My Hoi An Tailor Experience – Top Tips & Recommendations

Visiting one of the famou Hoi An tailor shops is one of the best things to do in the city during your trip, I swear! No, really, the tailors and tailor shops here are so good and talented, people from all over the world travel here to get a custom-made suit or dress. The tailoring tradition in Hoi An is rich in culture and is an important part of society today.

If you’re excited to try out a custom tailoring experience in Hoi An (which I definitely recommend!), this guide contains everything you need to know. I have put together all the information I have about the best Hoi An tailors (fittings, process, price, etc), as well as my most precious pieces of advice. 

So regardless if you decide to make some expensive clothes with high-end materials or some more casual, still quality pieces, this Hoi An tailor guide will surely help you along the way.

Let’s proceed!

About the tailors in Hoi An, Vietnam

About the tailors in Hoi An Vietnam

Hoi An in Vietnam is said to be the “tailoring capital” of the world. Custom tailoring is a huge part of the culture in Hoi An and also one of the main attractions for tourists during their trip, especially when it comes to shopping lovers.

But why is tailoring so famous here? The tailors of Hoi An are immensely talented and versatile, they work with a wide range of fabrics (quality ones, too) and they can make clothing for any need you may have. There are tailor shops in Hoi An for any item or style you can think of: elegant dresses, suits, ball gowns, winter coats, casual pants, shirts and even pyjamas!

So, how did everything start? Tailoring in Hoi An is closely connected to its history, largely because Hoi An was a trading port city on the famous Silk Route. It wasn’t until about 20 years ago that tourists began travelling to Hoi An specifically for tailoring.

Nowadays, the amount of tailor shops in the city is literally two times bigger than all other businesses combined. They, of course, range from large tailoring corporations to small, local tailors and from high-end pieces to casual clothing. All of them are an important part of the tailoring experience and history of Hoi An!

RELATED READ:  9 Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam – A Complete Hoi An Guide

How to get tailor-made clothes in Hoi An – step-by-step process & tips

Enough with the history, now let’s talk about more serious stuff such as the entire process of choosing and going to a tailor, how to choose the material, and some useful tips to keep in mind along the way:

Step 1 – Find the best tailor in Hoi An

tailor-made clothes in Hoi An

Naturally, the first step in getting a tailored outfit made is finding the right tailor shop for you. Hoi An has more than 500 tailor shops… So making the best decision is kind of a challenge. Don’t worry, as I have my own selection of tailors in Hoi An for you!

BEST TAILORS IN HOI AN – MY TOP RECOMMENDATIONS:

Some other popular choices (that I didn’t get to try out myself, unfortunately) are BeBe Tailor (they have 3 shops in the city now but the most famous Bebe Tailor is probably the one on Hung Dao street), A Dong Silk (they have a customer-friendly, time-efficient 10-minute measuring process ) and Mr Xe.

Step 2 – Discuss what you’d like made

step by step process at hoi an tailors

Once you have your mind and heart set on a tailor shop, it’s time to have a conversation about what exactly you’d like made. Tailors have tons of lookbooks that you can browse, with a huge selection of clothing – anything from dresses, skirts, suits etc. Alternatively, you can also provide them with a photo of the clothes you’d like created. So make sure you spend some time researching and finding inspiration before your visit!

This is also when the tailor will take your exact measurements.

TIP: Always be super specific about what you want, down to the smallest details. They may be talented designers, but they will need your guidance because they can’t just guess the exact details of the clothing you dream of!

Step 3 – Choose the fabric

getting tailor-made clothes in hoi an vietnam

Once the design issue is settled, it’s time to choose the fabric. Many tailors have entire aisles of material with different prices depending on their quality. Of course, some tailors may suggest some materials that will fit your design needs. Just remember that not all fabrics can be tailored the same and not all pieces of cloth work well or move in the same way. I suggest taking their advice into consideration when it comes to this, even if this means changing your mind and adapting a bit!

TIP: You’re getting something tailor-made specifically for YOU. So make sure you choose a quality fabric that screams “I’m perfect for an outfit that is unique to you!”. I know, the pressure is huge, but remember that this will be a one-of-a-kind piece. Don’t waste this awesome opportunity on choosing a dress that you could’ve bought on the highstreet or from the local market.

Step 4 – Pay the deposit

All Hoi An tailors require customers to pay a deposit before they start creating the custom piece.

Step 5 – Fittings and final product at your Hoi An tailor

fittings at hoi an custom tailors

Usually, the tailors will arrange your first fitting for the next day. This means you have to come back to the store and try on your outfit. This is basically the moment when the tailor will see how the garment sits on your body when you wear it, pinning it in the places that need retouching or amendments. 

My most precious piece of advice here is to be really honest about the changes that you want made and to be super clear with your explanations. You can even arrange for a second or third fitting (in fact, I recommend 3 fitting sessions to most customers) to make sure that your final piece of clothing is perfect for you and your style.

NOTE: A basic dress will be ready much sooner, but if you buy a suit or a gown, expect to go to a few fitting sessions before taking it home with you to wear. So make sure you have enough time in Hoi An for this entire process!

TIP: You can arrange for items to be delivered directly to your accommodation once they’re finished, but I always recommend heading to the store yourself to ensure that you are happy with the final version. After all, this is such a special, personalised shopping experience, it would be a shame not to enjoy it to the fullest!

