Day 10: Da Nang – When the City Isn’t Your Scene

After a peaceful run of days in Ninh Binh’s green valleys and Hoi An’s lantern-lit lanes, stepping into Da Nang felt like being dropped into the middle of a video game set to “city mode.” The contrast is real. Hoi An’s mellow pace and Ninh Binh’s nature seem a world away from the glass-and-concrete energy of Da Nang.

After breakfast, we left Hoi An and caught a quick ride north. The drive is pleasant enough, with glimpses of the sea and lush countryside, but rolling into Da Nang, you immediately sense the shift: bigger, busier, brasher.

Marble Mountains—Solo Style

First stop: the famous Marble Mountains, a cluster of five limestone and marble hills just outside the city. Lizz was determined to climb up and see the pagodas and caves, but I decided to give my knee a break. The idea of hundreds of stone steps under the midday sun didn’t appeal, especially with my knee still stubbornly aching from earlier adventures.

Instead, I found a patch of shade, nursed an iced coffee, and watched the tour buses roll in and out. Lizz returned glowing (sweating), describing cool caves, atmospheric temples. It sounds worth the climb if you’ve got two good knees and a decent heat tolerance.

My Khe Beach – Not My Kind of Paradise

Later, we checked out My Khe Beach. It’s famous for its wide stretch of white sand and gentle surf—one of Vietnam’s top beaches, if you believe the travel brochures. But honestly? It didn’t do it for me. The sand is lovely and clean, but the whole area is lined with towering hotel skyscrapers, each one looking like it’s trying to outdo the next in blandness.

Maybe if you’re into big resort life or want a sun-lounger-and-cocktail kind of holiday, My Khe is your spot. But for us—especially after the charm of Hoi An—it just felt soulless and overdeveloped. It’s a vacation nightmare, to be honest. We didn’t linger.

Into the Han Market

Seeking local flavor, we escaped the beach and headed for Han Market in the city center. It’s a classic Vietnamese market: chaotic, noisy, and packed with everything from knock-off sportswear (upstairs) to a dizzying array of fruits, dried snacks, and souvenirs (downstairs). If you love a good market haggle or are stocking up on tropical fruit, it’s worth a stop—but be prepared for crowds and sensory overload.

Final Thoughts on Da Nang

We both agreed. Back at our hotel, Da Nang wasn’t our vibe. After the laid-back pace of our previous stops, the city’s rush and gloss felt overwhelming and a bit impersonal. Maybe we missed the best bits (there are supposed to be some excellent street eats and an incredible riverside scene at night), but with an early flight out to Ho Chi Minh City and then to Phnom Penh, we were happy to move on.

Maybe Da Nang is a city that grows on you, or maybe it’s just for a different kind of traveler. For us, it was a quick stop, a reminder that not every place has to be your favorite—and that’s all part of the journey.

Traveler’s Tip:

If you’re after history and charm, stick with Hoi An. If you want modern city comforts, big hotels, and nightlife, Da Nang’s your place. And if you’ve got a dodgy knee, maybe admire the Marble Mountains from below with a cold drink in hand.

Next stop:

Ho Chi Minh City, and then crossing into Cambodia! Let’s see what surprises wait there.