At night, the Han River (Song Han) becomes so beautiful thanks to millions of colorful lights. One of the best ways to view it is going on a cruise boat. It happens every night, and the best experience is watching the fire and water show at the Dragon Bridge. In the summer, visitors can book it and enjoy amazing fireworks performances. In this article, HoiAn Day Trip Company informs of Han River night cruise, a popular activity in Da Nang.
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• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
Must Knows about Han River in Da Nang Vietnam
– Location: Da Nang city, central Vietnam
– District(s): Hai Chau district (left), Son Tra district (right), Ngu Hanh Son district (right)
– Name’s meaning: ‘welding river’ (see explanation below)
– Other name(s): Da Nang River, Tourane River (French time)
– Length: 7,8 kilometers
– Width: 400-700 meters
– Depth: 7-10 meters
– Source: confluence of Cam Le River & Co Man River, near Tien Son Bridge
– Estuary: Cua Han, Da Nang city, Vietnam
– Spanning(s): Thuan Phuoc Bridge, Han River Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Nguyen Van Troi Bridge, Tran Thi Ly Bridge, Tien Son Bridge
– Travel blog: https://hoiandaytrip.com/han-river-night-cruise-da-nang
– Activities: boat trips, fireworks festival
– Fact: Han River is the major river in Da Nang city and Seoul city (South Korea)
Han River Cruise Schedule, Timing & Station
Han river cruises will board at 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm every night. If the weather is bad, visitors can choose to go earlier or later. The duration is 1 hour long.
All river cruises embark from Song Han Port which lies on the west bank of Han River, on Bach Dang Street, Thach Thang ward, Hai Chau district (near Novotel Hotel). During the annual Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, taking place in June/July, visitors need to go to the port by Tran Thi Ly Bridge and Nguyen Van Troi Bridge. It’s by the south end of Bach Dang Street.
In a walking distance from/to Song Han Port, visitors will find lots of restaurants, including Michelin-star places.
We advise visitors to go to Song Han Port at least 15 minutes before the cruise departure time. After arriving, time is needed to walk to ticket offices and wait for security checks from the city’s police. On the weekend, it’s very good to come here earlier because of high traffic on nearby streets.
Song Han Port on Map
What to Expect on Han River Night Cruise?
In the evening, one of the most popular activities in Da Nang is going on a cruise on the Han River. From the cruise, visitors can see/photograph Da Nang downtown at night and landmarks or famous bridges/buildings along its waterfront.
To open the boat tour, a performance of Cham dancing will occur, alongside complimentary fresh water and fresh fruits. It’s about 15 minutes long. In which, female artists wear traditional costumes and bring the watcher flexible movements.
From Song Han Port (Cang Song Han), the cruise will first head to the Han River Bridge, the symbolic building of Da Nang city. In 2000, it’s completed and became the first bridge spanning the Han River after the Vietnam war. It marked a new era for the city’s development. At night, this cable-stayed swing bridge is lit by thousands of LED lamps varied in colors, giving it an attractive look. It just rotates in the midnight when a boat wants to pass, so in any cruise trip on Han River, watching the Han River Bridge rotating, isn’t available. See more information & details
The second bridge is the Dragon Bridge. This 666-meters-long is famous for a giant yellow dragon (that makes its name), with a weight of 9,000 tons. No surprise, it’s the heaviest steel dragon in the world. The head of the dragon looks towards the sea, symbolizing the city’s ambition for prosperity and extensive international integration. At night, the Dragon Bridge becomes brilliant when it’s decorated by 500,000 LED lamps that change the color every minute. Sure, all tourists want to have at least one picture here at least. The boat will go under it, allowing passengers to see it from both sides. See more information & details
On the weekend, visitors can watch the fire and water show at Dragon Bridge from the cruise on Han River. Boarding time should be 8:00 pm and tickets must be booked in advance. Going to the port at least 15-20 minutes earlier!
Near the yacht, visitors can see the Love Lock Bridge, one of the most romantic places in the city. Couples attack a lock here to express their unchanging and unconditional love. Nearby, the Statue of Carp Dragon, made of marble, symbolizes the transformation of Da Nang from a poor city to a modern, worth-living city. On the weekend, it spits water.
