I should own up to something first. The earlier version of this page sent readers to a mall and a night market that I could not match to anything real on the ground, and it skipped the places that Da Nang locals actually shop. That is not good enough for a guide you might carry in your pocket while a stallholder is quoting you a price in dong. So I have rewritten it from scratch, the way I would brief a friend flying in from Singapore for a long weekend with an empty suitcase and a free afternoon.
Here is the honest summary. Da Nang is not Bangkok or Hong Kong. It will not overwhelm you with mega-malls, and the luxury scene is modest. What it does well is a very pleasant mix of one big traditional market, one chaotic and cheerful smaller one, a handful of air-conditioned malls for the afternoon heat, a night market by the river, a stone-carving village at the foot of the Marble Mountains, and, thirty minutes down the coast, the lantern and tailoring lanes of Hoi An. Done sensibly, you can cover most of it in two relaxed days and still have time for the beach.
Prices and opening hours change, and I would rather give you ranges and habits than numbers that go stale next season. Treat every figure below as a guide and check on the day. Where I mention something sold on HolidaySG, the price shown is the current starting price, and I will point out when it is a per-vehicle rather than a per-person rate.
Da Nang shopping at a glance
Before the detail, here is the shape of the city for shoppers. Most of what you want sits within a short ride of the Han River, which is the spine of the centre. The airport is only a few kilometres away, which matters more than you might think, because it means you can drop your bags and be in a market within an hour of landing.
| Place | What it is | Best for | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Han Market (Cho Han) | Large traditional market near the river | Dried seafood, fabric, coffee, sauces, souvenirs | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Con Market (Cho Con) | Busy, local, less polished | Fresh produce, snacks, everyday goods, a taste of daily life | 1 hour |
| Vincom Plaza and similar malls | Air-conditioned city malls | Fashion, cosmetics, cinema, a cool break | 2 hours |
| Helio and riverside night stalls | Evening street food and stalls | Snacks, cheap trinkets, atmosphere | 1.5 hours |
| Non Nuoc stone village | Workshops beside the Marble Mountains | Marble statues, carved ornaments, small gifts | 1 hour |
| Hoi An old town | Lantern and tailoring lanes, 30 km south | Custom clothing, lanterns, leather, silk | Half a day or more |
| Airport shops | Departure hall retail | Last-minute coffee, sweets, gifts | 30 minutes |
If you only have one afternoon, go to Han Market for the experience, have a coffee, and then decide whether you are a mall person or a night-market person. Most people turn out to be both by the end of the trip.
Han Market: the one every visitor ends up in
Han Market is the traditional heart of Da Nang shopping, and it is easy to find because it sits close to the western bank of the river, just a few minutes on foot from the famous dragon bridge side of town. The ground floor is a tangle of narrow aisles. Stallholders sell dried squid, shrimp, fish sauce, spices, tea and coffee, and the smell tells you which section you are walking through before your eyes do. Upstairs, the mood changes. You will find bolts of fabric, ready-made clothes, bags, hats and a lot of tailors who will happily measure you while you stand there.
My advice is to arrive in the morning, ideally between eight and ten, when it is cooler and the produce looks its best. By midday the heat inside is genuinely heavy. Bring small notes, because breaking a large note at a food stall can turn into a short, friendly argument about change. Carry a light tote bag as well, since plastic bags are handed out freely and they do not survive a tropical downpour.
What to buy at Han Market
- Vietnamese coffee beans and the small metal drip filters (phin) that go with them. Ask to smell the beans before you pay.
- Dried mango, jackfruit and sweet tamarind candy, which travel well and survive a flight in a backpack.
- Dried squid and shrimp for family back home, but check your own country's import rules for animal products first.
- Cotton and linen shirts, loose trousers and sun hats, good for the climate and usually inexpensive.
- Fish sauce is famous here, but a glass bottle in a checked bag is asking for trouble. Wrap it well or skip it.
A word about the tailors upstairs. They are fast and friendly, and for a simple shirt or a pair of trousers they can be perfectly good. For a suit or a wedding outfit, I would honestly wait for Hoi An, where there is more competition, more fabric choice and more time built into the process.
