Central Vietnam’s largest city, Da Nang is a bustling modern port with long stretches of beach and a pulsating nightlife. It’s a popular base for visiting the rugged Ba Na Hills, together with the imperial capital of Hue and the ancient city of Hoi An.
Things to do in Da Nang
Be sure to visit the Cham Museum to discover the fascinating history of the Hindu Cham civilisation that inhabited Central Vietnam until the 14th century. Ancient sandstone sculptures depicting Shiva, nagas and elephants can be seen, together with lingam altars created as icons of fertility.
Make the one-hour journey south to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed My Son Sanctuary, believed to be the longest-inhabited archaeological site in Indochina. The crumbling Hindu temples, built by Champa kings, date from the 4th to 14th centuries.
Spend a day exploring the picturesque Marble Mountains, with Buddhist temples and pagodas built within the caves and grottos. Don’t miss the Am Phu Cave, where the natural rock formations and dark tunnels have been transformed with frightening figures into a Buddhist version of hell.
Want to escape the coastal heat? You can ride the world’s longest cable car from Suoi Mo Station to Ba Na Hill Resort. This former 1920s French resort features atmospheric colonial streets with magnificent views of the South China Sea.
Getting around Da Nang
Da Nang International Airport is a 10-minute drive west of Da Nang, with the famous Reunification Express making a stop at Da Nang Station. Local buses connect most of Da Nang’s sights, while renting a motorbike gives you greater freedom.