Exploring Da Nang & Hoi An – Beaches, Mountains, and Lanterns

Arrival at Da Nang Airport

Da Nang Airport made a great first impression. The signage for GRAB taxis was clear, and staff were present to assist travelers. One small surprise was that we had to send a picture of our location to the driver—something the GRAB staff guided us through.

Da Nang felt much more relaxed than Hanoi, with fewer crowds. March is supposed to have good weather, but we arrived to cloudy skies. Still, the temperature was noticeably warmer than in Hanoi.

Exploring Marble Mountain

One of our main activities was visiting Marble Mountain, about a 30-minute drive from our hotel. Since the site is home to pagodas and temples, we dressed conservatively and were glad we wore hiking shoes—though plenty of people managed in sandals and Crocs.

We started with Am Phu Cave (20,000 VND entry). It’s a one-way-in, one-way-out experience with impressive rock formations and eerie statues depicting scenes from Buddhist hell. Depending on your fitness level and curiosity, you can explore various side paths, some requiring a bit of scrambling.

A highlight was climbing to a viewpoint via steep, narrow steps. You’ll need to use your hands at times, grabbing onto the rings and railings provided. It’s easy to see why it wouldn’t be ideal in hot or rainy weather—between the heat buildup and the already slippery stone steps, caution is needed.

Instead of taking the elevator, we entered through the main pathway (40,000 VND entry). While we didn’t explore everything, we got a great sense of the site before feeling ready to move on.

A Heartwarming Encounter

While sitting near a fire, a young child approached us to practice English. This also happened in Hoi An, where two kids, accompanied by their teacher, stopped us to chat. As a teacher myself, I couldn’t say no! It was interesting—sometimes the conversations felt like oral presentations, sometimes just simple questions like, "Do you like milk?" In Japan, I had heard that Canadians are popular as English tutors because of our clear pronunciation. If this ever happens to you, take a moment to enjoy it!

Nighttime Spectacle – Dragon Bridge Fire Show

At 9 PM on weekends, Da Nang’s Dragon Bridge comes alive with a fire and water show. We headed to the Dragon Carp Fountain area, where crowds had gathered—some sitting on chairs enjoying food, others standing on the bridge. The heat from the fire was intense, even from our vantage point! Boats also park nearby for a unique view of the show.

⏳ Tip: Restaurants in Da Nang tend to close early. Make sure to have dinner before 9:30 PM, as many kitchens shut down by then.

Day Trip to Hoi An

Hoi An is only 50 minutes from Da Nang by car, and finding a GRAB ride both ways was easy—even at 9 PM.

We arrived in the mid-afternoon, which turned out to be perfect. A later arrival might have been even better, as Hoi An truly shines at night when the lanterns light up the river.

Food & Shopping

A friend recommended Rau Oi Eatery, a vegan and gluten-free-friendly spot. They had taken a cooking class there and raved about it. While we didn’t have time for the class, we ate at Rau Oi twice in the same day—it was that good! We even treated ourselves to a chocolate milkshake and picked up snacks from their store.

Lanterns, Bridges & A Cultural Show

We wandered through Hoi An’s Old Town, visited the Japanese Covered Bridge, and relaxed at a riverside café, watching the lantern boats drift by.

Originally, I had planned to take a lantern boat ride, but seeing so many boats packed in the same small area, we felt that simply soaking in the atmosphere (and taking a photo) was enough.

Instead, we ended the night with Hoi An Memories, an hour-long performance telling the city’s history through dance, light effects, fire, and water. It’s not Cirque du Soleil, but it’s still an impressive production!

Leaving Da Nang – Airport Tips

For our domestic flight, we stayed just 15 minutes from the airport and arrived a little over an hour before departure. The day before, we received an email that our flight would be delayed by 30 minutes.

Despite the delay, the check-in line was long—we worried we wouldn’t make it. Luckily, airline staff called for Phu Quoc passengers to step aside for priority check-in.

✈️ Pro tip: If you do online check-in, look for a baggage drop-off sign near the priority lane to avoid waiting unnecessarily!

Final Thoughts

Da Nang and Hoi An offered a mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation. While the weather wasn’t perfect, we still had an amazing time. If you’re heading there, bring good walking shoes, dress respectfully for temples, and stay out late in Hoi An for the lantern magic!