VIETNAM
Da Nang in a Day:
From Dragon Bridge
to crocodile meat
e used Da Nang as our base after Hoi An, mainly to visit Ba Na Hills and recharge before moving on to our next destination. That meant our free time to explore the city was limited. Still, sometimes all it takes is a glimpse of a city's skyline to make an impression, and Da Nang certainly managed to do that.
Da Nang was only a brief stop on our Vietnam adventure, but it certainly made an impression.
Da Nang is one of Vietnam’s most dynamic cities, where modern architecture, local traditions and a lively street culture come together. Often nicknamed the ‘City of Bridges’, it is home to several impressive structures, most famously the Dragon Bridge.
Beyond its famous landmarks, the city offers plenty of unexpected experiences, from bustling street markets to some rather adventurous local food discoveries
We spent the night at Brilliant Hotel, which turned out to be a great choice thanks to its location right by the Dragon Bridge. Its rooftop bar was another highlight, offering magnificent views of the city skyline and the illuminated bridge – a pretty spectacular way to take in Da Nang after dark.
The Dragon Bridge
The undisputed star of Da Nang’s skyline, Dragon Bridge is a 666-metre-long golden structure shaped like a dragon, stretching across the Han River.
Inaugurated in 2013, it has become one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. But the real spectacle happens on weekend nights at 9 pm, when the dragon comes to life, breathing fire followed by water from its mouth.
Son Tra Night Market
A visit to Da Nang wouldn’t be complete without a stop at one of its lively street markets. We explored the area around Dragon Bridge, where stalls selling local snacks, fresh produce, souvenirs and all sorts of everyday goods give you a glimpse into the city’s local life. It’s a great place to wander around, sample something unfamiliar and experience a more down-to-earth side of Da Nang away from its famous landmarks.
Although we were initially a little cautious about trying street food, we soon discovered that the market was known for its rather unusual snacks, including crocodile and scorpion. Curiosity got the better of us, so we decided to give crocodile meat a try! We stayed to watch it being prepared, and the little sample I eventually tasted turned out to be surprisingly delicious. Definitely not something I had expected to add to my Vietnam food experiences!
Da Nang was only a brief stop on our Vietnam adventure, but it certainly made an impression. Between the spectacular Dragon Bridge, the lively night market and an unexpected taste of crocodile meat, the city gave us a few memorable moments in the little time we had.