EXPLORE • EAT & DRINK • STAY • SHOP • NEED TO KNOW
Danang’s only New York style rooftop bar with exceptional service, great atmosphere, refreshing drinks and tasty bar snacks
Y HOUR HAPP
night
All Drinks
A Free Cocktail for the ladies every Wednesday
Beach
An Thuong 1
An Thuong 2
An Thuong 3
Hoang Ke Viem
Vo Nguyen Giap - Beach Road
OPEN 2pm – 12am Daily Live Music Trivia Nights
Top Venue
Ngo Thi Si
Everyday 4 - 6 PM (Excludes Wine Bottles & Chimay)
MAP: 2J-11 37 An Thuong 2, Danang, Vietnam +84 977 468 110 fun@wavesrooftop.com www.wavesrooftop.com
Movie Nights
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Danang’s Favorite Meeting Place
July - October 2016
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DA NANG Pocket Guide www.vietnampocketguide.com
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Ancient Town Cafe and Restaurant Ancient Town (Pho Xua) is a monument to both cultural and culinary preservation. In the heart of downtown Da Nang, the peaks of traditional Vietnamese huts give way to a stunning two story Cham monument accented with statues of sitting Ganesh and flying Apsaras.
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Hand-carved wooden tables and chairs dot the serene garden as a bubbling stream colored by the flashing of coy fish winds through. The waitresses glide by in silk embroidered ao dais balancing trays of local cuisine, carefully crafted to preserve the original taste. The banh beo here is still made by hand in traditional clay pots over open flame.
This place is as much a gallery and museum as it is a restaurant. The work of local artists hangs on the walls depicting ancient themes like blooming lotuses and ancient script. The second storey displays two beautiful headhigh vases and an ornate carving in praise of the old kings.
Upstairs an air-conditioned false cave acts as a tearoom. Little packets of elegantly wrapped teas line the cave walls. The atmosphere at Ancient Town gives off a tranquil air. Come visit this oasis in the middle of the city for a relaxing meal and a window into the original cultures and traditions of the Vietnamese people. 17 Phan Dinh Phung, Da Nang 0511 3 849 727 | 111 3/2 Street, Da Nang 306 Thang Long, Da Nang 0511 3 624 172 | 6am - 10pm www.phoxua.vn
0511 3 887 494
MAP: 7C-1
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How to Use This Book Vietnam Pocket Guide is an in-depth travel guide to Danang and Central Vietnam which aims to help you get around, find a place to stay, eat or relax, save money, plan a personalized trip and even get you to places where no one goes and places where everyone goes. It’s maps and icons provide you orientation to a region better than any other travel source. This guide was designed to be an easy to use resource that lets you find that niche. Take a copy for free. Check out our website. See where it can take you and travel well.
Maps The maps can be found on page 126 and are split into East and West sides. The city is separated into 500x500m grids which are labeled 1 to 12 , and A - L . Map location codes can be found at the bottom of each article or advertisement such as Map: 2J-1 which is the map location for Oasis Tapas Bar on An Thuong 4
Icons The icons, provide a clear guide to the facilities and features of businesses. We hope you enjoy reading the 2nd issue of Vietnam Pocket Guide Da Nang and don’t forget to visit our website vietnampocketguide.com for more information on events, festivals, promotions and tourist destinations in Da Nang and Central Vietnam.
Contents
LEGEND Restaurants Hotels Apartments Bars Information Live Music
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Discover Da Nang
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Da Nang’s Beaches 14 AnThuong Village 15 Ngoc Island
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Son Tra Peninsula 18 Man Thai Fishing Village 19 Lady Budha Tien Sa
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Han River 22 Bach Dang Street 23 Dragon Bridge
Pools
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Shopping
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Beaches
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Marble Mountain Hai Van Pass Craft Villages
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PUBLICATION
Eat & Drink Restaurants, Cafes & Bars 43 Famous Food in Da Nang Cont. Page 4
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Stay & Relax Hotels & Hostels Apartments Spas 58 Tips for Massage 60 Golf in Da Nang
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Museums in Da Nang 65 Museum of Da Nang 67 Dong Dinh Museum 68 Museum of Cham Sculpture 70 Ho Chi Minh & Zone 5 Military Museum
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Spiritual Places 73 Phap Lam Pagoda 73 Da Nang Cathedral 74 Cao Dai Temple 75 Places of Worship
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Shopping 77 Han Market 80 Vietnamese Coffee 82 Con Market
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Near Da Nang 86 Cham Island 6
88 Hoi An 92 My Son 94 Hue 96 Lang Co
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Activities & Events 98 Surfing 102 What’s Happening 103 Cinemas 104 Live Music Scene 107 Adventure Parks
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Need to Know 109 Communications Phone 110 Internet Mail/ Post Office Emergency Information 111 Basic Vietnamese Language
112 Medical Care Dental Clinics 113 Hospitals Pharmacies Veterinary 114 Prices to know 115 Transportation Motorbikes 118 Trains 119 Flights & Buses 121 Car Rental 122 Money Banks & ATMs 123 Credit & Debit Cards Travel Cheques Currency Exchange Western Union Casino 124 Embassies & Consulates
126 Map
130 Weather 131 Useful Tips when Traveling
VIETNAM
DA NANG Pocket Guide Michael Habana Coronel Publisher An Thien Le Managing Director Chris Streets Marketing Director Jacob Martin Head Writer Isis Mok Social Media Manager Rainier Insigne Peter Lopez Busines Development Consultant Trung Quang Photographer Randy Centeno Cataluna Project & Distribution Manager Vu Tran Senior Sales Manager Nguyen Thi Kim Chi Senior Sales Manager Y Nguyen Administrator
PUBLICATION
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Chris Streets
Da Nang Visitor Center
Da Nang is an increasingly popular tourist destination and was voted Travelers’ Choice Destination on the Rise (2015) by TripAdvisor users.
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The city center is on the west side of the river, where you can take a walk along Bach Dang Street, a great place to have a relaxing coffee break after visiting Da Nang’s museums and temples or shopping for souvenirs at the Han Market. Tall buildings, some with rooftop bars, line the Han River and provide spectacular nighttime views of the neon-lit city.
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On the east side of Da Nang, A spectacular white sand beach stretches from Son Tra Peninsula to Hoi An. The beach is a popular spot for surfing, parasailing, jetskiing, banana boating, and playing beach volleyball. It is often quiet during the day as locals prefer to swim and play football in the late afternoon.
At night check out Bach Dang Street’s lively bars or head to the beach district on the east side for a quieter atmosphere. Live music can be found every night throughout the city.
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Discover Da Nang The Han River divides the city into an east and west side and is crossed by a series of bridges, including the fire breathing Dragon Bridge. On the beach, the Cham Islands are visible to the southeast, they are a cool spot for scuba diving, snorkelling, and overnight stays. Another island closer to Da Nang and also great for snorkeling, watersports, and fishing is Ngoc Island on the north side of Son Tra Peninsula. Looking northeast, the bright white Lady Buddha overlooks the bay from the bottom of Son Tra Peninsula, which is home to several families of rare Red Shanked Douc monkeys.
Here you can visit Non Nuoc marble sculpture village, go rock climbing, and see multiple Buddhist shrines and temples.
Da Nang is home to several craft villages that are easily accessible from the city. They produce a variety of goods such a mats, marble sculptures, sesame cakes, and rice paper. Da Nang makes a great base for day trips such as the winding Hai Van Pass with serene views of idyllic beaches just 32 km to the north and Marble Mountain just 5 km to the south.
Be sure to read the rest of the Vietnam Pocket Guide Da Nang to discover more about what to do and see in Da Nang.
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Da Nang’s Beaches Jacob Martin
Framed by mountains to the north and south, Da Nang beach sits on a gently sloped coastline and can generally be separated into four named beaches Son Tra Peninsula, My Khe, My An, and Non Nuoc. The views here are truly scenic with the stark white figure of the Lady Buddha surrounded by jungle and perched on the peninsula watching the beach-goers and fishermen. White mists of cloud pass over the mountaintops in the afternoon and out to the ocean and unbroken blue horizon. Visitors and locals walk up and down the shoreline throughout the day taking in the still relatively undisturbed natural beauty.
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Da Nang Surf School
There’s always some activity happening on My Khe and My An Beach and much of it is free to the public. The surf here can get pretty big in the mornings and evenings. Lines of surfers bob in the water and on some days catch a nice ride. There’s also a small community of kite-surfers who call Da Nang home and go out in the right conditions. Fishermen are spaced out along the shoreline all day long. When the sun begins to set locals come out to exercise and play beach soccer and volleyball at the free goals and nets. A well kept boardwalk runs along the sandy beach and as the sun gets low couples arrive and occupy the stone benches. The road along the boardwalk is home to a number of local seafood restaurants with live fish, shellfish and crabs in tubs and cooked to order. Later, venues serving beer and showing live music open and are filled with locals and tourists alike. Da Nang’s long coastline allows for peaceful and relatively uncrowded enjoyment of the sea. My Khe Beach is the most well
@Tomcoi Danang
known and acts as lifestyle center of Eastside Da Nang. It’s a beautiful place to spend a few days, a few weeks, or a few years.
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Discover Da Nang
For a place to rest, local women run refreshment shops that offer a beach chair in the shade of a palm frond umbrella for 20,000₫ per day. They also chop open coconuts and serve cool beers and smoothies.
An Thuong Village
Jacob Martin
This friendly beachside neighborhood is the quickly becoming the center of activity for the locals near the ocean. The narrow streets with their sporadic numbering are lined with pastel colored houses, coffee shops, and local bars and restaurants. Everything here, from the beach to the convenience store to hostels and hotels, is in walking distance. Just over the main road, the shoreline stretches crystal blue and whitesanded as ever and plays host to the Holiday Beach patio. Their wicker tables and lounge chairs serve as one of the nicest spots for coffee or a beachside beer in town. The staff here can kindly be trusted to watch your cellphone while you take a dip if traveling alone.
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Throughout the avenues of An Thuong locals, expats, and tourists lounge in harmony at the various open-air cafes and bars. Handshakes and friendly nods are commonplace. With the day drawing to a close, the Vietnamese flock to the beach to see the sunset, play football and volleyball, and show off some pretty impressive gymnastics at the local workout area.
Ngoc Island
Discover Da Nang
As night falls, the streetlights set a nice scene for a romantic or thoughtful stroll. Music begins to waft out of local bars blended with chatter. Waves Rooftop Bar
Waves Rooftop Bar provides a picturesque view of the cityscape and Sun Wheel, while Minsk serves as the rough-hewn but jovial haunt for local musicians, artists, and general riff-raff. The drink and conversation stretch into the night as the streetlights flicker off and the streets grow still.
Ngoc (Ruby) Island is just 15 km off the coast of Da Nang near Son Tra Peninsula and is also known as Hon Chao, Hon Son Tra, and Han Island. The picturesque island is only 1.5 km wide and features still coves, white sand beaches, forested mountains, and impressive rock formations. You can go snorkelling in the clear water and experience the rich marine wildlife consisting of 144 coral species, 135 species of seaweed and 162 species of colorful fish.
Da Vinci An Thuong is a hallmark part of what gives Da Nang its laidback and friendly reputation. Visitors should make a point to stop by to bask in the sun or for a few cocktails in the evening to soak up a bit of local color. Oasis Tapas The waters surrounding the island are also perfect for jet-skiing, kayaking, parasailing, and fishing trips with local fishermen who teach you to cast large nets. Da Nang Ocean Tours regularly runs trips to Ngoc Island.
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Son Tra Peninsula Chris Charney
Trung Quang
As the steep jungle path leads to the top of Son Tra Peninsula, try to keep an eye out for the resident Red Shanked Doucs, and the occasional motorbike speeding around the next blind curve.
The stunning glances of the ocean and city below peek through breaks in the forest canopy. Reaching a clearing towards the top of the hill at a government radio tower, make a left turn to see a lookout pagoda high atop the hill. When parked below it visitors can take the short trail to the top on foot.
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Here is the reward—a stunning 360˚ view of the beaches and city, the shipyards and harbour, and the mouth of the Han River opening to the sea with the towering Hai Van mountain looming on the other side.
Black Stone Beach
Son Tra Peninsula Map
OM Yard Radio Station
View Point Spanish & French War Graves Tien Sa Harbour
Lighthouse
Helipad Chess Board Peak
Broadcast Towers
Dong Dinh Museum
Coral Area
Linh Ung Pagoda Man Thai Fishing Village
A good motorbike (with good brakes) is essential for this expedition to control the pace along the steepest parts of the road. Upon reaching the five-star resort at the end of the main road, the trail parts in the other direction, down a wooded path leading to the tip of the peninsula. It takes about ten minutes to reach the end of the trail where one giant banyan tree grows, estimated to be around 1000 years old. Its complex of roots has grown down to form secondary trunks supporting the massive structures mushrooming from the center. On the way back to Da Nang along the main road, pathways lead down the edge of the cliff to beautiful beaches below. The city lights spread out and the giant spot-lit Linh Ung Temple
Northern Tourism Area
Giant Banyan Tree Tranh Beach
Landslide Yard Gun Spur
and equally monolithic Lady Buddha statue stand with the world’s largest ferris wheel and sunset behind them. Da Nang being a seaport town, Lady Buddha is held dear amongst fishermen. She is known as the Goddess of the Eastern Sea bringing compassion and safe journeys.
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Discover Da Nang
Architecture mixed with ancient tradition and breath-taking natural landscape. A bronze statue of Confucius plays chess, a seemingly appropriate tribute to the man whose contributions to Eastern culture can be felt to this day.
Man Thai Fishing Village
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Just to the north of Da Nang Beach, overturned mounds of traditional basket fishing boats spread over the sand. Offshore the long boats are moored and shift in the current. This is the Man Thai fishing village, the heart of Da Nang’s local fishing community. In the early morning hours the men of the community gather on the shore, lugging piles of net to their coracles and then offshore to the long boats. They bring in their catch and the wives and mothers bring it to market and to the fresh seafood restaurants that can be found all over the eastside of Da Nang. A number of festivals occur for the fishermen over the year, most to venerate the Lady Buddha who is said to watch over them as they make their sometimes dangerous voyages on the open water. The Cau Ngu festival is the most notable. The villagers worship whales to bring luck for the season ahead and prosperity for the year to come. Man Thai has preserved the local methods of fishing and a community spirit that remains untouched
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by increasing tourism. To take in Vietnamese fishing life as it is and has been for decades prior, take a walk through Man Thai as the men unload their catch. Visit between five and seven in the morning to see the community at its busiest.
