Dragon Bridge Da Nang 2026: Fire Show Times & Tips

The Dragon Bridge (Cầu Rồng) is a 666 m steel bridge shaped like a golden dragon, crossing the Han River in central Da Nang. Opened in 2013, it is famous for its weekend show: at 21:00 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday the dragon’s head breathes fire and then sprays water. Watching is free; the show lasts about 15 minutes.

Status (checked October 2026): the fire and water show runs as normal at 21:00 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with extra nights on major holidays (for example six nights in a row around National Day 2026). Shows can be cancelled in storms or heavy rain, which are most likely from October to December.

Why the Dragon Bridge is worth seeing:

Fire and water show: two rounds of fire, nine bursts each, followed by three rounds of water spray.
The city’s icon: the bridge’s golden dragon is the symbol of modern Da Nang.
Free night out: no ticket, right in the centre, close to riverside cafés and the night market.
Colour-changing lights: the dragon glows in shifting colours every evening, not just at weekends.
Easy to combine: the Museum of Cham Sculpture stands at its western end.

Dragon Bridge at a Glance

Vietnamese name	Cầu Rồng (Dragon Bridge)
Location	Across the Han River, linking Nguyen Van Linh and Bach Dang streets (west bank) with Vo Van Kiet Street (east bank), central Da Nang
Distance	In the city centre; about 3 km from My Khe Beach and Da Nang airport
Size	About 666 m long, 37.5 m wide, six traffic lanes plus two footpaths
Opened	29 March 2013 (construction began 19 July 2009)
Show times	21:00 Friday, Saturday, Sunday and major public holidays; about 15 minutes
Entrance fee	Free
Time needed	30–60 minutes (arrive 20–30 minutes early)
Best time	Weekend evenings, February–September
Nearby	Museum of Cham Sculpture, Han River promenade, Love Bridge, Han Market
Find it	Google Maps · Tripadvisor

Is the Dragon Bridge Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially if you are in Da Nang on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night. The show is short and crowded, but it is free, fun and very Da Nang. On other nights the illuminated dragon is still worth a stroll along the river.

Best for: families, photographers and anyone looking for a free evening activity.
Skip if: you dislike crowds; watch from a river cruise or a rooftop bar instead.
Short on time: combine the show with dinner on the east bank and a walk across the bridge afterwards.

History of the Dragon Bridge

The Dragon Bridge was built to ease traffic between the city centre and the eastern districts, and to give the most direct link from the airport to the beaches. Construction began on 19 July 2009 and the bridge opened on 29 March 2013, the anniversary of Da Nang’s liberation in 1975.

It was designed by the US firm Ammann & Whitney together with the Louis Berger Group, as a five-span steel arch structure whose arch forms the dragon’s undulating body, with the head facing the East Sea. The total investment was around 1.5 trillion VND. The dragon reflects the Ly dynasty style of Vietnamese art and is a symbol of power, luck and the city’s ambitions.

What to See at the Dragon Bridge

1. The fire and water show

At 21:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday the dragon’s head first breathes fire in two rounds of nine bursts, then sprays water in three rounds. The whole performance usually lasts about 15 minutes, and traffic on the bridge continues during it.

Golden dragon head of the Dragon Bridge, Da Nang — On weekend evenings the dragon’s head breathes fire and water. Photo: Kuroczynski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

2. The illuminated dragon

Every evening the bridge is lit with slowly changing colours, from gold to blue, red and purple. It is the best time for long-exposure photos from either riverbank.

3. The dragon’s head and tail

The head is at the eastern end, facing the sea, and the tail curls at the western end near the Cham Museum. Walking the footpath across takes about 10 minutes and gives a close view of the steel scales.

4. The Carp-Dragon statue and Love Bridge

On the east bank, just north of the Dragon Bridge, a statue of a carp transforming into a dragon spouts water into the river, next to the Love Bridge pier decorated with heart-shaped lights and padlocks. It is a popular photo stop before the show.

5. The Han River promenade

Both riverbanks have landscaped walkways, cafés and benches. From the west bank (Bach Dang Street) you can see the whole bridge in profile, along with the Han River Bridge and the city skyline.

6. Night cruises on the Han River

Cruise boats leave from the west bank in the evening and pass under the Dragon Bridge and other illuminated bridges; on show nights some cruises time their route to the performance.

