With direct flights from the Middle East now regularly connecting to this dynamic, modern city, Da Nang offers discerning visitors the ideal balance: world-class modern hospitality that seamlessly blends with traditional, immersive Central Vietnamese experiences. Boasting some of Asia’s most spectacular beaches and luxurious resorts, Da Nang truly gives you the best of both worlds.
This comprehensive guide is your essential go-to to the region's very best, leading you from the instantly recognisable Golden Bridge and the serene shores of Cua Dai Beach to an innovative and unexpectedly burgeoning culinary landscape. For first timer's (like me) prepare to discover the perfect blend of seaside luxury, rich history, and unforgettable local flavours that define Da Nang (and Hoi An) as an unmissable destination.
A true highlight of the Central region is the dynamic coastal city of Da Nang, perfectly complemented by the UNESCO-listed gem of Hoi An just minutes away.
Getting There & Visas
The initial leg of this escape is smoother than you might expect. While direct flights from Riyadh to Hanoi or Da Nang are not yet available, Emirates has recently launched a selection of flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Vietnam, including a direct connection to Hanoi, Da Nang with a petite pause in Bangkok and a non-stop flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Other major airlines in the region such as Etihad and Qatar Airways. Although there is a small (on-board) layover of one hour and forty-five minutes pause in Bangkok, I flew into Da Nang to start my exploration of Vietnam.
Saudi Arabian citizens and European passport holders need a visa to enter Vietnam, and the process is all applicable online via an eVisa portal. The cost of the e-visa is approximately USD$25 for a single-entry visa which is valid for up to 90 days or USD$50 for a multiple-entry visa. I recommend applying as early as you can or at least 7 to 10 days before your departing flight just incase there are delays, though expedited services are available if needed.
Your Guide to Da Nang - Where to Stay, What to Do and Where to Eat
STAY: Renaissance Da Nang Hoi An Resort & Spa
The Renaissance Da Nang Hoi An Resort & Spa is perfectly situated to serve as a tranquil base for exploring Central Vietnam due to its ideal location on the quieter, picturesque edge of Cua Dai Beach, placing it perfectly between the vibrant city of Da Nang and the historic charm of Hoi An Ancient Town. Ideal for families, groups of friends and couples, I believe that the location is excellent, with Da Nang International Airport (DAD) just a quick 35-minute transfer away.
A sprawling resort, this is as top-end as it gets in Vietnam. The Renaissance is equipped with all the modern comforts and leisure amenities discerning guests expect, including a gym, shared pool, kid's club and a spa.
For the ultimate retreat, I'd highly recommend upgrading to one of the Renaissance's selection of exclusive beachside villas such as 8201 - 8205. These Three-Bedroom Villas offer guests a sprawling, generous space ideal for a larger family or a group of friends. Inside, the living space showcases elegant grandeur with plush couches and tall ceilings, making the villa feel bright and airy. The villas also feature a fully functioning, contemporary kitchen and dedicated dining area, allowing guests the option of preparing home-cooked meals or, for a truly decadent experience, arranging for the resort's chef team to host a private meal right in your villa.
The true star, however, lies outdoors: the private infinity pool. Framed by gently swaying palms, and the sounds of nature, this pool offers panoramic, uninterrupted views of the ocean and the perfect perch for reading a book, enjoying a Vietnamese coffee or getting some work done on the laptop.
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EAT: Nén, Da Nang
Vietnam's First MICHELIN Green Star Award Winner, a meal at Nén is truly something special. Shared with four friends, this meal was nothing short of incredible. Pivoting on locally sourced, fresh ingredients and menu that has been created on the basis of deep storytelling, this is a Green Star dining experience that is incomparable to any other I've enjoyed.
Under the guidance of Chef Summer Le, the city's culinary scene has reached an exceptional peak at Nén. Celebrated for its focus on refined Central Vietnamese cuisine, Nén elevates traditional recipes using modern, creative techniques and the freshest local ingredients. The tasting menus tell a story of the region’s heritage, delivering sophisticated flavours and impeccable presentation, earning it recognition for sustainability and gastronomic excellence. Dining here is an intimate, artful affair that provides an unforgettable taste of Vietnam.
DRINK: Traditional Vietnamese iced coffee or egg coffee
Of course, no trip to Vietnam is complete without experiencing the caffeinated creation that is traditional Vietnamese iced coffee or even egg coffee. Found in any decent hotel and on almost every corner of the city, this is coffee in rich, chocolatey and punchy form that you will remember forever.
Small but mighty, an iced Vietnamese coffee, or Cà Phê Sữa Đá, consists of three main ingredients: very strong, dark-roasted coffee (usually robusta blend) slow-dripped through a metal filter, a generous layer of sweet condensed milk, and a glass full of ice. The condensed milk is crucial for balancing the coffee's intensity, and bringing out the chocolate flavours of the robusta beans.
