How To Plan Your Family Trip To Da Nang

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscape and the beauty of the heritage cities nearby

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It's the largest city in Vietnam, has some great beaches, is flanked by the majestic Annamite mountain range and has the beautiful Son Tra Peninsula at the city centre. Plus it has bustling city life.

The region of central Vietnam, of which Da Nang is the capital, is blessed with a breathtaking landscape. The city's location, just a short drive away from a few well-preserved heritage cities, makes it the perfect base for a well-rounded holiday.

The imperial city of Hue, which used to be the seat of the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, as well as the charming port city of Hoi An are a two-hour drive away from Da Nang, while My Son, the seat of the ancient Champa Dynasty, is an hour's drive.

That said, here are some unique ways to experience Da Nang city itself.

Take A Food Tour For Charity

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When in Vietnam, you cannot escape the lure of its street food — but it can get overwhelming, especially when you have a family in tow. To eat like a local, you need the food radar of a local — like Jolie Cooking Class, if you are willing to walk. An English-speaking guide will take you on a tour of the best street food in the city, while regaling you with stories of the history and culture of Da Nang.

You will get to savour not just one or two but 10 delicious dishes during this two-and-a-half-hour tour. The tour is a charity — all profits from this tour go to aid local disadvantaged people and minority groups. That's one of the most fulfilling dinner experiences you can have.

Da Nang Walk For Charity is from 5 to 7:30pm. Tickets are USD30 per person, including food, a bottle of water, a beer or soft drink, and Vietnamese coffee. Tips are at an additional cost. Free for children under 3 years of age. 

Enter A 3D Fantasy World

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Add a slew of fantastical creatures, mythical landscapes and more to your holiday in Da Nang with a trip to Art in Paradise Da Nang, the country's largest 3D art museum. It houses nine zones, each of a different theme — from Ancient Egypt to Safari Zone to Fantasy Zone, set across two floors. Once in, large life-sized three-dimensional artworks, designed by Korean artists, invite visitors to experience them.

Art in Paradise Danang - 3D Art Museum is open from 9am to 6pm, seven days a week. Contact them via email at aipdanang@gmail.com for ticket prices and bookings. 

 

 

 

Learn to Surf

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If you are staying in the heart of the city, Mykhe Beach is probably where you will be spending a lot of time. Situated a mere 3.8km from downtown Da Nang, the white sand beach is where you want to be if you are into active water sports. Plus, its surf is reasonably consistent so it would make sense to learn or hone your surfing skills while on a holiday here.

Da Nang Outdoor Adventures offers surfing lessons for beginner and intermediate surfers, across a range of ages. Kids' surfing lessons are available for children 8 years old and above. The two-hour lessons will take you through a history lesson of sorts of the beach itself, then some warm-up exercises on land before you hit the water.

Da Nang Outdoor Adventures' surf lessons run from USD 30 for private lessons for 16 years and older to USD75 for 3 people. You can also opt for other packages which include kayaking and snorkelling.

As we mentioned earlier, Da Nang's unique urban landscape is made up of the sea and mountains, and not far from the city centre (about seven kilometres away) sit five majestic limestone peaks. Ngu Hanh Son as they are called in Vietnamese are named after the five elements: Kim (metal), Thuỷ (water), Mộc (wood), Hoả (fire) and Thổ (earth). What used to be a spiritual site for ancient Vietnamese Emperors today stands as a network of caves, tunnels, and pagodas, which were later built by the Mahayana Buddhists and the emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty.

The complex network of caves also made it the perfect refuge for Vietnamese during the country's turbulent times. One of them, Huyen Khong Cave, is said to have served as a command base for revolutionaries during the French colonial war. It was also during this time that they got their anglicised name of Marble Mountains as French geologists discovered large deposits of marble within these karsts — and have supplied building material for many an edifice in Vietnam.

This unique mix in its history lends Marble Mountains its mystical qualities. Its steep stairs, roughly hewn from stone lead to a magnificent lookout point — the sight of which is best caught early morning or at sunset. There is an elevator leading to the top as well, so you and your kids can enjoy the view.

If you want to spend a quiet morning exploring its various caves — be prepared for some excavation-style adventures — it is best to start the hike bright and early at 7am.

Marble Mountains are open from 7am to 5:30pm. Entrance tickets run at 40,000 VND, additional 15,000 VND for the elevator.

Have a Multifaceted Experience

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Situated high in the mountains of Da Nang is a cultural escapade of a different kind that your children won't get enough of. Think a French village that offers a few different experiences: A bit of culture from Myanmar, a taste of Hong Kong, and some of the exhilaration of Universal Studios. Then there's the manmade bridge shaped like two gigantic hands appearing to hold up a peace offering of gold to the gods. That's Ba Na Hills in a nutshell.

Start your journey to this exquisite and fun destination by riding up in a cable car. Get there early to catch the sunrise from the aforementioned Golden Bridge — that's one for the Gram. Then walk around the French Village. Ba Na Hills was built as a getaway in 1919 by French colonists, so don't be surprised to see signboards in French, and tram car station names such as Marseille, Le Jardin and Ga Louvre. Children will have fun interacting with the caricaturists and street performers and savouring the cuisines. Adding to all these are adrenaline-pumping rides — from Alpine Coaster to  Arcade Games to the Fantasy Park — and exotic Flower Gardens.

Ba Na Hills is open from 7:30am to 9pm. Entrance tickets are at 750,000VND inclusive of all cable car rides and attractions, except the Wax Museum.

 

Where to Stay

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From luxury resorts to quaint accommodations, Da Nang has a range of hotels for families. Here are our top picks:

Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills is the perfect place to rest your weary body if you're tired out from a day at Ba Na Hills. Situated 40 minutes away from Da Nang airport and an additional 20-minute cable car ride up, this could very well be your first stop. The euphoria of waking up 1,487m above sea level to panaromic views of Ba Na Hills aside, you will be surrounded by charm and culture akin to a fantasy world. Plus, the hotel has options for all family sizes — rooms for two to Duplex suites that can sleep four people. Prices run from $109 to $193 a night.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, at 45 minutes from the airport, is near all major attractions. Plus, a 700m stretch of pristine white beach comes exclusively for the resort's guests with all the accoutrements of the IHG brand. With three Michelin-star dining, a luxurious spa and Bastien Gonzalez in its premises, it's a haven for families. Water sports activities such as swimming, surfing and kayaking at the private beach will keep children occupied. Babysitting services are available for parents, who want to spend quality time together.  Accessibility-enhanced accommodations take things up another notch as do expansive and luxurious rooms, suites and villas for families of all sizes. Prices run from $850 for a Classic Queen with Ocean View to $12, 500 for a Four Bedroom Pool Villa with Ocean View that accommodates 12 people.

Sel de Mer Hotel & Suites on My Khe Beach is right at Son Tra Peninsula and just 7km from The Marble Mountains. Each room comes with a patio so you can take in the views as you sip your morning coffee. A fresh Bakery, indulgent Vietnamese cuisine, and a lounge bar and speakeasy offer options for all. An in-house wellness and fitness centre will keep muscles in check while you are off the water. Family Rooms that accommodate up to four people will ensure families spend quality time together. Prices run from $279 for a family room with city views to $770 for a Three Bedroom Suite with ocean views.




 

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