Prices & recommended budget

hoi an tailoring

Let me start with a disclaimer here: prices change massively depending on your chosen tailor in Hoi An, what item you want to be made and how well you negotiate. Yes, the final price always depends on negotiation. Almost every tailor will negotiate on price depending on the number of items you order, so don’t be ashamed to do so.

Here’s the average price range for different types of clothes:

WOMEN

MEN

RELATED READ: 12 Things To Do in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – A Complete Guide To the City

My best tips & tricks

tips and tricks for tailor made clothes in hoi an

Because I experienced getting tailored clothes made in Hoi An myself in 3 different places, I was able to learn and gather some very useful information that I can now pass on to my readers. So read and learn, my friends!

CHECK MORE THAN ONE STORE

If you’re not pressed for time, shop around at different stores to get a feeling of what you like best. They’re all capable of creating the same outfit, there’s just a difference in cost, quality of the fabric and stitching and maybe the customer service too.

TAKE TIME INTO CONSIDERATION

You shouldn’t stress too much if you only want a casual skirt or shirt done, as this usually takes around 2 days. But if you want to make sure the entire process is doable during your trip, here are some average times to take into consideration:

FOR CHEAPER TAILORS, DON’T SHOP DOWNTOWN

As you might expect, the most expensive tailors are located in the Old Town / Ancient Town of Hoi An. Avoid that area if you want to save some money from your budget and try to find ‘obscure’ shops on the edge of town that don’t get as much attention. Except for the lower price tag, there’s another huge advantage here: these tailors will have more time to focus on your outfit and will most likely complete it faster!

ALWAYS, ALWAYS BARTER

Here’s an unwritten rule that you should know: the first offer a tailor makes is always MUCH higher than what they expect you to pay. They do it on purpose, of course: they jack up the prices for tourists, a very popular ‘activity’ in many other popular tourist spots around the globe. So make sure you negotiate well to get the most affordable deal and only leave the shop when both parties feel happy with the final tailored piece.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

This means you should know exactly what you want before talking to the tailor. This will eliminate a lot of on-the-spot hassle and your research will help you answer every question your tailor might ask. Plus, this also helps reduce the feelings of disappointment related to the final product. After all, making custom clothing is not an easy job!

DON’T GET TOO SET ON A SPECIFIC OUTCOME

I know… this advice kind of counters the one above, but remember: these guys are tailors, not wizards. Don’t expect them to be able to conjure up an exact replica of that 2015 Dior Gown you ripped out of a Vogue magazine. Be open to changes and keep in mind that this dress will be unique to you.

BUY ITEMS IN BULK

If you are with friends, or if you want more than one item, buy them all from the same tailor. They’ll offer discounts for large orders– especially the smaller, more casual and basic stores.

ATTEND MULTIPLE FITTINGS

Clothes will never be perfect from the first try. Only stop getting your outfit altered when you are happy with it, even if it means wasting a couple of hours from your precious vacation time. If you’re pressed for time, keep getting fittings until you leave town. If anything, the tailor can mail your outfit to you. This is better than getting something that doesn’t fit right and then feeling sad.

RELATED READ: 10 Unmissable Da Nang Tourist Attractions – A Complete Guide To The City

That’s about everything I wanted to share with you about how to get tailored clothes in Hoi An, Vietnam, a very popular and fun activity while you’re in the city. I have told you all the details I know and talked about cost, process, measurements, quality of the fabrics and craftsmanship and lots of useful things to know before stepping foot inside a tailor shop to get a dress, shirt or suit done.

If you ask me, going home with a unique piece of clothing created especially for you and to your measurements, with your hand-picked fabric is one of the most beautiful souvenirs you can bring back home from Vietnam!

Except for getting custom-made dresses and shirts, there are SO many other unforgettable things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam! If you want to read more or need help planning your upcoming trip, I recommend heading here to find all my articles about Hoi An. And here you will find all my posts about other destinations in Vietnam.

xoxo,

Melissa

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A guide to the Hoi An tailors in Vietnam
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Honest Review and Guide to Da Nang Golden Bridge, Vietnam

Are you ready to find out everything you’ll ever need to know about one of the most famous attractions in Vietnam? If the answer is yes, scroll down to find my complete guide on the Da Nang Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills. You might expect to find long queues and massive crowds here, but no worries, this guide will offer some clever tips on how to skip all that!

Get ready to find out all about the story behind this Insta-famous bridge, the ticket price, the best times to visit it, how to get there and much more. Plus my raw, 100% honest impressions about our experience there and whether it is WORTH IT OR NOT.

Let’s go!

Quick info about Da Nang Golden Bridge

about da nang golden bridge

Did you know that, although you might’ve seen countless gorgeous pictures of this bridge online before, this attraction is actually pretty new? The Golden Bridge (also known as Cau Vang) has become one of the top tourist destinations in Vietnam, even though it was only opened in June 2018. The Golden Bridge and its two giant hands have been on the top of social media platforms ever since it was constructed, which has brought tens of thousands of visitors over the years. Why, though?

RELATED READ: Da Nang Marble Mountain, Vietnam – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

But what’s so special about this bridge, after all?

I mean… you must look at the pictures to understand! The bridge’s structure is impressive – and that’s not an overstatement at all, considering the construction only took 1 year to complete. Two giant hands that seem carved in gorgeous stone (they’re actually made of metal and fiberglass) suspend a beautiful, gold railing frame – a pedestrian bridge among the lush Ba Na Hills.

