DANANG TRAVEL: TIPS FROM A TO Z

Located in the South Central Coast, Danang has mountains, plain and sea. There are many tourist places for visiting when travel to Danang including, Ba Na hill, My Khe beach and the biggest indoor amusement park in Asia – Fantasy park. Danang is also impressive for many stunning landscape such as, Hai Van (the Ocean Cloudy) pass, primeval jungle in Son Tra peninsula and Marble mountain. In particular, Danang is surrounded by three world’s culture heritages including Hue, Hoi An and My Son. Every year, Danang holds the international fireworks contests which attracts a lot of domestic and international visitors.

HOW TO TRAVEL TO DANANG

You can reach Danang by all modes of transport. Besides the wonderful landscape, the convenience in traveling is also the strength of this city. You can access Danang by flight, train, car, or even motorbike...

Train: riding trains from Hanoi or Saigon will take you about 14 to 20 hours depending on fast or slow trains. It takes more time to travel from Saigon due to the longer distance.

Fare for the train Hanoi – Danang is from VND 300,000 (US $15) to VND 900,000 (US $45) depending on the type of cabins.

Fare for the train Saigon – Danang is from VND 800,000 (US $35) to VND 1,500,000 (US $70) depending on the type of cabins.

Flight: Hanoi to Danang, the fare is VND 700,000 (US $35) to VND 2,400,000 (US $115) depending on the airlines. It takes about 1.30 hours for the trip. The fare and time for Saigon – Danang are quite similar to the former trip.

There are three airlines offering the trip to Danang from Hanoi and Saigon:

• Vietnam airlines: www.vietnamairlines.com
• Viet Jet air: www.vietjetair.com
• Jetstar: www.jetstar.com

Public bus: the bus to Danang is often North-South sleeper buses. Price and quality are not quite different. You can check out the website of following reliable companies: Hoang Long, Mai Linh, Hlink, Thuan Thao, Phuong Trang, Sinh cafe...

• In Hanoi, you can take buses to Danang at Giap Bat or Nuoc Ngam stations.
• In Saigon, you can depart at Mien Dong bus station

Note: you should buy tickets or make reservation in advance to avoid unavailability. The fare is from VND 500,000 to 700,000 (from US $23 to 34) and consumes about 20 hours for both Saigon and Hanoi to Danang.

HOW TO EXPLORE DANANG

By motorbikes: this is a convenient mode of transport to explore the inner city and surroundings. You can rent them at hotels or motorbike shops. It costs about VND 90,000 to 150,000 (US $4 to 7) per motorbike per day.

Some motorbike shops for reference:

• Lam Nguyen motorbike shop: Ho Huan Nghiep str. – Ngu Hanh Son district
• Binh Minh: 82 Thach Lam st., Son Tra district
• Truong Dat: 86 To Hien Thanh st. Son Tra district

By Taxis: there are some reliable taxi companies:

• Mai Linh – (0511). 3.56.56.56
• Hang Khong – (0511).3.27.27.27
• Song Han – (0511).3.72.72.72
• Vinasun Green – (0511).3.68.68.68

BEST TIME TO VISIT DANANG

Danang is a city in the South Central Coast affected by monsoon in which temperature is high and less flactuated. There are two distinctive seasons: the rainy from August to December and the dry from January to July. To avoid the influence of storms, the best time to visit Danang is from February to August. However, in order to have cheap services, you should travel to Danang during January and April, because the weather is cool without storm’s impact during this period and all services are cheaper compared to the period from June to August.

WHAT TO VISIT IN DANANG

At Center: Thanh Khe and Hai Chau districts

Museum of Cham sculpture: is the only one for Cham’s culture in the world which is keeping the relics from ancient Champa.

Location: 2. 2/9 str., Hai Chau district

Han river bridge: is the first swing one in Vietnam located on the main road of Bach Dang connecting Hai Chau and Son Tra districts. The bridge is beautiful and outstanding by night. It significantly swings at the angle of 90o every night for boats passing along the river.

During the normal days, the bridge swing at midnight. However, in order to allow visitors experiencing the bridge, Han river swings 01 hour earlier on Saturday and Sunday.

Dragon bridge: was opened in 2013 connecting the main road from Danang international airport to My Khe and Non Nuoc beach. The dragon on bridge blows fire and water out from the mouth at 21.00 during weekend and vacations.

Con market: is the biggest one in Danang and the Center Coast. This market is not only simply for shopping but also attractive tourist place.

Location: in Hai Chau II ward, Hai Chau district.

Son Tra peninsula and monkey mountain

Located about 10 km from the center to the East, Son Tra is considred as the “precious pearl” with a long and curving beach and diversified fauna and sauna. The peninsula is located on the Tho Quang ward, Son Tra district which is 4,439-hectare square. There is an long emerald beach with Hai Van pass surrounding Danang city and Danang bay.

Linh Ung pagoda

Locally known as Linh Ung Son Tra or Linh Ung Bai But pagoda to differentiate from Linh Ung at the Marble and Ba Na hill. This is the biggest pagoda for both scale and architecture.

Fairy and stone fairies

are the most beautiful and pristine ones in Son Tra mountain which are the familiar destinations in almost Danang tours to Son Tra peninsula.

But beach

Is located deep inside the beautiful strait, But beach is the harmonious integration of beach and mountain.

 BEACHES IN THE EAST OF DANANG

My Khe beach: located 3 km from Danang’s center crossing Han river bridge, then reach Pham Van Dong to the East, we will arrive at My Khe. This is a famous beach with beautiful sandy beach, mild waves and warm all year round. In particular, My Khe beach was ranked one of the six most beautiful in the world by Forbes.