Lady Buddha, also known as the Statue of Bodhisattva of Mercy, overlooks Da Nang Bay near Son Tra Peninsula Beach and is believed by locals to protect and give strength to fishermen during storms. The statue is bright white and 67 meters tall, the surrounding pagoda complex was originally built in the 18th century during the reign of Emperor Ming Mang and has since been restored. When entering the plaza you pass through a three storey gateway and courtyard lined on both sides by 18 statues displaying a traditional spiritual rites that express love, hate, anger, and joy. Son Tra Peninsula 6am - 7pm everyday
The sleepy cove of Tien Sa sits at the base of Son Tra Peninsula just to the northeast of the Tien Sa port. A long wooden pier with a canopied seating area at the end splits the lazy arc of the cove. Locals tend to bring food from the local restaurants along with cases of beer out to bask in the shade above the clear still water. www.dulichtiensa.vn
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Tien Sa
Discover Da Nang
Lady Buddha
Tien Sa provides an escape from the city. These placid shores are nearly empty all day long and the sand and sea are practically lazing in the sun. The water here is about calf-deep for a long way out so the currents and swimming don’t carry any danger or difficulty. It’s the perfect place for a family outing, relaxing snorkeling or fishing trip, or a romantic afternoon picnic. Visit Tien Sa for some absolute reprieve from anything that might bustle in the city.
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Han River Francis Wallington
The wide and lazy Han River separates the bustling heart of the city from the more relaxed and touristy beach side. Along the Han lie an abundance of attractions for locals and tourists. The Han River boasts seven bridges that link the two sides of the city, each trying to outdo the others in neon-lit brilliance. The most iconic Cau Rong – the Dragon Bridge – resembles a magnificent golden dragon, chameleon-like after sunset as lights cast a rainbow of colours. Make sure to be at the bridge’s eastern entrance at 9pm Saturday and Sunday to witness the dragon’s head breathe fire and spurt water over the crowd gathered below. Further north is the Han Bridge, the first swing bridge built in Vietnam. Every Sunday at 11pm this
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Trung Quang
impressive suspension bridge spins on its axis allowing shipping traffic to pass through.
Discover Da Nang Trung Quang
Crossing over the Dragon Bridge from the beach side and taking the first right puts you at the beginning of what is considered Da Nang’s most beautiful street: Bach Dang. Like most riverside roads in Vietnam, this one-way boulevard is named after a victorious battle against the Chinese, but in Da Nang the street is popular for its vibrant nightlife. Straight away you may see locals, young and old, ballroom dancing on the promenade in the glow of the Dragon Bridge.
Trung Quang
Walking farther north to the Han bridge you’ll pass coffee shops, restaurants, and bars overflowing with people most nights of the week. The grand French architecture of several of the political buildings dotted along the street stand since colonial times. Looking back to the water you’ll notice a procession of fairy-lit boats queued along a wharf, each offering hour-long round trips down the Han River. The boats range in size and condition, and offer a great opportunity to soften the din of the traffic and relax while sailing through the animated city of Da Nang.
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for social life day and night. In the morning and afternoon hours, cafes offer coconuts and juices, coffee (western and Vietnamese styles), and as many types of food as a traveler could imagine, all from terraces overlooking the scenic Han and it’s many bridges. The walkway that parallels the river plays host to joggers, cyclists, and various groups doing traditional dances or yoga in the relaxing breeze. Trung Quang
Bach Dang Street
The Han River threads through the center of Da Nang and in many ways is the focal point of life in the city. It separates the city side from the beach side. It ferries the lighted riverboats and their music through the cityscape and serves as a throughway for fishermen and shipments.
Trung Quang
Along the city side of the Han River, Bach Dang Street runs from the large ferris wheel visible on the skyline to the major bridges connecting the two sides of the city. It serves as the main drag
As the sun goes down, the bars open their doors and begin to crowd with expats, locals, and tourists alike. Bach Dang has a variety of nightlife options on offer from laidback reggae bars to live music venues and clubs that bounce pop and house late into the night. Late night open-air restaurants on the street serve up steaming hot pots and outdoor grills where parties of locals tend to get together and celebrate after work. Bach Dang Street is one of the liveliest streets in the city and almost impossible to avoid on a trip to Da Nang. When cruising up and down this busy thoroughfare be sure to stop in at some local shops and take in the color that lights up the Da Nang skyline as reflected off the Han River.
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Discover Da Nang
Dragon Bridge
Dragon Bridge, a new symbol of Da Nang, locally known as Cau Rong. It was built in 2009 and every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm the dragon’s head spectacularly breathes fire and water. The bridge also provides excellent photo opportunities of the nearby Han Bridge and neon lit Tran Thi Ly Bridge. Street vendors offer refreshments and local snacks on the surrounding streets.
Da Nang Cyclos Ride in comfort and visit Da Nang’s tourist sites in one of the city run cyclos. Drivers can go anywhere but the riverside is recommended. Don’t worry about the sun as the seat is shaded. Find cyclos parked outside large hotels on Bach Dang Street, along the river and specially outside Cham museum. 80,000 ₫/hour 8am - 8pm 0511 355 0111 Hotline: (Mr.Thinh) 090 549 9639 MAP: 7E-1
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Marble Mountains Jacob Martin
Looking south from Da Nang Beach the rocky peaks of the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnamese) rise above the roofs of homes and resorts. As the road curves toward the mountain, large stone dragons and seated figures of Buddha—the famous carvings of the Non Nuoc village— line the roadway. The mouth of a cave looms from the base of the mountain and inside visitors can descend into caverns dedicated to the dead in the nine floors of Buddhist hell, locally known as Âm Phủ cave. An altar rests below a stone stele for lost soldiers of past conflicts. Incense burns and locals stop to pray and leave offerings. In the inner sanctum a large Buddha presides over the spiral staircase leading deeper underground.
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Ducking under low gaps chiseled from the cave at each landing, along the staircase statues act out ritual punishments for different types of sin. Returning to the daylight, a stone stairway carved into the rock leads up to the summit of Thủy Sơn Mountain. There’s also a glass elevator (15,000₫ extra) at the base, which may be the better option for those not outfitted for extensive climbing. The path up widens at spots housing plazas where ornate pagodas reach skyward and around certain bends it passes through caves that hold Cham altars and Buddhist shrines. All the while, it ascends higher by the step and coastline and landscape spread out in spectacular views.
The climb down stops off in Huyen Khong or “light room”, a vaulted cave where strips of sunlight fall on the finely carved facades of pagodas. This is the most stunning of the caves and the finale of the trip from the depths of a cave for the damned to the summit of Marble Mountain long ago dedicated to paradise. Tourist Support Office 81 Huyen Tran Cong Chua, DN 0511 224 3201 - 090 589 1112 7am - 5:30pm Ticket Prices:
Am Phu Cave: 15,000₫ Thuy Son Mountain: 15,000₫ Elevator: 15,000₫/way Tour Guide: 50,000₫/group
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Discover Da Nang
The final ascent to the peak, The Road to Paradise, can make for a strenuous climb. The stairs that lead to the antechamber cave, where sun breaks through the ceiling in beams, give way to natural marble boulders that pile on each other until they culminate at the peak. The final summit and descent runs about 15 minutes of rough terrain, so close-toed shoes recommended.
VQA Photo
Hai Van Pass Jacob Martin
Stretching over the ridges of the Truong Son Range that juts into Eastern Sea, Hai Van Pass winds around cliffs and huge banks of jungle and rock face. The primary link between Da Nang and Hue, the pass rises to 496 m (1,627ft.) at its peak and boasts picturesque views of the tree line sloping to the untouched coast below. The onset of the pass crosses a railway track and begins a steep swing up the mountainside. The roadway sweeps up in deep curves that border sharp cliffs where over the low stone guardrails often the only sights are the tips of treetops and the unbroken blue bank of sky. As riders climb higher the bends become sharper and more frequent as the peak approaches— enough to start some flutters in the stomach.
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VQAphoto
Discover Da Nang
At the peak a small rest station welcomes visitors with local food and coffee on offer. The peak is occupied by Cham ruins riddled with bullet holes and flanked by a deteriorated Liberation Forces’ outpost from the American War. Cement turrets stand guard over the ridges and villages visible in all directions, now thronged in tourists posing for photographs and locals selling coffee, jewelry, and trinkets. The pass then begins its sharp descent toward Lang Co and the road to Hue. Riders can mostly coast downhill as the wind whooshes past and the shoreline rushes up to meet them. This trip should only be attempted by riders with some experience and faith in the reliability of their bikes (especially the brakes for the descent). The slope of the mountain levels out and as the last corner is turned a spectacular blue bay comes into view, bordered by trees
and peppered with local fishing boats. Returning to sea-level visitors can continue on to Lang Co, a crystal blue fishing lagoon backgrounded by mountainsides coated in light haze. Local restaurants balance over the water on stilts, where the serene views and fresh fish provide an opportunity to rest while the fishermen glide over the still water in the distance.
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Nam O Fish Sauce Village
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Non Nuoc Carving Village
Just at the base of the Marble Mountains, the sound of chisels striking stone rings throughout the day in Non Nuoc. Locals here practice traditional carving methods and have become known for the quality of their work throughout the country. They make everything from practical items like mortars and pestles and jade jewellery to impressive busts of Buddha and recreations of legendary Champa heroes.
Stop in on the way to the Marble Mountains to see the trade in practice and take in the statues arranged in packs around the village at every turn. The bus to Hoi An stops close to Non Nuoc village and the Marble Mountains.
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Huyen Tran Cong Chua, Da Nang
Fish sauce, also known as nước mắm, is a staple on any Southeast Asian table, however there’s something different happening in Nam O Village and no one is telling what exactly. The local sauce is known throughout Vietnam for its distinctive flavor, the product of a secret recipe. Locals make it from long-jawed anchovies that can only be caught one month of the year. They dry the anchovies and ferment them in sealed stone pots for months at a time. This results in a red sauce with a famous taste. It’s worth a visit to the rustic village to see if it’s possible to snag a bottle at the road side stands. The village is just to the north of Da Nang on the way to Hai Van Pass. 884 Nguyen Luong Bang, Da Nang 0120 709 3022
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Cam Le Sesame Cake Village
Cam Le sesame cake village is 6 km south of Da Nang and specialises in sesame cake locally known as khô mè.
Rice paper is served at all sorts of meals, whether alongside a fresh bowl of my quang noodles, a steaming hot pot, or a grill full of meat and a table of beer. It’s a staple food and Tuy Loan is said to make the best in the country. The ancient village sits 15 km to the southwest of Da Nang. The locals practice traditional methods, ladling a mixture into a sheet over a fire and spreading the thin crackers to heat before they dry them on thatched racks in the sun.
Khô mè is made of sticky flour, rice flour, sugar, ginger and sesame which are combined, shaped, and infused with sugar and sesame. Another variation called khô nổ is made from sticky rice rather than sesame. The soft sweet cakes topped with crunchy sesame seeds. Visitors can take the No.6 bus to 290 Cach Mang Thang 8 Street. However, it’s easier to drive your own motorbike. Sesame cakes are only made every three or four days so it’s best to call ahead to make sure that they are cooking when you visit.
Group 6, Tuy Loan, Hoa Phong 0511 378 2208 / 091 362 1827
Ba Nhat - 7 Nguyen Duc Thieu, DN 0511 384 6426 (Mrs. Nhat’s)
Ba Tinh - Phu Hoa 2, Hoa Nhon 0511 378 8181 / 090 524 1706
Ba Lieu - 3 An Hoa 12, DN 0511 384 6723 (Mrs. Lieu’s)
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Tuy Loan Rice Paper Village
Eat & Drink Options for food and drink in the city fall along a wide spectrum from local street food to five-star affairs. Nearly every street in the city has more than one storefront dishing out local noodles in all sorts of variations. This section provides a guide to the best places to eat in Da Nang.
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MAP: 2J-1
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A meal at both Faifo Restaurants is a global culinary tour in itself. Explore 150 dishes offered at Faifo Buffet & Grill, where diners can select from a wide selection of traditional cuisines. There’s something to satisfy every discerning palate. The decor blends with the mission to offer a cosmopolitan dining experience with each room themed after a diffirent culture represented on the menu.
Eat & Drink
For the sophisticated, Faifo Premium offers 400 of the most distinct dishes one could ever imagine and VIP rooms that cater to those who soak in plush surroundings. Patrons can select to dine amidst traditional bamboo accoutrements of ancient Hoi An, the lantern-lit avenues of Italy, or the feel of serene Japan, among many others. Drop by for a feast at Faifo and taste the flavors of the world, Vietnamses style. Lot 1, The North Monument Area, 2 thang 9 St., Da Nang MAP: 8I-1 393 Le Duan, Da Nang Hotline: 093 19 19 129 www.faifodanang.vn faifo.danang@gmail.com 10:30am - 2:30pm & 5pm - 10pm (Mon-Fri) 10am - 10pm (Sat & Sun)
Just across from Faifo, a bus garage under the same owner runs reliable and high quality luxury buses and car rentals.
Faifo Bus Garage
No.206, 3 thang 2 St., Da Nang 0511 389 9330 0935 522 393 xedulichquangan@gmail.com 7:30am - 17:30pm
MAP: 7A-1
RuNam Bistro
Under the lanterns people gather to enjoy companionship and a good fresh cup of Vietnamese traditional “Phin� coffee and a plate of East-West fusion as sun or moon light pours through the arches of picture windows. The Han River visible just outside provides a pleasant backdrop for the buzz of friendly conversation. The cafe decorated in low-key arty style has a distinctly welcoming and cosmopolitan flare. The classically styled terrace and airconditioned garden offer the perfect venue for a relaxing cup of coffee.
