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Da Nang with Kids; 3 Days Itinerary 5* for $999 (inc. flights!)

Jaa and I just had our first baby in November, so he’s now a noisy 4 month old. With my lifestyle, and my 50+ flights a year, we are in a hurry to get Aidan used to flights, airports, the sensation of new places and being on the move. He’s already got his Thai passport, and his Irish one is underway. It was time to put it to the test. Da Nang with kids? Let’s give it a shot.

TLDR? Da Nang is used to tourists, Phuket-style. And nearby Hoi An is a charming UNESCO town, with Chiang Mai vibes. Cheap, easy, and not far from Thailand for Aidan’s first international flight and trip.

Why Da Nang, Vietnam with a baby?

Normally we live in Chiang Mai, but I also have a condo in Bangkok I bought way back in 2012, which we use during the infamous Chiang Mai ‘smokey season’, and also when we want some city life. So, in March each year, we’re in Bangkok. Why Da Nang then? It’s just a 1 hour flight from Bangkok. $100 or so with Air Asia. That, and Vietnam doesn’t require a visa for Jaa and Aidan on their Thai passports, nor me if I use my UK passport (although if I use my Irish passport, it DOES require a visa, weird).

Not only that, but Da Nang is quite touristic. That can mean a couple of things. Endless annoying tour buses full of Chinese and Indian groups (that was quickly confirmed) but crucially, with that, means a solid tourist infrastructure for our first trip with a baby. Airport transfers, Uber (or Grab in South East Asia), nice hotels for a decent price, some level of English to help us get around. I love taking groups to places like Mauritania, Mongolia and Kashmir, but for Aidan’s first trip we want to very much stay ON the beaten path. Da Nang with kids sounded perfect.

Our TOTAL Da Nang with Kids Budget? $1000USD

• 3 people (well, 2 and a half with Jaa, myself and Aidan).
• 3 nights at a 5* hotel.
• Flights from Thailand to Vietnam.
• Activities.
• Food and drink.
• Transport.

Da Nang with Kids: How to Do It Cheap and Easy. If you do it right, you can have a full-blown holiday here for under $1,000, all in. Southeast Asia is an absolute goldmine for cheap but epic family getaways, and Da Nang, Vietnam, is a gem that doesn’t get nearly enough credit. It’s got beaches, mountains, amusement parks, and UNESCO-listed sites all wrapped up in one affordable package.

Here’s how we pulled it off—flights, fun, and a fantastic family trip on a budget.

Getting There: Budget Flights & Visas

$400 of our $1000 budget was eaten up by our Air Asia flight. Infancts under 2 are free. BUT we needed 2 checked bags for our first trip with a baby. Total price, about $400. BKK to DAD.

First things first, getting to Da Nang. We found a $100 flight from Bangkok direct to Da Nang—easy, cheap, and painless. If you’re flying from elsewhere, hunt down a budget airline like AirAsia, VietJet, or Bamboo Airways. Direct flights from hubs like Singapore or Kuala Lumpur also won’t break the bank.

Visa situation:

• Thai & UK passport holders: Visa-free entry.
• Other nationalities: You’ll need an e-visa in advance. Apply online, and it’s usually processed within a few days. Cost? Around $25.

SUBTOTAL BUDGET USED: $400/$1000

Accommodation in Da Nang: Budget-Friendly Luxe

We stayed at a suite in the Melia Da Nang Beach Resort (not sponsored!).

Normal price was about $600. But because the Amex Platinum 20% off voucher, and an additional 10% off for booking through the app, combined with $70 worth of points from our stay in the Azores last year, made it a no-brainer. That brought it down to $300 for us

3 nights. 5*. Club lounge access. Free brekkie. Free drinks. Afternoon tea 3-5pm. Gym. Pool. AND the location was great for our Da Nang itinerary. Halfway between Da Nang and Hoi An, 20 mins from each.

Also, Jaa loves the beach so great for her (even though I hate sand!).

