Da Nang is a major port city lying on the estuary of Han River. The mountains and peninsulas surrounding Da Nang offer both a safe shelter to the port and fantastic landscapes to visitors. Da Nang is a pleasant city in terms of climate and topography, with its white sandy beaches and the banks of the river that are particularly well laid out.
Da Nang is the "gateway" to Central Vietnam. Indeed, the city is served by the train going from the North to the South of the country and is also home to an international airport. Its location is exactly in the middle of Central Vietnam: 30 km from Lang Co, 100km from Hue, 30km from Hoi An and 70km from My Son.
Beaches
Da Nang has a 30-km long coastline famous for its beautiful seashores stretching from the north to the south, down to Hoi An. The white sand beaches offer a fantastic seascape panorama, with the Cham Islands and the Son Tra Peninsula in the background. During the day, the beach is deserted. Only a few fishermen repair their bamboo-woven basket boats or get their nets ready for the next night outing. Early morning or late in the afternoon, the beach is crowded by locals exercising, looking for fresh air, cooling in the emerald waters or simply sitting with friends around tasty seafood dishes.
Marble Mountains
9km south of the city and close to the shore is a group of 5 white marble limestone mountains. They are the symbol of Da Nang. These marble mountains hide a complicated system of caves and mine tunnels, Buddhist temples and belvederes offering panoramic views on the surroundings.
The Cham Museum
The History of Cham people begins 1000 B.C. and abruptly ends in 1832, when Emperor Ming Mang ordered the annihilation of the last vestiges of the Cham Kingdom. The Cham were highly influenced by Hinduism and Buddhism. The legacy of the rich Cham culture consists of brick towers and temples, such as My Son archaeological site, and artifacts such as the various sculptures exhibited at the Cham Museum in Da Nang. This museum houses the largest collection of Cham sculptures in the world.
Hai Van Pass (“Ocean Cloud Pass”)
Hai Van Pass is a coastal road that climbs to 496m above sea level, offering spectacular views over Da Nang Bay on one side and over the lagoon and Lang Co beach on the other. Its name comes from the mist stemming from the sea and enveloping the summit, rendering the visibility sometimes very limited. The slopes of Hai Van Pass form a climatic barrier between the north and the south and historically marked the border between Vietnam and the Champa Kingdom. A French fort is still standing at the top of the road.