22-24 Bach Dang, Da Nang 0511 355 0788 7am - 11pm danang@caferunam.com www.runambistro.com
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Eat & Drink
MAP: 3J-1
Mini Cafe & Breakfast Mini’s serves coffee and a famous “Hangover Breakfast.” Take in mornings on her sun-soaked patio. 44 An thuong 6, Da nang 0966675340 7:00am - 5:00pm
Boucane
Stop by Happy Heart all day breakfast to do some good in the world—all organic oils and hearing-impaired staff spread smiles like sunshine. 9 Ly Tu Trong, Da Nang 0126 853 5870 / 0511 388 8384 7:30am - 9pm
MAP: 2I-1
Just off My Khe beach, this sky-blue French cafe casts a laid back vibe. Serving galettes and crepes alongside house-infused rum cocktails. Show this for: Buy 1 Get 1 Free Rum Shake An Thuong 30 Mon - Sat / 5pm - 9.30pm boucane.dn
MAP: 8A-1
Happy Heart
Xich Lo Café
MAP: 2J-2
Idyllic spot is located at the center of activity in the An Thuong area. Serves F & B where the East meets West. 59 An Thuong 2, Da Nang 0166 248 6720 9am - 10pm Xích-Lô-Cafe
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MAP: 2J-3
Eat & Drink MAP: 3K-1
Gold Star Coffee At Gold Star the coffee is masterfully roasted onsite to provide guests with a unique and quality assured jolt of satisfaction. The relaxed and artistic vibe lends a Bohemian twist to this charming little shop. Be sure to take part in their international coffee tasting sessions, hosted every Saturday at 10:30am. Gold Star celebrates the long and time honored tradition of sipping brew with great company. Please do stop by for a cup or two. Professional staff training, consultancy for F & B setup and operations, and barista classes.
201 Chau Thi Vinh Te, Da Nang 0164 715 7475 10am - 10pm thaison.barista@gmail.com thaison.barista
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OM Pub & Restaurant Mexican, Italian, American burgers & sandwiches. Accompany your food by choosing from a variety of signature cocktails including great margaritas, beers, or wines whilst enjoying a great view of the Han River. We also have a branch in 74 Tran Phu, Da Nang & 82 Le Loi, Hue. Daily Happy Hour from 5:30 PM til 8:30 PM 100 Bach Dang, Da Nang 0511 655 9579 10am to late www.ompub.com.vn MAP: 7C-2
Underground Coffee
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The hip Underground Coffee is styled after the London tube and is one of the popular upscale coffee shops in town. They offer traditional drinks made with Italian coffee and specialrecipe sweet cream. Have a rest and watch pedestrians move along the busy thoroughfare in a cosmopolitan atmosphere 50 Phan Chu Trinh, Da Nang 088 888 8299 7am - 10:30pm Underground coffee MAP: 8D-2
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Straight from the oven. Always fresh and handmade pizza, pasta, salad and desserts made to order. Call to order for pick up or reservations.
MAP: 2J-4
MAP: 6F-1
Fatfish Fatfish was created by gastronomes, for gastronomes! Enjoying a prime riverfront location, near Danang’s iconic Dragon Bridge, we offer mouthwatering Asian Mediterranean fusion cuisine. With the finest local produce, outstanding craft beers and a carefully selected wine and cocktail list, Fatfish is the place to indulge your taste buds! Daily happy hour from 4-6pm, all cocktails and Tiger beer half price. 439 Tran Hung Dao, Da Nang 0511 3945 707 9am – 11pm | kitchen: 11am – 11pm fatfishdanang www.fatfishdanang.com
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Buy 1 Get 1 Free Coffee, Juice & Smoothie
This cafĂŠ boasts two locations, one in An Thuong, the other on Bach Dang, serving excellent European food. Downtown branch caters to a sophisticated audience w/ Lobster and Premium steaks as specialties, while the beachfront serves a laidback set. 180 Bach Dang, Da Nang 0511 357 5808 / 090 198 8208 02 Tran Bach Dang, Da Nang 0511 395 8831 / 091 565 0251 7am - 12am Bar at Dana Beach (Comming Soon) www.namunamu.vn MAP: 7D-1 MAP: 2J-5
MAP: 2J-6
Cheers These friendly Okinawan taco rice purveyors have the tastiest Japanese fusion Mexican food in all of An Thuong Corner of Le Quang Dao and Hoang Ke Vien street, Da Nang 093 635 0885 5pm - 12am (Wed-Sun)
MAP: 2J-7
Frau Moller
Serves Tacos and Pizzas that will take you for a ride of homemade goodness. Rent surfboards for hanging loose. 34 An Thuong 4, Da Nang 091 430 1072 8am - 8:30pm thomngothi3@gmail.com
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Eat & Drink
Namu Namu
CONTEMPORARY SPANISH RESTAURANT MERKAT is a new Spanish restaurant with a casual dining concept in downtown. We offer you a full menu of “Tapas” perfect for sharing, made with fresh products and the most authentic Spanish taste! “Iberico Ham”, “Paella”, “Croquetas”... Enjoy dining with us the Spanish way! Our specials:
Atun
Conchinillo 42
Diffrent Lunch Menu everyday and don’t miss the Sunday Fiesta, our brunch is only available on the last Sunday of every month, with free flow tapas, sangria, paella, and more!
79 Le Loi, Da Nang 0511 364 6388 Lunch: 11:30am - 2:30pm Dinner: 6:30pm - 10:30pm (Tuesdays closed) www.merkatrestaurant.com merkatrestaurant.com. MAP: 8A-2
Eat & Drink
Famous Food in Da Nang Stands and storefronts line the streets of Da Nang selling all manner of local delicacies. Central Vietnamese food, prepared fresh by vendors and enjoyed by locals on Vietnam’s signature low stools and plastic chairs, offers surprising variety in both taste and presentation. While these shops are plentiful, menus are written in only Vietnamese more times than not. This guide should help inform visitors what they’ll be eating and dishes not to be missed when visiting Da Nang.
Banh Xeo They have a flour base, flavored and colored with turmeric, and are filled with pork belly, shrimp, sprouts and mung bean. It’s got a savory taste.
These are Vietnamese crepes. The name literally means “sizzling cake” and the sound and smell of banh xeo frying can be found all over the city.
Just south of the Dragon Bridge, down a narrow alleyway, Banh Xeo Street is a hidden gem in Da Nang. Local vendors compete to perfect the dish and its signature peanut sauce. Banh Xeo Street K280 Hoang Dieu, Da Nang 9am - 10pm MAP: 9F-1 10,000₫/cake
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My Quang This is an iconic Central Vietnamese dish that has a lot of family recipes and secret ingredients.
Each vendor has a unique take on it, but the main ingredients are always flat rice noodles, a zesty peanut and chicken broth base topped with all manner of meats, fish or even frog, and served with a side of rice crackers, herbs, and blossoms meant to be mixed in the bowl. Ba Vi Restaurant 166 Le Dinh Duong, Da Nang Thi Restaurant 251 Hoang Die, Da Nang 30,000â‚Ť/bowl of noodle
Banh Mi (Vietnamese bread)
A relic of French colonialism and probably Vietnam’s most famous culinary export, the banh mi sandwich
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can be found at street stalls and bakeries nearly anywhere. The baguette is cut and spread with pate, mayonnaise, cucumber, daikon pickles, and a pepper sauce then filled with either cold cuts, roast pork, or fried eggs to order.
The rich meats and light vegetables lend a nice balance to this famous sandwich. Banh mi vendors can be found on most streets in Da Nang. 10,000-15,000â‚Ť/loaf
Bun Mam Anchovy sauce vermicelli, this robust and filling soup originated somewhere south of Da Nang in the Me Kong River delta and as such features a diverse range of meat, seafood, and herbs.
This dish is simple, but delicious in its simplicity. Steaming noodles are topped with fish cakes and balls of all shapes and sizes served alongside special nuoc cham sweet and sour fish sauce. The light and tangy soup sometimes garnished with soy cakes as well. Ba Phien Restaurant 51 & 63 Le Hong Phong, Da Nang Ong Ta Restaurant 97 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Da Nang
The meaty dish is served with a side of herbs and blossoms to add dimension to the savory broth and toppings. Trang Ke Xuong Food Court 23 Tran Ke Xuong, Da Nang 9am - 10pm MAP: 9D-1 20,000₫/bowl of vermicelli
109 Restaurant 109 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Da Nang 6am - 10pm 35,000₫/bowl of vermicelli
Com Ga (Chicken Rice) Cultures the world over have some variation on this dish, the classic chicken and rice.
Bun Cha Ca (fish ball vermicelli) A rice vermicelli based soup in a tangy broth served piping hot, Bun Cha Ca originally hails from the north, but can be found all over Da Nang.
The Central Vietnamese take consists of roast chicken, fried rice, pickles, vegetables and hot soup. It’s simple, hearty, and filling. Pham Hong Thai Food Court Whole Pham Hong Thai Street 3pm - 3am (next day) MAP: 8D-1 55,000₫/plate
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Eat & Drink
It consists of thin rice noodles in an anchovy fish sauce flavored broth from Nam O fishing village, topped with pork belly, squid, shrimp, eggplant, and both fish and fish cake.
Bo Ne (Vietnamese Beef Steak) This beef dish is a rich and filling take on the banh mi that originated in Saigon.
Nam O Sashimi Originating in the Nam O fishing village that lies at the foot of Hai Van Pass, the outskirts of Da Nang, this traditional Vietnamese raw fish dish takes advantage of the constant influx of fresh seafood.
An iron plate is filled with all kinds of meat—beef, sausage, pate, and whatever else is on the menu. The cook cracks an egg over the meat and puts the whole plate over an open flame, grilling the ingredients together in their juices.
There are two varieties of this sashimi. The first is soft fresh fish (what most would be familiar with) and the second is a dried jerky. It’s served with a spicy
The sizzling plate is dropped off right at the table and served with a toasted baguette.
sauce and a fish sauce and carries the distinct clean flavor of just caught fish.
3 Ngon Restaurants 20 Nguyen Van Linh, Da Nang 17 Nguyen Van Thoai, Da Nang 244 Nguyen Cong Tru, Da Nang 6:30am - 11am and 5pm - 10pm 30,000₫/plate
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Thanh Huong Restaurant 1029 Nguyen Luong Bang, Da Nang Vinh Restaurant 960 Nguyen Luong Bang, Da Nang 6am - 10pm 80,000₫/plate
Grilled pork is served with local greens and, sometimes, some banh xeo thrown in the mix. The most important ingredient, rice paper is laid out in long square sheets.
Seafood and Hotpots Seafood restaurants can be found along the seafront. Tanks full of fish, shellfish, shrimp, lobsters and crabs are arranged in front of restaurants where you can choose what you want to eat and how it is cooked.
Vo Nguyen Giap, Da Nang Pham Van Dong, Da nang 80,000 - 150,000₫/ hotpot
Traffic signs café
Diners arrange the ingredients on rice paper held flat on the palm, rolled with the other hand, and eaten. It’s a fresh light dish especially popular around Tet.
Bien Bao dedicates its coffee shop to environmental protection, traffic awareness, and recycled scrap art.
Mau Restaurant 35 Do Thuc Tinh, Da Nang Ba Huong Restaurant 35/2 Ham Nghi, Da Nang 50,000₫/plate
All Vietnamese dishes are accompanied by trà ₫á meaning tea, which can be green or herbal.
MAP: 3A-1 331 Tran Nhan Tong, Da Nang 0903 503 949 / 0905 543 210 7:30am - 10:00pm
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Eat & Drink
Banh Trang Cuon Thi Heo Pork wrapped in rice paper, this Central Vietnamese take on the spring roll is a hands-on experience.
RENTAL
24 HOURS E-SCOOTER FROM
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Stay & Relax The range of resorts, hotels, hostels, and homestays in Danang can accommodate the needs and preferences of any traveler. Check our Stay and Relax section to see our suggestions for local hotels with restaurants, swimming pools, live music and buffets.
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Stay & Relax
MAP: 2L-1
Titan Hotel With an ideal and brand new location between the beach and riverside, Titan Hotel gives guests free motorbikes to access both locations. Our finest rooms provide two beds and a full kitchen for a home away from home experience. Perfect for families since kids under seven stay for free. Take advantage of the central location to see the beauty of Da Nang from all sides. Staff go above and beyond to make sure the specific needs of each guest are fully met. Book a room to secure your place in the heart of Da Nang. We offer shuttles directly to and from the airport. 102 -104 Ho Xuan Huong St., DN 05113 960 555 - 094 924 2427 info@titanhoteldanang.com www.titanhoteldanang.com
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Eden Plaza Da Nang, a four-star hotel designed after the style of European architecture, is located in the dynamic city center. Only 2km from the airport and 3km from My Khe Beach, it’s a beautiful place and great choice for your vacation. • • • • • • • •
154 convenient rooms and luxury apartments A high capacity restaurant that can host banquets and galas International conference center, ten halls, capacity of 50-1200 Outdoor pool, gym, close to the local walking street Spa, massage, beauty salon, billiards, and karaoke Buffet, hot-pot, and a la carte restaurants Playground for kids Tourist transport available
EDEN PLAZA DA NANG
MAP: 9I-1
05 - 07 Duy Tan St. Da Nang, Vietnam +84 (0) 511 3 662 666 info@edenplazadanang.com www.edenplazadanang.com 51
Stay & Relax
Hoang Sa Hotel
Hoang Sa Hotel lies on eastside Da Nang for easy beach access. It’s a clean and modern hotel with rooms for single travellers, guests, and families. Focus on stellar and accommodating service is king. Lives up to serve it’s motto - Guest - friendship - happy house; capturing the essence of Hoang Sa Hotel. 54-56 Duong Dinh Nghe, Da Nang 0511 398 4887 - 091 130 4678 24/7 www.hoangsahotel.com MAP: 3E-1
Da Nang Beach Apartments Located at K38, Le Quang Dao Street, only 5 minutes from the beach and 3km away from city center. Da Nang Beach Apartments provide 1-2 bedrooms in each apartment. We include all the facilities inside the room, such as air conditioning, TV, rice cooker, and microwave. D41, K38 Le Quang Dao, Da Nang 090 579 9266, 0511 392 9286 24/7 www.danangbeachapartments.com MAP: 2J-8
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MAP: 3E-2 MAP: 9C-1
Funtastic Hostels Funtastic Hostels are the most seasoned hostels in Da Nang! With their dual locations, you can choose to stay in the heart of the city or next to one of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam. Free daily bus to Hoi An and airport drop off. Hang out with fellow travellers in the common room (equipped with PS4), at the rooftop cinema or the underground bar every night. Excellent English speaking staff. Funtastic Danang Hostel: 115 Hai Phong, Da Nang
Funtastic Beach Hostel: K2/5 Ha Bong, Da Nang funtasticdanang@gmail.com Advance email booking preferred 0511 392 8789 / 0511 389 2024 090 356 1777 www.funtasticdanang.com
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V’SPA
RESTAURANT & BARS
* A unique Vietnamese spa * Traditional Vietnamese herbs * Numerous treatments * Eight rooms, nice décor * Foot massage and steam rooms
* Taste of Viet Restaurant - Asian fusion * Joy Café - drinks and cakes * Rooftop Bar - drinks and cocktails
MEETINGS
* The conference hall can accommodate up to 200 people, dining for up to 180 people and seminars for up to 250 people. Flexible conference and boardrooms ideal for meetings, conferences, events, training, and presentations.
