Asia > Vietnam > Da Nang (DAD)
The Car or no Car advice for Da Nang can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Da Nang ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Da Nang ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Da Nang?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🚗 Car rental realities in Vietnam
Vietnam generally does not permit foreign visitors to self-drive unless they have long-stay paperwork and a Vietnamese licence. Therefore, car rental almost always means hiring a car with a driver. The good news is that this is affordable and extremely convenient. You simply book a vehicle, agree the route, and enjoy the views while someone else deals with traffic and navigation.
This makes day trips very easy. Drivers know the roads well, and they can also time your stops at off-peak moments, which helps when visiting busy places like the Hai Van Pass or the Marble Mountains.
🚕 Getting around Da Nang without driving yourself
Fortunately, Da Nang is one of Vietnam’s easiest cities to navigate using public and semi-public transport:
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Grab (Vietnam’s ride-hailing app) works brilliantly.
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Metered taxis are common and inexpensive.
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The local bus network covers the beaches and a few nearby towns.
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Shuttle buses run up and down the coast to major resorts.
Because the city is long and stretched along the beach, having quick access to ride-hailing is especially useful. It removes the hassle of parking and makes short hops very simple.
🌉 Classic Da Nang experiences without a car
Even without driving, you can enjoy the essentials:
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Golden Bridge (Ba Na Hills) — best reached by organised transfer or a private driver.
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Marble Mountains — a cheap Grab ride away.
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My Khe Beach — walkable from many hotels.
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Hai Van Pass — many travellers take the scenic jeep or motorbike tour rather than try to drive themselves.
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Hoi An — only 45–60 minutes south, easily reached by bus, shuttle, taxi, or driver.
Because Hoi An is mostly pedestrian, you won’t want a car there anyway.
🧭 Day trips and longer routes
If you want to see places farther afield, hiring a car with a driver is perfect:
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Hue — a brilliant day trip through mountains and coastal scenery.
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My Son Sanctuary — quiet early in the morning, and a driver helps beat the crowds.
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Son Tra Peninsula — winding roads and viewpoints where a driver can drop you right at the top.
A private driver is also a sensible option if you’re flying in or out with lots of luggage, as Da Nang Airport is very close to the coast hotels.
🧳 Conclusion — Should you rent a car in Da Nang?
Not for self-drive. It’s simply not practical or legal for most tourists. However, renting a car with a driver is very normal, affordable, and often the easiest way to explore the region. For everything else, Da Nang’s mix of taxis, Grab, shuttle buses and short transfers makes the city extremely easy to enjoy without driving yourself.
