Da Nang: Vietnam's Most Liveable City

Da Nang sits at the precise midpoint of Vietnam's coastline, flanked by the Marble Mountains to the south and the Son Tra Peninsula to the north. It has the most sweeping urban beach in the country — a six-kilometre crescent of white sand backed by a row of hotels and restaurants — and it's close enough to Hoi An (30 minutes by taxi) and Hue (two hours by car) to serve as the ideal base for exploring central Vietnam.

My Khe Beach

My Khe stretches along the entire eastern edge of the city and is consistently ranked among Asia's finest urban beaches. The water is warm and clean from March through August, with lifeguards on duty and equipment hire (surfboards, kayaks, banana boats) available along most of the strip. The beach is at its best in the early morning — arrive before 7am and you'll find it largely to yourself, with fishing boats still coming in from overnight trips.

The Marble Mountains

Five marble and limestone hills rise from the coastal plain 9 kilometres south of the city, each named after one of the five elements. Thuy Son (Water Mountain) is the most accessible — a staircase cut into the rock leads to cave pagodas, Hindu temples, and a panoramic viewpoint over the coast and the Cham Island chain. Allow two hours and go in the morning before tour groups arrive. The local marble carving workshops at the base of the mountains are the best place to buy souvenirs.

The Dragon Bridge

Da Nang's most photographed landmark breathes actual fire on Saturday and Sunday evenings at 9pm. The bridge spans the Han River and is flanked on both sides by riverside promenades lined with street food stalls — arrive early to claim a good vantage point and grab a bowl of mi quang (turmeric noodles, a Da Nang specialty) while you wait.

Day Trips

Hoi An is 30 km south — take a taxi or rent a motorbike and leave Da Nang by 7:30am to reach the Ancient Town before the tour buses. Hue is two hours north over the Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam's most scenic mountain roads. If you're not driving, the train between Da Nang and Hue hugs the coast and is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in Southeast Asia. Ba Na Hills — the French colonial hill station turned entertainment complex — is 30 km inland, home to the Golden Bridge held by two giant stone hands, which has become one of Vietnam's most viral Instagram spots.

What to Eat

• Bánh mì Đà Nẵng — local variation with pork rolls and a particularly good chilli sauce
• Mì Quảng — thick yellow noodles in a rich turmeric and peanut broth with prawn, pork and herbs
• Bún chả cá — fish cake soup, a Da Nang breakfast staple
• Bắp nướng — grilled corn rubbed with pork fat and spring onion, sold at beachfront stalls

Da Nang works best as a four-night base for central Vietnam. Day one: settle in and walk the beach. Day two: Marble Mountains and a sunset river cruise. Day three: full day in Hoi An. Day four: drive or train to Hue and back over the Hai Van Pass.