I recently returned from a quick Da Nang trip. Three days, $500 in my pocket. I managed to hit the main attractions, and definitely indulged in a lot of local food. This isn't your typical polished travel guide; it's a straightforward account of my experience, no frills, just what happened.

For those who prefer the highlights before diving deep, here’s a quick summary of my Da Nang adventure:

  • My 3-day Da Nang and Hoi An trip cost under $500, covering accommodation, delicious food, and efficient transport with Grab and organized tours.
  • Day 1: Arrival & Coastal Charm
  • Arrived at Da Nang International Airport (DAD), a short Grab ride (approx. $4 USD) to the hotel. Grab is essential for easy travel.
  • Stayed at A La Carte Da Nang Beach Hotel (around $55-60/night, total $110-120 for 2 nights), perfectly located opposite My Khe Beach, complete with a rooftop pool.
  • Explored the Dragon Bridge area and enjoyed a local bowl of Mi Quang (approx. $1.40).
  • Evening relaxation at My Khe Beach, followed by fresh seafood at Be Man Seafood Restaurant (approx. $16 for a hearty meal with beer).
  • Day 2: Iconic Sights & Market Delights
  • Morning at Ba Na Hills: A full-day tour (approx. $69 via GetYourGuide) to Sun World Ba Na Hills for the famous Golden Bridge and French Village. It's a grand, but sometimes crowded, theme park experience.
  • Afternoon exploration of Marble Mountains: A short Grab ride (approx. $3.20) led to fascinating caves and pagodas (entrance $1.60, elevator $0.60 one-way).
  • Evening foodie adventure: Explored Han Market and indulged in authentic street food like Banh Xeo (approx. $2), keeping dinner under $5.
  • Day 3: Hoi An Excursion & Departure
  • Morning in Hoi An: A 45-minute Grab ride (approx. $10 one-way) to Hoi An Ancient Town. Enjoyed wandering the charming streets and trying the famous Banh Mi Phuong (approx. $1.20).
  • Final Da Nang flavors: Back in Da Nang, a last meal of Bun Cha Ca (approx. $1.60) and some souvenir shopping (approx. $6).
  • Departure: Another smooth Grab ride to Da Nang Airport (approx. $4).
  • Budget Insights:
  • My core expenses for 3 days were about $250-300 USD. The $500 budget provided comfort and flexibility for extra indulgences.
  • Money-Saving Tips: Use Grab for transport, eat street food, carry Vietnamese Dong (VND), and get a local SIM card or e-SIM.
  • Tours: For convenience, particularly for major sites like Ba Na Hills, booking tours through platforms like GetYourGuide is recommended.
  • Verdict: Da Nang is a safe and accessible city, offering a fantastic blend of urban experiences, beautiful beaches, and cultural excursions.

Day 1: Landing and Local Discoveries

My flight touched down at Da Nang International Airport (DAD) around midday. The airport is quite manageable, and clearing immigration was swift.

First order of business was transportation. The Grab app is indispensable in Vietnam, so make sure to download it beforehand. A ride from the airport to my hotel near My Khe Beach cost roughly 100,000 VND (about $4 USD) and took about 15 minutes.

I chose the A La Carte Da Nang Beach Hotel for its excellent location directly opposite My Khe Beach and its reasonable price of $55-60 per night, totaling $110-120 for two nights. It offered good value, clean rooms, and a pleasant rooftop pool with ocean views.

  • My Accommodation: A La Carte Da Nang Beach Hotel
  • Address: 200 Vo Nguyen Giap, Son Tra, Da Nang
  • Approx. Cost: $55 - $60 USD per night (check current rates for your travel dates).

Check availability here

After dropping my bags, I immediately headed out to explore. I walked towards the impressive Dragon Bridge, a prominent landmark over the Han River. The city felt relaxed during the day, a stark contrast to the bustle of Hanoi or Saigon.

For lunch, I stopped at a local eatery with plastic stools on the sidewalk. I tried Mi Quang, a delightful Da Nang noodle specialty, for just 35,000 VND (about $1.40). Simple, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.

As evening approached, I made my way to My Khe Beach. It's a vast stretch of sand, perfect for unwinding. Locals gather here in the evenings, creating a lively yet peaceful atmosphere.