Located right on My Khe Beach—nominated by Forbes as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This hotel houses 108 rooms with a well-equipped and cozy atmosphere. The four-star Avatar Da Nang will meet all your needs, whether business or leisure related. A Vietnamese restaurant inspired by the prevalent natural beauty of Da Nang’s oceans, rivers, and mountains will bring a unique culinary experience to your visit to Avatar.
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120 An Thuong Street, My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang, Vietnam T +84 511 3939 888 F + 84 511 3939 889 E info@avatardanang.com MAP: 2J-9 www.avatardanang.com
Stay & Relax MAP: 7D-2
Memory Hostel Located right in the center of the city this hostel is a place where the best memories of Da Nang are made. The establishment offers hip quality rooms for very reasonable rates. The art deco paneling gives the lobby the feel of a Brooklyn bar, while the rooftop lounge area complete with barbecue area lets guests relax, drink, and eat in the neon light cast by Da Nang’s three main bridges and bustling downtown market place. Nearby bars and restaurants provide plenty of opportunity for snapshots of area nightlife. Stay in Memory Hostel to remember the best side of the city. 03 Tran Quoc Toan, Da Nang 0511 374 7797 sale@memoryhostel.com www.memoryhostel.com
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Stay & Relax
MAP: 5D-2
Hadana Boutique Hotel Hadana Boutique and Hotel offers a slice of contemporary living along with charming Vietnamese hospitality. Take in spectacular views of the Han River and the beach at Sky Bar and Son Tra Peninsula Restaurant on the rooftop (11th floor) with Vietnamese and western cuisine. Facilities and services include a swimming pool, concierge and airport service, and laundry services. Fully relax at this beautiful 4-star hotel. Phแบกm Van Dong, Da Nang Lobby Bar: 10am - 11pm
Restaurant: 6:30am - 10pm 0511 392 3666 infos@hadanaboutiquedanang.com www.hadanaboutiquedanang.com
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www.jazzhotel.vn
A PERFECT PARADISE TO RELAX
Take a break for refreshments on the way to Son Tra Peninsula and choose from a great selection of Italian and Asian food, excellent fresh and homemade desserts. Afterwards enjoy a Lavazza coffee or a cocktail while listening to great live music every night. Spend time at Jazz Hotel and Bar and take in the amazing view of Lady Buddha and the bay from your balcony or the hotel bar’s terrace. LIVE MUSIC! Everyday from 8pm - 11pm 68 Vo Nguyen Giap, Son Tra District 0511 3911 996 | 0975 155 688 jazzhoteldanang@gmail.com | www.jazzhotel.vn MAP: 2B-1 57
Massages Let’s be honest, when travelling in Southeast Asia it can be tricky when trying to choose a spa or massage parlour. Some massage parlours offer experiences based on cultural traditions thousands of years old or modern spa services, while other providers focus their attention elsewhere. The things to look for in a professional massage parlor are large storefront windows that are well lit and visible from the street. They should also have a staff that looks like they were hired solely for their massage expertise. Anywhere with excessive neon, late hours, or a dark and closed exterior is probably not offering top quality massages.
Traditional Vietnamese Massages Massage therapy has been practiced as a method of preventing and treating diseases for thousands of years in Vietnam and has played an important role in preserving people’s health. They are locally known as ‘tam quat’ and can be quite strong and hard with masseuses occasionally walking on your back. However, the variety of massages and spa services in Da Nang is impressive and will leave you feeling refreshed no matter what you choose..
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Sauna- Steambath - Massage After a long tiring day at work or traveling, visit Song Khoe Spa to recover and enjoy the art of traditonal Vietnamese massages, 4 hands, herbal massages and Thai massages. Private massage rooms fully equipped with saunas and steam baths free of charge. 5-star massages, 1-star price! 229 Tran Phu, Da Nang 090 568 8655 / 0511 389 8500 9am - 12pm danangmassage@gmail.com MAP: 7E-2
Papaya Spa The services at Papaya Spa take customers into a dream world. The atmosphere is designed to ease the soul, the mind, and the body in one wholesome experience. With classic Korean foot and body massages and a world-class sauna and essential oil massages with seaweed, coconut, or cinnamon oils. Slip into a dream at Papaya Spa. 310 (254) Nguyen Van Linh, DN 0511 353 7222 / 093 193 1199 10am - 11pm papayadn@gmail.com MAP: 11F-1
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Stay & Relax
Sáť‘ng kháť?e spa
Bana Hills Golf Club
Golf in Da Nang Jacob Martin
This part of the world has the perfect climate for a round of golf most of the year. Temperate, clear - if a bit hot sometimes - it’s the right kind of weather to get out on the links and swing some clubs around. Fortunately, Da Nang and the surrounding areas have recognized this and constructed some top quality golf courses to accommodate the visiting duffers. The Da Nang Golf Tours runs tours between each of the major courses in Da Nang so prospective golfers can expect both quality and variety. Some of the major destinations in the area are Bana Hills Golf Club, framed by rolling foothills and the majestic mountainsides. This course, designed by Luke Donald, is quickly building a reputation as one of the finest in Asia.
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Bana Hills Golf Club
Stay & Relax
Montgomerie Links Montgomerie Links is another notable destination midway between Da Nang and Hoi An. Designed by Eight-time European Order of Merit winner and 2010 Ryder Cup-winning captain, Colin Montgomerie, this course is also renowned for it’s beauty and playability. The residences nearby provide comfortable refuge for the truly dedicated. Forbes named it one of the top ten elite courses in Asia. Just over the Hai Van Pass, the Laguna Lang Co course sits, another jewel easily within reach. This course is the brainchild of Sir Nick Faldo and has also been awarded a number of international accolades. The clear blue of the Eastern Sea spreads out on the fringes of the verdant fairways. This course is known most for its strategic layout and potential variety offered. Whatever the level or style of play desired, Da Nang offers worldclass courses within minutes of the city. Visiting golfers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to play the varied greens and fairways. Drag out the clubs and swing away in the Central Vietnamese sunshine.
Laguna Lang Co
Da Nang Golf Club
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Museums in Da Nang Jacob Martin
Da Nang is host to a number of museums each showcasing different aspects of Vietnamese culture from the ancient Cham period to modern art. Some are located in colonial French villas, others on military bases, while others are situated in campuses of traditional homes on serene mountainsides. Each offers a unique window into the culture and history of Central Vietnam.
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Quy Nguyen
Museum of Da Nang Chris Streets
The Museum of Da Nang is situated inside Dien Hai Citadel fortress, which was originally built in 1812 close to the mouth of the Han River but was last moved further inland in 1823 in order to defend the Han River and port.
On the first floor are exhibits on local maritime ecosystems, geology, trade artifacts, and jade jewelry made and used by Sa Huáťłnh people 2000 to 2500 years ago. Further on, models, paintings and photos document life in Da Nang previously known as Tourane under French colonial rule.
Quy Nguyen
Inside the fortress plaza there are canons, a captured US helicopter on the left rampart. A statue of local hero General Nguyen Tri Phuong who lead the defeat of the Spanish and French (1858-1860) stands tall.
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A model of a fisherman’s house on the Han River depicts the hardness of life in Da Nang before the development of the last 30 years. Models and signs in English and Vietnamese tell the story of Da Nang’s three traditional crafts, Nam O Village fish sauce, Non Nuoc marble sculptures, and Tuy Loan Village rice paper.
The next exhibition illustrates the Vietnamese Resistance War against the French. A model guillotine and prison relics show the barbarity of the aggressors.
The exhibitions on the third floor draw attention to the ethnic communities in Da Nang and Quang Nam. There are model traditional houses, clothes, jewelry, and statues used to protect their villages.
Quy Nguyen
The second floor features the siege of Da Nang by the French - Spanish coalition forces (1858-1860) and the extensive fortress system built to defend the Han River and Da Nang port. A 3D map details Da Nang’s defenses, the points of attack, and the graves of French and Spanish soldiers on Son Tra Peninsula.
Quy Nguyen
In the next room is a huge bamboo musical instrument from the Xơ ₫ăng people. Take a walk around Da Nang Museum to take in the rich local history and culture.
The final exhibition on the second floor focuses on the American War. The shells of huge US napalm bombs hang from the ceiling and harrowing photos of victims of napalm and Agent Orange line the walls.
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24 Tran Phu, Da Nang 0511 388 6236 / 0511 388 7635 btdn@danang.gov.vn 20,000₫ MAP: 7A-2 7:30am - 4:30pm (24/7)
Perched on the jungle hillside just minutes from Lady Buddha, the houses are linked by a series of winding footpaths overlooking the shoreline of Da Nang Bay. Visitors can take in the landscape from the open-air teak homes while appreciating the craftwork, arts, and photography of the local people. A thatched fishermen’s hut sits on the incline. Built from the remains of old fishing boats with netting suspended from the ceiling, visitors can explore the native fishermen’s lifestyle and daily
www.danangx.com
www.danangx.com
Around a bend in the Son Tra Peninsula mountain road at the top of a stone stairway, seven traditional Vietnamese houses sit in the midst of the jungle. This is the Dong Dinh Museum, an exhibit of traditional Sa Huynh, Cham, and Dai Viet art alongside contemporary pieces by notable artists.
The collection here is assembled and curated by Doan Huy Giao, a documentary filmmaker, poet and holder of the Eminent Artist of Vietnam title.
The reflecting pools and scenic display of art in nature showcase his artistry and eye for setting. It’s a unique opportunity to see authentic artwork in the same homes where it was made and used centuries before. He also lives on the premises in one of the small houses and welcomes visitors with tea in wooden bowls. Dedicated to the preservation of local life, nature, and culture Dong Dinh Museum strikes a harmonious balance between environment and culture. But Stream, Son Tra Peninsula, just before Linh Ung Pagoda. 091 349 4473 / 091 349 2279 doanhuygiao45@yahoo.com 8am - 5pm (everyday) 20.000₫
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Museums in Da Nang
tools from the early 1900s while their contemporaries bob and dip on the tides stringing nets from the very same coracle boats nearly a century later.
Dong Dinh Museum
Museum of Cham Sculpture
Built in 1915, the Museum of Cham Sculpture houses the world’s largest collection of artifacts that represent ten centuries (5th – 15th) of the evolution of Cham sculpture which illustrate the rise and fall of the Champa Kingdom(s) of Central Vietnam. The museum presents a curated walk through the major eras of Champa history remembered in sandstone, bronze and terracotta. After a walk up a gardened pathway, visitors step into the Tra Kieu gallery to encounter the earliest Champa capital. The walls are flanked by mighty Hindu gods, graceful Apsaras, and playful lions. The first national treasure, a huge Linga rises from a carved stone base, a testament to early Hindu influence that symbolizes the power of creation. Passing the second threshold, visitors enter the My Son gallery, named for the holy land in Champa territory. Here sits the My Son E1 altar, a national treasure, with carvings featuring activities of Hindu ascetics at My Son sanctuary. The scenes are depicted in a vivid and highly expressive style that is referred to by art historians as a masterpiece of Southeast Asian art.
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Dong Duong Exit Cafeteria
My Son
Tra Kieu
Audio Service Thap Mam Entrance
A major shift toward Buddhism in Cham culture is shown clearly in the Dong Duong gallery by the statue of Buddha occupying a full wall from floor to ceiling. The large bronze statue of the Bodhisattva Tara, another national treasure, represents the apex of Champa art with a vigorous and exaggerated original beauty. The Thap Mam gallery is the last of the permanent exhibits showing a large number of mythical Hindu animal artifacts and ornate Cham sculptures. Another feature of this gallery is the use of the breast motif in some of the pedestals highlighting fertility and sensuality in Cham art.
With a location in the heart of Da Nang, the museum is the perfect place to visit either before or after a trip to My Son Sanctuary, or just to contemplate the rich cultural history of Vietnam. NOTE: The museum is under refurbishment from January of 2016 to June of 2017. Some areas may be closed for construction. Audio tours 20,000₫ (in Viet & Eng) Free guide for groups of five or more (Viet, Eng & French) 40,000₫ 7am – 5pm (everyday) No.2, 2 Thang 9 Street, west of Dragon Bridge 0511 357 4801 www.chammuseum.vn
MAP: 7E-1
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Museums in Da Nang
Map of the Cham Museum
Ho Chi Minh & Zone 5 Military Museum
Vietnam has a long history of armed resistance to occupying armies and on a military base in the center of Da Nang, this history is on exhibit at the Ho Chi Minh and Zone 5 Military Museum.
Tanks, artillery, missiles, and even fighter jets sit in the main square. Some were captured from enemies and others belonged to the Liberation Army. Through double doors a statue of Uncle Ho (Ho Chi Minh) talks with stone soldiers and sailors while framed photos of war heroes and bereaved mothers watch on from the walls. As one wanders through the stairwells and exhibition rooms the story of the Central Vietnamese fight for independence is on display. The war records start from the ancient northern battles with relics like copper war drums and tapestries of elephant
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cavalry and run through French colonialism to the American War with mortars, machine guns, and a variety of weapons and wreckage on display. Each wall is lined with photos of battles while diagrammed maps explain the context. For 60.000d a soldier will accompany you as a guide.
The garden pathway leads to the next building dedicated to the life and legacy of Uncle Ho. Exhibits begin with a replica of his childhood bedrooms and through his many struggles and achievements in service of his beloved Vietnam. It also exhibits gifts showing the admiration of the locals of Zone 5 for the revered leader. Vietnam and its military have long fought for independence and walking through the Ho Chi Minh & Zone 5 Military Museum is a reminder of this history that shaped the country and people of modern Vietnam. 3 Duy Tan, Da Nang 0511 361 5982 / 625 1268 ngochue45@gmail.com 7:30am - 4:30pm everyday 60,000â‚Ť (Free tour guide for group of 3 or more)
MAP: 9I-2
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Museums in Da Nang
After the solemn walk through armed conflicts, the tour takes a lighter tone as visitors arrive in a well-manicured garden where balustrades surround a pond of fish next to an exact replica of Ho Chi Minh’s teak stilted home built for Central Vietnamese people who wanted to visit him but could not afford the trip to Hanoi.
