Most travelers in Vietnam make a point of spending time in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; however, if you don’t squeeze a visit to the city of Da Nang into your itinerary, then you’re missing out. The largest city in Central Vietnam as well as the cultural and educational center of the region, the city of Da Nang has so much to offer for any kind of tourist. It sits on the Da Nang Bay of the South China Sea and has a ton of great beaches and places to swim. It’s located right by the Marble Mountains and is also used as a base for exploring the Ba Na hills to the west of the city.
The natural scenery of Da Nang combined with the vibrant nightlife, amazing food, and friendly people makes Da Nang one of the best destinations in all of Southeast Asia. And, if you want to get the most out of your time in Da Nang, you should rent a scooter and explore the city on your own schedule.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a scooter in Da Nang. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a motorcycle. This guide includes:
- Whether you need an international driving permit to rent a scooter in Vietnam
- The best places to find scooter rental in Da Nang
- The normal price of scooter hire in Da Nang
- Whether it’s safe to hire a motor scooter in Da Nang
- The best things to do in Da Nang by scooter
Do You Need an International Driving Permit to Hire a Scooter in Vietnam?
If you plan on driving a motor vehicle while in Vietnam, you should know that driving without an international driving permit as a foreigner is completely illegal. And, while many visitors to Vietnam choose not to get an IDP before renting a scooter, you are running the risk of getting into trouble with the Vietnamese authorities by doing so. It’s probably better to just play it safe and get an IDP.
To apply for your international driving permit, you can fill out your application online here. There is a $20 application fee and the permit usually takes about two weeks to arrive in the mail. Once you have your international driving permit, it will be valid for up to one year.
Where Are the Best Places to Find Scooter Hire in Da Nang?
If you plan on flying into Da Nang International Airport, the third-largest international airport in the country of Vietnam, you should be able to find scooter rental right outside of the airport. So, you can walk right off of the airplane and right onto a motor scooter and drive straight to your accommodation.
However, if you’d rather wait until you’re in the center of Da Nang to rent your scooter, you can also find rental companies in many parts of the city. The neighborhood of An Hai, which is right by the beach, has quite a few offerings for scooter hire. You can also find some rental companies around the Khue My area of the city, which is also near the beach.
What Is the Normal Price of Scooter Hire in Da Nang?
One of the main draws to Vietnam for tourists is the fact that most things are extremely cheap by European and North American standards, including scooter rental. For example, you can rent a basic scooter, like a Honda Wave, for as little as €7 per day. However, if you want to rent something with a little bit more power but still want to stick to your budget, you can rent something like a Honda Airblade 125 for as little as €9 per day.
No matter what kind of vehicle you choose to rent, make sure that insurance and helmet rental are included in the rental agreement. Many of the rental companies in Vietnam will avoid providing you with insurance to try and save themselves some money. However, driving without insurance could get you into some serious trouble if your vehicle is damaged or stolen. Also, you should always wear a helmet while driving a motor scooter.
Is It Safe to Hire a Scooter in Da Nang?
In general, Da Nang is a very safe city. While it does have some petty crime problems (as pretty much every other city in the world does), there is very little violent crime and you probably won’t get into any trouble while you’re there. However, things get a little less safe in Da Nang when you take to the roads.
Traffic in Da Nang (and pretty much all over Vietnam) can be pretty crazy. People tend to drive very recklessly and do not follow the rules of the road. It’s not uncommon to see people driving on the wrong side of the road or even driving on the sidewalk. If you plan to drive in Da Nang, you should take it slow, drive cautiously, and always be aware of your surroundings. If you do those things, you should have a fine time driving in Da Nang.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Da Nang by Scooter?
Now that you know everything you need to decide whether or not to hire a motor scooter in Da Nang, here are some of the best things to do in the city to get you started on your adventure:
Marble Mountains
Located just a short 7-kilometer drive outside of the city of Da Nang is one of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Vietnam: the Marble Mountains. This cluster of limestone and marble peaks is full of caves and tunnels that you can walk through. Take the correct turn and you might just stumble upon a hidden Buddhist shrine or temple. You can also climb to the summits of the mountains if you want to get a stunning view of the surrounding area.
According to legend, there was once a dragon that came out of the ocean and laid an egg on the beach. After 1,000 days and nights, the egg hatched and the baby dragon flew away, leaving the eggshells behind. The eggshells eventually grew to form the Marble Mountains.
Cham Islands
If you want to hop off the scooter and get a little bit aquatic for the day, take a trip over to Cham Islands. For a very affordable price, you can join a snorkeling tour to this chain of eight distinct islands, all of which have their own unique charm and ecological traits. They will also provide you with snorkeling gear so that you can look below the water and see the abundance of amazing marine life that surrounds the island.
Once you’ve had your fill of snorkeling, you can walk up onto the sandy beaches of the Cham Islands and enjoy the rays of sunshine and the incredible scenery. Find a place to get a cold drink and enjoy a little slice of luxury!
The Dragon Bridge
Since you have your own set of wheels and you can travel any of the roads in Da Nang that you like, make sure you take a ride over The Dragon Bridge, one of the most amazing man-made monuments in Da Nang. The Dragon Bridge is very much what it sounds like: a massive, 660-meter bridge that’s shaped like a dragon. It’s truly a feat of engineering and something you should definitely see.
However, the greatest thing about The Dragon Bridge is that it actually breathes fire. At around 9 o’clock every night, the head of the dragon will spew fire from its mouth. Then, it will shoot water from its mouth and alternate between fire and water for the next few minutes.
Drive Around Da Nang on a Rental Scooter
If you’re planning on visiting the beautiful city of Da Nang, you should do as the locals do and cruise around on a motorcycle. It will give you the freedom to see as many of the city’s amazing sites as you possibly can.
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