• If you book the ‘Level Suite’, you get a lot of perks. Free flow wine all day (cough, cough), a VIP lounge for coffee/teas. Free ironing. Free afternoon tea, snacks and cocktails 3-5pm every day. A special pool. Special breakfast menu etc. It was well worth it for us.

SUBTOTAL BUDGET USED: $700/$1000

Activities and Transport for our 3 day Da Nang Itinerary

We had 3 nights/4 days really. I had a rough plan of what we’d do.

DAY 1: Arrive, and check out Da Nang city. Walk around etc.

Budget? Airport transfer ($8). Lunch – we got ‘free’ at our afternoon tea ($0). Dinner and rooftop drinks ($172. Transfer in and out of Da Nang from our resort ($15). TOTAL: $35

DAY 2: Today we’d go to Ba Na Hills and see the famous Hand Bridge. Transfer ($50), snacks ($10) and entrance ($60). TOTAL: $120.

DAY 3: Day-trip to Hoi An on Grab ($15 return). Endless salt coffee and egg coffee and snacks in Hoi An ($10). Walking around Hoi An – free. TOTAL: $25

DAY 4: Lazy morning. Airport transfer ($9). TOTAL: $9

SUBTOTAL: $189

TOTAL BUDGET USED: $889/$1000

• We also had dinner at the hotel one night ($20), Grab Dinner delivered to our room one night ($10), bottle of wine ($15). All-in-all we came in about $950USD of our $1000 budget.

Amazing value for 4 days, international flights, 5* hotel, all with private transfers everywhere. I’ll also add the places we ate and drank in the itinerary below too. Highly recommended all:

Da Nang with Kids Itinerary

Day 1: Touchdown & Da Nang City on a Budget

Landing in Da Nang, we had a smooth visa-on-arrival process and hopped into a Grab (Asia’s Uber) to the hotel. Super cheap, no haggling required. We used the free afternoon tea at the resort for lunch and drinks. Then headed spent late afternoon, sunset and early evening in town.

First stop? Da Nang City exploration.

What to do:

• Dragon Bridge – It breathes fire and water on weekends at 9 PM. We had $1k drinks at the Dragon Ball Rooftop. Kinda obscured view, but cool none-the-less.
• Han Market – A local market for picking up souvenirs, snacks, and the occasional knock-off designer item.
• Cheap eats: Vietnamese food is super kid-friendly—think crispy bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancakes) and fresh mango smoothies for less than $2. We had BANGING Banh Mi at the Ùmm Banh Mi & Cafe. Check it out.

With a 4 month old, 4.30pm departure, and back by around 7.30pm was perfect. We hit the sack early because Day 2 was going to be a big one.

TOP-TIP: Bangkok airport allows you to use the business class fast-track immigration and security if you’re over 70 (for my mum) or if you have an infant under 2. ENJOY!

Day 2: Ba Na Hills – The Budget-Friendly Fantasy Land

Ba Na Hills is a mix of Disneyland, French village vibes, and stunning mountaintop scenery. The star attraction? Golden Bridge—those famous giant stone hands holding up a walkway in the clouds.

How we did it cheaply:

• Private transfer – A private driver to bring your there (about an hour drive), wait for you all day, and then drive you back is about $55 or so. It’s faster and more convenient than a group tour. We used Vietnam Car Rental. Super easy to organise via whatsapp, and the driver was lovely. AND htey had a baby seat for us too!
• Tickets – Ba Na Hills entrance is around $35 per adult, but kids under 1m (about 3 feet) are free. You also get 2 free beers per adult (Jaa doesn’t drink, so that’s 4 for me!). Buy on GetYourGuide, you can get lunch included too.
• The snacks, drinks etc aren’t pricey, so all good.

What to do in Ba Na Hills:

• Take the world’s longest cable car ride up the mountains. Really cool views.
• Explore the French Village—randomly cool medieval architecture in Vietnam. It’s like being teleported back to medieval France!
• Check out the indoor amusement park—it’s free with your entry ticket and has bumper cars and arcade games.
• Walk the Golden Bridge for that classic Instagram shot (we had pretty crappy weather!).

