Getting Around Da Nang
Da Nang sits on the Han River, with the South China Sea to the east and mountains to the west. It is a major transport hub for central Vietnam, positioned on National Route 1 and the North–South Railway. For a visitor, that means the city is well connected to the rest of the country, and getting around within Da Nang itself is generally straightforward and inexpensive.
Ride-Hailing and Motorbike Taxis
Ride-hailing apps like Grab are widely available in Da Nang and are often more convenient and transparent on pricing than hailing a taxi on the street. This matters because the average cab driver speaks no English, and Grab can even translate chat messages both ways. Rates are generally competitive with taxis, though the quality of cars or motorbikes can be a bit of a gamble; it may be worth paying extra for a classier "Plus" vehicle.
Motorbike taxis, known as xe ôm (literally "hug-vehicle"), are plentiful, cheap, and generally quite safe. Expect to hear "you want moto?" everywhere. Helmets are required and the rule is strongly enforced, so make sure your driver supplies you with one — if they don't, find another driver, since you'll be the one fined. Short hops around town are inexpensive, and fares rise if you cross between districts or head all the way to the airport. Drivers are generally friendly, will go slower on request, and many speak some English.
Taxis
Taxi rates in Da Nang are very reasonable, and scams are less common than in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, but it's still better to use a reputable company. Mai Linh and Vinasun have large fleets in the city and are generally honest and reliable, with meters that start automatically once the taxi has moved a short distance. Song Han's yellow taxis are also reported to be fairly reliable.
At the airport, Mai Linh taxi wardens wear green shirts with green ties, and Vinasun wardens wear dark green shirts with maroon ties; these wardens can radio a taxi for you. Outside the railway station many taxis are available, but it's best to avoid the motorbike taxis there, as they often charge the same or more than a regular taxi. If you're heading to Hoi An, a Grab is typically cheaper than a standard taxi fare, and you can try negotiating a fare with a taxi driver at the train station.
Buses and Public Transport
Da Nang has a network of local bus lines serving the city. The buses are new and all are air-conditioned, with a flat ticket price inside the city limits. The DanaBus app (Android and iOS) lets you enter your starting point and destination, and then shows you the right bus line for your trip.
Be careful with websites: a sleek-looking site called danabus.vn ranks high in search engines and might fool you into thinking it's official, but it has outdated information — certainly on ticket prices and possibly on routes as well. Danangbus.vn is the correct website for the city bus network.
One common annoyance: taxi drivers may park in front of a bus stop and tell you the bus isn't running. This is not true — they are just trying to get your business.
For longer journeys, the intercity bus station sits a few kilometres out of the city and is served by local buses, including one route into the town centre and another to Hoi An. Sleeper and regular buses depart from all major destinations in the country to Da Nang, including Quang Binh, Phong Nha, Pleiku, Phan Thiet, and Vung Tau. You can book at the Da Nang Intercity Bus Station, through travel agencies, or at your accommodation. Buses also connect Da Nang with destinations in Laos such as Pakse, Vientiane, Champasak, and Savannakhet.
Rail
Da Nang Railway Station is served by the Reunification Express, which stops in the city; the trip to Hue takes around two and a half hours. Many taxis are available outside the station, but avoid the motorbike taxis there, as they often charge the same or more than a regular taxi.
Walkability
Walking is a realistic option in parts of the city, particularly if you're travelling light — the airport, for instance, is close enough to the centre that some visitors simply walk in. Beyond that, the city is bisected by the Han River, and crossing between districts on foot is less practical than using a taxi, ride-hailing app, or bus.
Renting Your Own Motorbike
You can rent a motorbike in many places, especially around the backpacker area on Tran Cao Van in Thanh Khe district. Two main categories are available: scooters with automatic transmission, and four-speed motorbikes whose gears you change with your left foot. The ubiquitous Honda Super Cub is a common four-speed bike with a semi-automatic gearbox — no clutch — so it's relatively easy to drive. Other models may be fully manual, requiring you to operate the clutch with your left hand; that takes real skill and it's easy to over-rev, pull a wheelie, or stall. If you end up with such a bike, practise releasing the clutch gently before hitting the roads. Rental agents tend to steer foreigners toward scooters, assuming they don't know how to ride manual-geared motorbikes. Note that motorcycles of 175 cc and above are only legal to ride if you make a connection with a Vietnamese motorcycle club.
Renting a motorbike to travel to Hoi An is possible from most hotels and rental companies in Da Nang, and prices drop with bargaining and longer rentals. Ask whether roadside service is included. The route to Hoi An is fairly simple and straightforward, running along the Da Nang coastline with views of the beaches.
One iconic local ride is up Monkey Mountain: many riders follow the road by the beach to the Intercontinental Resort, then ride along the north side heading west and finally down the mountain, exiting near the Port of Da Nang. The road is well maintained but it's not uncommon to encounter a large boulder partly blocking the way, and there are well-posted military areas where signs in Vietnamese and English warn you not to enter or take pictures — those need to be respected. It's recommended not to ride at night.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) sits close to the centre of the city — a short trip of ten minutes at most. The international terminal is shiny and new with all the facilities you'd expect, but at (for Vietnam) outrageous prices, so unless you fancy paying a premium for a bowl of pho, copy the locals and bring along some takeaway.
- Taxis: Available outside the terminal. Reliable companies like Mai Linh, Taxi Xanh, and Song Han usually stick to the meter.
- Grab: Head across the taxi lines to the well-marked dedicated pickup point.
- Shuttle buses to Hoi An: Regular shuttles run to and from Hoi An; the journey takes about 45 minutes.
- City buses: Bus #6 and #10 go west towards the city centre, cross the Han River, and continue towards My Khe Beach.
- On foot: Those travelling light could simply walk from the airport into the city.