Da Nang Airport is one of the more family-friendly airports in Vietnam. It is small, modern, and the city is close. The main family consideration is if you are heading to Hoi An - that 30 km journey with children and luggage needs a bit of planning.
The airport with children
The terminal is compact. From the plane to the exit takes 15-30 minutes including immigration, which is fast compared to larger Vietnamese airports. Luggage trolleys are available. There are clean restrooms in the arrivals area.
The terminal is air-conditioned, which matters - Da Nang is hot for much of the year. Once you step outside to the transport area, the heat and humidity hit immediately. Have water ready for children.
Car seats in Vietnam
Vietnam does not have enforced car seat laws for taxis or private vehicles. As a result, car seats are not available in taxis or standard Grab vehicles. This is the norm across the country.
If using a car seat is important for your family, bring a travel seat from home or book a private transfer and request one at booking time. Not all transfer companies have car seats available, so confirm specifically.
Many traveling families accept the local standard and hold younger children on their laps for the relatively short rides. This is a personal decision.
Getting a family to Hoi An
A family of four with luggage will fill a standard sedan to capacity. If you have a stroller or more than two suitcases, you need a larger vehicle.
Grab offers GrabCar (sedan) and sometimes larger vehicles, but you cannot guarantee a minivan through the app. A metered taxi will be whatever is at the front of the queue.
Booking a minivan transfer to Hoi An solves the space problem. You specify your family size and luggage, and the right vehicle appears. The cost difference between a sedan and minivan transfer is usually only $5-10 USD.
The road to Hoi An with kids
The drive from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An takes 35-50 minutes on a decent road. The route passes through suburban areas and then rice paddies and villages. There is nothing scary about the road, though Vietnamese driving style involves more horn use and closer spacing than Western children might be used to.
Have snacks and entertainment for the drive. There are no rest stops along the way, though you could ask the driver to stop if needed.
If children are prone to car sickness, the road is flat and straight with no mountain passes, so this is usually not an issue.
Da Nang beach hotels with kids
If you are staying at a Da Nang beach resort (My Khe Beach, Non Nuoc Beach), the drive from the airport is only 10-20 minutes. Any transport option works for this short distance. A Grab or taxi is perfectly adequate.
Practical family tips
Buy a SIM card at the airport. Having mobile data makes Grab work and lets you contact your hotel. SIM cards are cheap (about $4-8 USD with plenty of data) and set up in minutes.
Have your hotel address in Vietnamese. Show it to the driver if there is a language barrier.
For Hoi An, book transport in advance. The savings from using Grab over a transfer are small (perhaps $5-10 USD), and the convenience of a guaranteed vehicle with enough space is worth it for families.