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Travel snapshots. Photo by the author
Da Nang is probably the best discovery for a visa run from Bali. It has everything we miss so much on the island: smooth roads without terrible traffic jams, huge pavements, cheap and reliable Grab, decent service, a very clean ocean and an incredible choice of food, from budget street food to excellent specialty coffee. If you are planning to renew your visa and are not sure where to go, choose Da Nang.
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A selection of photos from Vietnam. Photo by the author
Especially as AirAsia recently launched direct flights from Bali, with a flight time of 4 hours. Prices are quite high at the moment. There was a time when you could buy a ticket on the website for 1 million, but now tickets average around 3 million. If you can, book in advance for around IDR 1,700,000. Closer to the departure date, tickets cost around IDR 4,000,000.
Examples of AirAsia prices
Airlines, especially AirAsia, strictly check for a return or onward ticket from Indonesia when departing from Da Nang.
General Information and Tips
Money and currency exchange: when you arrive at Da Nang Airport, do not rush to exchange all your money at the first counters you see. They often try to take advantage and offer a very poor rate, such as VND 24,000 for $1. The normal market rate is currently around VND 26,300+. Feel free to negotiate, move on to the next counters, or exchange $10–20 for your first Grab ride and change the rest at jewellery shops in the city centre, near Han Market, where the rate is usually the best.
Mobile Connection
Internet in Vietnam is quite fast. You can buy a Viettel or Vinaphone SIM card at the airport or in the city, and eSIM options are also available. Tip: if you use an eSIM and do not want to deal with a physical card, set it up online in advance to save time on arrival. If you arrive in the evening, you can also buy one calmly and without queues at the airport counter.
Also, if you are travelling from Bali for a few days, Telkomsel has a roaming option. You can buy a five-day internet package for IDR 150,000.
Telkomsel website
Airport
Da Nang Airport is a real pleasure compared with the endless queues in Denpasar. It is practically within the city: from the runway to the beach areas, a taxi ride takes just 10–15 minutes. The international terminal, T2, is new, modern, bright and easy to navigate. There is strong air conditioning everywhere, free fast Wi-Fi, and passport control on arrival usually takes no more than 20 minutes.
Da Nang Airport. Photo by the author
Outside the exit, you will find a well-organised area with ATMs and official mobile operator counters. Banks and exchange offices are also there.
The main thing to remember is the GrabBike pick-up point in the car park, as drivers are not allowed to come right up to the terminal doors. Also, do not exchange all your dollars here at once because of the poor rate. Other than that, this is probably the most comfortable and stress-free airport in Southeast Asia.
Transport
Getting around Da Nang after Bali is a real pleasure. That said, there is still road chaos and some dangerous junctions. We are used to Bali’s traffic flow, but Vietnam also has plenty of hectic and unpredictable driving.
GrabBike/GrabCar from the airport
This is the cheapest way to get to your hotel. However, bear in mind that bike drivers are not allowed to come directly to the terminal doors. When you exit the International Terminal, T2, go straight ahead, cross the road and head to the car park, to the dedicated online services area called Rideshare Pick-up Spot, usually near pillar No. 03 by the glass building. The Grab app always has clear photo instructions. When leaving the airport, the driver will add an airport fee of around VND 10,000–15,000 to the fare. This is normal.
If you have an Indonesian bank card, you can simply link it to the Grab app and pay for your rides online.
Important: if you have a large suitcase, a GrabBike simply will not take you. In that case, order a GrabCar. Prices are very reasonable: a ride from the airport to the An Thuong beach area costs only VND 100,000–150,000. Grab works very reliably around the city.
If you like having more freedom, you can rent a regular scooter from almost any rental place. Licences are checked here, but not too strictly. More precisely, if you want to rent a bike over 150cc, you will need an Indonesian category A licence with you.
Bike Rental
If you plan to rent a bike, still be careful. The roads are wider here, which is a huge advantage, but locals drive quite erratically. The main rule when crossing the road is: do not stop. Walk calmly and steadily, without hesitation, and people will drive around you.
Renting a bike in Da Nang is more about enjoyment and freedom than a strict necessity. The roads here are open, four-lane, with smooth asphalt and clear traffic lights, so riding does not turn into constant stress.