Dinner was all about fresh seafood. Along Vo Nguyen Giap street, near the beach, you'll find numerous seafood restaurants. I chose Be Man Seafood Restaurant, a popular and bustling spot. I hand-picked fresh prawns and a whole fish, grilled to perfection, along with a couple of local beers. The bill came to about 400,000 VND (around $16 USD) – a pricier meal, but an authentic and delicious experience.

I ended my first day with a leisurely stroll back to the hotel along the beach road, reflecting on the relaxed start to my Da Nang trip.

Day 2: Grand Attractions and Street Food Hunts

Day two was more ambitious, focusing on two major attractions that are integral to any Da Nang itinerary.

My morning began with a visit to Ba Na Hills, a unique mountain resort and theme park located about 45 minutes to an hour outside the city. For this excursion, I opted for a full-day tour via GetYourGuide, which included hotel pickup, transport, and the cable car ticket for approximately $69. This proved to be a convenient and time-saving choice.

Check availability here

The cable car ride itself offers breathtaking views. At the top, the famous Golden Bridge (Cau Vang), with its giant stone hands, is undoubtedly the star attraction. While unique and impressive, be prepared for crowds. The "French Village" and other themed zones contribute to a theme park-like ambiance. I spent about 4 hours exploring, grabbing a quick banh mi and coffee for 70,000 VND ($2.80).

After returning to Da Nang, a Grab ride (approx. 80,000 VND / $3.20) took me to the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five limestone hills. I focused on Thuy Son, the most accessible, paying 40,000 VND ($1.60) for entrance and an additional 15,000 VND ($0.60) for the one-way elevator ride.

The Marble Mountains offered a captivating mix of natural caves, tunnels, Buddhist pagodas, and scenic viewpoints. The Linh Nham Cave, with its natural opening, was particularly atmospheric. This was a more historical and natural experience compared to Ba Na Hills and a personal highlight.

In the evening, I explored Han Market, one of Da Nang’s largest and most vibrant markets. It's a fantastic spot for souvenirs and, more importantly, street food. I found a stall selling Banh Xeo (Vietnamese sizzling crepes) for about 50,000 VND ($2), along with fresh spring rolls and a fruit shake. My dinner easily stayed under $5.

A final evening stroll along the Han River revealed the brilliantly lit Dragon Bridge. If your visit aligns, don't miss the fire and water show from the dragon's mouth on Saturday and Sunday evenings at 9 PM.

Just a heads-up: I've included affiliate links for hotels and tours that I've personally used or recommend. If you book through them, I earn a small commission, which helps support my work, at no extra cost to you.

Day 3: Hoi An Charm and Da Nang Farewell

My final day on this Da Nang trip was a split between the ancient charm of Hoi An and a last taste of Da Nang before my flight.

I started by heading to Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site about 45 minutes to an hour from Da Nang. A Grab ride cost around 250,000 VND (about $10) one-way. You can also find shared minivan services for a cheaper option.

Hoi An’s narrow streets, colorful lanterns, and blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architecture create a captivating atmosphere. You can explore the town freely without a ticket. While an "ancient town ticket" (120,000 VND / $5) grants access to specific heritage sites and the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, I chose to simply wander and absorb the general ambiance, which felt perfectly sufficient.

My main mission in Hoi An was to try the legendary Banh Mi Phuong. Despite the queue, it moved swiftly, and for 30,000 VND ($1.20), I savored an absolutely delicious, packed banh mi. It's a definite must-try if you're visiting Hoi An as part of your Da Nang trip. I also crossed the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, smaller than I'd imagined but still very picturesque.

Around 1 PM, I took another Grab back to Da Nang (approximately 250,000 VND / $10).

With a few hours to spare before my flight, I sought out a final local meal near my hotel. I sampled Bun Cha Ca, a distinctive fish cake noodle soup, for 40,000 VND ($1.60). I also picked up some last-minute souvenirs, like Vietnamese coffee and small lacquerware, spending about 150,000 VND ($6) in the An Thuong area.

My journey concluded with a smooth Grab ride back to Da Nang Airport (another 100,000 VND / $4) for my evening flight.