With Aidan, we didn’t want a full-day here. Although plenty do that. We set-off around 1pm, and got back around 7pm or 8pm. If you want the classic instagram shot with the bridge, be here at 7.30am before the tours. We’re not doing that with the baby though!

TOP-TIP: Don’t miss the brewery with the free beers!

Dinner at the hotel, and bed.

Day 3: Hoi An – Ancient Town Charm on a Shoestring

Hoi An is a 40-minute drive from Da Nang and an absolute must-see. But from our hotel, in the middle of Da Nang and Hoi An, it was just 20 minutes. Picture lantern-lit streets, cheap tailor shops, and some of the best food in Vietnam.

How we did it cheaply:

• Grab ride – Less than $10 one way.
• Explored on foot – No need for expensive tours.
• DIY lantern-making workshop – Instead of paying for a fancy experience, we found a local shop that let the kids try it out for a few bucks.
• Street food lunch/dinner – A big family meal cost less than $15 total.

Highlights of Hoi An with kids:

• Japanese Covered Bridge – One of the town’s most famous landmarks.
• Boat ride on the river – $5 for a short trip at sunset with lanterns lighting up the water.
• Tailor shops – If you’re in the market for custom clothing, this is the place to do it.
• Night market – Cheap souvenirs, fun atmosphere, and loads of street snacks.

Hoi An is one of those places that’s magic on any budget. We soaked in the atmosphere, let the kids run around safely, and called it a night before heading back to Da Nang. Because Aidan is just 4 months old, we left before sunset.

TOP-TIP: Best coffee in Hoi An? Tri Long – get the salt coffee or egg coffee, icons of Hoi An (and Vietnam)

TOP-TIP: Hoi an is most beautiful at night though, so if your kids are older, hang around for that. And with that, don’t arrive until mid afternoon maybe. Walk around, quick boat trip, then sunset and lanterns at night. Perfect.

Day 4: Back to Bangkok

For our last morning, we kept things simple. A quick swim at My Khe Beach, a Vietnamese coffee fix, and one last cheap bowl of pho before heading to the airport.

Final budget breakdown:

• Flights: $400 ($100 per adult, kids fly cheap)
• Hotel: $300 (Melia Da Nang Beach Resort with a 20% Amex Platinum discount)
• Food & Drinks: $150 (Vietnam is insanely cheap for food!)
• Transport: $80 (private transfers, Grab rides, etc.)
• Activities: $130 (Ba Na Hills, Hoi An, etc.)

Total: Around $1,000 for a family of four. Pretty spectacular value for a 4-day trip with beaches, mountains, amusement parks, and ancient towns.

Best Time to Visit Da Nang?

The best time to visit Da Nang is from February to May when the weather is warm, dry, and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 24–30°C (75–86°F).

Here’s a breakdown of the seasons:

• February – May (Best Time): Low humidity, sunny skies, and comfortable temperatures make it perfect for the beach, sightseeing, and outdoor activities.

• June – August (Hot and Crowded): Peak summer with high humidity and temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F). Great for beach lovers but expect crowds and higher prices.

• September – November (Rainy Season): Frequent showers and occasional typhoons. Some attractions may be less enjoyable due to heavy rain.

• December – January (Cool and Quiet): Cooler temperatures (18–24°C / 64–75°F), fewer tourists, and lower prices. However, the sea can be rough, and swimming may not be ideal.

For a cheap and easy trip, aim for March to May to enjoy great weather and reasonable prices before the summer crowds arrive!

Final Thoughts: Is Da Nang Worth It for Families?

First, wes skipped the Marble Mountains because Aidan is so small. It’s just 5 minutes from Melia Resort. Gorgeous hike with temples etc, so we didn’t have that on our Da Nang itinerary but you should add it to yours!

100%. It’s got everything—beaches, culture, adventure—without the over-tourism of Phuket or Bali. It’s also ridiculously cheap, so you can travel well on a budget. If you’re in Southeast Asia and looking for an easy, fun, affordable family trip, Da Nang should be on your list.

Would we do it again? Absolutely. And next time, maybe we’ll throw in a side trip to Hue or explore the Son Tra Peninsula.