However, the rental process in Vietnam is slightly more formal than in Bali. In 90% of cases in Da Nang, you will be asked to leave your original passport as a deposit for the whole trip. If you do not want to hand over your documents, you can almost always agree on a cash deposit of $50–100, or VND 1,000,000–2,000,000.
As for licences: rental shops are not interested in them, but the local police in yellow uniforms, although they set up checkpoints much less often than Bali police, will strictly ask for an international category A driving permit if they stop you. Tourists say it is possible to settle things on the spot for $20. The best and safest way to stay unnoticed is to always wear a helmet, avoid speeding and move with the local traffic flow.
Rental prices in Da Nang will pleasantly surprise you. They are noticeably lower than in Bali, and because the roads are smooth, the bikes are usually in excellent technical condition. Heavy NMax or PCX models are not very popular here, although you can still find them. Compact city scooters are the trend.
The cheapest option, such as a Honda Vision or Yamaha Janus 110cc, costs only VND 80,000–100,000 per day or around VND 1,000,000 per month.
For comfortable longer rides to Hoi An or out of town, you can rent a Yamaha NVX 155cc maxi-scooter, the Bali NMax equivalent. It costs VND 150,000–200,000 per day.
Local Classics: Pho Bo, Juices and Local Delicacies
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A variety of food. Photo by the author
Vietnamese street food is a pleasure in its own right.
In Vietnam, pho bo is usually divided into northern style, which is more restrained and focused on a clean, rich broth, and southern style, served with lots of herbs, bean sprouts and slightly sweet sauces. In Da Nang, you can try both versions.
Before the bridges, on the beach side:
- Phở Thìn Đà Nẵng (An Thượng)
This is a legendary branch of the most famous pho brand from Hanoi. Their signature dish is Phở Tái Lăn, where the beef is quickly stir-fried with garlic in a hot wok before being added to the soup. The broth is rich, dense and has an incredible smoky aroma. Portions are huge. This is true premium street food.
- Phở Việt Béo
A very popular place right in the expat area. They serve classic pho bo that feels familiar to Europeans, with perfectly thin slices of tender beef. The herbs are always fresh, the place is spotless and service is very fast.
Across the bridges, in the city centre / Hai Chau area:
- Phở Bắc Hải
Located just beyond the Son Tra Bridge. This is an old, well-established spot where crowds of locals gather in the morning. The broth here is incredibly rich. If you want to experience Da Nang waking up, take a bike, cross the bridge and order pho here.
- Phở Lý Quốc Sư (Nguyen Van Linh)
Another iconic name from Hanoi that has made its way to central Da Nang. This is more of a restaurant format with excellent service. You can choose how cooked you want the meat in your soup, from raw beef that cooks directly in the boiling broth in your bowl to fully cooked brisket. Prices are higher than on the street, but the flavour is excellent.
Real pho bo (Phở Bò)
- Moc Le restaurant
A wonderful, clean and still very local place serving outstanding pho bo, crispy spring rolls and traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches.
Unlike very basic street stalls, this place is very tidy and the staff understand basic English. The pho bo broth is cooked for more than 10 hours, making it clear, aromatic and deep in flavour. The spring rolls are excellent and served piping hot. Prices are around VND 40,000–60,000.
A favourite among expats, and in the evening there may be no free tables.
Very Cheap Fresh Juices
Smoothies and juices are very cheap in Vietnam. Look for signs saying Sinh Tố, meaning smoothies, or Nước Ép, meaning juices, on any street. A huge glass of freshly squeezed mango, pineapple or passion fruit juice will cost only VND 20,000–30,000.
Ask for "Không đường" — no sugar, and "Không đá" — no ice.
Avocado and Durian Ice Cream (Kem Bơ)
This is the main dessert hit that people queue for. It is a thick purée made from ripe, buttery avocado, topped with a scoop of delicate coconut ice cream and sprinkled with crunchy coconut flakes. Durian lovers can also have a piece of fresh durian added on top.
This little gastronomic wonder is also very cheap, costing only around VND 15,000–25,000, and the taste is unforgettable.
