Ten (or more) things you should NOT do in Da Nang

Things you should not do while traveling in Da Nang

This much should be fine, right?" — but it could actually be rude in the local culture.

Da Nang is a travel destination that Korean tourists really visit a lot, but behavior that seems perfectly normal to us can, locally,

It could come across as rude, so it's probably best to be careful, right?

Especially at temples, religious sites, markets, and on the streets, it's good to pay a little extra attention to local customs and safety rules.

Here's just one thing you should know before your trip to Da Nang! 👇

① Don't wear clothes that are too short at the temple 🙏

When visiting places with religious significance, such as Ohyangsan or Linh Ung Pagoda, it's a good idea to pay attention to how you dress.

❌ Sleeveless ❌ Overly short shorts ❌ Miniskirts ❌ Clothing that reveals too much of the chest or shoulders

Especially when entering the main hall or a worship space, it is safer to wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.

💡 If you're planning to visit Ohaengsan Mountain or a temple, it's handy to have a thin cardigan or long pants ready.

② Do not climb on Buddha statues or temple facilities to take photos 📸

I understand the desire to leave behind a pretty photo, but

❌ Leaning against the Buddha statue❌ Climbing onto the Buddha statue's pedestal❌ Sitting on the edge of the altar❌ Climbing onto religious facilities or structures

You should avoid things like that.

Please remember first that this is a religious space, even when taking photos.

📌 "A good place to take photos" and "a place where you're allowed to take photos" can be different.

③ Don't secretly photograph locals up close 📷

When you visit a traditional market or Konsi market, there are so many times you want to capture the local merchants in photos, aren't there?

But when photographing a person as the main subject, it's best to ask for their consent first if possible.

Please be especially careful when photographing children, merchants, monks, or people conducting religious ceremonies up close.

👉 "May I take a photo?" A simple gesture or body language is enough.

④ Please do not talk loudly at temples 🤫

Temples are also tourist attractions, but for local people, they are also spaces where they actually pray and carry out religious activities.

So,

❌ Talking loudly❌ Playing music loudly❌ Fooling around❌ Making phone calls inside the Dharma hall

It's best to avoid things like that.

📱 Please set your phone to vibrate or silent mode!

⑤ Do not eat or drink inside the temple 🍜

When sightseeing, you often end up carrying drinks or snacks around.

In temples, dharma halls, or worship spaces, it is basic etiquette not to eat food or drink beverages.

In particular, throwing away leftover food waste anywhere is absolutely forbidden!

⑥ Please do not touch the altars of local shops without permission

When you enter a shop or home in Vietnam, you can see a small altar or a space dedicated to honoring ancestors and gods.

At first glance, it might look like just interior decoration, but to locals it could be an important religious and cultural space.

❌ Placing items on the altar❌ Touching the altar❌ Stepping on or crossing over the altar❌ Fooling around

It is best to avoid items such as the above.

⑦ Do not carelessly run across roads with lots of motorcycles 🛵

The most important thing on a Da Nang trip is safety, after all!

Da Nang is a city with truly a lot of motorbikes.

When crossing the road

❌ Walking while only looking at your smartphone❌ Suddenly running❌ Suddenly darting out between vehicles

is dangerous.

🚶 If possible, use a crosswalk or traffic light, and cross slowly while checking the movement of nearby vehicles and motorcycles.

⑧ Don't ride a motorcycle without a license 🛵⚠️

I heard you can easily rent a motorbike in Da Nang?

Being able to rent a car and being able to drive it legally are two different things.

License issues can also lead to problems with insurance or compensation when an accident occurs.

To use a motorbike, please be sure to check whether your license meets the requirements to legally drive that type of vehicle in Vietnam.

⑨ No smoking anywhere/everywhere 🚭

Is it okay to smoke tobacco anywhere in Vietnam?

❌ No, that's not correct.

There may be no-smoking areas in restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, and other places, and some tourist attractions or indoor spaces also enforce no-smoking regulations.

🚭 If there is a no-smoking sign, please be sure to follow it.

For e-cigarettes as well, it's a good idea to check the regulations for each location.

⑩ Not getting angry while haggling at the market 💰

In places popular with tourists, such as Hansi Market or Kkon Market, it's common to ask about prices and haggle.

But if you don't like the price,

Rather than ❌ raising your voice, ❌ getting angry at the seller, or ❌ publicly accusing them of "ripping you off,

👉 "Could you give me a little discount?

You should politely explain something along those lines, and if the price doesn't work out, it's best to just go somewhere else.

💡 If the price doesn't suit you, say "Không, cảm ơn." ("No thank you.")

You can smile and walk away.

💡 Additional Information

👉 Tipping is not mandatory in Da Nang.

You can voluntarily give a tip to a journalist, guide, restaurant staff, hotel staff, etc. if you were satisfied with their service, but

Not tipping doesn't automatically make you rude.

On the other hand, if you received good service, it's also a good idea to give an appropriate tip as a token of appreciation.

Knowing just a little bit can make your trip much more comfortable. 😊

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