The next bridge is Tran Thi Ly Bridge and Nguyen Van Troi Bridge. Tran Thi Ly Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge with a tower rising up to 145 meters, leaning 12 degrees. It symbolizes a sailing boat that is so ready to conquer the ocean, telling us Da Nang city’s desire to reach out to the world. Smaller Nguyen Van Troi Bridge is simpler and older because it’s constructed in the Vietnam war. Today, it’s exclusive for pedestrians. Interestingly, both bridges are named after Vietnamese heroes whose hometown is Dien Ban district, not far away from Da Nang.
Behind the pair of bridges, it’s easy to see the Sun Wheel, one of the tallest observation wheels in the world (top 10). This 115-meters-tall circle building is also lit up by so many color changing lamps, well-blended into the awesome Da Nang cityscape at night. It’s part of Asia Park, an amusement park.
Along Han riverfronts, there are also some historical sites and points of interest, but visitors may not know about them (it’s better if going with a guide who can spot and tell something). Near the Novotel hotel, on the left bank, is ‘former Da Nang City Hall’ (now Da Nang Museum), and then Han Market, the oldest traditional market in town. On the same side, near the Dragon Bridge, that is ‘Museum of Cham Sculpture’, the oldest landmark on the waterfront of Han River. Next to it, can see ‘APEC Park’ with a white structure on the top, to represent a flying kite. Between the yacht and the Dragon Bridge, on the right bank, that is the Statue of ‘fish transforming into dragon’, telling the transformation of the city. From Song Han Port, it’s possible to see Thuan Phuoc Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge with two towers rising up to 92 meters from the river.
Best Experiences on Han River Night Cruise
Dragon Bridge Fire & Water Show
If traveling to (or still stay in) Da Nang city on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, visitors should book a cruise departing at 8 PM. Why? The reason is that this boat trip will include watching the fire and water show at the Dragon Bridge, a highlight in the city at night. The showtime is 9 PM, so before it, visitors can see five famous bridges cross the Han River first, and have some pictures. From a cruise boat, passengers can see/photograph the whole bridge, and don’t have to join crowds. The dragon will spit fire first and then water from its mouth, bringing happiness and prosperity for all citizens. If you are a first timer, don’t skip this show! See more information & details
With the same duration, Han river cruise while watching the Dragon Bridge show, is absolutely a better choice than others. For that reason, its price may be a bit higher than usual.
Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) to book ‘Han River cruise with Dragon Bridge fire show’. Thank you very much!
International Fireworks Festival
Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) takes place in the summer every year. It’s firstly held in 2008, and nowadays has become the best event of the city. During the latest festivals, the performances (competitions) will be on each Saturday night, including the final. In one night, two contestants coming from a different country compete to be the next winner. Of course, they give the audience amazingly colorful performances of light in the sky, plus trendy and great music. Each contestant wants to tell a story about Vietnam or the world, based on the main theme of the year. While the fireworks are flying, below Han River turns into a painting with fairy colours. Definitely, this festival is not to miss. See more information & details
One of the best places to watch the fireworks in Da Nang, is from Han River cruises. Before the first performance starts, the cruise will take visitors to five famous bridges across the river, like any other night. After that, it stops at a spot where visitors can easily see, photograph, or make videos about gorgeous fireworks flying around the heads. We recommend having this experience because of no crowds and more privacy. In common, to watch the fireworks, it’s needed to come to the main stage early, to avoid traffic congestion and to find a good seat. If book a cruise, everything is simpler.
Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) to book ‘Da Nang international fireworks festival ticket’ or ‘Han River cruise with watching fireworks’. Thank you very much!
Tips to Know Before Book Han River Night Cruise
– Han River cruises will depart at 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm, and 9 pm from Song Han Port, Bach Dang street, Hai Chau district (near Novotel Danang Premier Han River).
– Visitors should be in the port at least 15-20 mins before departure time. If don’t have a ticket yet, please come to the port 30 mins earlier.
– There are many cruises to choose from in Song Han Port, and they organize quite similar boat trips. It seems that visitors don’t have any comparison.
