Tan Li AnnMany countries in Southeast Asia are known for their fantastic food and generally low travel costs. However, Vietnam takes this to a whole new level with its distinct cuisine and affordable prices. Da Nang, in particular, offers a blend of both city life and a resort-style vacation.
Also read: 12 Fun Things to Do in Da Nang, Vietnam for First-Time Visitors
Having enjoyed myself thoroughly during my trip there, here’s my Da Nang travel guide to help you make the most of your trip!
1. Appreciating local cuisine
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. I try to apply this philosophy to every country I visit and I think it’s especially important in Vietnam. Da Nang, like many other cities in Vietnam, has a huge café scene which I enjoyed a lot throughout my trip.
However, when it comes to enjoying authentic local food, cafés are hardly the place to go. Many Vietnamese eateries are small, family-run businesses located in the living rooms of their own homes, and these are where the true gems are! You can often get a meal for less than VND50,000 (S$2.61) at these places. I visited eateries like Tonkins Bún Chả Hà Nội, and Bún chả Quyen’s House because Bún Chả is one of my favourite dishes in Vietnamese cuisine.
(L): Bánh Khọt; (R): Bánh Cuốn
Aside from Bún Chả, I tried other dishes like Bánh Khọt (a mini savoury pancake filled with egg or shrimp, topped with fried shallots, and dipped in a light fish sauce) and Bánh Cuốn (a Vietnamese version of Chee Cheong Fun – thin sheets made of rice flour and filled with mushrooms, onions, minced pork and served in a fish sauce) at Con Market.
Con Market has a food court section with tightly packed stalls and slim metal benches where you can have a quick bite. These stalls sell everything from Phở bowls to Bánh Xèo and even fruit juice, all at extremely reasonably priced. It’s the perfect place to drop by for your fill of Vietnamese food before heading off for your shopping expedition within Con Market!
2. Getting the right SIM card
Even though digital detox is a dream for many of us, connectivity is so important when you’re travelling, whether it’s accessing Google Maps, topping up your travel wallet, or booking rides. Many travellers to Da Nang faced issues with their mobile connection when they were all the way up in the mountains in Bana Hills, but my eSIM helped me stay connected throughout with no issues!
There will be a few counters at Da Nang International Airport selling physical SIM cards too if your phone is not compatible with eSIMs. Buying a physical SIM card from these counters shouldn’t be too expensive, and there will be someone to assist you if you need help setting it up.
TripZilla Tip: If your mobile phone is compatible with eSIMs, consider buying one from Echo Networks on Shopee for only S$6.80. This plan gave me a roaming limit of 5GB per day for 5 days – what a steal right?
3. Using local ride-hailing apps
Image credit: Maria Kray via Canva Pro
Grab is the most well-known ride-hailing app to use in Southeast Asia, but in Vietnam, try Xanh SM instead. Their services are identical to Grab, but they use electric vehicles instead, and at a cheaper price! I used Xanh SM to book a ride from Da Nang to Hoi An for a day trip and it only cost VND288,000 (S$15.01), compared to Grab, which quoted me VND380,000 (S$19.81) for the same trip.
Xanh SM’s interface can be tricky when entering your location, as destinations are often listed in Vietnamese. Remember to double-check against Google Maps before confirming your destination!
4. Skipping the tourist traps
Da Nang is generally very tourist-friendly. Many locals are able to converse in basic English, and huge souvenir shops are scattered throughout the city. Hence, it’s important to do some research on which areas are overpriced and how to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth!
For example, Da Nang has two major markets, Con Market and Han Market, both of which are within a 15-minute walk of each other. Both markets sell loads of preserved food, fresh produce, fashion apparel, bags and much more. What makes these two markets different are the prices and the sellers.
Han Market is definitely the more popular of the two. It was packed with people when I visited on a Tuesday morning, and I went there with one agenda – to buy a pair of sandals. It was definitely an overwhelming experience to weave through the relentless sellers while fighting the throng of other tourists who were haggling their way through the market. When I finally made my way to the shoe section, the stall owner quoted me VND350,000 (S$18.25) for a pair, which was a little out of my budget.
Instead, I decided to take a walk to Con Market to explore my options further before committing to a purchase. And luckily I did, because Con Market offered a much more pleasant experience. It was relatively quiet, and the sellers there did not bother me at all, even while I was browsing through their stock. Only when I opened my mouth to ask for prices did they strike up a conversation with me. I saw the exact same pair of sandals at Con Market and decided to ask the stall owner for the price, and she quoted me VND250,000 (S$13.03)! With some luck, I managed to haggle the price down to VND220,000 (S$11.47) and walked away feeling very satisfied with my new sandals.
5. Cash is king!
Image credit: Aphithana Chitmongkolthong via Canva Pro
Cash is still the most common mode of payment in Vietnam. In fact, even platforms such as Grab and Xanh SM would charge a small transaction fee for any card payments, especially international ones like YouTrip.
As such, all my payments during my trip were made with cash. If you’re wondering what’s a good amount of cash to change for your trip, I brought a total of VND5 million (S$260.65) with me for a 5D4N trip and had a little leftover afterwards. This amount covered food, transport, shopping and activities. The Vietnamese Dong requires a little time to familiarise yourself with, due to the many zeroes in their cash denominations. You wouldn’t want to accidentally pay VND500,000 (S$26.09) for a VND50,000 (S$2.60) meal!
A repeat travel destination for sure
Da Nang’s versatility impressed me over and over again throughout my 5 days in the city. The variety in cuisine was amazing, whether you’re looking for freshly caught seafood, affordable street food, or indulging in a fine-dining experience. Da Nang has something for everyone. Throughout your trip, you can choose to shop at big malls, stroll the city’s streets or even have a picnic by the beach.
Also read: 6 of The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Vietnam
If you’re planning a trip to Da Nang, keep in mind the tips above from this Da Nang travel guide to ensure a smooth, fulfilling, and memorable experience. Happy travelling!
Contributed by Valerie Low Shu Min
