Vietnam, a country known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture, was the destination of our latest adventure. Our tour focused on two remarkable cities – Da Nang, a beach lover’s paradise, and Hanoi, a bustling city filled with life and markets. But the highlight of our trip? The incredible variety of coffees that Vietnam has to offer, from Egg coffee to Coconut coffee and a myriad of fruit latte flavours.

To make the most of our adventure in Da Nang, we opted for Grab taxis to get around the cities. Grab is a reliable and cost-effective ride-hailing service in Vietnam, ensuring that we reached our destinations conveniently and comfortably. I recommend downloading the app right from the airport to begin your exploration as soon as you land.

Da nang:

Our first stop was Da Nang, where pristine beaches awaited us. Basking in the sun, sipping on fresh coconut water, and trying out unique coffee flavours – it was the perfect way to kickstart our vacation. And let’s not forget the delectable local dishes we indulged in! Our hotel, conveniently located near both the market and the beach, made it easy for us to explore the city on foot.

My Khe beach – Two of the most popular beaches here are Non Nuoc Beach and My Khe Beach. Da Nang has several resorts, hotels, and restaurants facing these beaches, so you can see most of the tourists walking directly from their hotels to hang out at the beach. You can start your beach walk with a refreshing coconut water drink. Crystal clear water, palm trees across the shoreline, and soft sand are perfect for a beach vacation.

Dragon bridge show – This is a show not to be missed and happens only on weekends. The Han River crosses through Da Nang, and Dragon Bridge is a structure that spans this river, designed in the shape of a dragon. On weekends, around 9 pm, there is a fire and water show at this bridge. Most of the tourists and locals gather either at the bridge or at the nearby banks, which have multiple restaurants and hangouts with a good view of the bridge. You can see the bridge light up with the fire and water showers alternating alongside pleasant Vietnamese music in the background.

Night market:   The night market in Da Nang is the ideal destination if you want to buy souvenirs and try some fresh seafood. You can choose live seafood, ensuring the freshness of your dish. During our visit, we tried both lobster and prawns, and they were delicious. The colorful stalls offer a variety of street food and dessert options for those who are not seafood enthusiasts. I noticed that the night market in Da Nang had much cheaper options for the same souvenirs compared to the night markets in Hoi An or Hanoi. While I cannot vouch for the electronics, the clothes were of good quality and reasonably priced. Additionally, this market provides a good view of the Dragon Bridge show at night, so you can plan your visit accordingly.

Marble mountain: This is just a short drive from Da Nang and is one of the commercialized places for selling souvenirs to tourists, all of which are intricately carved out of marble. You will find a chain of shops selling these marble statues and memorabilia, crafted from the marble quarried from the mountains. Even if you do not wish to purchase any items, the place is still worth a visit for the breathtaking views of the hills and caves it offers.

Hoi an: An ancient town where cars, cabs or any such outside vehicles are not allowed to enter to preserve its cultural beauty.

It is at least a day tour from Da Nang. You can book a cab ride to and fro from your hotel in Da Nang and spend the evening in Hoi An. It is an ancient town and becomes more vibrant at night with lantern-lit streets. We reached the place at 3 and left by 9 pm, but you can plan according to the weather as the days can get quite humid to walk around during summers.

Rickshaws are the way to travel through this town, and boat rides in the river are a popular tourist attraction. As you tour the city, most shops are designed as per local Vietnamese culture, and the historical temples and ancient houses will give a traditional glimpse.

The Japanese bridge at Hoi An is the best place to take pictures as you view the lantern-lit boat rides moving around. As you cross the bridge, you can explore the Hoi An night market and, of course, the street foods. Lanterns are a must-buy from these markets.

Bana hills: A Mountain Retreat and Entertainment Park

It is like Disneyland or an entertainment park, offering a mix of rides, games, cultural performances, dances, and fantasy lands. It serves as a perfect escape from city life, and many day tours are available in Da Nang, where tourists can be taken to Ba Na Hills in a tourist bus or cab early in the morning and return to the city in the evening.

Cable Car Ride: The cable car ride is one of the longest rides, taking nearly 20 minutes to reach the top of the hills. The breathtaking views along the way will leave you wanting more.

Golden Bridge: This bridge is held by two giant hands and is one of the best spots for taking photographs with the stunning backdrop of Ba Na Hills. However, due to its popularity among tourists, the bridge can get quite crowded.

French Village: The cafes and streets here are replicas of ancient European towns, offering the chance to enjoy the architecture and food from various European countries. At regular intervals, you will find a few dance and drama shows being performed in the heart of this village, so you won’t even have a moment to miss the fun.

Fantasy Park: A favourite place for kids, the park features rides and entertainment options that make it a perfect family-friendly amusement park.

Ba Na Hills is ideal for leisurely walks along the natural trails, and you can enjoy music and dance performances happening at every corner of this mountain resort.

Da Nang is a city that has something for every tourist – beaches, mountains, a cultural heritage town, and lots of seafood restaurants. If you plan to visit Vietnam, Da Nang should be a must on your list.