Da Nang on Foot: Bridges and Riverfront

Da Nang is spread out, but the stretch of the Han River in the city centre is compact enough to walk in an evening. This page lays out a self-guided circuit from the Cham museum to the Dragon Bridge, then adds a beach walk and two on-foot options outside the centre. Prices are in Vietnamese dong (VND) and approximate, so check them before you go.

The riverfront circuit

  1. Museum of Cham Sculpture. Start at the corner of Bach Dang and 2 Thang 9 streets. The museum was founded in 1915 and its galleries hold Champa sandstone and terracotta work from the 7th to 13th centuries. Entry is about 60,000 VND, and an hour inside sets the tone for the walk.
  2. Han Market and the riverside. The downtown circuit takes in Han Market for a look at everyday shopping before you turn to the water and follow the Bach Dang promenade.
  3. Han River Swing Bridge. Vietnam’s first swing bridge pivots 90 degrees on its axis at around 23:00 on weekends so cargo ships can pass. That is late, and the timing can shift, so treat it as a bonus rather than the plan.
  4. Dragon Bridge. The golden dragon is 666 metres long. On Saturdays and Sundays at 21:00, traffic stops and the dragon breathes two bursts of fire followed by water vapour. Stand along Tran Hung Dao street, and keep clear of the head unless you want to get wet.
  5. Son Tra Night Market. Browsing the stalls near the bridge is free, and food stalls make an easy finish.

On other nights the show is not running, which makes for a quieter walk.

Beach walk at My Khe and Non Nuoc

Public access to My Khe, Non Nuoc and Man Thai beaches is free. Go early, before the heat builds to 30 to 36 degrees Celsius in the dry months from March to August. From September to December the surf is rough and red flags mean no swimming, so stay on the dry sand and well back from the waves.

Marble Mountains on foot

The Marble Mountains are on the coast road south of the city. General entry is about 40,000 VND. You can reach the main cave level by the 15,000 VND one-way elevator, or climb the stairs and save that fee. Am Phu Cave’s ticket is quoted at 20,000 to 40,000 VND, so confirm locally. Footing on wet marble steps is slippery after rain.

Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An is a good town for walking. It is about 45 minutes south of Da Nang by road, and the pedestrian streets, yellow shophouses and Japanese Covered Bridge are all within a short stroll. The heritage ticket costs about 120,000 VND and covers five historic sites.

Walking tips

  • Cross streets at a steady pace, without stopping. Motorbikes steer around walkers who move predictably.
  • Carry water, wear a hat and keep sunscreen handy.
  • A Grab ride between stops costs about 30,000 to 60,000 VND when the heat wins.

Read more: see the sightseeing guide for the landmarks beyond the centre. Guided walks can be compared on GetYourGuide , and the city tourism board posts event dates at Danang FantastiCity .