– When the windy is strong or the rain is heavy, cruises won’t depart or depart late, for safety reasons. So, visitors should check the weather forecast in advance.
– Han River cruise tickets will be sold out on the weekends when the Dragon Bridge fire and water show takes place, especially the ones leaving at 8 pm. On the nights when fireworks competition occurs, visitors may have no seats if don’t book in advance. During a special event, ticket prices may be higher than common.
– Book Han river cruise tickets at reliable travel websites or local companies. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/zalo/line).
– Besides the sightseeing boat trip, visitors will see a short Cham dance performance before departure. After that, can take a picture with the artists.
– Each cruise boat has many seats, on two floors.
– While going on the Han River cruise, visitors have to wear a life vest for safety reasons, either adults or children.
– A bottle of water and some fruits are provided for free in the beginning of the
– When the cruise moves closer to the bridges, visitors can stand around the bow to take pictures, but should be one by one (for safety reason).
– The city may not organize the fire and water show on Friday, so Saturday and Sunday nights are better to add this experience in the itinerary.
– Toilet is available to use in the cruise boat.
How to Get to Song Han Port in Da Nang
Song Han Port (Cang Song Han) is on Bach Dang street, on the left bank/west bank of the Han River. It’s the largest river port in Da Nang city. Its entrance is at Ly Tu Trong street – Bach Dang street crossroad (Novotel Hotel).
During the annual Da Nang International Fireworks Festival in June/July, cruises will dock at the boat station near Nguyen Van Troi Bridge – Tran Thi Ly Bridge.
Visitors can get to Song Han Port by walking, car/taxi/van/bus, or riding a motorbike. If like walking, we recommend going along Bach Dang street’s promenade because it’s beautiful, safe, and breezy. From the other side of the river, let’s find the shortest/quickest way to the Han River Bridge, walk across it and then walk on Bach Dang promenade.
Car, taxi, electric car, van or bus are all possible to drop passengers off at Song Han Port. If want to make it easy, just tell the driver to go to the Novotel Hotel. The distance to this port/hotel is 6 kilometers maximum from a hotel/place inside Da Nang city centre. From InterContinental Resort, it’s 18 km, and from Non Nuoc Beach’s resorts, it’s 15 km maximum. The taxi fare now is approx 20,000 VND/kilometer. If need a private transfer from far-distance resorts, contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) to have a better price and better service.
If want to ride a motorbike, it’s also convenient. The easiest way is to go to the Dragon Bridge first and then follow Bach Dang street (northwards) to see Song Han Port. Parking service is available right at the port’s entrance, with a price of 5,000-10,000 VND/bike/time.
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD arranges reasonably-priced private transfers in Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue everyday. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) and send us some information (date, places, hotel address) to make your reservation. Thank you very much!
Places to Visit near Song Han Port
Near Song Han Port, visitors can go to these places: Dien Hai Citadel (distance: 150m), Da Nang Museum of History & Culture (distance: 200m), Han River Bridge (distance: 500m), Cao Dai Temple (distance: 1,1km), Da Nang Museum of Fine Arts (distance: 1,2km), Han Market (distance: 1km), Da Nang Cathedral/Pink Church (distance: 1,1km), Con Market (distance: 2km), Thuan Phuoc Bridge (distance: 2,5 km), Dragon Bridge (distance: 2 km), Cham Sculpture Museum (distance: 2 km), Da Nang Fresco Village (distance: 2,1km), Love Lock Bridge (distance: 2,5 km), Son Tra Night Market (distance: 2,5 km), Carp Dragon Statue (distance: 2,5 km).
Tours in Da Nang with Han River Night Cruise
Here are the best guided tours in Da Nang with Han River night cruise trip:
– Da Nang Night Tour with River Cruise & Dinner
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD arranges reasonably-priced private transfers in Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue everyday. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) and send us some information (date, places, hotel address) to make your reservation. Thank you very much!
Photos, Videos about Han River Night Cruise in Da Nang
Here are beautiful photos and videos about Han River night cruise in Da Nang Vietnam:
