Best Things to Do in Da Nang, Vietnam With Kids & Teens
🇻🇳 Why this beach city totally surprised us as a travelling family!
Da Nang, Vietnam was one of those places we didn’t expect much from… and then it completely blew us away.
From the moment we arrived, we couldn’t believe how many expats, travelling families and long-term travellers were already calling Da Nang home. There was a real buzz about the place — cafés full, beaches alive with activity, and tourists genuinely enjoying being there rather than rushing through. As a full-time travelling family, that atmosphere matters to us, and Da Nang instantly felt like somewhere people come to stay, not just pass through.
We’d heard so many good recommendations from other travelling families — great food, epic beaches, adventure, creativity, and incredible value for money — so of course, Smiths On Tour had to see what all the fuss was about.
After spending time here, we can confidently say this: Da Nang is one of the best family-friendly cities in Vietnam, especially if you’re travelling with kids or teens and want a mix of fun, culture, creativity and adventure.
🍜 Da Nang’s Food Scene Shocked Us (In the Best Way)
Let’s start with the food — because wow.
Da Nang is officially our favourite place in the world so far for food. The variety, quality and prices honestly blew our minds. From Vietnamese classics to Korean BBQ, Japanese spots, Western comfort food and healthy cafés — everything was fresh, affordable and family-friendly.
You can eat out daily here without blowing your budget, which makes it perfect for long stays and travelling families. Even Tilly found loads of places she loved (always the real test).
🎥 Watch our full Da Nang food adventure on YouTube HERE!
🏝️ Da Nang Beach = Miami Vibes (But Way Cheaper)
Da Nang beach seriously surprised us. The best way we can describe it? Miami vibes… Vietnam prices.
Early mornings and evenings were full of locals exercising, people grabbing coffees, families hanging out, and surfers catching waves. It felt lively, healthy and genuinely cool.
You can hire sunbeds for around £1.50 each for the entire day, which is wild considering how clean and well-kept the beach is.
Feeling a bit fancy?
Emma celebrated her birthday at Kala Kala Beach Club, and it was such a treat. Think beachside pool, good music, chilled vibes and comfy loungers. Drinks were pricier than usual (we were shocked by the high service charges — even on non-alcoholic drinks), but because you don’t pay entry or bed fees, we still felt it was worth it for a special occasion.
🏄♀️ Surfing in Da Nang: A Must-Do for Families
If you’re travelling with kids or teens — book a family surfing session.
Da Nang’s waves are ideal for beginners and intermediates: enough push to catch waves easily, but not too heavy or intimidating. We all surfed together and honestly had the best time — one of those moments that sticks with you forever.
🏄 Surf club we recommend:
👉 Go Surfing! If you book using code Smithsontoursurf for 10% discount per person.
🎥 Watch our family surf session HERE!
🎨 Creative Teens Will LOVE This Street Art Workshop
We’re a very creative family, so when we found a street art workshop (Not Pop) in Da Nang, we had to try it.
This was a huge hit — especially for Tilly who’s world schooling, this was her art class! She absolutely loved getting stuck in and creating her own piece, and honestly, it’s one of the best activities we’d recommend for teens in Da Nang. Hands-on, expressive, and something totally different.
🎨 Highly recommend — especially for older kids and teens. Click HERE to check it out! Use code Smithsontour for a 10% discount!
🎥 Watch our video HERE to see what we created 😃!
🛝 Mikazuki Water Park: Worth the Hype (And Then Some)
If you’re travelling as a family, Mikazuki Water Park is an absolute must.
It’s Japanese-style, totally different from any water park we’ve been to before, and surprisingly quiet — even on the weekend. The highlight? A huge super speedy rocket slide powered by magnets. No exaggeration… we went on it over 10 times.
There’s also a rooftop hot spring area with saunas, which felt like pure relaxation after days of exploring.
💰 Prices (approx):
Adults: ~£15–£20
Kids: cheaper depending on height
We’re already saying we’d come back to Da Nang just for this.
🗺️ Exploring Beyond the City
Dragon Bridge (breathes fire on weekends): We didn’t manage to catch this, but locals and other travellers rave about it.
Ba Na Hills: Looks epic but very pricey. Reviews mentioned heavy mist ruining views — we gave it a miss.
Marble Mountains: Honestly? Not worth it for us. One small rock formation surrounded by city chaos, plus aggressive souvenir selling. Felt very touristy.
Lady Buddha (Son Tra Peninsula): Calm, sacred, and worth visiting — especially early morning or late afternoon. Bonus: monkeys roaming around (locals told us rare red-shanked douc langurs live here, but we didn’t spot them).
🚌 Try Vietnam’s Night Buses (Even With Kids!)
Night buses in Vietnam are an experience in themselves. They’re cheap, surprisingly fun, and a great way to travel long distances.
They can be bumpy and you won’t get the best sleep — but honestly, it’s part of the adventure. We recommend Sapa Discovery as the cleanest and most reliable company we’ve used.
🚌 We even made a video about them because they’re that good…watch HERE!
🤩 Why Da Nang Works So Well for Families
Affordable accommodation & food
Safe, clean, walkable areas
Creative, sporty, and adventurous activities
Great for worldschooling (culture, art, fitness, food, geography)
Easy transport links across Vietnam
It’s one of those cities that works for everyone in the family — and that’s rare.
🤔 Thinking “could we actually do this too?”
If reading about Da Nang (or following our journey) has ever made you pause and think “I wish we could live like this”— just know that thought is more common than you think. We were once exactly there too, scrolling, dreaming, and wondering if it was realistic for a normal family like ours.
Along the way, we’ve had so many people ask how we make this lifestyle work — the planning, the logistics, the visas, the money side, and the emotional side of taking the leap. That’s why we created a small community around what we’re doing.
Our £1 Club is simply a way to stay connected. It helps us keep travelling, keep sharing honest content from the road, and continue supporting local communities as we go. In return, members get access to little extras — monthly chats where you can ask us anything, behind-the-scenes updates, practical travel tips we’ve learned the hard way, and a monthly free give away just for being part of it, all for £1 a month!
If you’re in the early dreaming or planning stages, members also get our How to Become a Full-Time Travel Family course at half price! It’s designed to give reassurance, clarity, and realistic steps — not hype — before making any big decisions.
There’s absolutely no pressure. It’s just there if you’d like to feel a bit closer to the journey and part of the bigger picture we’re building.
👉 £1 Club join HERE!
👉 How To Course join HERE!
Want to see where else weve been in Vietnam 👉 Click Lets Go!
