4 Great Reasons to Find Time For a Layover in Danang on the Way to Hoi An Vietnam

Learn about reasons to visit Danang, Vietnam on the way to historic Hoi An. Travel from Hoi An to Danang on a trip to Central Vietnam.

Danang in central Vietnam has the go-to airport for accessing Hoi An and Hue. 

Many people speed right through town without even stopping to have a proper look around. 

We spent a short but sweet afternoon and evening in and around Danang on our way in and out of the region. 

Here's why you should find time for a layover in Danang on the way to Hoi An Vietnam.

1. The Dragon Bridge

When I heard that Danang had a dragon bridge, I thought, "This I gotta see!" We made arrangements with the driver who picked us up at the Danang Airport to stop for a photo-op by the dragon bridge. The bridge lights up at night and even breathes fire on the weekend! Danang's dragon bridge is definitely over-the-top fun.

2. Neon Everywhere

In contrast to Hoi An which maintains an old-fashioned mystique, Danang is decidedly modern. Bridges, buildings, and boats all scream with neon lights making for a vibrant experience.

3. Access the Marble Mountains

Between Hoi An and Danang lies Vietnam's Marble Mountains. We arranged for our driver to stop for a few hours at the Marble Mountains on the way back to Danang from Hoi An. We discovered picturesque temples nestled in the rocks. Make sure you're prepared for a climb and bring plenty of water. The walk around the Marble Mountains was no joke! Pro tip: go early to avoid the crowds visiting the Marble Mountains.

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Southeast Asia is an amazing part of the world to explore, but where should you go (in addition to Danang, of course)? May I suggest: Spending more time in Vietnam to discover Hanoi highlights, take an overnight Halong Bay cruise, go on a Hoi An bicycle tour, and discover Vietnam War sites plus non-touristy things to do in Ho Chi Minh City. Did you know that you can get around Vietnamese cities easily using Grab Vietnam? Cambodia is another destination idea in Southeast Asia. Discover things to do in Phnom Penh and dive into Cambodia's tragic history with a visit to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. There are plenty of things to do in Siem Reap City. Discover the mysterious Angkor Wat temples with a private car and driver and then take a Siem Reap food tour. Find out the pros and cons of visiting Cambodia during the Khmer New Year. If city breaks are more your style, discover things to do in Singapore (as a first or second time visitor), activities to do in KL, and Bangkok.

4. Take a Break from Vietnamese Cuisine

Finally, Danang is a decent-sized city. If you're tired of Vietnamese cuisine, Danang's got you covered. We sampled cheap and cheerful Thai food but could have just as easily sat down for an Italian meal. Danang has restaurants to suit every taste.

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