Tiệm Kem NZ + Chè Thái Sầu Riêng + Kem trái dừa bali — delicious ice cream on the beachfront
European Food and Specialty Coffee
Vietnam is a food lover’s paradise. Prices here are much lower than in Bali, and the quality of ingredients and service is often far better.
Specialty coffee, breakfasts and aesthetics
- XLIII Specialty Coffee (43 Factory Coffee Roaster)
A true coffee temple for geeks and aesthetes. Futuristic design, lots of light, minimalism and a huge open bar in the centre.
They do not just make coffee here; they turn it into a full specialty coffee performance. You choose the beans, such as Rwanda, Ethiopia or Colombia, and they tell you about the farm, roast and growing altitude.
Prices are above the city average, but you get a professional cupping experience and a great atmosphere.
Recommendation: try the V60 or pour-over made with rare Arabica varieties.
- Lighthouse Cafe
A cosy and incredibly photogenic place with a light European feel. It is a lovely spot for a morning coffee with a croissant. The staff are extremely polite.
- Cửa Ngõ Café
An absolute gem for lovers of authentic Vietnamese aesthetics. The café is designed in a traditional rural style, with unfired clay walls, old roof tiles, woven décor and vintage furniture.
Once you step inside, you instantly forget you are in a modern city. This place is worth visiting for incredible photos.
Make sure to order the legendary Vietnamese egg coffee or a refreshing lotus tea. Bear in mind that there is no air conditioning in the usual sense in the open areas.
- D Coffee
A stylish, lively youth space in the An Thuong area, designed in a minimalist industrial style.
This is a typical example of modern Vietnamese coffee culture: quality local beans, very friendly baristas and very reasonable prices. Local expats like to stop by here for their morning caffeine boost.
Photos from the café
The place is famous for its huge cups of matcha and coffee, or more accurately, buckets. Yes, the café has a separate option where you can order an enormous serving of matcha or coffee on tap.
- IVEGAN SUPERSHOP
The main saviour for Bali vegans and healthy-eating fans who have moved to Da Nang. This is a full concept store with healthy food. It has a spacious, bright dining area and a menu with so many options it is hard to choose. Portions are huge, the microgreens are extremely fresh, and there is plenty of plant-based protein.
You can build your perfect bowl, order avocado toast on gluten-free bread, and you should definitely try their raw, sugar-free desserts.
- KURUMI
Another fantastic vegan spot hidden in quiet backstreets. The place is known for its homely, almost family-like atmosphere and incredibly friendly staff. The interior design feels like cosy Scandinavian cottages. Google reviews are full of praise for their gluten-free pastries and raw cakes. Recommended: vegan burgers, falafel bowls and definitely a latte with homemade almond milk.
- Coco Smoocha
A tiny but very sweet and stylish corner for fans of good smoothie bowls, fresh juices and light vegan snacks. If you need a quick, healthy bite after the beach, this is the place to go. All ingredients are sourced from local farms, so the fruit is always excellent.
Bakeries, pizza and fine dining
- Bread & Butter Bakery (B&B Bakery)
A paradise for lovers of quality baked goods. French croissants, fresh fruit tarts and, most importantly, artisan sourdough bread: tartine, rye and wholegrain.
Expats say you can buy proper European bread here. Come early in the morning while the almond and chocolate croissants are still warm, and make sure to take a fresh baguette with you.
- The Hideout café
A cute little café, a “hideout” from the city bustle, tucked away in a side street. It has a very green courtyard, a quiet atmosphere and a pleasant interior. It is an ideal place for reading, working or having a slow brunch. They serve photogenic breakfasts, craft lemonades and decent coffee.
- Rahat Bakery
A unique place for Da Nang, where you can find traditional Turkish and Middle Eastern pastries, as well as amazing sweets. If you miss real baklava, pita or simit, this spot is a must-visit.
You can also find Slavic food here: homemade cottage cheese and sour cream, pancakes, borscht and sochniki pastries. Very tasty. It is located inside a market, where you can also buy fresh fruit and vegetables on the way. Guests praise the excellent quality of the ingredients and the authentic flavours.
