Highlights
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.