The bridge is 150 metres long and it is suspended at 1.400 metres above sea level. If you visit the bridge very early in the morning, you’ll see it’s surrounded by thick fog and golden light, making for unique photo opportunities… but you’ll find more details about When to visit in this special section.

Is there a story behind it?

Sun World Resort bridge

The bridge was designed as the newest addition to the Sun World Resort, an interesting entertainment complex at Ba Na Hills. The aim was to create a symbol of Da Nang tourism – and, if you ask me, the entire idea was an immense success. So successful that it actually got plenty of rewards at multiple architecture contests worldwide. 

I think that one of the best things about this bridge is the fact that it combines both architecture and nature in a really harmonious way. And the striking contrast between the stone hands and the elegantly curved bridge is also something to remember.

Where is the bridge located?

da nang golde bridge map

Okay, enough with admiring the Golden Bridge from an ever-romantic point of view (guilty!), let’s get to some practical information. 

As I mentioned before, the Golden Bridge is at the top of Ba Na Hills. More specifically, it’s in the Thien Thai Garden at Sun World.

RELATED READ: 10 Unmissable Da Nang Tourist Attractions – A Complete Guide To The City

The catch: Sun World Resort at Ba Na Hills

Ba Na Hills

Here’s the catch: because the Golden Bridge is part of this big entertainment complex, it can only be accessed through Sun World, a theme park resort built to resemble a European village during the French Renaissance era. 

You’ll need to pay quite a high entrance fee considering that most visitors solely come to the park to see the Golden Hands Bridge. However, tickets cover the entrance to all areas of the park (and they do offer a lot of attractions!), if that is something that interests you. The park has quite a few zones, so you could choose to spend a whole day here if you wanted to explore and participate in the activities they offer. 

Some of Sun World’s top attractions include:

FUN FACT: Sun World welcomes more than 1.5 million visitors per year!

Getting there

how to get to da nang golden bridge

I’ll tell you right from the start: once you get to the park complex, you’ll see that the Golden Bridge is only accessible via cable car. More on this below, but first let’s find out how to get there from Da Nang. The Golden Bridge is located around 30km West of Da Nang City.

If you’re taking a car, you should get from Da Nang to the bridge’s location in about 30 to 40 minutes one way, depending on traffic, especially at mid-day. If you go there super early in the morning, the ride can be as short as 20 minutes.

TIP: If you want to access the location using Google Maps, you have to add “Sun World Ba Na Hills” as the destination, otherwise you’ll only get the wrong directions. Do not choose “Ba Na Hills” unless you aim to reach the top of the mountains instead of the bridge.

1 – PRIVATE TAXI & GRAB

The easiest way to travel to Sun World is by taxi. You can book a full trip where the driver takes you, waits for you and returns you to your hotel for a negotiated price. – Depending on the wait, this should be about 800,000 VND (35 US$).

In case you want to arrange your transportation online beforehand, I have found this private transfer for the same price as the taxi.

OUR EXPERIENCE: On our visit, we asked a Grab driver that we met the day before how much he would charge to take us to and from Sun World. We worked out a price that suited us both, took his phone number and he was on our doorstep at 6 AM the next morning to start the journey. This is a great way of building connections and bringing down the cost. He ended up being our driver to most of the sites around the city – how awesome is that?

2 – SCOOTER RENTAL

In case you’re adventurous enough to take a scooter or motorbike, you’ll be happy to find out that this is definitely the cheapest option – and maybe even the most fun. The price should be around 150.000 VND (6.50 US$) for an entire day.

TIP: If you are using Google Maps to get there with your scooter (and I’m 100% sure you’ll use it), you should add “Ba Na Cable Car Service Parking Lot” as your destination. This spot is exactly at the park entry.

3 – THE CABLE CAR RIDE

As I mentioned above, the only way to access the bridge is by taking the cable car from inside Sun World, at Hoi An Station. The gondola starts at the bottom of the hill and will take you to the very top, where the resort is located. The entire ride takes about 20 minutes to the top of the mountain.

OPENING HOURS: the cable car runs from 7 AM to 10 PM.

FUN FACT: The cable car at the Golden Bridge holds not 1, but 4 Guinness World Records, did you know that? It’s the longest cable car system in the world (5.771m), as well as the longest cable roll (11.587m), it has the heaviest cable (141 tons!) and it also has the highest altitude from its starting to its ending point (1.369m). Now that’s impressive!

Ticket prices

Sun World vietnam

I already said the entrance fee to Sun World is quite pricey and that you HAVE to pay it if you want to see the Golden Bridge, so it’s now time to tell you exactly how much it will cost.

ONE-DAY TICKET:

This ticket includes everything except the entrance to their Wax Museum, some games in Fantasy Park and the buffet lunch.

You can buy tickets on arrival from their ticket office or online at the official Sun World website.

NOTE: Please note that the tickets must be used on the day you purchased them.

TIP: Their ticket booths often have long queues and a slightly higher price, so I would recommend buying online before going.

Best tours of the Golden Bridge

golden bridge in da nang vietnam

In case you don’t want to arrange transportation yourself, a very good idea would be to take an organised tour. These types of tours usually include transportation, entry fee, lunch, and a tour guide included in the price. 

