When we were planning our two-week Vietnam trip with extended family, Da Nang almost felt like the “gateway” city—a place to land, recover from jet lag, and ease into Vietnamese culture before heading to the more tourist-famous Hoi An. But after spending a full week there with 19 family members ranging from toddlers to grandparents, I can confidently say Da Nang deserves to be a destination in its own right, especially for families with kids.
Yes, the beaches are stunning. My Khe Beach regularly ranks among the world’s best, and our villa on Man Thai Beach gave us direct access to nearly empty stretches of sand. But what made Da Nang work so well for our multi-generational crew was the variety of activities that kept everyone—from our 2-year-old to Dani’s parents celebrating their 50th anniversary—genuinely engaged and happy.
If you’re considering Da Nang for your family trip, here are the 10 activities that actually delivered, along with the honest truth about what worked, what didn’t, and what we’d do differently next time.
1. Food Tours: The Perfect Introduction to Vietnamese Culture
Best for: All ages, especially families with kids who are hesitant about trying new foods
Cost: $25-35 per person
Time commitment: 3-4 hours
Starting our Da Nang experience with a food tour was one of the smartest decisions we made. Our guide (we booked through Get Your Guide—look for the walking tour by David) took us to spots we never would have discovered on our own: a tucked-away restaurant serving Michelin-recognized bánh xèo (crispy Vietnamese rice-flour pancakes), a family-run bánh mì stall where the grandmother has been making the same recipe for forty years, a local pho spot, and a dessert shop with chè (Vietnamese sweet soup) in flavors we couldn’t identify but the kids devoured.
What made this work so well with kids was the pacing—we’d walk a bit, stop and taste, walk some more. It was one of the few tours that didn’t require bikes, moterbikes or shuttle buses, which was perfect for our pace. Our guide was patient with questions, explained ingredients in ways kids understood, and made sure even our pickiest eaters found something they enjoyed.
The game-changer: Dani created a points system where kids got credit for every new food they tried. She tracked scores in her phone, and suddenly trying exotic street food became a competition. Our 6-year-old Remi ate an entire oyster for the glory of leading the scoreboard.
Practical tips:
- Book morning tours before the heat peaks (in summer)
- Go with slightly hungry kids but not starving (hangry kids + unfamiliar food = disaster)
- Ask guides to explain how dishes are made—kids are more willing to try things when they understand them
- The guide will likely have you taste more food than you can finish; don’t feel obligated to clear every plate
Skip if: Your kids are extremely picky eaters with sensory issues around food textures. This tour involves a lot of tasting, and if that’s going to be stressful rather than fun, it’s not worth it.
Our favorite stop: Bánh Xèo Bà Dưỡng for those crispy pancakes. Get there before 11am or after 2pm to avoid the lunch rush.
2. Marble Mountains: Caves, Temples & Views
Best for: Kids ages 5+ who can handle stairs (or families willing to use the elevator)
Cost: Entrance fee around $2-3 per person, elevator $2 additional
Time commitment: 2-3 hours
The Marble Mountains are exactly what they sound like—five limestone hills named after the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) filled with caves, tunnels, Buddhist sanctuaries, and spectacular viewpoints. We hired a Grab to take us the 20 minutes south from our villa, and I’m glad we didn’t attempt this with a tour group.
The caves were the highlight for our kids. Some are filled with Buddha statues lit by shafts of natural light streaming through openings in the rock ceiling, creating an almost mystical atmosphere. Others are dark tunnels that feel like proper adventures. The 6-year-olds were convinced they were explorers discovering hidden temples.
What worked: The combination of physical activity (stairs and climbing), visual wonder (the caves genuinely are beautiful), and the sense of adventure kept kids engaged. It’s also short enough that attention spans don’t max out before you’re done.
What didn’t work: We got pressured by several “guides” at the entrance offering tours. We declined and navigated fine on our own with Google Maps and signage. The tours seemed to involve a lot of pressure to visit stone carving workshops and souvenir shops.
