Day Trips from Da Nang

Son Tra is the forested headland immediately north-east of Da Nang, half an hour by road, with a loop road climbing to viewpoints over the city and the bay. The Lady Buddha statue at Linh Ung pagoda stands on its lower slope, and red-shanked douc langurs live in the forest above. It is the shortest trip on this list and the only one you can do on a scooter in a morning.

The Cham Islands are a group of eight granite islands about 15 kilometres off Cua Dai, a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2009, with one fishing village on Hon Lao and clear water for snorkelling. Boats run from Cua Dai or Hoi An in the calm months and stop altogether in rough weather, which is the one thing to check before planning the day.

Known For : Hue Imperial City Thien Mu Pagoda Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh

Hue was the imperial capital under the Nguyen dynasty and holds the walled Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City inside it, and the emperors' tombs strung along the Perfume River outside town. It lies about two and a half hours from Da Nang, over the Hai Van Pass or through the tunnel beneath it. Of everything on this list it is the longest day, and the one most often stretched into an overnight.

Best Time: February - August

40 Hue Attractions

Recognized by UNESCO as the world heritage site, Site Archelogique de My Son is a series of over 70 partly ruined Hindu temples which were built between in the 4th to the 14th century AD by the rulers of Champa. The temples are mainly dedicated to Lord Shiva, and parts of these were destroyed in the American Vietnam war bombings.

Bach Ma National park is a perfect destination for nature lovers. It is a highlight on land and home for a varied range of flora and fauna with about 358 bird species. It is a protected area in central Vietnam, close to the city of Hue. Bach ma tends to be the most beautiful park of Vietnam and receives tourists round the year. It is also proclaimed as one of the wettest areas in Vietnam.

Best Time: June-August

A cluster of five hills made of marble and limestone, famously known as the Marble Mountains, is a revered site in Da Nang for the Buddhist sanctuaries and other ancient sites found here. There are many peaks, caves, temples which attract the tourists from all religions. The Marble mountains is a well-known pilgrimage site, comprised of many caves, grottoes, tunnels, and temples, hemmed in by the fringes of these hills.

Linh Ung Pagoda has the honour of housing the highest statue of Lady Bodhisattva (Lady Buddha) in all of Vietnam, a 67 meters high marvel that sits inside the courtyard of this sanctum. The statue is carved out on a sparkling white marble stone along with many other sculptures of Buddha, and Arhats imparting unique expressions to each.

As one of the day excursions from Da Nang, My Lai is a historic site elemental to Vietnamese history. Vietnam’s past has chapters of tragedy and misfortune, and this memorial village stands witness to them. Interaction with the local community, first-hand experiences of wartime stories, surfing through artefacts, and exploring the notable Champa tower are all a history buff’s delight.

Known For : Hoi An Old Town Japanese Bridge Hoi An Night Market

The obvious day trip from Da Nang and, oddly, the one most itineraries forget to name. Half an hour south, the old town is a preserved trading port of tiled shophouses, Japanese and Chinese merchant halls and a covered bridge, closed to cars for much of the day. Go late afternoon for the lantern-lit river and stay for dinner rather than arriving at noon.

Best Time: February to August

40 Hoi An Attractions