Dragon Bridge Show Schedule

Item	Details
Regular days	Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Start time	21:00
Sequence	Two rounds of fire (nine bursts each), then three rounds of water spray
Duration	About 15 minutes
Extra shows	Major public holidays and city events (announced by Da Nang authorities)
Cancellations	Possible in storms, heavy rain or for official reasons
Cost	Free

The show is run by the Da Nang city authorities; check the official Da Nang tourism page or ask your hotel on the day.

How to Watch the Dragon Bridge Show Step by Step

Arrive by 20:30; the best spots fill quickly, especially in summer.
Choose your side: stand near the head on the east bank for the closest view, or on the west bank for the whole bridge.
Protect your phone: if you stand close to the head, the water spray can soak you.
Watch the fire first, then decide whether to stay close for the water.
Leave a few minutes after the end to avoid the worst traffic, or walk across the bridge.

How to Get to the Dragon Bridge

From	How	Time
Hotels on the Han River (west bank)	On foot along Bach Dang Street	5–20 minutes
My Khe Beach hotels	Grab car or motorbike along Vo Van Kiet Street	About 10 minutes
Da Nang airport	Taxi or Grab	About 10 minutes
Hoi An	Private car or evening tour	About 45–60 minutes

Traffic is heavy around the bridge on show nights; see our Da Nang transport tips.

Best Time to See the Dragon Bridge

When	What to expect
Friday–Sunday at 21:00	The fire and water show
Any evening after dusk	Colour-changing lights, fewer people
February–September	Mostly dry evenings, best for the show
October–December	Rainy season; risk of cancellation
Holidays and festivals	Extra shows but very large crowds

Local Expert Tips for the Dragon Bridge

These tips come from years of arranging Da Nang tours for international travellers.

Book a riverside table at a café on the east bank for a seated view of the head.
Keep children close: crowds and traffic mix at the bridge ends.
Bring a small towel or rain jacket if you plan to stand near the head.
Stay in the centre on a weekend; see where to stay in Da Nang for riverside options.
Combine it with dinner: try local dishes from our Da Nang food guide before the show.
Visiting from Hoi An? Book an evening transfer so you are not hunting for a taxi after the crowds disperse.

Dragon Bridge vs Han River Bridge

Feature	Dragon Bridge	Han River Bridge
Opened	2013	2000
Famous for	Fire and water show, dragon design	Swing bridge that has rotated for river traffic at night
Best time	21:00 Friday–Sunday	Evening lights
Cost	Free	Free

Our view: the Dragon Bridge is the must-see; the Han River Bridge is a pleasant extra on a riverside walk, and you can see both from a Han River night cruise.

Nearby Attractions

Museum of Cham Sculpture: at the western end of the bridge.
My Khe Beach: straight down Vo Van Kiet Street.
Linh Ung Pagoda: the Lady Buddha on Son Tra.
Son Tra Peninsula: forest and sea views.
Marble Mountains: caves and pagodas south of the city.

Sightseeing in Da Nang for First-Time Visitors: Where the Dragon Bridge Fits

Plan your Da Nang stay so that one evening falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Spend the day at the Cham Museum and My Khe Beach, then dinner and the show. Save other days for Ba Na Hills and Hoi An. Read our Da Nang travel tips for more ideas.

Plan your trip with our Da Nang travel guide and Da Nang tours. Contact Vietnam Tour Expert Team for a free custom itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Dragon Bridge

1. What time does the Dragon Bridge breathe fire?

The Dragon Bridge breathes fire at 21:00 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and on major public holidays.

2. How long is the Dragon Bridge fire show?

The Dragon Bridge show usually lasts about 15 minutes: two rounds of fire followed by three rounds of water.

3. Does the Dragon Bridge show happen every day?

No, the Dragon Bridge show is held only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights plus holidays, but the bridge is lit up every evening.

4. Is the Dragon Bridge show free?

Yes, watching the Dragon Bridge fire and water show is completely free.

5. Where is the best place to watch the Dragon Bridge show?

For a close view of the Dragon Bridge head, stand on the east bank near Tran Hung Dao and Vo Van Kiet streets; for the whole bridge, watch from the west bank or a river cruise.