Practical tips:
- Go early (8am) to beat crowds and heat
- Wear good walking shoes—stairs are steep and can be slippery, especially if there’s been rain
- There’s an elevator option for those who don’t want to tackle stairs (great for grandparents or very young kids)
- Bring water—you’ll want it
- The view from the top is worth the climb if you can manage it
Insider move: Ice cream at the bottom as a reward for completing the climb was a huge motivator for our crew.
Skip the: Stone carving workshops unless you genuinely want to buy marble sculptures. They’re interesting for about 10 minutes, then feel like a sales pitch.
3. Núi Thần Tài Hot Springs & Waterpark
Best for: ALL ages—this was our unanimous favorite day
Cost: $15-20 per person for all-day access
Time commitment: Full day (we stayed 6+ hours)
This place is about an hour drive from Da Nang center, and it’s absolutely worth the trip. The facility is massive with multiple mineral bath pools at different temperatures, waterslides, lazy rivers, wave pools, spa areas, and even unexpected bonuses like Dino Park (animatronic dinosaurs) and Love Forest (an elevated catwalk through the trees with beautiful views).
What made this perfect for multi-generational travel was that everyone could do their own thing in one location. Our teenagers went wild on the waterslides. Younger kids alternated between kiddie pools and gentler slides. Because it was December (off-season), many of the pools were cold, so we all ended up congregating in the warm mineral pools. The grandparents loved the therapeutic hot springs and could soak while watching the chaos from a comfortable distance.
What worked: Single-location, all-day activities are gold for large groups with diverse ages. No coordination stress about meeting up, no debates about what to do next—everyone just does their thing and reconvenes when ready.
What to know:
- It was pretty empty when we visited in late December, which was amazing (but slides and kiddie area pools were pretty cold)
- The mineral pools genuinely are relaxing—adults appreciated this as much as kids loved the slides
- There’s a restaurant on-site (we had Korean BBQ), but the kids were anxious to get back to the pools. Bring snacks if you have young kids.
- Dino Park and Love Forest are tucked away on the far side—make sure to explore beyond just the pools
Practical tips:
- Bring your own towels if you’re staying in a villa with free laundry (you can rent them, but with a big group it adds up)
- Wear water shoes—some pool bottoms are rough
- Arrive when it opens (9-10am) to claim good spots near the warm pools
- Allow time for Dino Park if you have dinosaur-obsessed kids
Worth noting: This isn’t a fancy resort spa—it’s more like a really good regional waterpark with the bonus of natural hot springs. Set expectations accordingly.
4. My Khe Beach: Vietnam’s Most Famous Stretch of Sand
Best for: Beach-loving families, water play, and pure relaxation
Cost: Free (lounger rentals $2-5, food/drinks extra)
Time commitment: As long as you want
My Khe Beach regularly shows up on “world’s best beaches” lists, and it lives up to the hype. The sand is soft, the water is warm, and the beach is wide enough that it never feels overcrowded even with decent tourist traffic.
Unlike our quieter villa beach on Man Thai, My Khe is more developed with beachfront restaurants, lounger rentals, and water sports options. This makes it great for families who want amenities without sacrificing the beach experience.
What we did: Dani’s dad and I took our 2-year-old Arlo for a morning of sandcastle building and wave jumping while others in our group found massages, nail salons, or shopping nearby. The flexibility to split up while staying in the same general area was perfect.
Be aware: When we visited, the waves were big enough that most of the beach was closed for swimming except a small supervised section with lifeguards. This can vary by day and season, but don’t assume you’ll always be able to swim.
Practical tips:
- Beachfront restaurants are convenient but slightly pricier than eating elsewhere
- Fresh coconut water sold on the beach is cheap and delicious
- Water sports are available (paddleboarding, jet skis) if your kids are old enough
- Sunrise here is supposed to be spectacular (we never managed to wake up early enough to confirm)
Combine it with: The famous “My Khe Beach” photo op letters make for great family photos. They’re at the main beach entrance.
5. Dragon Bridge Fire & Water Show
Best for: Kids who love spectacle (all of them, basically) and can stay up until 9pm (ours didn’t quite make it!)
Cost: Free
Time commitment: 15-30 minutes (show is at 9pm on weekends)
Is it touristy? Yes. Is it a bit kitschy? Absolutely. Did our niece and nephew love watching a massive dragon-shaped bridge breathe actual fire and spray water while lit up in changing colors? 100%.
The Dragon Bridge spans the Han River, and on weekend evenings at 9pm, it puts on a show that’s exactly what it sounds like—the dragon head breathes fire, then sprays water, all while the bridge lights cycle through rainbow colors.
Full transparency: We didn’t actually make it to this. Remi and Arlo both fell asleep at the night markets beforehand (jet lag was still real), so Dani and I missed it. But the rest of our group went and said it was a hit with all the kids. Some even got soaked by the water spray and thought it was hilarious.
Practical tips:
- Get there 15 minutes early to secure a good viewing spot on the riverbank
- Weekends only, 9pm sharp
- If you’re close to the dragon head, you might get wet from the water spray (kids think this is amazing, adults less so)
- Combine with dinner or night market exploration nearby since you’re already out
Realistic expectation: It’s a 10-minute show, not a full evening activity. But it’s free, visually impressive, and kids talk about it, so it’s worth working into your schedule if timing allows.
6. Vietnamese Hair Treatment (21-Step Spa Experience)
Best for: Adults and older kids who enjoy pampering
Cost: $10-15 per person
Time commitment: 90 minutes
This might be the most uniquely Vietnamese experience on this list. Eight of us (mostly adults, plus a couple of older kids) booked appointments at Maha Spa for the famous 21-step hair treatment, and it was a genuine highlight of the trip.
The treatment involves washing, conditioning, treating, massaging (scalp, neck, shoulders, arms), and styling your hair through an elaborate 21-step process. It’s indulgent, relaxing, and shockingly affordable at around $12 for 90 minutes of pampering.
What made it special: It felt like a luxury spa experience at street food prices. The scalp massage alone was worth the appointment, and everyone emerged feeling like they’d been to a high-end salon.
Practical tips:
- Look for salons advertising “21-step” or “spa tóc”
- Many cater primarily to women but welcome everyone
- Ask your villa host for recommendations—they’ll know reputable places
- Book appointments in advance if you have a large group
- Don’t plan anything immediately after—you’ll want to preserve your perfectly styled hair
Kid consideration: The 21 and 17-year old loved it, but I wouldn’t bring little kids. You need to sit relatively still for 90 minutes.
7. Son Tra Night Market: Street Food & Local Shopping
Best for: Adventurous eaters and families who enjoy market atmosphere
Cost: Minimal (street food is cheap)
Time commitment: 1-3 hours
Son Tra Night Market is more local and less touristy than some of Da Nang’s other markets, which made it feel more authentic but also slightly less polished. We went for the street food and stayed for the whole experience—wandering through stalls selling grilled seafood, cheap toys, knock-off sneakers, and everything in between.
The kids loved the sensory overload: vendors grilling corn and calling out to us, bright lights, unfamiliar smells, the general carnival energy. We ate dinner entirely from street stalls—bánh xèo (those crispy pancakes we’d learned about on the food tour), nem lụi (grilled pork skewers), grilled corn, and various things we pointed at without knowing what they were.
What worked: Low-pressure eating. If a kid didn’t like something, we just bought something else from the next stall. Everything was cheap enough that food waste wasn’t a budget concern.
What to know:
- Most vendors speak enough English, but pointing and smiling works fine
- Hygiene standards could be different from Western restaurants—choose busy stalls with high turnover
- Bring cash (small bills are helpful)
- We sat at little plastic tables and chairs on the street, which kids thought was an adventure
Safety note: We felt completely safe, even with young kids, but keep an eye on belongings in crowded areas.