Con Market: smaller, noisier and more local
A short ride from the river, Con Market is where you go if you want to see what a Da Nang household buys on an ordinary Tuesday. It is less about souvenirs and more about fruit stacked in pyramids, live seafood in plastic tubs, herbs by the armful and snack stalls selling grilled and steamed things you will want to point at. Foreigners are a minority here, so prices are more likely to be the same as the locals pay, and a polite attempt at a few Vietnamese words goes a long way.
I would not come to Con Market to buy gifts. I would come hungry, with an hour to spare, and graze. Try the small steamed rice cakes, a fresh sugarcane juice, and whatever fruit is in season. If you have never tried a ripe dragon fruit or rambutan straight from the stall, this is the place to do it.
If street food excites you more than shopping bags, a guided walk will take you much further than wandering alone. The Da Nang Street Walking Food Tour samples eight dishes with a local guide and starts from about S$33.84, and the Da Nang Food Tours option starts from about S$24.17. Either one gives you a map in your head of where to eat, which is half the battle with markets.
Malls and air-conditioned shopping
Let me be straightforward about the mall scene. Da Nang has several good, comfortable shopping centres, including a Vincom Plaza in the city and a large Lotte-branded supermarket and mall complex, but it does not have a luxury district in the way that bigger Asian cities do. You will find international fashion chains, local fashion labels, cosmetics counters, electronics shops, a food court, a cinema and, importantly, strong air conditioning.
Think of the malls as the sensible midday option. When the sun is high and the markets feel like saunas, you can slip into a mall, buy sunscreen and a spare phone cable, eat something cold, and then head back out when the light softens. Supermarkets inside the malls are also the cheapest and least stressful places to buy packaged coffee, tea, dried fruit and sweets, because the prices are fixed and clearly labelled.
Mall shopping habits that help
- Prices are marked, so do not try to haggle at a branded store. A polite question about a discount on a bulk purchase is fine, but do not expect much.
- Cards are widely accepted, but keep some cash for parking, small cafes and taxis.
- Ask about tax refund eligibility if you plan to spend a meaningful amount. Rules and minimum spends change, so confirm at the till rather than relying on anything I say here.
- Weekday mornings are calm. Weekend evenings are full of local families and can be loud.
For a quick cost reference, here is roughly how things feel in Da Nang for a visitor who is careful but not stingy. These are ranges to help you plan, not quotes, and they move with the exchange rate.
| Item | Market range | Mall range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton T-shirt or shirt | Low to mid, bargaining expected | Mid, fixed price | Check stitching and seams |
| Coffee beans (500 g) | Low to mid | Mid | Ask for a fresh roast date |
| Small souvenir (magnet, keyring) | Very low | Low to mid | Buy several, ask for a bundle price |
| Marble or stone ornament | Mid to high, depends on size | Rarely sold | Shipping is possible for large pieces |
| Tailored shirt | Mid, usually Hoi An | Not offered | Allow at least a day or two |
| Dried fruit and snacks | Low | Low to mid | Supermarkets give you fixed prices |
The night markets by the river
When the sun goes down, the riverside comes alive. Da Nang has a few night markets and evening stall clusters, and the one most visitors end up at sits near the river and the bridge, with rows of stalls selling snacks, T-shirts, sunglasses, phone cases, wooden toys and the usual trinkets, along with grilled skewers and sweet desserts. It is lively, a little commercial, and genuinely fun, especially with children.
My honest tip is to treat night markets as dinner and entertainment first and shopping second. The quality of the goods is mixed, but the food is often excellent and the people-watching is free. Eat first, wander second, and only buy something when a stall catches your eye. If you buy early, you will carry it all evening and regret it.
The riverside is also where the cruises depart. A cruise on the Han River is one of the most relaxing ways to see the lit-up bridges, and there are several to choose from. The Han River Night Cruise on Tau Rong Song Han starts from about S$8.00, the My Xuan Cruise on Han River by Night starts from about S$6.33, and the Dragon Cruise starts from about S$10.21. If you want dinner and live performance on board, the Poseidon Cruise starts from about S$30.13. They are inexpensive enough that a cruise after a night-market stroll makes a very easy evening.
Marble Mountains and the stone carving village
About ten kilometres south of the centre, at the foot of the Marble Mountains, is the village of Non Nuoc, where generations of families have carved statues from the local marble. You will smell the dust and hear the chisels before you see the workshops. Rows of Buddhas, lions, turtles and elegant figures stand outside, some no bigger than a mug, some taller than a person.