Pham Van Dong beach: this public beach is very attractive to visitors located in Phuoc My ward, Son Tra district at East sea park.

Bac My An beach:  is the part of Bac My An ward, Ngu Hanh Son district. The attraction of this beach is long sandy beach with emerald water and mostly unchanged temperature.

With the hotel system close to the beaches, visitors can be totally comfortable and enjoy the trip with family or friends. Let’s come to visit Danang and enjoy the stunning beauty here.

MARBLE AREA

Tam Thai pagoda: located on the west of Thuy Son mountain, is one of five famous ones of the Marble mountain.

Non Nuoc stone carving village: is famous for fine art stone engraving not only in Vietnam but also all over the world. Location: in Hoa Hai ward, Ngu Hanh Son district.

Non Nuoc beach: spearing out 5 km with a beautiful pine forest under Ngu Hanh Son mountain, the beach is famous for its white sand and mild slope and waves. The sea is clean attracting a lot of tourists.

DANANG SURROUNDINGS

Ba Na hill: is a mountain range in Hoa Vang located 40 km from Danang’s center to the Southwest. In Ba Na, visitors will see 4 distinctive season during the day: spring in the morning, summer in the afternoon, autumn in the late afternoon and winter at night.

Hai Van (ocean cloudy) pass: is the place that Truong Son mountain range reaching the sea. The pass is high and dangerous and is the boundary of the South and North.

Cam Ne mat village: located 14 km from the center to the Southwest, Cam Ne mat village is in Hoa Tien ward, Hoa Vang district. This place is very famous for flower mat making which used in the Nguyen dynasty.

Tuy Loan ancient village: located in Hoa Phong commune, Hoa Vang district, 15km from the center, the village has remained over 500 years. To the village, you should not miss enjoying local specialties such as, rice paper and Quang noodle.

Troi (heaven) well: located in the Ba Na – Nui Chua nature reserve, the landscape here has been still remained untouched and is a great place for trekking, adventuring or camping.

WHAT TO EAT IN DANANG

There are two biggest markets in the center namely Han and Con along with many supermarkets including Danang, Metro, Bigc..all of which get Danang more options for foods.

Almost famous restaurants in Danang offer specialties such as, Quang noodle, steamed rice paper with pork, Vietnamese crepe, noodle with fried fish or fish sauce…

1. Quang noodle

The noodle is often sold in the morning from 9 to 10 am in Hoang Dieu, Phan Thanh, Trung Nu Vuong or Hoang Hoa Tham streets. There are some restaurants opening all day like in the streets of Nguyen Huu Tho, Nguyen Cong Tru. Prices depend on the size of noodle bowls, but only from VND 13,000 to 25,000 (US $0.6 to $1.2), rice paper is also served with the cost of VND 3,000 per piece (US $0.2)

1. Nam O rice paper wrapped fish

If you want to enjoy Nam O rice paper wrapped fish, you should go to the area of Nam O which offer the best taste. Or you may also visit restaurants on Nguyen Tat Thanh to try.

1. Noodle with fried fish

The restaurants on Hoang Dieu street opens all day from 7am to 9pm, some open until early morning on Hung Vuong street, but others only serve in the morning from 6am to 10am on Tran Cao Van street. Price is about VND 15,000 (US $0.7) per bowl.

1. Rice paper with pork

The best restaurants are located on Chau Thi Vinh Te, Hai Phong, Duy Tan, Le Duan or Do Thuc Thinh streets with the price of VND 30,000 to 80,000 (US $1.3 to US $35). Mau and 35 Do Thuc Thinh restaurants are the best ones in Danang.

1. Vietnamese crepe

Price is from VND 5,000 per piece on Hoang Dieu or Hai Phong streets…Ba Duong crepe in 11 Hoang Dieu street is often chosen by many people.

1. Bloating fern-shaped cake

Not mention to street vendors, the restaurants at Con market, Hoang Dieu, Hai Phong or Ong Ich Khiem are places you should try the cake (only about VND 2,000 – US $0.1 per small bowl).

1. Grilled veal chops

The most delicious grilled veal chops are in Cau Mong, Dien Ban, Quang Nam which is about 15km from Danang. Besides, we can also enjoy the dish in Mrs Ngoc - Cau Mong, 228 Dong Da or 99 Ong Ich Khiem.

WHERE TO STAY IN DANANG

Is an attractive place for tourists, so it offers a wide range of hotels which give visitors many options. Below are some suggestions which are chosen by many tourists.

1. InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

Address: Bai Bac, Son Tra Peninsula

1. Fusion Maia Da Nang

Address: Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District,

1. Muong Thanh Danang

Address: 962 Ngo Quyen, An Hai Tay, Son Tra district.

1. Sanouva Danang Hotel

Address: 68 Phan Chau Trinh, Da Nang

1. Vinpearl Danang resort and spa

Address: Truong Sa, Hoa Hai ward, Ngu Hanh Son district

1. Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa

Address: 05 Truong Sa Street, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District

BEST PLACES FOR PHOTO HUNTERS

Ba Na hill: is known as the fairy land with 4 distinctive seasons. Ba Na is chosen for photographing. With the wonderful nature and stunning beauty, this is an ideal place for those who love photo.

Beautiful bridges: Danang is a beautiful city with many marvelous bridge such as, Dragon, Thuan Phuoc, Tran Thi Ly or Han river…each of which has its own significance and style.

Son Tra peninsula: spreads out from Xanh lake to Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula resort with beautiful and long road and beach including But or Rang…

Hoa Trung lake: located in Hoa Lien, Hoa Vang district, 20km from the center, this area is recognized as the grassland of Tibet with a vast grass area spreading in a line surrounding artifact lake.