According to Hỏi đáp về Quảng Nam-Đà Nẵng (Questions and Answers about Quảng Nam-Đà Nẵng) by Bùi Minh Quốc, Da Nang's name originated from the Cham word Da Nak, meaning "opening of big river".
In 1847, French vessels dispatched by Admiral Cécille bombarded Đà Nẵng in response to persecution of Roman Catholic missionaries.
In August 1858, French troops landed under the orders of Napoleon III, beginning colonial occupation in the area. As a concession, it was renamed Tourane in French. It came to be considered one of Indochina’s five major cities. During the Vietnam War, the city was home to a major air base that was used by both the South Vietnamese and United States air forces. The population has since increased to over 1 million inhabitants. Refugees from the city of Huế have contributed to the rise since the aftermath of Hue in 1968.
Before 1997, the city was part of Quảng Nam-Đà Nẵng province. On January 1, 1997, Đà Nẵng was separated from Quảng Nam province to become the fourth municipality of Vietnam.
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