This is the one place in the area where you can buy something that feels truly local and handmade. A small carved turtle or a modest statue makes a lovely, heavy-ish gift. Larger pieces can be shipped, and most workshops will quote you a freight price, but be sure you understand what is included and how long it takes, and get the arrangement in writing or in a message you can show later.
Walk through two or three workshops before you buy anything. Quality varies, and so does the markup. A good carver will happily show you the tools, point out the veins in the stone and explain why one piece costs more than another. If a salesperson rushes you, move on. The village is small enough that you can compare in half an hour.
A good way to combine this area with the rest of the coast is a private car. A Da Nang Sightseeing Private Car Charter starts from about S$37.17 and takes in landmarks around the city, and if you want a longer loop, the Full-day Private Car to Ba Na Hills and Son Tra Peninsula starts from about S$34.49. The prices are typically for the vehicle rather than per person, so read the listing for the passenger limit.
If you would like a more cultural stop on the same trip, the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture is a quiet, air-conditioned break that starts from about S$4.00. It holds the world's largest collection of Cham artefacts, and seeing them first makes the carved marble in Non Nuoc feel part of a much longer story.
Day trip to Hoi An: lanterns, silk and tailors
No guide to Da Nang shopping is complete without Hoi An. The old town is roughly thirty kilometres away, around forty-five minutes by car depending on traffic, and it is the place to buy lanterns, silk scarves, leather sandals, ceramics and made-to-measure clothing. The lantern-lit lanes are gorgeous in the evening, and the shops are small, personal and eager.
If you want a tailored outfit, plan carefully. Visit a couple of shops, ask to feel the fabric, look at the inside seams of the samples, and be specific about the cut you want. Most tailors will want at least one fitting, sometimes two, so give yourself time. Do not leave it for your last afternoon. If a tailor promises everything in a few hours, be sceptical, and if you are told the price is fixed with no discussion at all, politely compare with another shop.
Getting there is simple. A Da Nang to Hoi An City Transfer starts from about S$15.05, and the Private Car Charter between Da Nang and Hoi An for 6 to 12 hours starts from about S$46.06. If you would like to see the ancient Cham ruins too, the Private Car Charter to My Son and Hoi An starts from about S$74.21, and the My Son Sunset Tour and Cruise starts from about S$21.04.
A tip on timing. Hoi An is busiest from late afternoon, when day-trippers arrive. If you can, get there around ten in the morning, shop and eat while it is calm, and stay for the lanterns at dusk. Your driver can wait, or you can book a one-way transfer and return later by taxi.
Bargaining without the awkwardness
Many visitors from Singapore are not used to haggling, and it can feel uncomfortable. It does not have to. In Vietnam's traditional markets and street stalls, a quoted price is an opening offer, and the rhythm of bargaining is part of the transaction. Do it with a smile and you will often end up chatting with the seller.
- Ask the price, and do not react. Smile and look at something else.
- Counter at roughly half to two-thirds, and be ready to meet somewhere in the middle.
- Never start bargaining unless you are genuinely interested. Walking away after an agreement is rude.
- Walking away is your best tool. Often the price drops as you leave.
- Buy several items from the same stall and ask for a bundle price.
- Keep small notes. Pulling out a large note often raises the price.
- Stay light-hearted. A few thousand dong is not worth an argument, and the seller will remember how you behaved.
Branded shops, supermarkets, restaurants with printed menus and anywhere with price tags are fixed-price. Do not try to haggle there.
Money, payments and staying connected
Vietnam's currency is the dong, and the numbers look enormous because the notes carry many zeros. It helps to learn the common notes before you land so you do not hand over ten times what you meant to. Many travellers find it simplest to withdraw a moderate amount from an ATM on arrival and keep it in small notes, rather than changing a large sum at the airport.
Cards work in malls, hotels and many restaurants, but markets and small stalls are mostly cash. Many sellers also accept QR payment through local apps, which will not help a visitor unless you have a compatible wallet, so assume cash. Watch for card surcharges and always choose to pay in the local currency if a terminal offers a choice, because the conversion offered on the spot is rarely in your favour.
Data is useful when you are navigating, translating a price or checking a map. A local SIM or eSIM is the easy way to stay online. The Vietnam 5G SIM card with pick-up at Da Nang International Airport starts from about S$8.73, and it is collected at the airport, which saves you hunting for a shop on day one.