The bakery and a cottage cheese bun from there. Photo by the author.
- Le Comptoir
A true French fine-dining restaurant for a special evening. If you want to enjoy haute cuisine, book a table here. The French chef works wonders in the kitchen, and the wine list is considered one of the best in the city. In reviews, guests mention flawless restaurant-level service, excellent steaks, foie gras and cheese platters. Prices are European, but the quality justifies every dong.
- Pizza 4P's Indochina Da Nang
A cult pizza chain in Vietnam, created by Japanese founders, which has turned pizza-making into a real art. The restaurant is located right on the riverfront. Its main highlight is its own burrata, produced on a farm in Da Lat. In the evening, you need to book a table in advance, as it is always full.
You can order a Half & Half pizza, with one side topped with their signature fresh burrata and Parma ham, and the other with crab or salmon in a creamy sauce. For dessert, try the homemade cheese ice cream. It is amazing.
- Gordon's New York Pizza Cityside
Real American pizza on a thin but crispy base, with a huge amount of stretchy cheese. Portions are huge, you can order by the slice, the sauce is rich and the crust is just perfect.
- DANCE STUDIO HX - Coffee
An unusual hybrid of a dance studio and an atmospheric café. It is a space with creative energy, stylish interiors, good music and a great choice of drinks. It is a nice place to stop by for coffee among creative people, watch rehearsals or simply relax in an industrial-style interior.
Entertainment and Trips: Where to Go and What to See
Sporty lifestyle and an endless promenade
Da Nang’s main pride is its incredible promenade and beach line, stretching for more than 30 kilometres. The sand is fine and white, and the pavements are very wide, clean and perfectly smooth.
Locals get up early. Every morning, from 5 to 7, and every evening after 5, when the heat drops, the promenade turns into a huge open-air sports stadium. Thousands of people run, work out on outdoor fitness equipment, play beach volleyball, practise tai chi or simply walk in pairs. The city’s sporty and healthy energy is infectious. Life by the ocean here feels very civilised, with many locals and Europeans around.
If you want to swim, it may look a little strange: although the beach is huge, for safety reasons locals mark out only a certain rectangular area in the water where you can swim, while the rest of the area is reserved for surfers.
There are many beach clubs on the beach. Everything is a little more expensive than in Da Nang itself, but still cheaper than in Bali.
Da Nang Beach. Photo by the author.
Life among foreign expats in Da Nang is very different from the Bali scene. There is less pretentiousness and “consciousness”, and in some ways more simplicity, warmth, relaxed communication and straightforward fun. The main social hub is the tourist area of An Thuong on the beach side, which expats affectionately call the “ghetto”, as well as the riverfront on the city-centre side.
Billiards and Pickleball
The local community prefers spending time in billiard halls and sports bars.
Billiards in Vietnam is practically a national sport, and Da Nang is ahead of the curve here, with world tournaments regularly held in the city. For expats, it is the main way to socialise over a cold beer.
For example, at Hybrid Sports Lounge, Bamboo2 Bar and Simple Man.
If everyone in Bali has gone crazy for padel, then in Vietnam, and especially in Da Nang, pickleball is the new obsession. This hybrid of tennis and table tennis is the main sporting hobby among expats. The city already has around a hundred courts. For expats, it is not just a game but the fastest way to join the community, as social knock-out games are constantly organised, with partners changing every round.
Maia Beach Bar
If you want to relax in the evening, have a cocktail and listen to music right on the sand with the sound of the waves, head to Maia Beach Bar. It has great design, comfortable sun loungers and beanbags, and good lighting and sound. A pleasant crowd gathers here, fire shows are held and DJs perform. It is an ideal place to spend the evening. Sunsets in Da Nang are not as beautiful as in Bali, but the atmosphere is lovely.
DA NANG DOWNTOWN (formerly Asia Park)
There is a huge amusement park right within the city, on the riverbank. It is easy to recognise by the giant Sun Wheel, which lights up at night and is one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world.
The park is divided into themed zones dedicated to different Asian countries. It is worth coming closer to the evening to go on the rides, take impressive photos of the night city from above and watch an extreme water show with jet skis and flyboards.