Here are my recommended, hand-picked options:

Find more tours

When to visit

best time to visit golden bridge da nang

Usually, visitors are able to avoid queues and crowds if they visit sites early enough. However, we quickly learnt that a visit to Sun World does not work that way! Feeling clever, we arrived at 6 AM and thought we had beat the crowds. Once we turned the corner and saw the queue for the gondola, we realised how wrong we were. It was already so ridiculously crowded. There seems to be no real quiet time to come and see this attraction.

We arrived at dawn during the lowest season of the year and the site was still so crowded. We ended up waiting until 7 AM for the cable car to open and then another 30 minutes in the queue to get on the cable car. I dread to think how busy it must be during peak hours or on local holidays (save yourself some angst and avoid!)

Basically, my advice would be to come early, bring a load of patience and expect long queues. 

Some other reviews online mention that you’ll find no queues if you’re there at 7 AM to catch the first cable car ride (and, trust me, I have read lots of them!) and, even though I hoped this would be true, it actually wasn’t. Needless to say that by 9 AM the visitors are already forming a MEGA crowd.

Our experience

golden bridge da nang
golden bridge da nang vietnam

Okay. Time to get down to what I really thought about the whole experience.

Was the Golden Bridge incredible to see? – Yes.

Did we get stunning photos? – Yes.

Would I recommend you go? – HELL NO!

To be blunt, the park was kitschy, tacky and overpriced. Experiencing the Golden Bridge was overcrowded and uncomfortable. Yes, we got good photos – but this was literally down to luck and with much thanks to Photoshop.  

As for Sun World, there was not an ounce of authenticity about the place. It was like a sh*t Disneyland with no rides… and for a country like Vietnam that is overflowing with so much natural, cultural, authentic beauty, Sun World was an overpriced eye-sore that I would highly advise all to avoid.

I know that this is a super harsh review, and I don’t often leave such harsh criticism here on the blog because I usually feel that experiences are opinion based. But the theme park is everything I dislike about travel. Not only is visiting Golden Bridge not worth it, but it goes against responsible travel.

For me, the experience of seeing the bridge was in no way special enough to justify the cost, but I completely get that many will want to see it for themselves, just like I did. Just wanted to be 100% transparent with you about my thoughts during this write-up.  

My top tips for visiting the Golden Bridge in Danang

Golden Bridge in Danang

I know I’ve been quite harsh with my opinion about the bridge’s popularity, but if you still want to get to the location and experience everything yourself and, basically, test your luck, here are some precious pieces of advice and tricks to keep in mind:

WHERE TO TAKE THE PERFECT INSTAGRAM PHOTO

Once you arrive on the bridge, make sure you don’t waste much time at the first hand (the right one, closest to the gondola station). That’s where 99% of visitors stop to take photos. Instead, you can take a couple of quick snaps and then proceed to the next one (the left hand), which, supposedly, will be less crowded.

You also have some pretty nice photo opportunities at the train station, where the flower garden is located.

TIP: If the bridge is too crowded to take any good photos, just proceed to Linh Un Ba Pagoda and shoot some images there. The other travellers will be so concerned with the bridge, most will even forget there are other spots around them.

CHECK OUT SOME OTHER NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

If the bridge sounds as disappointing to you as it was for me but you still want to go see Sun World, let me offer you some interesting alternatives around:

CHECK OUT THE HOTEL

If you really like this bridge and want to spend the night as close to it as possible, you can book a room at the Mercure French Village, which is located inside the French Village section of the theme park, not far from the Golden Bridge. If you stay at the hotel and wake up early enough, it will be easier to get to the gondola first… but you surely won’t be THE first person in line if you ask me. So the decision is yours.

Here are some really useful things to take with you to the Golden Bridge:

This was my complete, utterly honest guide and review of the Golden Bridge in Da Nang, Vietnam. I’ve told you literally everything I know after going there – price, where to take the best photos, how to get there and particularly if it is worth your time and energy to see the giant “hands of the Mountain God” emerging from the mountains… or not.

If you’re on the search for other more amazing places to visit in Vietnam, I recommend checking out this section on the blog where you’ll find all my posts and stories about this wonderful country.

xoxo,

Melissa

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A Complete guide to the Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hills Vietnam
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Da Nang Marble Mountain, Vietnam – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Are you planning a trip to the Da Nang Marble Mountain in Vietnam? That’s an amazing idea, as this is a unique destination and one of the highlights of the entire country! In case you’re wondering when to go, how to properly organise your trip and which tours to choose from all the options out there, I’m here to help. Scroll down to find my complete Marble Mountain guide!

A visit to the Marble Mountains is one of the most popular day trip ideas, especially if you’re in Hoi An.

But let’s start with the beginning:

Where are the Marble Mountains?

The world-famous Marble Mountains are a cluster of 5 limestone and marble hills 7 km south of Da Nang in Vietnam, in Ngũ Hành Sơn District. They’re located in central Vietnam, right on the coast.

Here’s a Marble Mountain map, so you can clearly understand their location in the country:

Da Nang Marble Mountains map

Why visit the Marble Mountains in Da Nang?

The mountains are named after the elements: Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire), Tho (earth) and Kim (metal). As I mentioned in the introduction, the Marble Mountains in Da Nang have become one of the most popular attractions in Vietnam over the years!

But what’s so special about them? Well, on one hand, the site is famous for its importance in the crafts of stone sculpting, but it’s also an important place of worship for Buddhists; some statues there are more than 400 years old. Needless to say that this place has big cultural importance and a rich history as well!

