A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Da Nang vs. Dewa Sanzan for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Backpackers

Should you visit Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Da Nang

Da Nang is a authentic, coastal, and accessible city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and museums.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a religious, sacred, and remote religious site. And you can't forget about the hiking and museums.

Da Nang and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Da Nang than Dewa Sanzan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Da Nang is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Dewa Sanzan is more popular for its hiking. Da Nang is well known for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts. Also, Da Nang is famous for the Marble Mountains. Dewa Sanzan is well known for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Da Nang different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dewa Sanzan and Da Nang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan?

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Da Nang and Dewa Sanzan.

Da Nang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Some people use this city as a base for exploring other nearby towns. While it has some interesting sights, there aren't nearly as much history as in the surrounding area. The Golden Bridge Hands has become a popular tourist attraction and the nearby Marble Mountains are also a highlight. You can also check out the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dewa Sanzan. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

Is the Food Better in Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Da Nang is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Da Nang has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city's local cuisine is authentic and traditional. There are many local dishes to try such as Mi Quang (rice noodles and chicken), Bun Cha Ca (rice noodles and fish cakes), and Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo (pork belly wrapped in rice paper).

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Da Nang is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Da Nang has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. There are rooftop cafes, lounges, and local bars that are cheap and stay open late. You'll find a good number of places along Bach Dang Street, which turns into a walking street at 7 pm.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Resorts?

Da Nang is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Da Nang. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Is Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Beaches?

Da Nang is very good for the beache. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Da Nang to enjoy the beach. There are beaches within a 10 minute drive of the city, which can get crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want a more peaceful experience, you'll need to go to Son Tra Peninsula, which is where you'll find most of the luxury resorts.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular spot for hiking. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan?

Da Nang is a decent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

If you're looking to go shopping, Da Nang has some nice offerings. There are some shopping malls and local shops that make for interesting shopping experiences, but nothing compared to some of the more popular cities.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Da Nang is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Da Nang is very family-friendly. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities in the area. Amusement parks like Asia Park Da Nang and nearby Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park are fun for everyone. There are also beaches and beachfront resorts that aren't far from town.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly city. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Da Nang is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Da Nang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic getaway.

Dewa Sanzan is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Da Nang and Dewa Sanzan are notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Da Nang. It's often skipped by backpackers and other tourists, but those who hang out for a day or two will appreciate an authentic city with genuine Vietnamese culture.

Dewa Sanzan is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

Is Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Da Nang is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its public transit.

Da Nang has some public transit options. There are 14 bus routes in the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Dewa Sanzan is a moderate religious site for its high level of walkability. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

Da Nang is not a very walkable city. The city is very spread out and very difficult to explore on foot. There are some beachfront promenades that are pedestrian-friendly, but most of the city is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Da Nang Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Da Nang and Dewa Sanzan. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Dewa Sanzan than in Da Nang. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Da Nang, and 2-3 days is enough time in Dewa Sanzan.

Families should spend more time in Da Nang than Dewa Sanzan. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Da Nang, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Da Nang than Dewa Sanzan. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Da Nang that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Da Nang than Dewa Sanzan if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Da Nang.

One day in Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the accessible city of Da Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Dewa Sanzan, you'll find museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This religious site offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the accessible destination of Da Nang. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Dewa Sanzan, you'll find museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dewa Sanzan has to offer.

Five days in Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan?

The authentic city of Da Nang offers museums and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Dewa Sanzan is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Da Nang. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dewa Sanzan. Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Dewa Sanzan. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Da Nang and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dewa Sanzan is more expensive. And not only is Da Nang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Da Nang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Da Nang and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dewa Sanzan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dewa Sanzan than you might in Da Nang.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Da Nang Expensive? and Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Da Nang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Da Nang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Da Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking.

Da Nang is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the summer. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Da Nang. In the summer, Da Nang often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Da Nang gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Da Nang usually gets less rain in July than Dewa Sanzan. Da Nang gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year. January to July is the dry season in Da Nang. August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Da Nang and Dewa Sanzan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Da Nang year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the autumn for the hiking trails.

In the autumn, Da Nang is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Da Nang in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Da Nang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dewa Sanzan during autumn. Da Nang gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Da Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Da Nang usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Da Nang gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang.

Should I visit Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Da Nang as well as Dewa Sanzan. Da Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Dewa Sanzan can be very cold during winter. In January, Da Nang is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Da Nang average around 22°C (71°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

In the winter, Da Nang often gets less sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Da Nang gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Da Nang receives a lot of rain in the winter. Da Nang usually gets less rain in January than Dewa Sanzan. Da Nang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to July in Da Nang is the dry season.

Should I visit Da Nang or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Da Nang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang throughout the year.

Da Nang is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the spring. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. Da Nang usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during spring. Da Nang gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Da Nang usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Da Nang gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Da Nang