Trip to Lady Buddha (Chùa Linh Ứng)
A huge snow-white statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, 67 metres high, rises on the mountain of the Son Tra Peninsula. It can be seen from almost anywhere on My Khe Beach.
Take a GrabBike or rent a scooter and ride up the perfect coastal road to the mountain. The road is quiet and takes around 15–20 minutes from the centre.
From here, you get the most photogenic and breathtaking view of the whole of Da Nang and its endless coastline. Wild monkeys live on the temple complex grounds, though they are used to people, so hide your glasses and phones. Entry is completely free.
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Temple grounds. Photo by the author.
Day Trip to Hoi An (Hội An)
Hoi An is an ancient fairytale-like town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located just 30 km south of Da Nang, about 40 minutes by taxi.
Leave Da Nang in the morning so you have time to see the town in daylight, buy something as a souvenir and then experience its main magic: the evening show.
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Hoi An. Photo by the author.
Walking around feels like being in a small European town with a huge amount of history, where you want to look closely at every corner.
In the evening, all traffic is banned in Hoi An, and the old town lights up with thousands of colourful silk lanterns. It looks like a fairytale come to life. You can take a small boat along the Thu Bon River, release a paper lantern with a wish, and visit the many art galleries and cafés.
Hoi An is also famous for its generations of tailors and shoemakers. Here, you can have a perfect suit or dress made to measure from natural silk or linen within 24 hours, or order Birkenstock-style sandals.
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Streets of Hoi An. Photo by the author.
Health, Wellness and Sport
A visa run is the perfect time to take care of yourself, get medical check-ups done and deal with the things you never got around to in Bali. In Vietnam, all of this is actually much cheaper.
- Citi Dental Clinic
This is a top dental clinic and medical centre where expats go for professional teeth cleaning, tests and full health check-ups. The clinic is European-level, absolutely sterile, and the doctors speak excellent English.
Ultrasonic teeth cleaning and polishing here costs several times less than in international centres in Bali. You can also get comprehensive blood tests and check your health indicators without queues or bureaucracy.
- Zen Spa & Beauty
A place for total relaxation. Choose a full spa programme that includes steaming in a hammam or sauna, a body scrub with natural ingredients, a hot stone massage and facial care. The therapists use soft but deep Asian techniques. After two hours here, you leave feeling like a renewed person. Tested and approved. And again, the prices are very reasonable.
- Create Danang Art Space
A space for those who want to clear their mind through creativity. This cosy place is hidden in a side street. They run workshops in painting, ceramics, sculpting and crafts. It is an incredibly therapeutic place with a creative community, where you can spend a couple of hours with a brush in your hand while drinking tea. Or you can work from there.
- Da Nang Wellness. Yoga & Surf
A great centre combining two of Bali’s main passions: yoga and surfing. You can sign up for morning hatha or vinyasa yoga, and in the afternoon take a surf lesson. In season, the waves in Da Nang are ideal for learning: long whitewater, a safe sandy bottom and no terrible crowds in the water like in Kuta.
Among the gyms, I liked Alpha Fitness & Yoga Center.
It is a huge premium fitness complex in the city centre. It has everything: a modern gym, rooms for group classes, a professional yoga studio and a great recovery area.
And Vinabeast Rooftop Gym is the most atmospheric gym in the city, located on a rooftop. Imagine doing deadlifts or running on a treadmill with a panoramic view of the ocean and city in front of you. The gym is well equipped with good weights and machines, has excellent ventilation and a strong motivational vibe. Day passes are available.
Da Nang completely changes the way you think about visa runs. Instead of feeling like a stressful trip you simply have to get through, it feels like a proper getaway.
For many Bali residents, the city is a welcome escape from the island’s traffic, constant construction and rising prices. It offers everything you need for a refreshing break: long seaside promenades perfect for a morning run, delicious bowls of pho bo for just a few dollars, a growing expat community playing pool and pickleball, and easy access to beautiful natural attractions.
Despite its popularity with tourists, Da Nang never feels overwhelming. It has a slower, more relaxed rhythm that makes it easy to unwind. It’s the kind of place you leave with your visa sorted—and already looking forward to your next visit.
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