Spiritual Places The history of religion in Vietnam encompasses a diverse range of traditions. The earliest trace of religious practice stems from the Champa and their unique take on Hindu traditions before their eventual shift toward Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism remains the most prominent religion in Vietnam.
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place to eat vegetarian food as local restaurants and food carts cater to the pagoda’s monks and worshippers. 574D Ong Ich Khiem, Da Nang 5am -11:30am & 1pm - 9pm MAP: 9E-1
Da Nang Cathedral Phap Lam Pagoda is a two storey temple located near the city center on Ong Ich Khiem Street, just five minutes walk from Con Market. The pagoda, built in 1934 and formerly known as Tinh Hoi Pagoda, is surrounded by large trees. The peaceful courtyard contains manicured gardens lined with Buddhist sculptures. The top floor of the pagoda is a presbytery containing beautiful carved pillars, Buddhist Pali texts and a gold Buddha statue. On the ground floor there is an amphitheatre that can be found full of worshippers during traditional festivals such as fullmoon days or the Tet. In the courtyard sits a 1.1 metre high Buddha and brass statues of the Goddess of Mercy (Avalokitecvara) and Dai The Chi Bodhisattva. Watch locals pray in the morning or get fortunes told as monks go about their business. The neighborhood surrounding the pagoda is a great
Da Nang Cathedral, downtown and close to the Han River, was constructed in 1923 during the French Colonial period and is locally known as ‘Rooster Church’ or ‘Chicken Church’ due to the weathercock atop its impressive steeple.
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Spiritual Places
Phap Lam Pagoda
The cathedral is 70 meters high and built in Gothic-style and coloured a bright candy pink. The interior boasts majestic stained glass windows and a grotto of Virgin Mary. The cathedral is still a place of worship for Da Nang’s 4000 resident Catholic community and mass times can be found below. Within walking distance are the Cham Museum, the Han River, and downtown.
The Cao ₫ài religion was founded in the 1920’s and is based on the main religions of both the east and west including the worship of famous characters such as Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo, Shakespeare, and Lenin as saints.
MASS SCHEDULE Monday to Saturday 5:30am - 6am 6am - 7am, 2:15pm - 3pm Sunday 5am - 6:45am, 7am - 8am 10am - 11am (Eng) 2pm - 2:30pm (For children) 156 Tran Phu st.
MAP: 7D-3
Cao Dai Temple
The Cao Dai Temple in Da Nang is Vietnam’s second largest Cao ₫ài temple and is a place of worship for around 50,000 people.
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Inside the temple there is a sign reading vạn nhất giáo lý meaning ‘all religions have the same meaning’. Behind this sign are the founders of the world’s five largest religions, Mohammed, Laotse (wearing Eastern Orthodox clothes), Jesus, Buddha, and Confucius. Providing a spectacular backdrop to the altar is a huge globe with the Cao Dai divine eye on it. 63 Hai Phong, Da Nang 5:30am, 11:30am, 5:30pm & 11:30pm
MAP: 9C-2
Spiritual Places
Places of Worship
Art work by Chris Charney
Pagodas
Pho Da / 340 Phan Chu Trinh Buu Nghiem / 185 Hoang Dieu Vu Lan / 84 Nui Thanh Tuong Quang / 316 Phan Chu Trinh Bat Nha / 176 Trieu Nu Vuong Bao Quang / 38 Nui Thanh Long Tho / 99 Tran Phu Tan Ninh / 119 Nguyen Chi Thanh Quan The Am / 48 Su Van Hanh Hue Quang / K636/27 Le Van Hien Ba Da / east of Tuyen Son Bridge
Catholic Churches
Thanh Duc / No.45, 3 thang 2 St., Hoa Thuan / 231 Trung Nu Vuong Thanh Binh / 69 Cao Thang Chinh Trach / 68 Tran Cao Van Noi Ha / 40 Dinh Tien Hoang
Son Tra / 4 Nguyen Phan Vinh An Thuong / Chau Thi Vinh Te Gia Phuoc / K184/1 Nguyen Duy Hieu An Hai / 9 Nguyen Cong Tru
Protestant Churches
Da Nang branch / 190 Ong Ich Khiem An Hai / K22/1 Luong The Vinh Trung Lap / 185 Phan Thanh An Trung / 21 Nguyen Van Troi Tran Cao Van / 291/3 Tran Cao Van Hai Chau / K308/12 Hoang Dieu Hoa Cuong / 14 Mac Thi Buoi
Cao Dai
Missionary society / 101 Le Dinh Duong Praying place / 55 Le Dinh Duong Praying place / 149 Huynh Ngoc Hue
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Shopping Whether in the market for some upscale clothes and shoes, some groceries of a western or local persuasion, or an introduction into the humming life of the openair Vietnamese marketplaces, everything and more is available in Da Nang. This section gives a guide on where to shop in Da Nang.
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Han Market Jacob Martin
At 8am in the sunrise on the banks of the Han, local vendors unpack carts and storefronts to set up shop at the Han Market. The riverside business hub stays bustling all day with shopkeepers and local customers doing business here as they’ve done since the 1940s when the market was opened. The market unfolds in four basic sections over two floors. If visitors enter from the riverfront boardwalk they’ll pass through halls of local produce farmed on the outskirts of the city and in bordering towns like Hoi An and Hue. Rolled down bags of spices at one stand blend into mounds of dragon fruit and mango followed by boxes of sprouts and roots. The other half of the first floor is devoted to dried goods. Cloth-lined boxes and plastic tubs display dried fruit, shrimp, and squid.
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Han Market Map Bach Dang Street Toilet Tailoring Cloth
Mosquito Nets & Blankets
Footwear
Hung Vuong Street
Clothes & Cosmetics
Bags
Clothes & Cosmetics
Tailoring
2nd Floor Toilet
Toilet
Fresh Food Food Court Dried Food & Spices
Special Spices Bamboo & Rattan Art
Food Court Fishing Tools, Aluminium & Plastic
Incense & Fruits
Ground Floor Tran Phu Street 78
Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
Tailoring
Medicinal wine infused with a variety of herbs, mushrooms, or local wildlife is popular and made locally in Han Market. This traditional wine is said to work as an elixir that cures ailments like rheumatism and increases virility. Between these two floors just below the staircase, women whip up classic Vietnamese dishes, dunking rice noodles in boiling vats of broth, marinating beef and pork, and hawking buns steamed in banana leaf. The food is fast, clean and undeniably fresh since ingredients have just been picked. Silk shops and garment and shoe makers make up the second floor of the market. Long swaths of floral silk hang from the beams of the shops. Other storefronts show hand sewn gowns. Along one wall, rows of women at sewing machines take orders for handmade garments and repairs.
Along another wall hang rows of shoes and a stable of men willing to make or repair them.
After the customary rest at noon, action at the Han Market wraps up around 6:00pm, the stalls are packed up and locked and arrangements made for the next day’s business.
A great place to see local culture and commerce. Be sure to haggle (a time-honored Vietnamese tradition), say ₫ắt quá and offer 20% less. Locals see it as a way to make the market experience more fun. 119 Tran Phu, Hai Chau 1, Da Nang 0511 391 0116 / 0511 3821 363 8am - 6pm MAP: 7D-4
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Shopping
Other shops are devoted to bread, nuts, cakes and candies, and coffee. Here there are also a number of wood carvings and jade jewelry stands.
Coffee Jacob Martin
RuNam Coffee
Vietnamese
Impressively strong coffee (usually drunk cold in Da Nang due to the heat) is a staple of the Vietnamese diet. Originally brought by colonialism, but embraced and perfected by the Vietnamese, this coffee has a style all its own, not easily replicated elsewhere in the world - delicious and the strength will wake you right up. It’s recommended visitors not accustomed to drinking it settle for one cup at a time unless they have some stimulating activities planned later. The coffee comes in a number of original styles. The preparation is a bit different than in the west. Coarse grounds are ladled into a tin cup like device called a phin. The phin has holes punctured in the bottom and it’s placed on a tin plate with the same and topped with a lid. The place goes on the top of the glass. The generous portion of coffee percolates there and slowly rains into the glass. The most common styles in Da Nang are ca phe sua, thick black coffee with sweet condensed milk, and ca phe den, the same thick coffee unsweetened on ice, always accompanied by tra da, a cool green or herbal tea. The other styles of coffee are rich and varied, and—as with all aspects of Vietnamese cuisine— regionally influenced. Other interesting takes available in the city include coffee with coconut milk, coffee and yoghurt, and coffee blended into an avocado or mango smoothie. There are so many styles it’s impossible to list in an article of this length. Just stop in any local café and take a look at the length and variety on the menu.
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Shopping
Quyen Design Shop This designer of fashion and jewelry as well as furniture upon request operates a unique boutique shop. All her clothes are made from the finest linen with each design done by hand. The style here is homespun, natural, and arty. Stop by to witness the growing local artisan scene. 125 Trung Nu Vuong, Da Nang 093 553 1539 8am - 6pm quyennguyen221081@gmail.com MAP: 8F-1 Vincom Mall Ngo Quyen St., just east of Han Bridge 0511 399 6688 MAP: 6D-1 9:30am - 10:30pm Lotte Mart 6 Nai Nam St., just west of Tuyen Son Bridge 0511 355 1333 8am - 10pm MAP: 7L-1 Metro Cash & Carry Cach Mang Thang 8 St., 2 km west of Tuyen Son bridge 0511 364 4933 5am - 9pm Big C 255-257 Hung Vuong (just opposite Con Market) 1800 555 555 MAP: 10D-1 8am - 10pm
MAP: 11E-1
Da Nang Bicycle The go-to spot in Da Nang for all your cycling gear, parts, and accessories. Ride worry-free with this expert staff. 42 Dang Thi Mai, Da Nang 05113 990 059 / 090 552 2944 8am - 7pm www.dngbike.com
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Con Market Jacob Martin
In a stadium-like building in downtown Da Nang the Con Market turns into the heart of local commerce around 4pm each day. A swarm of motorbikes circulate around the building and a sea of people flows in and out of the corridors. The market covers a full city block and the sheer variety here is the draw for most visitors. If you are in the market for something, it’s likely stocked by one of the vendors. It’s only a matter of finding them. The outer border of the market is lined with tea and coffee shops where patrons relax in the open air. Past these, visitors enter a maze of narrow indoor corridors packed with shoppers and vendors, and stocked floor to ceiling with goods for sale.
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Shopping
Con Market Map Vegetables & Hair Salons
Garage
WC
Fruits, Dried Food, Spices Incense & Candles
Aluminium, Plastics Food & Beverage
Meat
Hair Accessories, Cosmetics & Toys
Vegetables
Meat & Sea Food
Shoes, Purses, Blankets & Baby Goods Clothes & Shoes
WC Garage
Jewellery, Souvenirs & Stationary
WC
2nd Floor: Fabric
Garage
Garage
WC
Garage
WC
Sugar, Cereals & Basket
N
WC Clothes & Souvenirs
Entrance Garments Market Office
W
Entrance
E S
The market is partitioned into loose areas by category, but even within these there is a lot of variety. Expect to pass columns of incense, sacks of dried shrimp and fruit, displays of cosmetics, leatherwork and woodwork, baby clothes, and shelves of rice cookers all within metres of each other. Intrepid visitors will eventually find themselves in the wet market. For those new to Asia, a wet market is very literally wet with butchers and fishermen working their knives into the day’s filets and cuts. If you plan to shop in this part of the market, it’s a good idea to wear closed-toe shoes.
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Shopping
In the afternoons the market spills onto the surrounding streets, where street food is cooked and served at tables lining the center of the open-air alleyways interspersed with clothes vendors manning piles of second hand clothes and shoes. Shoppers jostle each other in crowds to sit and have a bowl of fresh noodles or sweet cakes amongst the bustle of the marketplace. The Con Market offers a look into the heart of the local community and commerce. Its sights, sounds, and smells are as eclectic and varied as the people themselves. Corner of Ong Ich Khiem and Hung Vuong, Da Nang Market: 8am-8pm Street Food: 4pm - 6pm MAP: 10D-2
Da Nang Visitor Center Call or visit the Da Nang Visitor Center for advice and information about Da Nang. Tourist information centers can be found in the airport (domestic and international arrivals) and downtown, where you can get free maps and brochures. Da Nang Visitor Center aims to make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable. Danang International Airport 108 Bach Dang, Hai Chau District 0511 355 0111 www.tourism.danang.vn MAP: 7D-5
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Near Da Nang Da Nang serves as a transit hub for Central Vietnam for those exploring the surrounding mountains, the road north to Hue, the historic town of Hoi An or the ancient ruins of My Son. This section highlights some of the amazing experiences that await just a short trip past the city limits.
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Cham Islands Jacob Martin
From Cua Dai Beach just outside Hoi An, the blue-green outline of the Cham Islands rises from the horizon. Travelers have a number of ways to reach the lush islands with their well-preserved mountainsides and coral. The most common way is to book a speedboat through a hotel or agency. This makes for a quick trip (about 30 minutes), but can often get crowded and the drivers are heavy on the throttle and the sea can get rough. There’s also a local ferry at 8:30am each day that makes the run in two hours and visitors ride with locals and the islands’ supplies. Once on the main island or in the clear waters that surround it, there are a number of relaxing ways to spend time in the sea or on the sand.
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Near Da Nang Local dive shops can arrange snorkel or scuba outings. Coral lines the seabed, tropical fish flicker colors and sea life populates the boulders and crevices. Along the shoreline white sand beaches bend in and out of rocky coves and inlets that lead to jungle growth that rises up the mountainside. Visitors can lounge along the placid shoreline and dip in the calm waters. Special arrangements need to be made to head up the mountain, however, as it is military-controlled. A trip to the Cham Islands presents a chance to relax and dive in one of the most untouched areas in Central Vietnam. From the flourishing mountains, to the rocky outcrops and inlets, to the friendly local villagers and fresh seafood caught that day, the island is a paradise just minutes from Hoi An. If visitors fall in love and wish to spend more than a day, they can arrange a homestay or rent supplies to camp on the beach, frying fresh fish as the sun hangs low over the water.
