How to See the Incredible Dragon Bridge in Da Nang!
Located in the heart of Da Nang along the Han River lies the Dragon Bridge, one of the most exciting travel destinations in Vietnam. This iconic landmark carries pedestrians, cars, motorbikes, and cyclists from one side of Da Nang city to the other.
Sunset view of the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
However, being a simple bridge is not enough to gain the Dragon Bridge such fame. The Dragon Bridge actually breathes fire and water once per week in a fire breathing show that takes place along the Da Nang riverside.
In this post, we are going to explore this exciting destination, including information on how to get there and the best times to visit the Vietnam Dragon Bridge.
Architecture and Design
The Dragon Bridge in Da Nang is an architectural marvel that clearly displays the engineering capabilities of the city. Da Nang is full of incredible architecture, but the Dragon Bridge is easily one of its outstanding landmarks.
The Dragon Bridge is responsible for connecting the eastern and western banks of the Han River, facilitating transportation, and highlighting its importance as a landmark for both locals and tourists alike.
View of the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang during sunset
This impressive bridge opened in 2013 and spans 666 meters across the Han River. Its design is supposed to resemble a dragon, a symbol of power and good fortune in Vietnamese culture. The bridge’s steel arch structure supports six lanes of traffic and features a dragon’s head that breathes fire, creating a spectacular visual display.
The bridge's main span, which is a critical engineering achievement, measures significant length and weight. It's an intentional architectural feature that has contributed to the overall success of the Dragon Bridge.
Cultural symbolism, modern functionality, and art are all blended into the design of this unique bridge. These special characteristics make the Dragon Bridge a captivating tourist attraction and a well-designed transportation link for crossing the Han River. The bridge’s standout design has become so well known that it has gained widespread recognition even within the architectural industry.
The Dragon Bridge Fire Breathing Performance Experience
Visitors can walk across the bridge and take in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The fire and water performance at the Han River Dragon Bridge provides a fascinating spectacle featuring a fire-breathing show and a water display, which takes place on weekends and holidays.
Night view of the Da Nang Dragon Bridge fire breathing show in Vietnam
While the Dragon Bridge lights up and glows different colours throughout the week, the fire and water performance takes place only on Saturday and Sunday night. It includes a mesmerizing two-minute fire-breathing show, which is performed in two halves. The dragon's head breathes fire nine times in each half of the two minutes.
Water spraying show from the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang Vietnam
Once the Dragon Bridge has breathed fire, it will move onto a 3-minute water spraying show. The bridge will spray water three times within 3 minutes to end the show. Visitors should be cautious and stay away from the dragon's head if they want to avoid getting wet during this segment. Overall, it's a very exciting and unique experience, which leaves most visitors in awe.
How do I view the fire breathing show?
The Dragon Bridge fire show is held at 9 p.m. every Saturday, Sunday, and on major holidays like Vietnamese Tet. If you want to get a good seat and enjoy the performance from the riverside, there are many small local cafes that offer seats right on the river banks. Walking along the riverside an hour before the show is a great way to select your cafe and seat.
The area around the bridge is filled with a lively atmosphere and stunning views. There are many small cafes nearby along the Han River, and locals even have stalls where you can buy food and beverages.
Nearby Attractions and Activities
There are a number of attractions and activities nearby the Dragon Bridge Da Nang, which make it an even more exciting destination to visit. Da Nang is a vibrant city, known for its lively atmosphere and cultural significance. Let’s explore some of these down below.
The Love Bridge
The Love Bridge, also known as the Love Lock Bridge, is a popular attraction nearby the Dragon Bridge. It is famous for its beautiful love locks and romantic Han River views. Being located within a few minutes walking distance of the Dragon Bridge means visitors of the Dragon Bridge can easily visit the Love Lock Bridge too.
Evening view of the Love Lock Bridge in Da Nang, Vietnam
Although the Love Lock Bridge is called a bridge, it is actually designed more like a pier as it stretches out from the riverside into the Han River, but you cannot cross the bridge. It's a very romantic spot and a great place to view the Da Nang city skyline from.
Da Nang city skyline along the Han River
The Love Bridge is within a few minutes walk from the Dragon Bridge, which means it's also a nice location to watch the fire breathing show from. I highly recommend visiting the Love Bridge, especially as it is so close to the Dragon Bridge.
Han River Cruise
The Han River cruise is a fun tourist activity that provides great value for money and an exciting perspective of the riverside and Dragon Bridge. Embarking on a Han River Cruise takes you past the city landmarks such as the Dragon Bridge, the Love Bridge, and many unique skyscrapers along the way.
Han River view in Da Nang, Vietnam
The cruise offers a unique vantage point to appreciate the architectural marvels, and you will get to see how the Dragon Bridge spans the mighty Han River. It's a great way to explore several landmarks in a short amount of time.
