Exploring Da Nang with Kids: Our Hit List
"Dear, can we move here?"
A quick 2 hour flight away from Hong Kong, Da Nang is now my new favorite Vietnamese city!
I had the perfect birthday trip with my family of 4. Peaceful, stress-free, and filled with new experiences since it was my first time here.
Situated along the picturesque coastline of central Vietnam, Da Nang is the perfect balance between a vibrant city and a laid-back beach town. There’s plenty to do for kids as well.
And the best part? It’s Grab app-friendly with hardly any traffic. This is a lifesaver when traveling with kids who ask, "Are we there yet?" every five minutes.
My Top 7 Activities with Kids
1) Marble Mountains
This is no basic mountain.
The Marble Mountains are a group of five serene limestone hills that seem to rise majestically from the earth in the middle of the city.
We spent 2 hours exploring the intricate Buddhist pagodas, caves with graphic depictions of Judgment Day and hell (excellent opportunity to momsplain morality to your children), and hiking.
We took a paid elevator to go deep which helped avert a toddler meltdown, but there was still a lot of walking after. All the steps were strenuous for my 2 year old so we took turns carrying him, but my 5 year old loved exploring every nook and cranny.
A perfect mix of workout and culture!
2) My Khe Beach
We were blown away by the pristine stretch of super-fine, white sand and turquoise waters—this is the beach for locals and expats alike to hang out at!
Surprisingly, it was immaculately clean. There were a lot of people but because the beach is such a long stretch, it didn’t feel crowded. I also loved that there was no one bothering me to sell me stuff I don’t need.
Since I’m paranoid about getting freckles from UV rays, we arrived at sunset. The kids had a blast building sandcastles and splashing in the gentle waves. There are plenty of eateries along the beach, but I recommend sticking to local cuisine (had the worst T-Bone steak of my life in one of the restaurants there)
3) Linh Anh Pagoda (a.k.a Lady Buddha)
Visiting the serene Linh Anh Pagoda was a nice change of pace. We spent about an hour at this stunning Buddhist temple and bonsai garden, which also offers a panoramic view of Da Nang.
The little ones enjoyed exploring the grounds - filled with animal statues, trippy looking plants, and swings for them to play on.
Definitely come before 10am to avoid the tourist crowds.
4) Buffalo Riding and Basket Boat Excursion in Hoi An
About a 40 minute drive away, we booked a countryside adventure in Hoi An outside of the Old Town area.
We found a tour that started with riding on an enormous water buffalo weighing across the farm land. It didn’t feel particularly safe, but it was 700kg of sheer fun for the family.
Next, we hopped into a traditional basket boat and glided down the clean waterways. Again I was pleasantly surprised by how clean the river was.
There was a bit of a tourist money grab when the boatmen would invite tourists up on stage to sing "OPPA GANGNAM STYLE" then solicit money from the tourists, but we refrained from getting grabbed, and the kids were entertained.
We even caught baby mud crabs with little rods, which was a delight for everyone.
We wrapped up the day with some authentic local food at the village restaurant.
5) Namto Premium Kids Cafe
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this kids cafe. The coffee? Amazing. The bulgogi kimbap? My husband and I were fighting over it.
But I digress - of course the best thing here is the play area for the kids!
This cozy cafe has just enough space for the kids to stay entertained for an hour or two, without us having to chase them around. The compact playroom features two floors of soft play, slides, ball pits, foam cubes, and a faux sand pit.
6) Helio Center & Nightmarket
Helio Center is an all-in-one alfresco food nightmarket and massive indoor arcade / kids playroom.
We arrived when it opened at 5pm, and it was completely empty (a good thing!). People started trickling after 6pm. The food was okay, but we had a blast with the kids in the play areas. There’s live music later in the evening as well.
7) Asia Park Amusement Park
Asia Park is the emptiest amusement park I’ve ever been to, even on a weekend. There are no lines whatsoever. The grounds are massive, there are lots of great rides for kids and adults alike, and a variety of food options. But I think the Vietnamese have got to be night owls, because people didn’t start showing up until we were leaving in the evening.
We loved the water ski and dance show on the river!
My Top 5 Adult Activities and Eateries
1) Saga Bar
My partner and I had the best night dancing our faces off like we were 23.
Saga is a haven for techno-heads. If you like Euro style techno (i.e. you’re here for the beats, and not for the drop), this place is for you - whether you're a local or an expat.
It's not a place for singles or to "see and be seen". Everyone’s actually here for the music.
Plus, they serve excellent, creative cocktails for those who want to spend, along with standard beers and well drinks for those who don't want to spend.
We were in culture shock when we saw everyone in the room was sucking on a balloon. The bar had canisters of nitrous oxide that they'd fill the balloons up with. On the menu this is called "cookies".
We tried these “cookies”, and didn’t feel anything. Are we old?
2) Street Food - Bun Bo Hue
Da Nang is not the place to eat pho. Ho Chi Minh's where the good pho is at.
If you need a noodle fix in Da Nang, you want the Bun Bo Hue - a nourishing bowl of richbone broth, tender beef, lemongrass, chili and lime. Just duck into any hole in the wall with the sign "Bun Bo Hue" with lots of local patrons, and you will be set.
3) Umm Banh Mi
Super cute sit-down cafe with banh mi and pretty European style decor. The banh mi here is well presented and solid. I like that they offer a variety of fillings from classic pork to crazier options. The baguette is perfectly done here.
4) The Temptation
To celebrate my birthday, we went for fine dining at a French-Viet fusion restaurant called The Temptation. You have to book this weeks in advance. The ambiance is cozy yet upscale. Their set menus are curated, creative, and a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds. Dining here is an experience not to be rushed, so budget at least an hour and a half.
5) Citron
For breathtaking views and an unforgettable dining experience, we went to Citron at the Intercontinental. Perched on a hilltop, this restaurant has panoramic views of Da Nang and the surrounding coastline. The menu features a fusion of Vietnamese and international dishes.
Ironically, even amidst the variety on the menu, my favorite two dishes was their award-winning white rice and their mushroom bread. The best thing about this restaurant was no doubt the vibes.