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www.keyproduction.vn
Hoi An Jacob Martin
Just an hour’s ride south of Da Nang, the historic town of Hoi An sits along the peaceful Thu Bon River and just off the coast of the Eastern Sea. Hoi An is famous for preserving traditional Vietnamese architecture and way of life, and was designated a world heritage site by UNESCO. The rustic settings that flip past on the ride to Hoi An are almost as scenic as the town itself. Farmers work the rice paddies with wooden carts and buffalo as the paths wind over little hillocks and footbridges. Fishermen cast nets from wooden boats into still water.
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www.keyproduction.vn
Hoi An is renowned for its tailors and dressmakers that set up shop in these traditional homes. A stone Japanese foot bridge acts as a landmark and inside local and visiting Buddhists light incense and pray. The walkway along the riverside passes open air cafes and local boat captains offering a cruise down the river. The riverside ends at a bustling local market, where amongst the spices, fruit, and root vegetables, shoemakers will craft footwear to custom order.
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Near Da Nang
The center of Hoi An and the reason for its world heritage status is the picturesque old town preserved in its original state as a major trading port in the 15th and 16th century. No motorbikes are allowed and footpaths wind through narrow streets bordered on either side by open air shops offering local woodwork, clothing, and art.
www.keyproduction.vn
Near Da Nang
www.keyproduction.vn
The colors of Hoi An truly come out after the sun sets, the yellow facades of houses are lit up along the riverbank in the shadows of palms and red paper lanterns hang above the streets. The old town bustles as the notes of local musicians mixed with conversation and the clinking of glasses spill out into the night air.
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Markets spring up around noodle shops and jade trinkets and jewelry are on display alongside snacks of nuts and quail eggs. Locals and travelers eat, drink, and take in the cool nights where Vietnam’s past blends into the present.
Buses for Hoi An leave Da Nang bus station every 20 minutes and a ticket costs 20,000d. Entrance fee for Hoi An Ancient Town: 120,000₫ (international visitors) and 80,000₫ (Vietnamese). Buy the ticket one time and keep it for re-entry.
Chef Duc Tran’s Three Jewels of Hoi An
Creativity personified & translated into the cuisine, Chef Duc represents.
This venue celebrates the prolific chef’s return to his Mama’s home cooking. Guests can enjoy a meal in the secluded courtyard from Hoi An’s bustling markets. A meal here represents an era gone by. 45 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Hoi An 0510 392 5545 8:30am - 10:30pm
In Hoi An’s Ancient Town, find Mango Rooms amidst quaint houses whose interior is bohemian inspired. It’s décor is as tastefully & freshly presented as Chef Duc’s fusion food, derived from his travels. 111 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An 0510 391 0839 8:30am - 10:30pm
Mango Rooms’ sister brand sits across the river. Guests who sample the fusion cuisine and dine on the broad terrace, can soak in the ambiant view the Japanese bridge offers. A masterpiece waiting to happen. 45 Nguyen Phuc Chu, Hoi An 0510 391 1863 8:30am - 10:30pm
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www.danangx.com
My Son Jacob Martin
Lying in the heartland of ancient Cham culture in Central Vietnam, temples, tombs, and sculptures built between the 4th and 14th are spread over the jungle landscapes. These are the My Son ruins just between Dong Duong and Tra Kieu.
My Son sits in a valley cradled by mountains on either side, where visitors can walk among the intricate carved facades and towers assembled centuries ago from sandstone and fired brick. These towers and tombs have been etched with elaborate depictions of
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www.danangx.com
My Son is the largest surviving Cham complex in Vietnam and the land was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site to preserve these monuments.
www.danangx.com
www.danangx.com www.danangx.com
Stepping through these stone thresholds and into the sacred rooms of a once powerful kingdom that dominated much of Central Vietnam is an experience in the breadth of cultures and traditions that influenced the early history of Southeast Asia. Cham once inhabited the surrounding towns and came decked in religious regalia to perform their rites and political events at My Son. Now the monuments in these hills serve as the largest and best preserved testament to their lives and history.
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Near Da Nang
battles, religious ceremonies, and the images of deities and kings. Looping letters of old Cham and Sanskrit are interspersed with busts of fanged dragons and dancing Apsaras.
The towers and temples of My Son are surrounded by lush jungle and are gradually being reclaimed by nature which sets a distinct scene of remote and archaic beauty. Tufts of grass crown some of the monuments but the architecture and carvings have been preserved.
Hue Jacob Martin
The original capital of Vietnam, the historic city of Hue, sits just a few hours (two by car or three by motorbike) to the north of Da Nang. The ride to Hue cuts through untouched stretches of Vietnamese countryside, rice paddies, inlets, and coves passing through small villages along the way. The city, framed by rivers and laced with canals, served as the capital of Vietnam until 1945. As such, Hue holds much more history in its streets and architecture than the more modern Vietnamese cities and along with it a cultural significance in the hearts of the Vietnamese people.
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Near Da Nang Hue’s downtown is as modern and neon-lit as any in Vietnam with cosmopolitan restaurants, first-class hotels, and bars and clubs where locals, backpackers, and expats meet and drink into the early hours. However, when visitors travel out of the city center, the historical landmarks of the earlier periods of the country abound. The landmarks and cityscape blend together seamlessly as they have grown together over the centuries. Just off a main road the moats of the Imperial Forbidden City lead to pathways through centuries old archways in the ramparts adorned with gold-lined pagoda roofs. The Perfume River runs the length of the city and along it local markets, coffee shops and noodle houses stay busy throughout the day. The impressive ancient stone structures bedecked by statues that can be spotted from the riverbanks are the tombs of various emperors from Hue’s history as a capital city. This history is woven into the city. Traditional homes and ornate pagodas
pop up just in view of a cell phone shop and motorbike repair, but never clash. Hue has been built in a way that honors and preserves its heritage while still offering all the comforts of a modern city. A bus from Da Nang to Hue costs around 70,000₫ and takes around 3 hours, alternatively take the scenic train route for between 80,000 - 120,000₫.
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Lang Co Jacob Martin
Just over the Hai Van Pass, 40 km from Da Nang, is the serene fishing township of Lang Co sandwiched between the ocean and a scenic lagoon framed by a mountain range. The main road to Hue runs through the small community. If travelers don’t take the chance to turn off and explore the narrow local roadways, they risk missing the traditional Vietnamese fishing techniques preserved there among scenes of striking natural beauty. On a clear day the lagoon stretches like glass, still and blue, broken only by the silhouettes of stilted fishermen’s huts and suspended nets until it reaches toward a mountain range made hazy by the distance. Visitors can sample the local seafood in restaurants at the end of walkways hovering over the water. To the east calm sea water sloshes on white shorelines overseen by the Truong Son mountain range. You can take a bus from Da Nang bus station to Lang Co, however taking a train is simpler. There are four trains a day that stop at Lang Co on the way to Hue.
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Activities & Events
For those living an active lifestyle, there are options everywhere in Da Nang. The coast on the eastside acts as the locale for many of the outdoor activities. The city to the west is home to a number of parks and the tranquil Han River walkway, which runs the length of the city.
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Activities & Events
Activities Surfing
Surfing in Da Nang is popular on My Khe, My An, and Non Nuoc beaches as they offer somewhat reliable surf on beautiful white sand beaches. The two to four foot breaks and sand bottom make for good conditions for beginners and experts alike.
All surfers should be aware that My Khe breaks far from the shore and has a strong riptide. Surfers should only paddle out if they’re confident they can make it back in negotiating riptides. The surf is consistently good at Non Nuoc Beach opposite the Marble Mountains. The best wave angle is from the northeast and the beach breaks provide both left and right handers with wavelengths of 50-150 metres. Due to the impressive length of the beach in Da Nang it is rarely crowded. The winter months from December to March provide the biggest waves.
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Stand Up Paddle Tours
Stand up Paddle & Surf lessons www.danangsurfschool.com da nang surf school 8am-5pm
01216666722
danangsurfschool goncalocabrito@gmail.com MAP: 2D-1 99
Activities & Events
The ultimate interactive thrilling adventure experience for group of tourists, friends or family. Spend 60 minutes together trying to escape from a room full of mysteries and hidden secret. Locked is the only escape room -the global trend driving millions - in Da Nang city 4th Floor, 134 Phan Chau Trinh, DN 8am-10pm (last game start at 9pm) 0511 6252189 locked.danang@gmail.com dn.locked.vn
MAP: 8E-1
STEADY B TOURS & VOUCHERS
As an official media Magazine for Da Nang’s tourism, we offer you free consultancy for planning your trip in Da Nang: - where to visit, what to eat and drink, what activities to attend - buy our coupons and vouchers to get cheap accommodation, spas, restaurants, rounds of golf. We can also can help with advice in emergencies.
34 An Thuong 3, My An, Da Nang MAP: 2J-10 ann@lenelmedia.com www. vietnampocketguide.com
CALL NOW: +84 905 933 255 100
Mudbath, Spa, Massage and Restaurant Escape the city at Galina Da Nang Mud Bath Spa, the first mineral mud bath spa in Da Nang, perfectly located on the beachfront, styled like a tropical rainforest. Unwind in the peaceful gardens with outdoor mud baths and private spas. If you’re looking for something special to do on a rainy day, head to the indoor mud baths, saunas, hot baths and spas. You can easily spend the whole day with comprehensive services including restaurants and peaceful gardens to revive your body. Chill out by the pools, cool down under the waterfall or go to the top of the main building for a coffee and to take in the stunning view.
254 Vo Nguyen Giap, Da Nang MAP: 2H-1 8am - 10pm 0511 3944 954 HOTLINE: 091 929 2797 www.galinadanangmudbath.com www.facebook/GalinaDanang
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What’s Happening The city of Da Nang puts on a lot of events year round for local business, holidays, cultural preservation and international events. On any given day, around the city visitors may spot Vietnamese dance or street music groups, international yacht races, or an antique fair. Events depend on the time of year. Musicians (both local and international) gather here to play in and appreciate the vibrant music scene. Check this section to see what’s happening in the near future. Street Music Performance July 16 & 30 August 13 & 24 September 10 & 24 7:30pm Bach Dang Street (Opposite Novotel) Tuong Traditional Performance July 9 & 23 August 6 & 20 September 3 & 17 7:30pm - 9:00pm East side of Han Bridge Cham Culture Performance July 16 & 30 August 13 & 27 September 10 & 24 7:30pm - 9:00pm 2 Thang 9 Street (Opposite Cham Museum) Da Nang International Marathon August 6 Bien Dong Park
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Traditional Boat Racing (Vietnamese Independence Day) September 2 8:00am - 9:00am Han Bridge Asian Beach Game 5 September 24 - October 5 Full Moon Lantern Festival July 18 August 17 September 15 Hoi An Ancient Town
Lotte Cinema 5th Floor Lotte Mart 6 Nai Nam, Da Nang 8am - 11:30pm www. lottecinemavn.com CGV Cinema
Activities & Events
Cinemas
MAP: 7L-1
The 3rd Floor Big C Supermarket 255 Hung Vuong 8am - 11:30pm MAP: 10D-1 The 4th Floor Vincom Center East of Han Market 8am - 11:30pm www.cgv.vn MAP: 6D-1
July 15
Upcoming Movies July 8 The Secret Life of Pets Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates Captain Fantastic Fathers and Daughters Zero Days Our Little Sister July 13 The Infiltrator July 14 Aaic: Papal Basilicas of Rome July 15 Hillary’s America: The Secret History of Democratic Party Ghostbusters Tulip Fever July 22 Star Trek Beyond Ice Age: Collision Course Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Into The Forest Don’t Think Twice
July 29 Jason Bourne Bad Moms Equity Author: The JT LeRoy Story Aug 5 Suicide Squad Nine Lives The Little Prince Aug 12 Pete’s Dragon Sausage Party Hell or High Water Aug 19 Ben Hur Sep 23 The Magnificent Seven Queen of Katwe The Lovers and The Despot Sep 30 Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiars Deepwater Horizon
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Big Bad Bob and the Playboy
Live Music Scene Randy Cataluna & Jacob Martin
As the lights come on and the sky grows dark over Da Nang, the notes of local musicians spill out of cafes and bars all around the city. The music in this city plays a key part in a night out and that music is often live. The music scene here came from humble beginnings but has grown to the point that people travel here just to live in and explore the musical landscape. This landscape exploded in 2012 after the construction of two new bridges connecting the east and west sides of Da Nang and opening up the city. Bars hosting quality acts have been cropping up all over the city since. It all started with The Waterfront and Luna Pub putting on acts.
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Jesus & Jhonny
Indio
From there the options for music in Da Nang started popping up everywhere drawing talented acts to the city.
Activities & Events
This soon struck a chord and bars in Hoi An got up to the same business with Soul Kitchen following suit. The word got out and people kept coming.
Des n Troy
The vibe here is relaxed no matter the venue. Musicians play and gather with the crowd and play again. Show up at Soul Kitchen or Dive Bar for a relaxing night by the beach in Hoi An.
DJ Polo Are & Are
DJs spin in the clubs. Vietnamese floats out of local establishments, while rock, Latin, blues, country, jazz, etc. are played nightly throughout the city. Anywhere in Da Nang is never far from some music.
Traffic Jam
Favela
Hit Seventeen Saloon to sate a rock taste in Da Nang. Retro Kitchen, Vertigo, On the Radio, Minsk Bar, Luna Pub, Jazz Bar, May Bar, and Perdue all put on live acts in the city.
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Featured Artist - Geckos on the Wall
Geckos on the Wall ushered in two years ago, with Connecticut resident, guitarist/vocals Tom having impromptu sessions with California native and bassist Shaun at the latter’s apartment. A common friend, Adam, joined in as guitar player to complete the band. The catchy name came later. While doing a show at Dimples Bar they needed a tag to call themselves by. Trying to come up with something quickly, they saw white geckos crawl up the wall and were inspired. Da Nang local, Thien completes the quartet. From blues, funk, reggae and classic rock this eclectic bunch are big on jamming and improvisation. Expect covers, a couple of originals with hints
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of Eric Clapton, Grateful Dead, Phish, Pink Floyd and JJ Cale on their play list. They perform regularly around Da Nang and Hoi An while Hue and Hanoi will be coming up in the future.
