Set beside a protracted, sandy seaside, Da Nang gives browsing and sunbathing in abundance – in addition to all of the pleasures of an enormous metropolis. Right here’s how one traveller received a style for this bustling, cosmopolitan metropolis.
Picture by Craig Hindmarsh
The place to remain in Da Nang
My first two nights had been spent in New Sky Lodge, positioned a couple of kilometres north of the principle vacationer space of Mỹ An. The room price the equal of 170K VND (£5.50), which is extremely low cost contemplating it featured air-con. Nevertheless, given the low January temperatures, the AC distant was left effectively alone. The (very) skinny partitions and lack of home windows jogged my memory that I shouldn’t rush when reserving lodge rooms! I made a decision to take my subsequent room in Mỹ An, the place there are extra eating places, cafes and bars (and thicker partitions).
For the subsequent few days I stayed within the Tehana Beachside Lodge, which was nearly as inexpensive as New Sky, however had the notable benefit of home windows – which offer nice views of the mountains to the north. The workers had been extraordinarily pleasant, and the lodge was solely a 5 minute stroll from the town’s wonderful seaside.
Subsequent I moved into the very coronary heart of bustling Mỹ An, the place the Gold Time Lodge provided rooms for about £8 per evening. Nevertheless, the Vietnamese New 12 months – generally known as Tet (twenty ninth January) – noticed charges rise by about 20%, and keep elevated for a number of days. On the plus facet, the affable supervisor invited me for a New 12 months’s Eve drink along with his buddies within the lodge foyer – an surprising invite which I duly accepted.
Celebrating Tet – Vietnamese New 12 months – Picture by Craig Hindmarsh
What to do in Da Nang
The Marble Mountains
A good friend and I took a taxi to the Marble Mountains, though our go to was delayed when the motive force persuaded us to go to a sculpture retailer enroute. A woman spent 10 minutes failing to influence us to purchase all the things from emerald-coloured bracelets to huge elephant sculptures. Regardless of the hard-sell, we needed to admit lots of the objects had been superbly made.
Picture by Craig Hindmarsh
The Marble Mountains themselves had been very good – I hadn’t anticipated them to be so huge. Inside, there are numerous caverns to discover, lots of which function some very odd-looking sculpted figures participating in some quite painful actions. One of many bigger caves featured an enormous gong – which I took nice pleasure in thwacking with the offered mallet.
Those that endure with claustrophobia won’t benefit from the deeper caves, however do discover them for those who can: the subterranean silence is deafening!
Picture by Craig Hindmarsh
Hit the Seaside
Da Nang seaside is effectively cherished for its dependable browsing situations. Surf classes and board leases can be found, so it’s an excellent alternative to be taught this sport (for those who don’t know already). There are demarcated swimming zones attended by lifeguards, however these are very slim – so I felt a little bit bunched in with my fellow bodysurfers. In any other case, the chief actions are sunbathing and having fun with a cocktail at one of many many beachside bars. My favorite sundowner bar was Paradise, the place they had been providing a really beneficiant 3-for-2 deal on drinks (bringing the price right down to about £1 per drink!).
Picture by Craig Hindmarsh
Go to the Bread and Butter Bakery
I’m not an enormous fan of truffles normally – however I used to be impressed by the Bread and Butter Bakery in Mỹ An. This huge cafe proffered a few of the most stunning truffles and baked treats I’ve ever seen. I didn’t purchase something on my first go to, however the reminiscence of all these elaborate truffles caught in my head – and I returned the subsequent day for a chocolate-covered marvel (89K / £3), consuming it in report time. The cafe has a number of comfy seating, so it’s an excellent place to hang around or get some work carried out. This is among the fancier examples of Vietnam’s vibrant cafe tradition.
What I cherished (and didn’t love) about Da Nang
As ever, it’s the folks that make a spot particular – and Da Nang is a first-rate instance of this. Nearly each native I met had a heat and straightforward smile. I believe Da Nang could also be particular on this regard – since Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, whereas pleasant sufficient, weren’t fairly as welcoming as Da Nang.
The town can be significantly extra inexpensive than the above-mentioned cities, notably when it comes to resorts. A easy ‘banh mi’ sandwich prices round 75p, as does a neighborhood espresso. In fact, you may pay two or thrice this for those who frequent tourist-focussed institutions.
One other plus was the considerable vegetarian/meat-free meals. A spotlight was a spot known as Loving Vegan, the place you may take pleasure in dishes like vegan Phở and Pad Thai for 45-55K VND (£2).
I didn’t take pleasure in crossing the street: the town’s thoroughfares demand that pedestrians look each methods a number of occasions. The beachside street was notably busy and tough to cross – though there are a scattering of ‘inexperienced man’ crossings and a minimum of one underpass. One other slight annoyance was the native drivers’ behavior of honking their horns at each intersection – and given the town is usually constructed on a grid system, there was loads of honking!
Picture by Craig Hindmarsh
Prime suggestions for visiting Da Nang
- Obtain the Seize app: This handy app helps you to guide mototaxis and taxis, and get meals deliveries. I even managed to get some paracetamol delivered after I caught a chilly throughout the first few days!
- Don’t fear about tipping: Whether or not to tip, or by how a lot, typically stresses me out when in an unfamiliar vacation spot. However tipping isn’t anticipated right here in Da Nang – though it’s at all times appreciated if somebody goes above and past for you. That mentioned, you ought to tip after a therapeutic massage – 20% is an effective ballpark determine.
- Haggle together with your lodge: In Da Nang (and throughout Vietnam) it’s not impolite to attempt to negotiate a greater fee to your lodge room – particularly for those who plan to remain for every week or so. Nevertheless, you gained’t have a lot luck in busier intervals comparable to Tet!
- Be well mannered: Politeness is a cornerstone of Vietnamese tradition – notably in Da Nang. Keep in mind to return smiles, and when somebody provides you modify, take it with each arms (Vietnam solely has paper cash).
Would you go to Da Nang once more?
Completely! With its sizzling local weather, wonderful seaside, and vibrant cafe scene, Da Nang is a should for anybody seeking to chill out – with out spending an excessive amount of cash. I met a number of travellers who had come right here to flee the crowds and elevated prices of Thailand, so it’s an excellent alternative for those who’re on a finances, however don’t wish to miss out in your seaside repair.
Journey Author Bio
Craig enjoys exploring unique locations globally, however has a specific affection for Southeast Asia. From his momentary base within the steamy backwaters of Cambodia, he strikes out in the hunt for journey, knowledge – and wonderful espresso.
Craig Hindmarsh at Da Nang Seaside Vietnam
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