What can you see there?

Da Nang Marble Mountain
Thuy Son Mountain Da Nang

Even though you might be expecting just a simple mountain, there’s quite a lot to see here! You can spend around half a day on-site (let’s say around 3-4 hours), just walking around and exploring the numerous caves, tunnels, pagodas, temples and a beautiful summit. There are even some bullet holes dating back to the Vietnam War!

Thuy Son Mountain

As said before, there are a total of five Marble Mountains. The only mountain available for tourists to explore is the ‘Water’ Mountain (named Thuy Son), where you can find caves that lead to beautifully built pagodas, a few viewpoints, lots of outdoors temples and constructions, and so much more! The best part? Thuy Son Mountain also has the highest summit of them all, so you’ll have a unique, panoramic view of the other mountains and the entire coast as well.

You’ll find a little stall at the entrance where you can pay for your entrance ticket, and then you can choose whether you want to take the stairs or the elevator. The hike to the summit consists of 156 rather steep marble steps. It’s not really a breeze, but it’s not that hard either! But, in all honesty, the elevator is so cheap that I wouldn’t blame you if you chose to shorten the ride.

Non Nuoc Village

Non Nuoc Village Marble Mountains

Underneath the Marble Mountains, you can find the stone-carving village of Non Nuoc. The village is a part of Da Nang city and it has been a stone carving hub since the 17th century. There are over 600 families around the village producing statues, jewellery and artwork using the marble collected from the mountains. The stone itself and the products made from it have been exported to many countries and they’re quite popular!

Ticket prices

To enter the mountain and its tourist attractions, Hòn Thủy Sơn, you must pay a small entrance fee. There is an additional fee for those who would rather go up the mountain using the elevator, but you can avoid that fee by taking the stairs instead.

Marble Mountain Da Nang entrance fee: 40.000 VND (1.80 US$)

Elevator fee: 15.000 VND (0.65 US$)

How to get to the Marble Mountains

Da Nang Marble Mountain Vietnam

The Marble Mountains are located around 10km from the city of Da Nang, on the Southeast side. Because of its prime location, it is quite easy to get to this destination, no matter if you’re visiting from Da Nang or Hoi An. 

You have two options here: you can either join an organised tour, where a professional guide will take care of everything, including roundtrip transportation – or you can take a taxi if you want to visit on your own. You can order a taxi on-demand using the Grab app, which is basically the Vietnamese version of Uber. They have lower fees than regular Vietnamese taxis and your trip will be stress-free. 

FROM HOI AN

A Grab from Hoi An to the Marble Mountains should cost around 250.000 VND to 350.000 each way (11 to 15 US$). There is around 20km between the two points and the ride should not take more than half an hour.

FROM DA NANG

From Da Nang to the Marble Mountain, the Grab costs around 100.000 VND each way (4.30 US$). The ride takes around 5 minutes.

Alternatively, if you’re in Da Nang already, you can also hire a scooter for the day of your visit – this way you can also go and explore other places as well. The cost is around 5 US$ for the entire day and the scooter parking at the Mountains is 3.000 VND (0,15 US$).

Best tours of Da Nang Marble Mountains

Da Nang Marble Mountain Vietnam
Da Nang Marble Mountain Vietnam

If you’re looking for that extra bit of information about the mountains and that extra insight on the Buddhist culture from a local guide that knows what he/she’s talking about, taking a tour would be ideal for you. Plus, the tours are excellent if you want to squeeze in some other close-by destinations such as My Son Sanctuary or Son Tra Peninsula. There are numerous tours from different travel agencies you can take, but they will all offer a similar experience. 

Here are the best options I have selected for you. All of them offer different itineraries and activities, so you can pick your Marble Mountain tour depending on your preferences:

TOURS FROM DA NANG:

TOURS FROM HOI AN:

Find more Marble Mountain tours

When to visit the Marble Mountains

Unlike most tourist sites in Southeast Asia, the crowds didn’t seem to be an issue at the Marble Mountains. Instead, you will be battling the heat and sweat of the midday sun! For that reason, I would recommend avoiding the midday heat (if you can’t, please bring a hat and lots of water) and visit either early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

What about cloudy weather? Well, that isn’t necessarily bad either – unless it actually rains! But, in fact, a less sunny day will make your experience a lot nicer, as it won’t be that hot. Now I know it sounds like I really hate summer right now, but I actually don’t. I love it. BUT. Trust me, the heat in Vietnam during summer is… something else!

Marble Mountains opening hours: 7.00 AM – 5.30 PM, open year-round

My experience

Da Nang Marble Mountain
Da Nang Marble Mountain Vietnam

Truth be told, I didn’t have very high expectations of the Marble Mountains when we visited. It seemed like a huge tourist trap to me. But, when we got there, I realised that the site is actually much more than a few souvenir shops and an elevator that leads to a viewpoint. On. The. Contrary! 

The Marble Mountains actually have a lot to offer! The map at the entrance helped us a lot to figure out where we were and what was available for us to see, so don’t forget to take a copy after you buy your ticket. After that, we just walked around and explored the countless temples and pagodas in the mountains. The more I think about it, the more I realise that the Da Nang mountain surprised me a lot. For a (very) small entrance fee, you’ll get an activity that fill at least half a day, and you’ll learn a lot about Buddhist culture and architecture. The only negative I have is that we visited a bit later in the morning – so we really ended up feeling the heat! Sweating our way around the site wasn’t what I had in mind when planning the visit, but we still had a great time. So be wiser than us and visit early in the morning!