One more small thing. Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket or a zipped bag in busy market aisles, and be wary of anyone who is unusually insistent. Petty theft is uncommon but not unheard of, and a crowded market is where it would happen.
A relaxed two-day shopping plan
Here is how I would arrange two days if shopping were the main goal but not the only one. Swap the order to suit your flights and the weather.
| Time | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Han Market while it is cool, then coffee nearby | Drive to Non Nuoc and the Marble Mountains for stone carving |
| Midday | Lunch and a mall break for air conditioning | Quiet lunch by the beach, then head south |
| Afternoon | Con Market snacks or a guided food walk | Hoi An for lanterns, silk and tailoring fittings |
| Evening | Night market stroll and a Han River cruise | Lanterns at dusk and dinner in the old town |
If you have a third day, spend it on the hills. The Sun World Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Premier Tour starts from about S$63.72, and the Ba Na Hills Alpine Coaster starts from about S$48.91. It is a gentle way to rest tired legs after two days of walking on tiled market floors, and the cool mountain air is a welcome change.
And if you would prefer someone else to do the driving across several days, a Private Car for Multiple Days starts from about S$169.09, and a flexible Car Charter With Driver by the Hour starts from about S$33.61. Please check the listing for what the price covers.
Getting to Da Nang and getting around
Da Nang International Airport is small, close to the centre and easy to use. Flights from Singapore take roughly three and a half hours, and there are connections through other Vietnamese cities too. Because the airport is only a few kilometres from the riverside hotels, an airport-to-hotel ride is short and inexpensive. You can pre-book an Da Nang Airport to Da Nang City Transfer from about S$10.00, or the Da Nang Airport to Da Nang transfer car from about S$9.40. If you want help skipping the lines, the Fast Track Service at Da Nang International Airport starts from about S$16.10.
In the city, ride-hailing apps and metered taxis are the simplest options. Agree on a price or insist on the meter before you set off, and keep the hotel's address written in Vietnamese to show the driver. Walking is pleasant along the riverfront and beach road, but the distances between markets are longer than they look on a map, so do not plan to walk everywhere in the midday heat.
For longer excursions, shared shuttles and private cars are the sensible choice. The Da Nang Shuttle Bus to Ba Na Hills and Others starts from about S$11.28 if you prefer to keep costs down, and the Bus Transfer from Da Nang to Hue starts from about S$13.00 if you want to continue north to the imperial city.
Best time to visit
The most comfortable months are generally from February to May, when the weather is dry and pleasant. October to December can be good too, although the central region sees heavier rain in the autumn months, so check forecasts. Summer is hot and humid, which makes the air-conditioned malls extra attractive, while the markets are best visited in the early morning. If you can, plan around public holidays and the lunar new year season, because many stalls close for several days and prices elsewhere rise.
Visa, passport and paperwork
This is the part people forget until the last week. Singapore passport holders are currently able to enter Vietnam without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, according to the information we last verified in August 2026, but rules change, and your passport needs to be valid for at least six months with blank pages. Other nationalities may need an e-visa. The government e-visa is issued online and typically takes a few working days, so apply a week or so ahead. You can check the latest by nationality on our visa requirements page, and we also offer visa assistance if you would like help with the form.
A related detail that catches people out. Some airlines ask for proof of onward or return travel before they will let you board, particularly if you hold a one-way ticket or plan a loose itinerary. If you need a supporting document for a visa application or for check-in, our flight reservation service provides a reservation for that purpose. It is a reservation, not an issued ticket, so it should not be treated as a confirmed flight, and you should always check what your airline and the authorities accept.
Finally, keep a digital copy of your passport, your hotel booking and any pre-booked transfers in your phone, and a paper copy in a different bag from your passport. If a bag is lost, you will be glad of it.
What to pack, and how to bring it home
Pack light on the way in. You are going to buy things, and an empty half of the suitcase is the best souvenir carrier there is. A foldable duffel or a spare tote takes no room at all and can save you a baggage fee on the way back.
- Comfortable walking shoes. Market floors can be wet and uneven.
- A small cross-body bag with a zip.
- Sunscreen, a hat and a reusable water bottle.
- A light rain jacket or a compact umbrella, especially from autumn.