On Saturday and Sunday evening, the boats stop off at the Dragon Bridge around 9 p.m. to watch the show from the water before continuing the journey down the river. This means you get a great view of the Dragon Bridge fire show from the boat. It's also a fun way to explore the city from a unique perspective, and overall, I highly recommend taking a boat tour for its fun and convenient way of seeing the city.
Tran Hung Dao Street
Tran Hung Dao Street is a prime location for enjoying the fire and water performances of the Dragon Bridge. Visitors can relax at one of the many sidewalk drink stalls, which have small seats and sell drinks at cheap prices. On the weekends, you will find many tourists and locals sitting at these stalls enjoying their drinks while waiting for the fire breathing show to start.
Da Nang Night Market
Son Tra night market (Cho Dem Son Tra) is a great night market within a few minutes walk of the Dragon Bridge. This convenient location means the Son Tra night market is one of the busiest night markets in Da Nang. Many tourists flock to this night market after visiting the Dragon Bridge, and it is very busy on weekends as even more visitors watch the fire breathing performance at the bridge.
The market sells a combination of street food, souvenirs, clothes, and drinks. It's a great combination as they have a variety of stalls there. However, if you want to dodge the crowds at the Son Tra Night Market, I recommend visiting during the weekdays, as it is less busy.
The Riverside Walk
The Han Riverside area is one of the most enjoyable locations in Da Nang. It is a serene escape from the urban bustle and offers views of Da Nang City that are unrivaled. Walking up and down the riverside on a warm evening is one of the best ways to see Da Nang.
View of the Dragon Bridge and Da Nang riverside area
Streets like Bach Dang Street are located at the riverside and offer some great shopping and dining options.
Hotels near the Dragon Bridge
The Da Nang Riverside is one of the most beautiful riverside areas in the whole of Vietnam. It is packed with awesome skyscrapers, beautiful bridges, and bustling night markets. Staying near the Dragon Bridge in the riverside area is no doubt a great idea. The Dragon Bridge is within walking distance or a short taxi journey to the beach, plus there are many great shops and restaurants nearby.
If you would like to stay in this area, there are some great luxury options, such as the Marriott Hotel and Novotel. However, if your budget is slightly lower, there are plenty of smaller local hotels that can be booked at a fraction of the price. I recommend booking in advance through booking.com to get yourself a bargain.
Planning Your Visit
The best time to visit the Dragon Bridge is at night when the dragon's body is illuminated and glowing different colors. This bridge often changes colors, meaning some nights it will glow blue, other nights it will glow red, but most often you will catch the Dragon Bridge glowing gold.
Da Nang skyline near the Dragon Bridge
Transportation to the Dragon Bridge is quite easy as it is located in Da Nang city center. Visitors can take a taxi or drive themselves to the bridge. For budget-conscious tourists, taking a public bus from the Hoi An bus station is an affordable and convenient option. There are also bus stations nearby that offer convenient transportation options.
The bridge is also easily accessible from the Da Nang International Airport, and most of the main roads in the city will reach the Han River area.
Comparison to Other Attractions
The Golden Hand Bridge is another unique attraction that offers a one-of-a-kind experience. However, the Golden Hand Bridge is located within the Ba Na Hills theme park. This means visitors must pay tickets to reach the theme park and see the bridge.
View of the Golden Hand Bridge in Da Nang
The Da Nang Dragon Bridge is great because it's free and located within the city center riverside area. You can walk along the Han River and easily see this firebreathing spectacle free of charge. So for visitors who don’t have enough time to see all the sights in Da Nang, the Dragon Bridge is super convenient and easily accessible.
Summary
The Dragon Bridge is a unique landmark in Vietnam that offers a one-of-a-kind experience. It's a cultural icon in Da Nang that represents the city’s rich historical heritage. The bridge is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, with a lively atmosphere and stunning views.
Whether your taking a stroll along the Han River or watching the incredible fire and water performance, the Dragon Bridge never fails to impress as the most mesmerizing bridge in Da Nang.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Dragon Bridge famous?
The Dragon Bridge in Da Nang, Vietnam, is famous for its unique architectural design and special fire breathing performance.
Is Dragon Bridge worth visiting?
Yes, the Dragon Bridge is worth visiting, as there is no entry fee to visit the bridge.
What time does the Dragon Bridge light up?
The Dragon Bridge usually lights up around 7 p.m. when Da Nang gets dark.
Can you walk over Dragon Bridge?
Yes, the Dragon Bridge has a pedestrian path for people to cross the bridge via walking.
What time does the Dragon Bridge fire show start in Da Nang?
The Dragon Bridge fire show starts at 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.