The motorbike is the default vehicle of Vietnamese city life, and Da Nang is no exception. But you don't need one. Plenty of residents and long-stay visitors get by without one, some because they don't want to ride in traffic and some because they can't do it legally. If you're in the second group, read our guide to the license rules for foreigners before you rent anything with an engine.

Here's how the alternatives work.

Last verified: October 11, 2026. Routes, timetables and fares change. Check the operator's current information before you travel.

Ride-hailing apps do most of the work

For most people without a bike, an app is the main way to get around. You can book a car or a motorbike taxi, see the fare up front and pay in cash or by card, depending on the app.

The market has shifted fast. The Vietnamese electric-taxi app Xanh SM held 44.68 percent of Vietnam's app-based taxi market in the second quarter of 2025, ahead of Grab at 36.08 percent, according to Mordor Intelligence figures reported by Tuoi Tre News. Those are national numbers, not Da Nang figures, but both brands operate here, and Be is a third option. Installing two apps is common practice. When one is surging or short of drivers, the other often isn't.

Two habits help. Check that the plate number matches the app before you get in, and pay the fare the app shows.

The bus network: cheap, slow, getting better

Da Nang's public buses are useful for longer runs along fixed corridors, especially since the merger stretched the city south to Tam Ky.

After the merger, the city's Department of Construction adjusted routes so staff could commute to the city administrative center, Báo Văn Hóa reported in July 2025:

  • Route 2 runs from the central bus station past the administrative center to Cửa Đại, near Hoi An, with 72 trips a day every 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Route 21 runs from the central bus station to the Tam Kỳ bridge, with 64 trips a day. The full run from Tam Ky to the administrative center takes about two hours.

The article listed subsidized fares for public employees, not the standard fare, so check the price on board or with the operator. Buses suit people with time and patience. They don't suit anyone trying to make a flight.

The train to Hue, the scenic way

For trips north, the railway is the most pleasant option. Vietnam Railways launched the "Kết nối di sản miền Trung" (Central Heritage Connection) tourist train between Hue and Da Nang on March 26, 2024, Saigon Giai Phong reported. At launch, it ran two return trips a day over Hai Van Pass, about three hours each way. Departures from Da Nang were at 7:50 a.m. and 3 p.m. The cars had air-conditioned soft seats, plus a lounge car.

The line is exposed to the weather. In March 2026, a freight train derailed on the Hai Van section after rain brought down rocks that broke the track. Authorities suspended services and bused passengers between Da Nang and Lang Co stations, Tuoi Tre News reported. Check the current timetable with Vietnam Railways, especially in the rainy season.

Walking: better than its reputation, worse than it should be

Central Da Nang is flat, and the riverfront and beachfront promenades are good for walking. The problem is the stretch between them. Sidewalks are used for parking, selling and eating, and many have been torn up for long-running sidewalk upgrade works. Cross the street at a steady, predictable pace and let traffic flow around you. That's local practice, and it works better than hesitating.

Scooters and Son Tra

One place where a rented automatic scooter is specifically not allowed: the upper roads of the Son Tra peninsula. Under the rules in force when the routes reopened in September 2025, the Tiên Sa to Bàn Cờ summit route allows bicycles, manual motorcycles and walkers but not scooters, and the one-way road down to Bãi Bắc excludes scooters, coaches over 24 seats and bicycles, Báo Văn Hóa reported. Our Son Tra guide has the details.

The short version

  • Inside the city: ride-hailing, plus walking along the river and beach.
  • To Hoi An or Tam Ky: bus if you have time, app or car if you don't.
  • To Hue: the train, weather permitting.
  • From the airport: see our arrivals guide.

Sources

This story was compiled by the Da Nang Voice news desk from the published sources listed above. Facts, figures and quotes are attributed to those sources; Da Nang Voice did not conduct interviews for it unless the text says so. Corrections are dated and noted at the top of the story. Read our corrections policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.