Overview

Danang is Vietnam’s third city, the largest in Central Vietnam which is famous for its stunning coastline and sandy beaches. Where there is sea there is fish and the seafood dishes within Vietnamese cuisine are rightly finding a host of loyal patrons. This Danang travel guide even suggests tourists might like to learn more in a cookery lesson or two.

It now has a population of 1 million and the city has many reminders of the Vietnam War. It led to an initial hostility to tourists but that has very much disappeared. Some of Vietnam’s best beaches are here, My Khe perhaps being the best known.

The four lane coast road is indicative of the investment taking place and the popularity of this stretch of Vietnam’s coast. If you are considering a holiday after your marriage then a honeymoon in Vietnam focusing on Danang is a serious contender.

How to get there

Danang actually has an international airport though it is primarily used for domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It does make this city very accessible from other parts of the Country of course and such Asian cities as Tokyo, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

There are good rail links with the non-stop express to Hanoi taking just two hours. Local services are slow with stops at most stations.

Bus services are good and they include buses to Cambodia and Laos as well of course to the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.

Best time to visit

The monsoon rainfall is late autumn, early winter while the hottest months, May to August are also dry. When a visit to Danang is part of Vietnam private tours covering the whole of the country there are regional variations to consider because in other parts May to August will mean rain.

Things to see and do

Our Danang travel guide recommends the following though there is much more:

• Cham Museumhas a collection of stone sculptures from the Hindu-practicing Cham civilization, which existed in central Vietnam from the 1st Century until the 14th century. There are many different images, many wildlife, and their removal from their original ‘’homes’’, generally My Son, has prevented their loss from looting.

• The Marble Mountainsare just out of town. They include Kim Son, Moc Son, Thuy Son, Hoa Son and Tho Son while there is a host of Buddhist temples inthe caves and grottoes making them a popular pilgrimage site. Those feeling energetic might like to explore the whole region but it is important to have good footwear to do so.

• Ba Na Hill Stationis at almost 1.500 metres and was a French Resort in the 1920s with villas and restaurants.It provides great views over the South China Sea and it temperate climate makes it especially appealing. A cable car, the highest and longest in the world is the means of access.

• Cham Islandis worth a visit. There is the Hai Tang Pagoda, the market and it’s a great place for a seafood lunch. You can swim, snorkel and fish as well.

• Linh Ung Buddhist Temple on the Tra Peninsula has great views over the sea which are shared by a 67 metre high statue, Quan The Am.

• There are three tourist beaches to head for; Pham Van Dong beach and Temple Resort, the My Kye Beach and Holiday Beach.

• Danang’s nightlife is very good but for something different why not try a food tour or a cookery class?

• Drinking coffee is part of the Vietnamese culture; join the locals in any of the number of coffee shops, some quite expensive.

Accommodation

When it comes to accommodation there is plenty of choice. Those on organisedVietnam family tourswill be able to select from a number of alternatives provided by their tour companies. As Danang grows in popularity there are new hotels being built all the time.

However there are plenty of small hotels and hostels, many on the east bank of the river. Mid-range hotels cater for businessmen as well as tourists and there is plenty of accommodation located close to the popular beaches, some of luxurious standard including famous international chains.

Vietnam travel can be budget or luxury but in every case it will be a memorable experience.

Travel tips
Danang is a city and in common with every city in the world it is important to use your common sense. Vietnam is a fairly safe place and anyone on Vietnam travel packages is unlikely to come across many problems.