Things to do in  Da Nang

It might be Vietnam’s third-largest city and one of its busiest cruise ports, but Da Nang is more than just an urban center. Located 479 miles (770 kilometers) south of Hanoi and 528 miles (850 kilometers) north of Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang oozes character, from its French colonial architecture to its lively night markets and atmospheric Han riverfront, lined with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. It’s easy to take in the top attractions in a day, touring the Museum of Cham Sculpture, posing for photos by the Lady Buddha statue, and admiring Dragon Bridge, which is dramatically illuminated at night. Guided tours that combine popular sights like these save you the headache of navigating from one attraction to the next. You can even make it out to the jagged peaks of the Marble Mountains, which keep watch over the city’s southern border, on a day trip. Equally enticing are the sandy shores of My Khe beach and Non Nuoc beach. Just beyond the city, the Son Tra Peninsula harbors natural wonders such as Monkey Mountain and Lang Co beach, as well as Hai Van Pass. Hai Van Pass is one of Vietnam’s most memorable coastal drives, and motorbike tours give you the thrilling option to experience it the local way. A little farther afield, the majestic My Son Sanctuary and the forested hills of Bach Ma National Park abound with photo opportunities, while neighboring Hoi An is renowned for its atmospheric ancient town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.