ON THE RIVER · DA NANG RIVER CRUISES
Good da nang river cruises sell their best seats weeks ahead. Below: the 15 to book early, what each fare includes and how they differ once you are aboard.
Spend 50 to 90 minutes on Da Nang’s Han River after dark, passing the Sunworld Wheel, Love Lock Bridge, and Dragon Bridge. Choose a simple cruise with a short Vietnamese dance performance, or add dinner on the second floor. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday departures at 9 PM can include a close view of the Dragon Bridge fire and water show.
“great way to see the city the lights and the dragon bridge”
Board a large cruise ship opposite Novotel on Bach Dang Street for a 90-minute evening ride along Da Nang’s Han River. You’ll see the lit skyline, enjoy a dance performance, and on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, watch Dragon Bridge’s fire and water show from the river. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard.
“We booked the 8:30pm cruise which included the fire show on Friday. The boat was spacious with nice sitting arrangements on the deck with a bar, which had pretty much everything except Coke Zero. Staff was friendly. Cruise lasted 1.5hrs. The unfortunately the fire show in itself was a huge disappointment, the dragon at the Dragon bridge was just smoking … no sign of Fire whatsoever. But the buildings lit up on the banks plus the other boats all lit up made the cruise worthwhile. I can recommend this activity if you have nothing else planned in the evening.”
Board My Xuan Cruise opposite 26 Bach Dang for a short evening ride along Da Nang’s Han River. You’ll see the Dragon Bridge, Love Bridge, and Sun Wheel, with fruit, bottled water, music, karaoke, and a brief traditional dance. Choose 7:15, 8:15, or 9:15, and book the 8:15 sailing on weekends for the best chance of seeing the Dragon Bridge show.
“We had a fantastic experience and are extremely grateful for the opportunity. Despite the weather, we got to see parts of Vietnam and experience snippits of their way of life, which we wouldn't have been able to do without our guide Tham. We had a fantastic experience and are extremely grateful for the opportunity. Despite the weather, we got to see parts of Vietnam and experience their way of life, which we wouldn't have been able to do without our guide.”
See Da Nang after dark from the back of a motorbike with a female local guide. You’ll eat local noodles, visit Dragon Bridge, Love Bridge, APEC Park, and the Sun Wheel area, then take a Han River cruise. Guides including Alana, Stella, Kimnga, Giant, and Moon have led this four-hour private experience.
“Wow what can I say I had no idea what to expect I didn’t know DaNang had such a amazing nightlife!! So beautiful! Stella was the most lovely tour guide I’ve ever experienced she was so friendly helpful and so protective of me and my safety! I Read more”
Spend about five hours touring Hoi An from Da Nang or Hoi An, with hotel pickup, a guided walk through the old town, the Japanese Covered Bridge, traditional buildings, markets, shopping time, and a Thu Bon River boat ride. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, and ask for Ken if available.
“It was the best experience with the best Bah mi I’ve ever had. Our guide was amazing and helped us bargain for better prices. I would definitely do it again.”
Spend six hours with an English-speaking guide such as Turtle, tasting six Vietnamese dishes at local markets and eateries, then cruise the Han River beneath Da Nang’s lit bridges. Weekend departures aim for the Dragon Bridge fire and water show. Hotel pickup is available in Da Nang or Hoi An.
“Totally worth the money and the calories! Turtle took us to five local spots serving iconic Da Nang and Vietnamese dishes—some of which we wouldn’t have found on our own. The itinerary was thoughtfully paced, with market visits and smaller walks in between meals, giving our stomachs enough time (and space) to gear up for the next bite. Turtle's energy and passion for food were contagious, and he shared plenty of cultural insights and even a few Vietnamese phrases along the way. He’s also just a chill guy to chat with about anything. Cảm ơn Turtle! Highly recommend this tour!Read more”
Spend about one hour on the Han River, viewing Da Nang’s bridges and night skyline from a small boat. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 20:30, the cruise aims for the Dragon Bridge fire and water show. Bottled water, fruit for groups of three or more, a dance performance, life jackets, and boat insurance are included.
“Fair value for a nice small cruise that gives you great views of the city and mostly for the Dragon Bridge Fire and water show.”
Board a large cruise ship opposite Da Nang’s Novotel for a 90-minute night ride along the Han River. You’ll see the city lights, watch a welcome dance, and receive a free Sunrise Cocktail. Weekend departures may include Dragon Bridge’s fire and water show. Food and other drinks cost extra, and the English-speaking host can assist with boarding.
“Good view of dragon bridge, pleasant cruise up and down 😌 Seats could have more comfortable, cushions maybe 🤔”
Spend five to six hours with a private English-speaking host, tasting homemade banh xeo, grilled meats, noodles, local BBQ, and seafood. Visit Love Bridge, Dragon Bridge, APEC Park, and Helio Night Market, then take a Han River cruise with beer, fruit, Champa dancing, and weekend fire-and-water views.
“A totally fantastic tour. We had Stella as our guide and she was absolutely the best!! She looked after us all the way and made sure we got the best seats on the boat cruise. So easy to talk to with her excellent English speaking. I’d recommend this to anyone to see the Dragon Bridge Fire show Friday - Sunday 9pm is a must on s trip to Da Nang. Thanks Stella for a wonderful memory!!”
Travel from Da Nang or Hoi An to the old town with a private English-speaking guide such as Ken, Ty, Van, or Bay. Walk past the Japanese Covered Bridge, old houses, assembly halls, museums, and the market, then enjoy free time and a river boat ride by day or after the lanterns light up.
Cruise Da Nang’s Han River for 40 to 50 minutes with views of Dragon Bridge, Sunworld Wheel, and Love Lock Bridge. A dance performance is included, and the Friday to Sunday option lets you watch the 9 PM fire and water show. Meet at Bach Dang Street and return to the same pier.
“Great experience Cruise Han River in Da Nang Bg night Very good experience to see the night lights and the water and fire show on the weekend. Good value for money. Man was very helpful and informed me of all the details including the meeting location the day before the cruise to ensure I was able to prepare beforehand. Very professional service.”
Cruise the Han River for about 50 minutes from 36 Bach Dang Street, opposite Da Nang Novotel. You’ll pass Han Bridge, Dragon Bridge, and Tran Thi Ly Bridge beneath the city lights. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday departures can include Dragon Bridge’s 9 PM fire and water show. Expect bottled water, shared fruit or snacks, and possible Apsara dancing.
Spend about four hours with an English-speaking guide such as Trina or Meii, tasting six to ten Da Nang dishes, seeing the coast and sail-shaped bridge, then cruising the Han River. Choose upscale restaurants with food included or local vendors where you pay for dishes separately. Weekend trips may include the Dragon Bridge fire show.
“Trina is a wonderful guide and the food was too! It was good to learn about the cultural origins of the different dishes and experience more of the city. At my age, the car transport was very helpful and appreciated. The river cruise was a grRead more”
Spend about 45 minutes cruising Da Nang’s Han River after dark, with city lights, the Sunworld Wheel, Love Lock Bridge, Dragon Bridge, and a live Champa dance performance. The optional Dragon Bridge fire and water show runs at 9 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The boat returns to 26 Bach Dang Street.
Spend 8.5 hours exploring Marble Mountains, Am Phu Cave, and Son Tra’s Lady Buddha before dinner and a Han River cruise. Pickup is available from Hoi An or Da Nang. English-speaking guides such as Lucy and Chau Chau lead the tour, with Dragon Bridge’s fire and water show included on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
“Lucy was a great, attentive and friendly guide. We had a great time.”
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