BONUS: What to pack for your visit to the Marble Mountain

Packing list for Da Nang Marble Mountain

I won’t mention the heat again. Heh, I’m sure you already know all about it now. So if you really can’t avoid visiting in the middle of the day, here’s what you HAVE TO bring with you to survive:

Marble Mountain Da Nang dress code: there’s no dress code for visiting unless you’re entering the temples. If you want to enter the temples (and you will want to!), it’s advised to cover your shoulders and knees. Don’t worry if you have nothing that fits the bill – so you can simply bring a scarf along for this.

And here we are! This was my complete guide to one of the most popular mountains of Vietnam – the Marble Mountains in Da Nang! In this post I have collected all the information you may need before you visit, such as when to go, how to visit (by yourself or with a guide), how much it will cost and everything else in-between.

The Marble Mountains are a very interesting destination that I totally recommend adding to your Vietnam itinerary in case you’re in the mood for some history, culture and awe-inspiring views of the coast. 

In case you want to find out more about other exciting places in Vietnam, I recommend clicking here to read all about my adventures in this country.

xoxo,

Melissa

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Vietnam Guide to the Marble Mountains
Guide to the Marble Mountains in Vietnam

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10 Unmissable Da Nang Tourist Attractions – A Complete Guide To The City

Are you planning a trip to Da Nang, Vietnam? I hope you’re ready to have an amazing time! If you’re wondering about the top Da Nang tourist attractions, scroll down to find my complete list, together with some hand-picked hotel recommendations, as well as what to eat (and where to eat it) and how to get around the city!

Da Nang? What’s that?

In case you never heard of this city, you have no idea what you’re missing out on! I think it’s such a shame that Da Nang (also spelled Danang) is often omitted in most Vietnam itineraries, although the city has SO much to offer! A trip to Da Nang can be as exciting as one to Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, trust me! 

Where is Da Nang in Vietnam?

To which I answer: on the coast! It’s actually halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh and it’s the third-largest city in the country. Which means Da Nang is an excellent destination if you want to soak up some sun on the beach and enjoy both the modern and traditional side of Vietnam.

where is da nang in vietnam

This being said, let’s find out about the best things to see in Da Nang city:

10 Best things to do in Da Nang, Vietnam

There are SO many things to see and do in Da Nang! Although it’s hard to choose, here are the 10 top things to do in this city:

1 – Linh Ung Pagoda

Linh Ung Pagoda

D’uhhhh, of course I’m recommending a pagoda as the first thing on this list – after all, we’re in Vietnam! No, really, this is actually one of the main attractions in Da Nang, located at Son Tra Peninsula / Son Tra Mountain (more info below). The Linh Ung Pagoda is nationally famous for its Lady Buddha statue, the tallest of its kind in Vietnam. Enter through the giant Buddha, only to find… more buddha statues! The courtyard is filled with beautiful bonsai trees and you’ll find references to the Buddhist religion in the architecture, gates, stairways, and more.

2 – Son Tra Peninsula / Son Tra Mountain

Da Nang Son Tra Peninsula : Son Tra Mountain

The Son Tra Peninsula (which translates to the ‘Monkey Peninsula’ or ‘Monkey Mountain’ in English) is part of Da Nang National Park. The Peninsula has an altitude of around 600 meters above sea level, which means you’ll find some great hikes up here, along with stunning viewpoints. And the name wasn’t randomly chosen. No, sir! The peninsula is the habitat of a rare species of red monkey – the macaques.

TIP: Sadly, tourists have taken to feeding these monkeys over the years and there have been reports that they can get a bit aggressive with humans. Be careful and keep your distance unless you want to be chased off the peninsula!

3 – Da Nang Fresco Village

Da Nang Fresco Village
Da Nang Fresco Village

Created to promote tourism to Danang, it was only recently (March 2018) that the Da Nang Fresco Village project was opened. A local area of alleyways was painted with murals of traditionally Vietnamese scenes to create a kind of ‘street art treasure hunt’. These bright, colourful murals took three months to complete and feature the work of fifty different artists. 

You’ll find rice pickers tending their fields in the countryside, a crowd cheering on a coconut boat race, two young ladies sitting in a flower field and much more on this cultural experience through art and time.

4 – Bac My An Market

Da Nang Bac My An Market

The Bac My An Market is a great place to come for a wander, check out the goods on sale and try a few local snacks from some of the food vendors. You’ll find all sorts on sale here from fake designer watches to sunglasses, fresh fruits and live frogs. Heh, trust me, exploring the market is a real experience! You’ll also find many street food stalls here where you can try some local dishes such as bahn xeo (savoury egg pancakes), pho (noodle soup), oc len xao dua (stir-fried snails). Often for cheap prices, too!

TIP #1: My favourite, which I recommend you all to try, is the avocado ice cream! They mix fresh, pureed avocado with frozen coconut ice cream. Yes, it sounds a bit bizarre and not very appetising, but trust me, it is delicious!

TIP #2: Alternatively, you can also go to Con Market, which is just as good.

5 – Dragon Bridge

Da Nang Dragon Bridge
da nang dragon bridge

There is no way you can miss the Golden Dragon bridge on your trip, as it’s one of the top places to visit in Da Nang city. You will probably cross it many times when travelling between the different attractions across town. 

