Your guide to the ultimate summer day out in Da Nang

We’re not exaggerating when we say that Da Nang has one of the most beautiful sunrises in the world. My Khe Beach’s 9-kilometre stretch conveniently faces east, where you can watch the sky shift through dramatic shades of purple, orange, and yellow before the sun finally peeks over the horizon around 5.20am. Don’t be surprised to share the beach with locals on early jogs and swims. Need a morning pick-me-up? You could reach for an iced salt coffee – but we won’t judge if it’s a Sprite you’re downing for that refreshing, wake-up spark. 

Once the sun starts climbing, sweep off the sand and hop across the Han River to get to Han Market. We love this shaded, multi-level traditional market for its breadth of local produce, souvenirs, and knick-knacks. In the early morning, watch fresh vegetables, butchered meat, and fruits get snapped up by local market-goers; otherwise, browse the stalls for instant Vietnamese coffee, local chocolate, coconut biscuits, rattan handicrafts, and other Da Nang specialities. If the heat is starting to feel personal, Sprite’s lemon-lime sharpness makes for a great recharge between stops.

Just a couple of steps from Han Market is a fantastic little eatery called Nhà Ghỗ. Cheerful yellow walls set the tone for a meal full of bright and refreshing flavours. Try bánh tráng cuốn thịt heo, which features thin slices of pork rolled in rice paper with herbs and dipping sauce; and gỏi đu đủ, a freshly sweet-sour Vietnamese papaya salad with shrimp. 

If you’re willing to go further out, we highly recommend taking a 30-minute car ride to Tra Que Water Wheel in Tra Que Vegetable Village. It’s the tranquil countryside getaway you need on a hot summer’s day, but also an opportunity to get hands-on with preparing local delicacies like banana flower salad and cao lầu noodles, made with fresh vegetables harvested from the farm. 

Needless to say, these spicy, crunchy, herby meals need a worthy wingman, and Sprite’s that clean, cool counterpoint to all the zing. 

Midday is no time to be out in the open. We’d cool off by heading into Ba Na Hills, where there’s a spectacular cable car ride stretching over 5,700 metres over forested peaks. It takes you straight to the Golden Bridge, a striking structure cradled by two giant hands. Pack your swimmers, because there’s a massive natural outdoor pool at the foot of the hills. Called Suoi Mo, it’s a great spot for a swim in cool, crystal clear waters. 

It’s worth packing a cold drink for these escapes. Sprite is light enough to keep in a bag without weighing you down, and just fizzy enough to feel like a reward after a sweaty hike.

If you play it right, you can make it back to Da Nang city centre to catch sunset hour at Sky36, the city’s highest rooftop bar. But there’s more action at the beach. Just this July, Sprite Summer Festival brought a 70,000-strong crowd to My Khe Beach for an all-day summer bash featuring splashy slides and games, as well as electrifying back-to-back performances by major local stars like HURRYKNG, Low G, and Dương Domic.

If you missed out on the Sprite Beach Festival in Da Nang, don’t worry. There’ll be upcoming iterations in Thanh Hoa and Vung Tau, where you can expect the same snazzy fun featuring free samples and beach games. 

If there’s one thing you have to see while you’re in Da Nang, it’s the Dragon Bridge fire-breathing show. Spanning the Han River, the Dragon Bridge represents the power and strength of the Vietnamese people, and you’d certainly believe it during the 9pm weekend shows when it spews fire and water in a spectacular night-time display. Bonus: visit the city between May and July to watch incredible displays of fireworks by international teams during the annual Danang International Fireworks Festival. 

Once that’s over, wander over to the nearby Son Tra Night Market for snacks and shopping. You have till midnight to load up on local and international street food – just remember to wash down all that grilled meat and spicy sauce with some cold, clean citrus Sprite.

Sure, Sprite is our go-to drink when the mercury rises, but the brand’s unlocking summer in fresh new ways all over Asia. Find out more about refreshing activations you can check out across the continent by following Sprite on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.