Manage expectations: There are a fair number of tourists, but it felt like real local life – loud, chaotic, and wonderful if you embrace it, but potentially overwhelming if you prefer more structure.
8. VinWonders Indoor Waterpark (Rainy Day Savior)
Best for: Backup plan when weather doesn’t cooperate
Cost: $20-25 per person
Time commitment: Full day
We’d originally planned to visit Ba Na Hills on what turned out to be our first (and only) truly rainy day. We pivoted to Mikazuki Water Park 365—technically closer to Hoi An than Da Nang, but only about 20 minutes from our Da Nang villa.
The facility calls itself “indoor” but parts are covered, parts aren’t. The key is that it’s designed to function in rain with massive roofed sections, so you’re not completely exposed to the weather.
Multiple themed zones, wave pools, slides ranging from gentle to terrifying, lazy river, arcade games—it kept our entire group entertained for a full day despite the rain. By afternoon the rain had stopped, but we were having too much fun to leave.
What worked: Having rainy day options already researched in our planning spreadsheet meant we could pivot quickly without debate or scrambling.
Practical tips:
- Even with rain, it wasn’t empty, but it also wasn’t uncomfortably crowded
- Food court on-site has variety (pizza, Vietnamese food, fried rice)
- Lockers available for valuables
- It’s big—give yourself time to explore different sections
Lesson learned: Don’t over-plan days. Some of our best experiences came when we had to be flexible and adapt to circumstances.
9. In-Villa BBQ Experience
Best for: Large groups who want a special meal without restaurant logistics
Cost: $15 per person for unlimited food
Time commitment: Full evening
This isn’t an “activity” in the traditional sense, but arranging for a catering company to bring a full BBQ spread to our villa was one of the smartest moves we made. They brought marinated meats, fresh seafood, vegetables, sauces, rice, all the equipment, and even chefs who grilled everything while we relaxed.
We did this for Dani’s parents’ anniversary celebration, and it was perfect—kids could play in the pool between courses, adults could linger over drinks without worrying about restaurant closing times or getting everyone ready to go out, and the whole evening felt special without the stress of coordinating 19 people at a restaurant.
What made it work:
- The food was genuinely excellent—grilled oysters, prawns, marinated pork, whole fish
- Way more affordable than a comparable restaurant meal
- Zero stress about timing or kid behavior
- Created intimate family time in a relaxed setting
How to arrange:
- Ask your villa host for catering recommendations
- Book at least 2-3 days in advance
- Specify any dietary restrictions
- Confirm what’s included (equipment, serving staff, cleanup)
Worth noting: This worked because we had a villa with outdoor space and a decent kitchen. Wouldn’t be possible in a standard hotel.
10. East West Brewing: Craft Beer & Sunset Views
Best for: Adults who want a taste of modern Da Nang (kids welcome but not the focus)
Cost: Beers $3-5, food reasonable
Time commitment: 1-2 hours
After cultural immersion and kid activities, some of the adults craved something contemporary and Western. East West Brewing delivered—excellent craft beer, rooftop terrace with beach views, and a menu that included both Vietnamese dishes and Western comfort food.
We stopped here after Marble Mountains, and it was the perfect wind-down. The teenagers and a few adults enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere while kids who’d come along played nearby on the beach. The beer was genuinely good (not just “good for Vietnam”), and watching the sunset from the terrace was lovely.
What to know:
- It’s a brewery/restaurant, not a waterpark—kids are welcome but there’s nothing specifically for them to do
- The rooftop has great views but isn’t enclosed, so keep an eye on young kids
- Happy hour deals make already-affordable beer even cheaper
- They have a beach volleyball court that older kids used while adults had drinks
Practical tip: We walked 40 minutes back to our villa along the beach after East West. It was beautiful but took longer than expected because kids kept stopping to play in the sand. Plan accordingly or just Grab back.