- Bubble wrap or a few soft clothes for anything breakable.
- A small notebook or phone note for sizes of family and friends. It is surprising how often you forget them.
On the way home, check what you can bring through customs. Food, plants and some wooden items are restricted in many countries, and liquids over the carry-on limit must go in your checked bag. Marble statues are heavy, so weigh them before you buy if you are on a strict baggage allowance, and ask the workshop about proper packing.
Gift ideas by person, and a few things to skip
Gift shopping is where most of us get stuck, so here is how I would think about it. For a coffee lover, a bag of beans and a phin filter is perfect and costs very little. For a colleague, a box of dried mango or a packet of lotus tea is thoughtful without being heavy. For parents, a small marble carving or a silk scarf from Hoi An feels special. For children, a lantern is a delight, though it needs careful packing, so carry it as hand luggage if you can.
| Who | Idea | Where to look | Packing note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee fan | Beans plus a metal drip filter | Han Market or a mall supermarket | Fits easily in a bag |
| Colleague | Dried fruit, tea, sweets | Supermarkets, Han Market | Check customs rules for food |
| Parents | Marble carving or silk scarf | Non Nuoc or Hoi An | Wrap stone well |
| Child | Silk lantern or wooden toy | Hoi An or night stalls | Carry by hand |
| Yourself | A tailored shirt or linen set | Hoi An | Allow time for a fitting |
There are also a few things I would skip. Be careful with products sold as rare or medicinal, because the labelling is not always reliable and some items are restricted when you cross a border. Very cheap branded goods are usually not genuine, and they can be stopped at customs. Anything that involves a stranger offering a special price for a shop only they know about is worth a pause. You do not need to be suspicious of everyone, but a good rule is to buy where you chose to go, not where someone led you.
Finally, keep your receipts for bigger purchases, take a photo of the stall or the shop front, and note the date. If you ship something home, write down the tracking details before you leave. A little admin in the moment saves a lot of worry later, and it means you can enjoy the rest of the holiday without thinking about that heavy marble turtle.
Common questions about shopping in Da Nang
Where is the best place to shop in Da Nang?
It depends on what you want. Han Market is the best all-round traditional market, malls are best for fixed prices and comfort, the river night stalls are good for snacks and trinkets, and Non Nuoc is the best spot for stone carvings. Hoi An is where most people go for tailoring and lanterns.
Can I haggle in Da Nang?
Yes, in traditional markets and at street stalls. Start around half to two-thirds of the first price, stay friendly and walk away if the price does not suit you. In malls, supermarkets and shops with price tags, prices are fixed.
Do I need a visa for Vietnam?
It depends on your passport. Singapore passport holders can currently enter visa-free for up to 30 days, while many other nationalities need an e-visa. Rules can change, so check our visa requirements page and the official government source before you travel.
What is the best time to visit for shopping?
Early mornings at the markets and weekday afternoons at the malls are the most comfortable. For weather, February to May is generally the driest and pleasantest period. Public holidays can close many stalls.
How long should I spend in Da Nang?
Two to three days is a good base for shopping, the beach and a Hoi An day. Add a day if you want to include Ba Na Hills or the Cham Islands.
Is cash or card better?
Both. Use cards in malls, hotels and larger restaurants, and carry cash in small notes for markets, street food and taxis. Choose to pay in the local currency when a card terminal offers a choice.
How do I get from the airport to the city?
The airport is very close to the centre. You can take a metered taxi or ride-hailing app, or pre-book a private transfer so a driver is waiting for you. The journey is short, usually well under half an hour in normal traffic.
Is Da Nang suitable for families?
Yes. The beach, the river cruises, the Marble Mountains and Ba Na Hills all suit children, and night markets are relaxed. Take breaks from the heat and keep small children close in crowded markets.
Featured experiences in this guide
Planning your Da Nang trip?
Line up your airport transfer, a data SIM, a Hoi An day and a river cruise in one place. Browse Vietnam transfers, tours and tickets and build a trip that leaves room for the shopping.
One last thought. The best things I have bought in Da Nang were never on a list. They were a bag of coffee from a stall where the owner insisted I smell three roasts, a tiny marble turtle from a carver who showed me how he shaped the shell, and a hat I bought because the rain started. Go with a loose plan, a light bag and a bit of patience, and the city will do the rest.