A slice of adventure awaits at the gates of Hoa Phu Thanh, just outside Da Nang near Ba Na Hills. This resort targets those who like the outdoors with campgrounds and eco-tourism destinations on the Luong Dong River and in the surrounding mountains. The river is the main draw and visitors can raft down it and take in the beautiful waterfalls along the way. Certain sections pass through large boulder outcroppings. Those who feel a spark of adventure can even careen down the face of the waterfalls in chutes built by the park. Experience the natural wonders of Central Vietnam and stay warm by the campfire at night under a blanket of stars. Km 20, National Highway 14G, Hoa Phu Ward, Da Nang 0511 628 5052 / 090 596 6836 www.hoaphuthanh.com.vn
Ba Na Hills
Activities & Events
Hoa Phu Thanh
The record-setting longest cable car in the world leads riders over spectacular views of dense jungle broken by occasional waterfalls. As the sea level recedes slowly below, the mountaintop Ba Na Hills castle themed resort begins to come into view. Inside the walls and in the shadows of the parapets and towers, a traditional French village welcomes visitors with the invitation to explore and take in the stunning views that surround. A network of railways run through the peaks and ferry visitors to the numerous temples and spiritual sites that speckle the mountainside. The complex also features a roller coaster and amusement park and all the luxurious trappings one would expect from a top-class resort. Hoa Ninh, Hoa Vang, Da Nang 93 Nguyen Van Linh, Da Nang 0511 374 9888 Entrance & Cable Car Fee 550,000â‚Ť www.banahills.com.vn
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Need to Know
This is the place to find essential day-to- day information. Need to talk with locals? Basic Vietnamese phrases are here. Need money? Find an ATM, currency exchange, or bank. Need to go somewhere? Rent a car or motorbike or learn basic taxi facts. Immigration issues? Find the nearest embassy or advice on visa services. Need to stay in touch with friends? SIM card services, Internet cafes, and post information is available. Not feeling so well? Hospital and emergency services are here.
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Need to Know
Communications Vietnam is putting considerable effort into modernization and expansion of its telecommunications system. Domestically, all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiberoptic cable or microwave radio relay networks. Main lines have been substantially increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly.
Getting a Phone in Da Nang If you are bringing a cell phone from your home country, you can buy a SIM card at most cellphone shops, which they will cut, size, and install. The cards come with pre-paid minutes and 3G for about 200,000â‚Ť, however be sure to check the expiry on the package. Call code for Vietnam: +84 Da Nang area code: 0511
Topping Up
Go to any phone store and most convenience stores to buy a scratch card with a 12 digit number on it, enter *100* then the 12 digit number followed by # to top up or top up online at vietnam.mobilerecharge.com
Phone Shops
The Gioi Di Dong - For their location search: www.thegioididong.com FPT Shop - For their location search: www.fptshop.com.vn Vien Thong A - For their location: www.vienthonga.vn
Network Listings (customer services) Viettel Mobile: 95 Hung Vuong, DN. / 19008198 Mobifone: 150-152 Nguyen Van Linh, DN. / 18001090 (Hotline: 090 514 4144) Vinaphone: 26 Nguyen Van Linh, DN. / 18001091 (Hotline: 091 418 1111) Vietnamobile: 1st Floor Vinh Trung Plaza, DN. / 789 (Hotline: 092 278 9789 GMobile: 199 (Hotline: 0199 888 0199) English assistance for international services: 18001001 (free of charge)
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Internet Access to the Internet is readily available throughout Da Nang. Nearly every restaurant, bar, and cafĂŠ in the city offers free WiFi access. 3G service is also available from any sim card of the major cell phone service providers can be found easily in phone shops and hotels. Da Nang also offers free Wi-Fi every 20 minutes in areas around main streets, hospitals, universities or tourism places. To get the access: Option 1: (SMS Messaging) Write syntax wifidanang and send to 8188. Then you will receive passwords of 4 letters and your telephone number for account numbers. Option 2: (Sign up online account) Username: danang Password: dananagwifi
Mail / Post Office Mail services in Central Vietnam are regular and reliable. For those who wish to send parcels back to their native countries, it’s a good idea to spend a bit more to send by air if time is a concern. Shipping by boat presents a cheaper option but can take months. EMS Service at Danang Post Offices 1 Le Duan / 155 Nguyen Van Linh 924 Ngo Quyen / 376 Ngu Hanh Son 1900 545 433 Kerry Express 146 Duy Tan 0511 355 3553 (Delivery and Pick up at home) www.kerryexpress.com.vn
Emergency Information Numbers for police, ambulance, fire and rescue services: who to call and what to say in an emergency.
Emergeny Numbers
Phone No.
Fire
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Police
Ambulance Emergency Vocabulary Emergency Help Me Accident Injured Unconcious Bleeding
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When navigating a foreign country and culture, it’s always useful to have some phrases ready in the native language. These simple bits of Vietnamese should come in handy as visitors explore and interact with the locals.
Vietnamese has 6 tones:
a - flat, mid level à - starts low then dips and rises ả - starts above mid level, dips slightly then rises sharply ã - starts higher than ả, dips slightly then rises sharply á - starts high and rises sharply ạ - starts low, falls and then stops
Greetings
Hello! - Xin chào! (sin chow!) Goodbye - Tạm Biệt What’s your name? Bạn tên gì (ban tane zee) My name is... - Tôi là (thoy la...) Thank you - Xin Cảm ơn (sin kam un) Yes - Vâng (vung) No - Không (khong) Can you help me? - Bạn giúp tôi ₫ược không? (ban zoop thoy duc khom?)
Shopping
Where is the nearest internet shop? Tiệm Internet ở ₫âu? (Team Internet oh dou) Too expensive - Mắc quá (mahk qwa)
Food and Drink
I’d like to drink - Tôi muốn uống (thoy moowan oowanh) Coffee - Cà phê (cah feh) Hot Coffee with milk - Cà phê sữa nóng (cah feh sua nom)
Hot black coffee - Cà phê nóng (cah feh nom) Cold - Lạnh (lang) Tea - Trà (chah) I’d like to eat - Tôi muốn ăn (thoy moowan un)
Food
Noodles - mì/ bún/ phở Bread - Bánh Mì Beef - bò Chicken - gà Fish - cá Spice - ₫ồ gia vị
Numbers
0...................................không 1...................................một 2...................................hai 3...................................ba 4...................................bốn 5...................................năm 6...................................sáu 7...................................bảy 8...................................tám 9...................................chín 10.................................mười 11.................................mười một 15.................................mười lăm 20.................................hai chục 50.................................năm chục 100...............................một trăm 1000.............................một ngàn 1,000,000.....................một triệu
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Need to Know
Basic Vietnamese Language
Medical Care There is no reason to worry about healthcare, whether routine or emergency, on your trip to Da Nang. The city hosts numerous hospitals and dental clinics, many with English-speaking staff that are up to international standards. Pharmacies can be found easily on almost every city block and they are well stocked to provide treatment for common ailments as well as most common prescription medications. Da Nang is a modern city, often called the most liveable in Vietnam, so health needs should be easily met here. In Da Nang there are no 24 hour pharmacies, the usual opening hours are 8am - 9pm. Simply, write down the exact medicine you require or bring a sample package for the pharmacist. Depending on your requirement, some outlets will even refill your containers without a new prescription. Medications are sold freely without a prescription, except sedatives for mental disorders, opiates and other controlled drugs. These type of medications can be purchased solely from hospitals.
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Dr. Tran Diep Dental Clinic Dr. Tran Diep is well known as a very experienced and highly qualified dentist. Free consultation. English speaking staff. Full range of dental services and cosmetic restoration. Highly recommended on Trip Advisor. Please make an appointment in advance. 78 Phan Anh, Da Nang 090 515 1522 2pm – 8pm (Mon - Sat) Sundays for emergencies www.danangdentist.com MAP: 10L-1
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East Meets West Dental Center 269 Nui Thanh, Da Nang 0511 362 4222/4224 International Dentistry Company 577 Nui Thanh, Da Nang 0511 361 5588 Dr. Long Dental Clinic 157 Hai Phong, Da Nang 093 902 7331 Serenity International Dental Clinic 12 Nguyen Du, Da Nang 0511 353 8966 Viet Khuong Dental Center 65 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Da Nang 0511 389 3545
Hospitals
Da Nang Hospital 124 Hai Phong, DN Hotline: 096 523 1818 www.dananghospital.org.vn
Need to Know
Dental Clinic
Pharmacies Dapharco 19 401 Le Duan 098 275 0052 Dapharco 24 431 Ong Ich Khiem 0511 382 4945 Phuoc Thien 307 Trung Nu Vuong 0511 382 7772 Phuoc Thien 2 322 Hung Vuong 0511 368 9977
Vets
Danang Family Medical Practice 50-52 Nguyen Van Linh, DN 0511 358 2699 vietnammedicalpractice.com Hoan My Da Nang Hospital 161 Nguyen Van Linh, DN 0511 365 0676 www.hoanmy.com Tam Tri Da Nang General Hospital 64 Cach Mang Thang 8, DN 0511 3 679 555 www.tmmchealthcare.com Da Nang Family Hospital 73 Nguyen Huu Tho, DN 0511 363 2111 www.familyhospital.vn
MAP: 3J-2
House D16 (Khu gia dinh Quan Doi) K38, Le Quang Dao, DN. 0963999383 0974385658 danangpet2014@gmail.com
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Prices To Know VND
USD
Vietnamese street coffee
Exchange Rate is USD 1 = VND 22,400
15,000
0.67
Western style coffee
35,000
1.56
8,000
0.36
Soft drink (street)
12,000
0.54
Soft drink (restaurant)
25,000
1.12
Coconut juice (street)
15,000
0.67
Fruit shake (street)
25,000
1.12
Fruit shake (restaurant)
40,000
1.79
Beer (33cl bottle in a local restaurant)
20,000
0.89
Milk - per litre
28,000
1.25
Cigarettes
25,000
1.12
Mi Quang (noodles)
25,000
1.12
Banh Mi
10,000
0.45
Bo Ne (Vietnamese beef steak)
30,000
1.34
Cƥm TẼm (Broken Rice)
25,000
1.12
City bus fare
10,000
0.45
Taxi - per km
14,000
0.63
Cyclo - per hour
80,000
3.57
6,000
0.22
120,000
5.36
13,000
0.58
3,000
0.13
Flat tire repair
15,000
0.67
New bike tire
80,000
3.57
Small bottle of water (street)
Motorbike taxi - per km Motorbike rental - per day Petrol - per litre Motorbike parking fee
T-shirt from a market
80,000
3.57
Foot Massage - 1 hour
150,000
6.70
Body Massage - 1hour
200,000
8.93
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Da Nang has excellent transport links and acts as the main travel hub for Central Vietnam, with a modern airport, train links to both the north and south, and bus routes going throughout Vietnam and crossing the Laos border.
Motorbikes
Renting a Motorbike
The motorbike is the go-to method of transportation in Vietnam, weaving through the streets day and night. Renting a motorbike is a quick and easy process widely available throughout the city.
Renting a motorbike is a fairly easy process and rentals can be found almost anywhere in the city and with the most ease around An Thuong. A fair price is between 100,000d and 150,000d per day.
Motorbikes for sale make for a better deal for long term visitors and are easy to find through Internet listings and local dealers for around 4-5 million dong (200 dollars).
Longer renters (2 weeks to a month) usually get some kind of deal from the rental shop. Some providers will ask for a deposit and others a passport.
Motorbike Safety At first glance Vietnamese driving can look like complete chaos. Motorbikes scattered on the road broken by the odd car all moving independent of road markings or signs. There is a method to the madness though. In Vietnam, the person turning has the right of way and those coming straight on are expected to slow and allow them to turn. Obviously don’t turn suddenly into crowded oncoming traffic, but if you wait for an empty road to turn, you’ll be waiting for a while. Always pass on the left rather than the right. When navigating traffic circles honk to show you’re continuing through and signal with your hand. Always wear a helmet or risk getting a fine from police.
For stays longer than a month it’s cheaper to buy a bike and sell it at the end of the trip.
Motorbike Taxis Independent motorbike taxis (xe om) operate all over the city. These typically older Vietnamese men will offer to drive visitors wherever they like or, in some cases, to do errands in exchange for payment. These guys are all independent operators, so be sure to agree on a price before stepping on the bike. A ride of 5km should cost around 30,00040,000₫. Xe om Da Nang Hotline 0123 543 4343
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Need to Know
Transportation
Need to Know
to find a driver who speaks more than a little English so it’s best to have your destination written down if you cannot speak Vietnamese. There are few taxis equipped to accept credit cards, so it is recommended to pay in cash.
Bicycles Da Nang is relatively flat and ideal for exploring by bicycle. They can be rented throughout the city, usually outside large hotels. Every evening, tandem bicycles are available on the river bank, east of the Dragon Bridge.
Taxi Numbers Tien Sa (yellow) / 0511 379 7979
Nui Da Center / 0511 395 8950 Dacotrip / 0123 437 3735 Danaline / 0511 381 1444 Price: 90,000₫ - 120,000₫/day. (50,000₫ in deposit)
Mai Linh (green) / 0511 356 5656
Vinasun Green (white) / 0511 368 6868
Cyclos
Taxis There are different taxi companies in Da Nang each fares and rates that differ in small ways, but generally the price runs about the same. Most drivers have GPS devices to help navigate. It’s rare
DA NANG, VIETNAM
The unique pedal-powered reclining chairs that move lazily along the Han River and through Hoi An are called cylos. These can be hired for those who wish to take in the city at a relaxing speed without the effort of walking and/or carrying bags.
37 An Thuong 2 Street
THE OFFICIAL SPECTATORS BAR
MAP: 2J-11
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Trains Da Nang lies on the north-south rail route and taking a long train journey makes for a unique experience as you coast past open farmland, jungle mountains and secluded beaches.
Da Nang Train Schedule Train Name
Duration
Departure Arrival Time Time
Price (Unit: 1,000 â‚Ť)
Seat
Hard
Da Nang- Ha Noi
Soft
Sleeper
Hard
Soft
SE 2
11:56
11:55am
3:51am
416
615
947
972
SE 4
14:24
2:04pm
4:30am
428
630
990
1017
SE 6
16:50
2:36pm
7:26pm
415
610
907
930
SE 8
15:51
11:16pm
3:07pm
415
610
907
930
SE 20
15:30
3:00pm
8:30am
404
614
959
1009
TN 2
19:05
7:56am
3:01am
312
433
700
742
Da Nang – Sai Gon SE 1
17:09
10:36am
3:45am
405
630
954
1008
SE 3
15:21
1:09pm
4:30am
506
744
1150
1180
SE 5
17:04
1:33am
6:37pm
378
586
887
937
SE 7
16:58
10:13pm
3:11pm
490
720
1062
1090
SE 21
21:16
9:32am
5:08am
396
605
912
995
TN 1
19:26
7:39am
3:05am
293
482
743
786
SE 22
3:26
7:00am
69
108
109
69
108
109
Da Nang - Hue 10:26am
46
Hue - Danang SE 21
2:37
6:40am
9:17am
46
Da Nang train station / 200 Hai Phong St.