Vietnamese Egg Coffee (Cà Phê Trứng) isn't just another coffee drink, it’s a creamy, decadent masterpiece and a true cultural staple. Like the traditional iced coffee, you'll find this caffeinated drink also starts with the strong, dark foundation of local robusta coffee, topped with a thick, frothy layer of whisked egg yolk and sweet condensed milk, giving us a layer of sweetness that is similar to a soft meringue. Served warm or cold, the surprising combination of bitter coffee and rich, sweet foam creates a texture and flavour you absolutely won't forget.
Either are the perfect fuel for a day exploring the bustling Hoi An Old Quarter or taking on the vibrancy of Da Nang city.
DO: Visit Hoi An
A quick 15 minutes by complimentary shuttle from the Renaissance Da Nang, Hoi An town is a must visit for first timer's. Hoi An has a reputation as being a world-famous hub for bespoke craftsmanship. From clothing to leather goods, and even design-led decor, there is something to suite everyone's tastes and interests.
This exceptionally preserved trading port is a kaleidoscope of yellow merchant houses, red lanterns, and ornate temples. The bustling town has tailoring stores on every corner, with many known for their unparalleled rapid and high-quality tailoring services; from perfectly fitted suits and tuxedos to exquisite silk evening gowns and unique designs, you can select fabric and receive multiple fittings, often with a finished garment ready in under 48 hours, and in some cases delivered to your hotel. This bespoke experience offers phenomenal value and quality. Alongside tailoring, the town's skilled artisans produce high-quality, custom leather goods. Visitors can commission leather bags, shoes, and wallets, choosing the type of leather, colour, and design details for a truly personal souvenir of your visit.
As dusk settles, take a short trip to the canal and hire a lantern boat (a sampan) for a serene glide down the water. The thousands of colourful paper lanterns lighting up the water and the ancient town is abuzz with a Disney like vibrancy, creating a magical and memorable scene.
APPRECIATE: Learn about the history of Vietnam at Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture & take a cyclo tour of the city
A Da Nang cyclo tour offers a relaxed way to see the city's landmarks like the Dragon Bridge, Han River, and My Khe Beach, with options including museum visits, local markets, and street food. With stops along the way including to take in the impressive Dragon Bridge in the middle of the city, and a visit to the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, these tours combine traditional transport with modern sightseeing, often with knowledgeable guides.
To appreciate the region's ancient past, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture is indispensable. Housing the world's most extensive collection of Cham artistry, the museum showcases exquisitely carved sandstone relics from the Champa kingdom, dating back centuries. It is a peaceful, essential pilgrimage for lovers of history and fine art.
EXPLORE: The local markets and artisans
If you like to experience a city by immersing yourself in the action, you need to visit the bustling Han Market in Da Nang. A cacophony of sounds, sights and smells, the sellers of Han Market showcase an array of local fruits - both fresh and dried, spices, and silks, trinkets, mock designer goods and freshly made meals. While more vibrant and less curated than boutique shopping, it is perfect for adding some local colour (and flavour) to your day.
For a souvenir of lasting elegance visit Minh Long Porcelain Showroom in Hải Châu, in Da Nang. This renowned Vietnamese porcelain manufacturer produces fine bone china and ceramic wares known for their incredible purity, durability, and classic Vietnamese artistry. Our group first discovered this famous, local china artisans during our visit to Nén. The restaurant's water jugs are tall, white porcelain bottles decorated with sea creatures from jelly fish on one, to fish and whales on another. We each returned to Dubai with at least one of our own in our suitcases.
SNAP: The Golden 'Hands' Bridge & Ba Na Hills resort
Arguably the most famous modern landmark in Vietnam, the Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills is an unmissable destination. To reach this new architectural marvel, visitors must first journey up the mountain by taking a ride on one of the record-breaking cable car rides within the expansive Sun World Ba Na Hills resort complex. If you're afraid of heights, make sure to keep your eyes squeezed shut!
Instantly recognisable and now an international online sensation, the Golden Bridge or 'Hands Bridge' is a suspended golden walkway that appears to be almost floating between the hill faces, held aloft only by two massive, ancient-looking stone hands emerging magically from the mountainside. This incredible optical illusion makes you feel as though you are walking along a golden silk strip being gently cradled by the hands of a mountain god.
Pitched over 1,400 meters (more than 4,600 feet) above sea level, the bridge is often enveloped in dramatic clouds and mist, (like it was during our visit!) perfectly enhancing the ethereal feeling of walking in the sky. It also offers truly breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Da Nang coastline in the distance.
The surrounding Ba Na Hills complex is a captivating world unto itself: a delightful mish-mash of beautifully manicured gardens, faux colonial French architecture, and trending stores like PopMart, rides and live entertainment, providing families in particular with a full day of sightseeing and fun for visitors of all ages above the clouds.
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All images by author unless otherwise stated