On Saturday and Sunday, walk down to the waterfront at 9.00 PM to see the light show. The dragon changes colour while breathing fire, before changing to spurt water from its mouth. In short, this bridge is one of the most exciting things to see in Danang!

FUN FACT: The dragon is a symbol of good luck in Vietnam and the gold colour represents wealth, prosperity, royalty, happiness and change. 

TIP: If you want to see the Dragon Bridge show while sippin’ on a beer, I recommend reserving a table at 7 Bridges Brewery – it offers an amazing view of the bridge!

6 – Love Lock Bridge

Da Nang Love Lock Bridge
Da Nang Love Lock Bridge

This cute little bridge, lined with love-heart lamp posts and home to many couples’ declarations of love padlocks, isn’t actually a bridge… at all. It’s more of a short jetty, as it doesn’t connect the two sides of the river. It’s the perfect place to get a good view of the Dragon Bridge for a more parallel perspective and one of the greatest spots to watch the weekend light show in Danang as well.

RELATED READ: 9 Things to Do in Hoi An, Vietnam – A Complete Hoi An Guide

7 – Marble Mountains

Da Nang Marble Mountain
Da Nang Marble Mountain

RELATED READ: Da Nang Marble Mountain – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Here’s a fun fact: the Marble Mountains are a cluster of five hills made of limestone, named after the elements wood, metal, water, fire and earth. The hills were once the main place of exportation of marble. They now are a famous tourist spot where you can find several Hindu and Buddhist Sanctuaries and a viewpoint guaranteeing a fantastic view of Da Nang! One of the best places to visit if you’re into photography for sure!

8 – My Khe Beach

My Khe Beach in Da Nang Vietnam

Looking for some beautiful beaches in the city of Da Nang? I got you! Running from the Son Tra Peninsula down to the Marble Mountains, this 20-mile stretch of silky white sand is the reason that Da Nang is such a well-known destination for international and domestic tourists alike! For the active traveller, there are excellent surf opportunities here from September to March, along with numerous beach clubs and spas along the coast for those who prefer a leisurely pace in need of pampering. The seafood restaurants found on the waterfront are a bit more pricey than the ones you find in town, but the fish is fresh and you get panoramic views of the ocean!

TIP #1: If you want to take some surfing lessons while you’re at it, I recommend this Surfing Lesson by Surf Shack in Da Nang.

TIP #2: Alternatively, another beautiful beach in Da Nang is Non Nuoc Beach, located less than half an hour by car from Da Nang centre.

9 – Ba Na Hills / Golden Bridge

Da Nang Golden Bridge

The Ba Na Hills is one of the most popular Da Nang attractions due to the fact that they home the Insta-famous Golden Bridge, a fabulous place for the snap-happy to visit year round. Two Hands erupt from the mountainside, holding up the bridge, which passes through the hills. It’s definitely an impressive sight, but it’s not 100% the authentic experience it’s portrayed to be. 

GOOD TO KNOW: To access the bridge you’ll need to pay an entrance fee of 750,000 VND (around 36$) into a kinda kitschy theme park (Ba Na Hill Fantasy Park) and then take a cable car up to the summit. By the way, the cable car up to the summit has the world record for being the LONGEST cable car ride (non-stop, single track)!

To save you time and hassle, my recommendation is to visit this attraction with an organised day trip such as this one – Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Day Tour.

10 – My Son Ruins

My son jungle temples and sanctuary

My Son Ruins, also known as My Son Sanctuary, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features the most important sanctuaries of the My Son civilisation – a civilisation that existed in coastal Vietnam from the 4th to the 13th centuries. These sanctuaries were the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom and feature many references to the Hindu religion. They also showcase some of the Cham engineering, religious and political advancement.

TIP: You can visit the ruins with an organised tour with a guide, which ends up being quite cheap, or by yourself if you want to explore it on your own.

BONUS: Extra things to do in Da Nang if you have more time

Da Nang Cathedral

In case this is not your first time in the city or if you have some more days on your hands to fully experience and understand Da Nang, rest assured that you simply cannot run out of things to do here! So in case you’re bored of lying on the beach, here are some more activities in Da Nang that are definitely worth trying:

RELATED READ: Travel Guide to Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – Tours VS Visiting By Yourself

Best tours of Da Nang by type of traveller

golden bridge da nang
Best tours of Da Nang Vietnam

Da Nang is a complex destination that offers plenty of things to do for all tourists out there. In case your bucket list is getting longer and longer and you find yourself unable to fit everything into your itinerary or if you simply want to make the best out of your given time, I have a suggestion. You can book some organised tours with professional guides! This is a great idea if you want to truly experience Danang and learn about its history and culture. And an excellent way to save some precious time as well, why not?

Here are my recommended tours for different types of needs and travel styles:

Find more Da Nang tours

Organised day trips from Da Nang

Day trips from Da Nang Vietnam

When you’ll organise your itinerary for Danang, you’ll quickly realise that some of the top attractions here such as the Marble Mountains, My Son Sanctuary and the Monkey Mountain are not located inside the city, but a bit outside of it. This means you’ll have to either go there by yourself, or you’ll have to take some organised day trips. I totally recommend going for the organised tours, as this means no stress and hassle from your side! Tours usually have transportation included, so you just need to wake up in the morning and get ready for a day of exploration!

