Set off on a gentle evening cruise down the Han River and gaze across the water to view the sparkling city skyline. Enjoy a drink in one of the scenic waterfront bars and admire the spectacular bridges that reach across the Han River toward the Son Tra Peninsula.
The best way to see the Han River is on the water. Book a table on one of the dinner cruise boats that take in the sights every evening and enjoy delicious fresh seafood away from the noise of the city centre.
If you’d rather focus on sightseeing, hop aboard one of the tour boats that offer trips through the day and into the evening. Travel to the source of the river and discover the tributaries feeding this vast waterway. As you make your way along the river, your guide will point out spots used as strategic bases by the Americans during the Vietnam War.
However you tour the river, look up to see the fantastic bridges that span it at several points. The most famous of these is the spectacular Han River Bridge in the northern part of the city. Built between 1997 and 2000, this was the first swing bridge to be constructed in Vietnam. It features superb glowing neon beams at night.
From the Han River Bridge, make your way south along Bach Dang Wharf where the two most impressive crossings can be viewed within a short walk of each other.
One of the city’s defining features is the nearby DragonBridge. A huge yellow dragon winds along the length of the bridge and is lit up after dark by 2,500 LED lights. At 9 p.m. on weekends, watch as it emits flames and water from its mouth.
Stop for a drink at one the area’s lively bars before continuing south to the Tran Thi Ly Bridge. This architectural masterpiece opened in 2013 and is a staggering 2,398 feet (731 metres) long.
The Han River weaves along the eastern edge of Da Nang. Most boat cruises depart from Bach Dang Wharf close to the Dragon Bridge.