What We Skipped (And Don’t Regret)
Ba Na Hills: This mountain resort with cable cars and a famous Golden Bridge held by giant hands is one of Da Nang’s most Instagrammed spots. We planned to go but our rainy day made it impractical (clouds would have obscured views), and we never rescheduled. From what we heard from others, it’s impressive but extremely crowded and feels very commercialized. With young kids, we weren’t heartbroken to miss it.
Lady Buddha & Linh Ung Pagoda: This massive white Buddha statue on Son Tra Peninsula is beautiful, but we were templed-out after Marble Mountains and prioritized beach time instead.
Museum of Cham Sculpture: Probably excellent if you’re into history and artifacts, but with young kids who’d sat still on long flights, a museum felt like a hard sell.
Da Nang Logistics: What You Need to Know
Getting Around
- Download Grab before you arrive—it’s cheaper and easier than negotiating with taxi drivers
- Most rides within Da Nang are $3-8
- Walking works for some areas (beach promenades, local neighborhoods) but the city is spread out
- Scooter rentals are everywhere if you’re experienced (we are, and used them in Hoi An, but not Da Nang)
Where to Stay We rented a villa on Man Thai Beach, which was perfect for our large group but put us slightly outside the main action. Benefits: quiet, private beach access, more affordable. Drawbacks: needed Grab for most activities.
If I were traveling with just my immediate family, I’d consider staying closer to My Khe Beach for walkability to restaurants and easier beach access.
Weather We visited late December (end of rainy season) and got lucky with only one truly rainy day. It was hot and humid but not unbearably so. Afternoons were warmest; mornings and evenings were pleasant.
How Long to Spend We had a full week in Da Nang, which felt leisurely and perfect for our pace. You could absolutely see the highlights in 3-4 days if you’re efficient, but with kids, the extra time for downtime and flexibility was valuable.
Safety Da Nang felt very safe. We wandered night markets with young kids, walked beaches at dusk, explored local neighborhoods—never felt unsafe or concerned.
Final Thoughts: Is Da Nang Worth It for Families?
Absolutely. What I loved about Da Nang was the lack of pressure to be constantly sightseeing. It’s a city where you can balance cultural experiences (food tours, Marble Mountains, markets) with pure relaxation (beaches, pools, spa treatments) without feeling like you’re missing major bucket-list attractions.
For families with young kids, this is ideal. You’re not dragging exhausted toddlers through temples they won’t remember while parents resent missing the experience. Instead, you’re creating a rhythm that works for everyone—adventure when energy is high, downtime when it’s not.
The affordability factor can’t be overstated. We could say yes to almost everything—extra food tours, in-villa BBQ, spa treatments, activities—without budget stress. This removed so much potential friction from decision-making.
Would we go back? In a heartbeat. We barely scratched the surface of Da Nang’s food scene, didn’t make it to several beaches, skipped some attractions. There’s easily enough here for a return trip.
If you’re planning Da Nang with kids, my advice: Don’t try to do everything. Pick 4-5 activities that match your family’s interests and energy levels, build in lots of beach time, leave room for spontaneous discoveries (the best bánh mì we found was one we stumbled on, not one that was on our list), and remember that sometimes the best vacation moments are kids playing in a pool while adults actually get to finish a conversation.
Planning Resources
Ready to plan your Da Nang adventure? Here are the tools that made our trip manageable:
My Google Sheets Family Travel Planner helps you organize activities, budget, restaurants, and daily logistics for your Vietnam trip.
Or use my AI Itinerary Builder to generate a customized Da Nang plan based on your kids’ ages, interests, and travel dates.
Want the full two-week Vietnam breakdown? Check out my complete Vietnam family itinerary with day-by-day details.
Questions about Da Nang with kids? Drop them in the comments—I’m happy to help troubleshoot your planning!
Pin this for later: [Pinterest graphic: “10 Best Family Activities in Da Nang Beyond the Beach”]
Helpful Resources & Booking Links
Here are some resources to help you plan your Vietnam family adventure: This post contains links to planning tools I’ve created. I only recommend resources I actually use and believe make travel planning easier for families. The small commission I get from the links below help support the work I do to create these resources!