Here are the BEST day trips options (with great prices!) I have selected for you:

Find more day trips

Where to stay in Da Nang, Vietnam

Pullman Danang Beach Resort

RELATED READ: If you want to read more about the absolute best hotels in Danang and the best areas where tourists can stay in Da Nang, make sure to check out this article before your visit: Where to stay in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Of course, the best area to stay in the city if you want to explore all the main attractions in Danang is the city centre (or Hai Chau District). Or you can choose to stay as close to the beach as possible if you want a vacation of relaxation under the sun.

Here’s my recommended accommodation, hand-picked for all types of travellers:

LUXURY: Pullman Danang Beach Resort – if you want the absolute best in the city.

MID-RANGE: Danang Boutique Hotel – if you prefer to be in the centre of Danang but also not far from the beach; 

BUDGET: Danang Beach 2 Hotel – this one’s located close to My Khe Beach; 

HOSTEL: Rom Casa Hostel Da Nang – located between Han River and the beach;

ENTIRE APARTMENT: Minh Tran Apartment and Hotel – in case you’re dreaming of an apartment with an outdoor swimming pool;

Book your accommodation in Da Nang

What to eat in Da Nang & Best restaurants in the city

Of course, you simply cannot visit Da Nang without indulging in some traditional food, am I right? Vietnam is known for its ah-mazing cuisine and unique dishes, and Da Nang is a special place full of local dishes that you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s my list of unmissable dishes to try during your visit, as well as the BEST places in Danang to taste each of them:

MI QUANG

Beefy broth, rice noodles and different types and meats. Surprisingly enough, this is what people in Da Nang eat for breakfast! Some of the best bowls of Mi Quang are served at Mi Quang Ba Mua.

mi quang dish in vietnam

CHAO TOM

This is a dish consisting of prawn and garlic paste, wrapped on a sugarcane, usually served as an appetiser, grilled to deliciousness. Quan Com Hue Ngon is a good place to go for this dish, as well as traditional Vietnamese BBQ.

chao tom dish in vietnam

BUN CHA CA

This is basically a fish ball noodle soup with rice noodles, veggies, pineapple (yes, it’s delicious!) and shrimp paste. And fish balls as well, of course. It’s funky and super delicious! Go to 109 Nguyễn Chí Thanh for one of the most flavourful versions of this dish.

BANH XEO

You can find this dish, together with the famous Banh Mi sandwich and Pho soup, all around Vietnam. Banh Xeo is a sizzling savoury pancake made of rice flour, filled with veggies, pork, shrimp and crunchy bean sprouts. The best Da Nang restaurant for this dish is Banh xeo Ba Duong.

banh xeo dish in ho chi minh

BANH BO

Butter cakes! These are pretty similar to little round, fried doughnuts, only they’re a bit savoury as well and they’re served with chili sauce. Exciting and so yummy! I recommend going to Quán Bánh Bơ for the most delicious ones.

banh bo dish in vietnam

TIP: In case you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, I recommend opting for this Da Nang Local Food Tour.

Getting around Da Nang

Getting around Da nang Vietnam

Getting around Da Nang is, as you will find, not a hard task at all! There are multiple ways of travelling around town and its surroundings and I have listed them all below:

TAXI

Taxis are probably the best way to explore Danang, as they’re easy to find and pretty cheap as well. Fares start at 0,50$ and you’ll be charged around 0,65$ per kilometer. The most reliable taxi companies in Danang are Mai Linh Taxi (green), Vinasun Taxi (white) and Tien Sa Taxi (yellow). Alternatively, you can get a Grab – the equivalent of Uber in Vietnam.

MOTORCYCLE TAXI / XE OM

A famous means of transportation in Vietnam, these are very similar to taxis, only they’re motorcycles – I bet you weren’t expecting that! The advantage here is that they’re faster, as they can successfully avoid hectic traffic, unlike cars.

BUS

Although this is a valid option (and a super cheap one as well, as a ride only costs about 0,20$), it’s not that convenient, as buses are usually super slow and kind of crowded as well.

RENT A MOTORBIKE

This option is excellent for adventurous travellers that want to go everywhere by themselves. Riding a motorbike through Da Nang is exciting and not that expensive either – the price is about 6$ per day (130,000 VND). A good place to rent your motorbike is at The Motorbike Station.

HOW TO GET FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY

Luckily for travellers, Da Nang International Airport is located extremely close to the city center (around 2.5 km away). For your convenience, you can look for private airport transfers such as this one if you want to travel hassle-free to your hotel. It’s pretty cheap as well!

TIP: Before booking your airport transfer, please check with your hotel – some of them can arrange free pick-up for their guests!

RELATED READ: 12 Things To Do in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – A Complete Guide To the City

Phew, this was my complete Da Nang travel guide in Vietnam! This is one of the best tourist spots in the country if you’re planning an adventurous, culture-rich vacation. Danang is a famous beach destination and, regardless if you’re going to do some sunbathing, admire the best view over Danang from the top of Hai Van Pass, explore the wonderful Ba Na Hills, visit some pagodas or taste some authentic food, rest assured that you won’t be disappointed.

I hope this guide will be useful for your upcoming visit! In case you want to further explore the country of Vietnam, I recommend reading all about my adventures here in this section.

xoxo,

Melissa

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Vietnam Danang A Complete Guide
Vietnam Danang A Complete Guide

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