Da Nang, Vietnam is a turning into a bit of a backpacker hot spot. Located on the central coast of Vietnam, this vibrant city offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and urban excitement. Whether you’re a soloing your way through South East Asia or travelling as a pack on the hunt for a good time, Da Nang will not disappoint.
When I first arrived in Da Nang I had no idea what to expect. I had just finished a three day motorbike loop in Ha Giang so the idea of dunking myself into the ocean was more than enough to sell me on this city. Whether you’re bidding farewell to the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh city, or seeking some sand and sun after an adventure in the North of Vietnam, a stop in Da Nang should not be overlooked.
Da Nang is not only a paradise for beach lovers, but also a haven for adventure enthusiasts. If you’re a solo adventurer seeking a thrill, Da Nang has got you covered. I advise you get your international drivers license ready (if you have one…) because we are going for a ride. There are plenty of businesses scattered across Da Nang where you can rent a motorbike. I liked Quang Nga At Da Nang as they offer a lot of different varieties of bikes from trusty semi-manuals to comfy scooters. To rent a bike for one day, most places in the city will charge on average 140,000 VND. I found that most hotels and hostels in the city have bike rental services so you’ll never have to look too hard. A little snippet of “been there done that” advice for you all, remember to fill your tank the moment you get your bike. The tanks are usually empty, or a few revs away from it at least. It’s always a great idea to get a Whatsapp number of the company/hotel you are renting from just in case the bike breaks down or (more awkwardly) you run out of fuel!
See the Sơn Trà Mountains
One of the best ways to explore the natural beauty of Da Nang is by venturing into its surrounding mountains. Hop on your rented motorbike or scooter and head towards the Son Tra Mountains. This beautiful coastal route is a smooth and enjoyable bike ride with new roads and incredible scenery. It’s funny to see such a mix of vehicles on this road from old scooters with crates of fruit tied to the back, to Porsche 911 Turbos racing past. This popular route allows you to take in a pretty incredible coastline, drive past the largest Lady Buddha statue in Vietnam, and meet some beautiful but very cheeky monkeys. In fact, this site is also known as Monkey Mountain due to the large population of monkeys living there. During the war, a U.S. Air Force and Marine base was situated at the top of this mountain and the men were constantly pestered by monkeys, resulting in the base being referred to as “Monkey Mountain Facility.” It is important to keep in mind that the monkeys on Son Tra Mountain can be aggressive, particulary when snacks are thrown into the equation. In fact, the monkeys will watch you to see if you take out anything resembling food, or will wait for you to buy a coconut from a local vendor before stalking you in the hopes of receiving your purchase.
Watch your Back Around the Monkeys
When venturing into the beautiful Sơn Trà Mountains, it’s important to be mindful of the monkeys that inhabit the area. These mischievous creatures may seem cute and playful, but they can be quite aggressive, especially when it comes to food, their mate, or their babies. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, here are some tips when encountering monkeys on Monkey Mountain:
Maintain a safe distance: While it can be tempting to get up close and personal with these fascinating animals, trust me it is not worth the selfie! Keeping a respectful distance not only ensures your safety but also avoids any unnecessary stress or aggression from the monkeys.
Honestly, my next tip would do not feed the monkeys, however, if you happen to buy a coconut and an intimidating monkey gang starts to surround you… give up the coconut.
Secure your belongings: The first thing I did when I pulled my bike up to these little creatures was to put everything into my backpack. Monkeys are known for their curiosity and dexterity, so make sure to securely put away anything you own. The last thing you need is a monkey snatching your bike keys!
Don’t make direct eye contact: While it’s important to keep an eye on your surroundings, direct eye contact with monkeys can be perceived as a threat. Instead, maintain a relaxed gaze and observe them from a safe distance.
Remain calm and composed: If a monkey approaches you or displays aggressive behaviour, it’s crucial to stay calm and avoid sudden movements. Sudden reactions may startle or provoke the monkeys, potentially escalating the situation.
Marvel at the Marble Mountains
Just a short ride away from the city centre, on the way to Hội An, the Marble mountains are worth checking out if you have the time. Offering incredible views from the top, these five marble and limestone hills house several Buddhist temples and caves. There is plenty to do here once you have paid your entry in. You can either hike your way up to the top and enjoy the panoramic vistas that stretch out before you or for those who prefer a less strenuous adventure, explore the mysterious caves hidden within the mountains. There are maps dotted about the place which can be extremely useful as at every turn, a new path appears and it is easy to spend a couple of hours wandering around here. The sheer size of this place is awe inspiring and really highlights how many centuries the Vietnamese people have spent working on it. In fact there were a lot of workers there when I visited, constructing walls and placing statues, adding to the beauty of the place more and more each day. There are a lot of temples and pagodas which can honestly get a bit repetitive. The caves are a little bit more exciting with intricate carvings on the walls and narrow passage ways but can be extremely slippery and uneven so just be careful here.
Entry into the Marble Mountains
If you drive to these mountains by scooter or bike, there is not a lot of space to park. The local vendors will stop you and tell you to park your bike near their stalls. This is the case across most of Vietnam, free parking on the condition that you purchase something from their stall. Be careful here as I got caught out and was stopped by a woman who owned one of the most expensive shops at the entrance to the mountain (not ideal when you’ve basically run out of money and are trying to travel on the cheap). She walked me over to the ticket office and told me she would find me when I returned. The tickets to enter the mountain are 40,000VND and if you want to take the elevator its another 40,000VND. When I returned, as promised, this lady found me and brought me into her shop to purchase something. To my disappointment, she only sold jewellery and although everything was beautiful, the price of a necklace was the equivalent of five nights accommodation. This was a bit of an awkward experience as I really had to convince her that I could not afford to buy any of her products. Perhaps parking your bike a little further down the road and walking to the entrance would be a better idea! There are plenty of stalls selling everything from drinks, food, souvenirs, crocs, and of course, jewellery.
So there you have it, a jam-packed day of adventure in Da Nang that won’t break the bank (depending where you park of course). Hopefully you can brave the bustling streets on a motorbike, cruise along a scenic mountain route, explore ancient caves, and meet some (hopefully) friendly monkeys. Not too shabby for a days work. There might even still be time to catch the sunset and kick back with a cold beer so what are you waiting for?
Go, get lost.