Archive for the ‘Da Nang’ Category

Da Nang

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Da Nang is a major port and city situated on the South Central Coast, on the coast of the South China Sea of Vietnam. It’s one of the five independent municipalities in Vietnam. It used to be called “Tourane”  during the French colonization of Vietnam. Da Nang is the third largest city in Vietnam after Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. As of latest measurement Da Nang has a population of 790 thousand people.

Arriving in Da Nang you will most likely land at the smallest international airport in Vietnam, Da Nang International Airport. There’s frequent domestic flights to Da Nang from all over Vietnam. Once arrived, it’s a 2 miles taxi ride to downtown Da Nang, it’s recommended to make use of the regular taxi companies Mai Linh, Taxi Xanh, or Song Han rather than a unscrupulous taxi driver who has a fast meter or tries to haggle you for the jackpot.

The city of Da Nang does not have the ever going hustle from Ho Chi Minh City, yet shares the same sights, and is close to the atmosphere and charms of Hoi An and the imperial capital of Hue. The possible downsides of the laid back, less serious aspects of Da Nang is that even locals complain that there isn’t much to do else than drinking. Though, this is untrue. The city offers plenty sightseeing that can be accessed by tourists as well locals like a zoo, soccer stadium, several spacious parks, plenty pool halls and a water park. Besides the fact, that locals and tourists don’t have to be drinking at home but can go have fun in the many nightclubs, bars and pubs throughout the town. Also, Da Nang offers a beach named Son Tra peninsul which is a popular travel destination in town.

Travelers to Da Nang need a valid passport and visa. US passport holders must have a valid passport and a visa is required. Travel in Vietnam is generally safe and violent crime is uncommon. Pick-pocketing is rife, and drive-by purse snatching is a common trick. The summer months are between June, July, and August though some rain may be expected.