Street Food
Sampling Da Nang City’s mouth-watering street food is truly unmissable; choose from a variety of tours during which guides ‘in the know’ will lead you down hidden alleyways for authentic breakfasts and delicious, neon-lit suppers with locals. If you decide to go solo, the choice can be somewhat bewildering. Dive into fresh shrimp pancakes and hot, steaming bowls of Quang noodles topped with pork and shallots – just a couple of the many dishes to try. Charming Hoi An is another hotspot for street food, so don’t miss that either!
History
Though Da Nang City is changing quickly, there are still some interesting remnants from times past. Da Nang Cathedral and Cao Dai Temple, for starters, as well as a collection of museums showcasing artefacts from the centuries-old Cham civilisation, plus fascinating exhibits and literature from WWII. History buffs should also include a tour of the delightfully atmospheric town of Hoi An. Originally an important port, it offers some impressive examples of architecture – Chinese temples, Japanese merchant houses, old tea warehouses juxtaposed with trendy bars and glossy hotels, not to mention some excellent tailor shops for made-to-measure outfits.
Beaches
Classed as one of Vietnam’s best strands, China Beach (or My Khe Beach) sweeps for miles and miles. Once a hangout for soldiers and more recently backpackers, today it attracts an upmarket trickle of tourists on the lookout for a glamorous resort holiday. Indeed, it’s a luxury playground for fun in the sun and on the sand, offering superb conditions for surfing from September.
Mountains
The striking Marble Mountains are a true highlight of Da Nang, a famous pilgrimage site featuring peaks, tunnels, caves and temples strewn across a cluster of five hills named after the elements. The caves were once used as hideouts by military troops and you can (somewhat touchingly) still see bullet holes today. The mountains are also home to a variety of Buddhist sanctuaries and worshippers regularly flock here. Meanwhile, Son Tra (or Monkey) Mountain is a breathtakingly beautiful National Park, just north of Da Nang City; it’s a wonderful place to soak up coastal views, hike jungle trails, spot wildlife and visit the stunning Linh Ung Pagoda and its beautiful white statue of the Goddess of Mercy.
Travel Planning
Our Travel Consultants can advise on, arrange and pre-book many things to enhance your holiday. This includes everything from spa reservations and dinner reservations, to a range of special experiences available in our featured resorts that you may not know about.
Flight Information
Vietnam Airlines from London Heathrow to Da Nang (Via Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh). British Airways from London Heathrow to Bangkok and Hong Kong. Thai Airways from London Heathrow to Bangkok. Singapore Airlines from London Heathrow and Manchester to Singapore. Onward connecting flights with: Thai Airways from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. Vietnam Airlines from Bangkok and Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. Vietnam Airlines from Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi to Da Nang. Silk Air from Singapore to Da Nang.
Flight Time
From London Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh: 12 hours, 35 minutes. London Heathrow to Hanoi: 11 hours, 40 minutes. London Heathrow to Bangkok: 11 hours, 40 minutes. London Heathrow to Hong Kong: 11 hours, 55 minutes. London Heathrow to Singapore: 13 hours, 5 minutes.
Onward connecting flights from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh: 1 hour, 30 minutes.
From Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh: 2 hours, 40 minutes.
From Hong Kong and Bangkok to Hanoi: 2 hours.
From Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang: 1 hour, 20 minutes.
From Hanoi to Da Nang: 1 hour, 15 minutes.
From Singapore to Da Nang: 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations i.e, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.