi
The journey from Da Nang airport into the city centre usually takes around 10-15 minutes, so jumping in a taxi is a convenient way to do it. It’s ideal if you’re travelling in a big group or have elderly passengers. There’s a taxi rank outside the airport, with the journey costing on average VND 80,000 to 120,000.
Or you’ll find many airport taxi services you can pre-book online to ensure your taxi is waiting for you when you arrive. These will likely be more expensive, but you won’t need to wait in line for a taxi outside the airport.
Bus
For the cheapest transport into Da Nang, hop on the bus at the airport. Your fare will depend on your route and destination, but expect to pay around VND 10,000.
Hotel Transfer
Depending on where you’re staying, your hotel may run free transfers to and from the airport.
It is definitely worth speaking to the hotel you book with before you fly to see if this is the case. You can pre-book your transfers to and from the airport, and best of all, it won’t cost you anything.
Car Hire
You can hire a car in Da Nang, though it is one of the more expensive options for transport in Vietnam as the public transportation works out a lot cheaper than a car hire a day rate.
Best places to stay in Da Nang
Da Nang has plenty of great places to stay. Choose from:
Hai Chau District
This is the bustling heart of the city and the perfect spot to base yourself on your Vietnamese adventure. It’s famed for its many landmarks including the stunning pink Da Nang Cathedral – built in the French colonial period, it’s a nod to both past European influence and the culture of Vietnam today. Dragon Bridge and its fire breathing weekend nights is not to be missed, as is the Museum of Cham Culture offering a look into the Cham Civilisation.
Street food is most definitely on the menu in Hai Chau with local vendors selling banh mi (French style baguette sandwich packed with salad and meat), pho (the most famous Vietnamese soup of all), bun bo Hue (a rich noodle dish that originates in Hue) and local specialty mi Quang – noodle soup with spices, herbs and pork or shrimp. A cycle ride next to the Han River along Bach Dang Road is a fantastic way to get around and explore the city at a slower pace.
You’ll find the full range of hotels here including some luxury options at affordable prices.
Hotels near Hai Chau
Son Tra Peninsula
Son Tra Peninsula is packed with long pristine white beaches – particular favourites include Da Den Beach, South Beach and the wild charm of Tien Sa. You’ll also find stunning mountain landscapes and dense forests. Plus, it’s called Monkey Mountain for a reason – yes, there are plenty of monkeys that call it home.
Head to the top for traditional Vietnamese villages and don’t forget to spend a little time marvelling at the majesty of Lady Buddha – she stands serenely 67m high as the tallest Buddha statue in all of Vietnam.
To rest your head in Son Tra, it’s all about a little luxury. We’re talking 5-star hotels nestled into the mountain with some of the best views in Da Nang.
Hotels near Son Tra
Ngu Hanh Son District
Mountains and beach. That’s Vietnam in a nutshell and nowhere better is that represented in Da Nang than in Ngu Hanh Son District. It’s home to the Marble Mountains and their network of walkways, caves and pagodas. Staying here is all about exploring the limestone cliffs and their many treasures within. And when you’re done wandering, you can take to the sands on the likes of My Khe Beach, Non Nuoc Beach, Bac My An beach, and more. Bac My An market is always well worth a visit too.
When it comes to hotels, think beachside luxury 5-star or beach bungalows where you can go to sleep with the sound of the waves.
Hotels near Ngu Hanh Son
My Khe Beach (China Beach)
Nicknamed China Beach by soldiers during the Vietnam war, My Khe Beach has been named one of the six best beaches in the world. The sand is immaculate, the water is gentle and the setting is always spectacular. If you want a beach escape during your time in Da Nang, this is the place to do it.
And if you’re after a little luxury at the same time, you’ll find it in the stunning beachside resorts and hotels here.
My Khe Beach (China Beach)
Da Nang prices and cost of living
Vietnam is around 31% more expensive than India. During your trip to Da Nang, you can expect to pay:
Street food snack 170IR
Cup of coffee 240IR
Litre of petrol 80IR
Meal for two in a restaurant 1,800IR
Night in a hostel 630IR
There’s your snapshot of the treasures of Da Nang. To discover more about the city, we’re looking at the top beaches, must-see attractions and the best Da Nang hotels. We even show you how to get around.
Thinking of travelling to Da Nang? Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deals for your next trip.