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MAP: 11C-1
Da Nang International Airport is close to the city centre and is the main travel hub for Central Vietnam. The airport is both domestic and international. There are about 20 flights per week directly to China, Korea, Singapore, Cambodia and Laos. Other international connections can be made in Hanoi or Saigon. The popular domestic airlines: Vietnam Airlines / 0511 383 2320 www.vietnamairlines.com JetStar / 1900 1550 www.jetstar.com VietJetAir / 1900 1886 www.vietjetair.com MAP: 12F-1
Buses
Route No. 2 Kim Lien - Cho Han (Han Market) 5:30am - 6pm (every 15 minutes) Fare: 5,000₫ - 10,000₫ Stops at Big C, Han Market, Da Nang Cathedral, Nam O fish sauce village. Route No. 3 Da Nang - Ai Nghia 5:30am - 6pm (every 30 minutes) Fare: 8,000 - 15,000₫ Stops at Tuy Loan Rice Paper Village, Cam Le Sesame Cake Village. Route No. 6 Da Nang - Phu Da 5:30am - 5pm (every 30 minutes) Fare: 8,000 - 25,000₫ Stops at My Son. Route No. 4 Da Nang - Tam Ky 5am - 6pm (every 30 minutes) Fare: 8,000 - 30,000₫ Route No.9 Tho Quang - Que Son 5:15am - 4:30pm (every 30 minutes) Fare: 8,000 - 25,000₫
There are 6 main routes in Da Nang: Route No.1 Da Nang - Hoi An 5:30am - 6pm (every 20 minutes) Fare: 8,000₫ - 15,000₫ Stops at the airport, train station, Museum of Cham Sculpture, My Khe Beach and Marble Mountain.
Intercity Buses Buses regularly run from Da Nang to cities near and far in northern, central, and southern Vietnam as well to destinations in Laos. A range of options are available to make sure you have comfortable journey. Da Nang Central Bus Station 201 Ton Duc Thang St.
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Need to Know
Flights
Need to Know
Bus Fares (All over Vietnam) Price (Unit: 1,000 ₫) Destination
Ha Long
Ha Noi
Phong Da Nha Nang
HaLong
0
100
375
480
Ly Son
Nha Trang
Da Lat
Sai Gon
630
800
850
965
Ha Noi
145
0
240
380
470
660
750
950
Phong Nha
375
240
0
220
320
460
525
625
Da Nang
480
380
220
0
100
270
350
450
Ly Son
630
470
320
100
0
240
250
365
Nha Trang
800
660
460
270
240
0
112
220
Da Lat
850
750
525
350
250
112
0
225
Sai Gon
965
950
625
450
365
220
225
0
Services to Laos Destination: Pakse Departure Time: 6.30am (everyday) Duration: 29 hours Fare: 450,000₫
Destination: Tha Khaek Departure Time: 5am (Tue & Thur) Duration: 22 hours. Fare: 940,000d.
Destination: Savannakhet Departure Time: 7.30pm (Mon, Weds, Sun) Duration: 19 hours Fare: 800,000₫
Destination: Vientiane Departure Time: 2pm & 3:30pm (Mon - Sat) Duration: 29+ hours. Fare: 730,000₫
Visa Services When crossing borders visas are always a matter that needs to be attended to. Local businesses in the city offer services to help foreigners address any issues in this area, provide letters for officials, and handle any other immigration issues that may arise. When arriving in the airport or land border crossing be sure to have your stamped approval letter, address and two photos ready. You can get help with your visa at Vietnam Visa (24hvisa.vn)
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Da Nang
TAXI
Experience a hassle free, premium transfer service from the international airport to the city, Hoi An, and Hue.
They guarantee clean, comfortable cars, suited to your needs, with English speaking drivers. Professionally trained staff are reliable and consistently on time. They also offer day tours in and around the city, for those who want to get familiar with the local watering holes. Whether for a short trip or a full week of chauffer service, Da Nang Private Taxi is the transport provider of choice. FREE WIFI & MINERAL WATER
654/1 Trung Nu Vuong, Da Nang MAP: 12J-1 +84 93 575 3336 24/7 info@danangprivatetaxi.com www.danangprivatetaxi.com
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Money The currency in Vietnam is the Dong (Ä‘) and notes are in denominations of 1000 with the most common notes being 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500. 500,000 dong is the largest bill available from ATMs (approx. USD 24). 20,000d notes can look similar to 500,000d notes so make sure to look at the size of the bill and organize bills sequentially and be aware of their color. It is illegal to list prices and ask for payment in any currency other than Dong.
Banks ACB - 218 Bach Dang / 1900 545 486
BIDV - 90 Nguyen Chi Thanh / 1900 9247
Dong A Bank - 51 Nguyen Van Linh / 1900 545 464 Eximbank - 48 Tran Phu / 1800 1199
HSBC - Indochina Riverside Tower / 74 Bach Dang / 0511 381 5481 VPBank - 112 Phan Chu Trinh / 1900 545 415
Sacombank - 130 - 132 Bach Dang / 1900 5555 88
Techcombank - 244 - 248 Nguyen Van Linh / 1800 588 822 VietinBank - 172 Nguyen Van Linh / 1900 558 868 VIB Bank - 208 Nguyen Van Linh / 1800 8180
ATM’s ACB - 218 Bach Dang / 307 Phan Chu Trinh / 215 Ong Ich Khiem
BIDV - 222 Hoang Dieu / 40 Hung Vuong / 334 Ngu Hanh Son / 978 Ngo Quyen Dong A Bank - 16 Le Duan / 154 Le Loi / 47 Ngu Hanh Son / 540 Ngo Quyen Eximbank - 151 Nguyen Van Linh / 336 Hung Vuong / 205 Phan Chu Trinh HSBC - Indochina Riverside Tower / 74 Bach Dang / 0511 381 5481
VPBank - 62 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai / 234 Ong Ich Khiem / 1088 Ngo Quyen Sacombank - 1 Nguyen Van Linh / 155 Nguyen Van Linh / 202 Hoang Dieu Techcombank - 200 Hai Phong / 103 Hung Vuong / 27 Ngu Hanh Son
Vietin Bank - 223 Tran Phu / 324 Hung Vuong / 163 Le Duan / 12-14 Le Loi Vietcom Bank - A22 Nguyen Van Linh / 225 Hung Vuong
VIB Bank - 211 Hung Vuong / 217 Le Duan / 208 Nguyen Van Linh
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Credit and debit cards are increasingly being accepted such as Visa, Master Card and JCB, and businesses usually add 3% commission. However, it should be remembered that Vietnam is on the whole still a cash based economy.
Traveller’s Cheques Traveler’s cheques can only be exchanged at authorised banks so it’s advisable to either bring some Vietnamese Dong from your home country or use an ATM. You can cash traveler’s cheques at any SacomBank for a 2% fee (225 Ong Ich Khiem, 349 Phan Chu Trinh, So 171 Đong Da)
1 KRW = 18 VND 1 INR = 323 VND 1JPY = 194 VND 1 SGD = 15,898 VND 1 THB = 617 VND 1 USD = 22,260 VND
Need to Know
Credit and Debit Cards
Western Union Western Union system cooperates with most banks in Da Nang. If you want to receive money from Western Union, go to any large bank during 8am - 11am and 1:30pm - 4:30pm Monday to Friday. However, it is impossible to send money out of Vietnam while on a tourist visa.
Casinos
Currency Exchange US dollars are widely accepted however vendors prefer them to be clean and crisp. The downside to paying in USD is that the vendor chooses the exchange rate and rounds up to the nearest dollar so it becomes more expensive. It is advisable to change your money at the airport or banks which offer competitive rates and free Wi-Fi to check the exchange rates. Street exchangers should be avoided as this is likely to be a scam. 1 AUD = 16,381 VND 1 CAD = 16,478 VND 1 CHF = 22,252 VND 1 EUR = 24,399 VND 1 GBP = 31,368 VND 1 HKD = 2,832 VND
Club 99 Furama Resort, 68 Truong Sa, Da Nang 0511 398 7477 11am - 4am (open daily) www.club99.vn Crowne International Club Crowne Plaza Da Nang, Truong Sa, Da Nang 0511 395 1666 24/7 www.ihg.com/crowneplaza
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Embassies Australia - 8 Dao Tan, Hanoi / 04 3774 0100
Belgium - 49 Hai BÃ Trung, Sai Gon / 043 934 6179
Cambodia - 71A Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi / 044 942 4789 / 942 4788 Canada - 235 Dong Khoi, Sai Gon / 083 827 9899 China - 46 Hoang Dieu, Hanoi / 08 3829 2457
Czech Republic - 13 Chu Van An, Hanoi / 043 845 4131-2 Denmark - 19 Dien Bien Phu, Ho Chi Minh/ 043 823 1888 France - 57 Tran, Hung Dao, Hanoi / 043 944 5700 Germany - 29 Tran Phu, Hanoi / 043 845 3836
India - 58-60 Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi / 043 824 4998 Indonesia - 50 Ngo Quyen, Hanoi / 043 825 3353 Ireland - 191 Ba Trieu, Hanoi / 043 974 3291
Italy - 9 Le Phung Hieu, Hanoi / 043 825 6256 Japan - 27 Lieu Giai, Hanoi / 043 846 3000 Korea - 54 Lieu Giai, Hanoi / 043 831 5110
Laos Consulate - 16 Tran Quy Cap, Da Nang / 0511 382 1208 Malaysia - 43 - 45 Dien Bien Phu, Hanoi / 043 734 3836 Netherlands - 360 Kim Ma, Hanoi / 043 831 5650 Norway - 191 Ba Trieu, Hanoi / 043 974 8900
Philippines - 27-B Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi / 844 943 7873 Russia - 191 La Thanh, Hanoi / 043 833 6991
Singapore - No. 41 & 43 Tran Phu, Hanoi / 043 848 9168 South Africa - 31 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi / 043 936 2000 South Korea - 54 Lieu Giai, Hanoi / 04 3831 5110 Spain - 4 Le Hong Phong, Hanoi / 043 771 5207 Sweden - 2 Nui Truc, Hanoi / 043 726 0400
Switzerland - 44B Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi / 043 934 6589 Taiwan - 239 Xuan Thuy, Hanoi / 043 833 5502~04
Thailand - 63-65 Hoang Dieu, Hanoi / 043 823 5092-4 Turkey - 44 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi / 043 822 24 58 UK - 31 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi / 043 936 0500 USA - 7 Lang Ha, Ha Noi / 04 3850 5010
124
Need to Know
Consulates Australia - 47 Ly Tu Trong, Sai Gon/ 083 521 8100
Belgium - No 105, Duong Van An, Sai Gon / 086 281 8001 Cambodia - No. 41 Phung Khac Khoan / 048 829 2751 Canada - 235 Dong Khoi, Sai Gon / 083 827 9899
China - 175 Hai Ba Trung, Sai Gon / 08 3829 2457
Czech Republic - 28 Mac Dinh Chi, Sai Gon / 083 829 0585
Denmark - 72-74 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Sai Gon / 083 821 9373 France - 27 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Sai Gon / 083 520 6800
Germany - 126 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Sai Gon / 083 829 1967 India - 55 - Nguyen Dinh Chieu , Sai Gon / 083 823 7047
Indonesia - 18 Phung Khac Khoan, Sai Gon / 083 825 1888 Italy - 203 Dong Khoi, Sai Gon / 08 3 824 1998
Japan - 261 ₫iện Biên Phủ, Sai Gon / 083 933 3510 Korea - 107 Nguyen Du, Sai Gon / 08 3822 5757 Lao - 93 Paeur , Sai Gon / 083 829 7667
Malaysia - 1208 Me Linh Point Tower, Sai Gon / 083 829 9023 Netherlands - 29 Le Duan Boulevard, Sai Gon / 083 823 5932
Norway - 21-23 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Sai Gon / 083 822 1696 Philippines - 40-5 Pham Viet Chanh, Sai Gon / 083 518 0045 Russia - 126 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Sai Gon / 043 833 6991 Singapore - 65 Le Loi Boulevard, Sai Gon / 083 822 5174 South Korea - 107 Nguyen Du / 08 3822 5757
Spain - 25 Phung Khac Khoan, Sai Gon / 0838250173
Sweden - 186 Nguyen Van Huong, Sai Gon / 083 519 2337 Switzerland - 124 Dien Bien Phu / 08 38205402
Taiwan - 336 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Sai Gon / 083 965 1577 Thailand - 77 Tran Quoc Thao, Sai Gon / 083 932 7637-8
UK - 25 Le Duan Street, District 1, Sai Gon / 08 3825 1380 USA - 4 Le Duan, Sai Gon / 083 520 4200
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Thi Minh
1
uong Hung V
Nguyen
9
Tran Phu
hi Thanh
2
G
Dragon Bridge 2
Nguyen C
1
Phan Chu Trinh
Hai Phong
1 anh Nguyen Chi Th 2 i Le Lo
F
E
Nguyen Van Linh
Da Nang Museum
Trung
8
1
D
Bac h 1 Dang 2 Tran Phu Han 3 Market Yen Bai
5 4
Hung Vuong
2
Quang
Tran Phu
2
on
Han Bridge
Le Duan
1
C
B
Bach Dang
N
7A
J
K
1
L
M
Lotte Mart Tuyen Son Bridge
Ly Bridge
2 thang 9
2 thang 9
Hospital
Nui Thanh
Le Thanh Nghi
Tinh
Luu
Le Thanh Nghi
To Huu
ry um
Xo Viet Nghe
Dang
To Huu
Phan
La Tieu
30 thang 4
nh
u
Dan g Lu
Nguy
Ng
en H
Luon
g Nh
u Ho
c
Tinh
Phan
Hoc
Xo Viet Nghe
uyen Huu Tho
Dental Clinic
Huynh Tan Phat
To Huu
Luong Nhu
30 thang 4
Tieu La
t
Nguyen Huu Da
1
uu T
ho
ng
u Tr Nu
g on Vu
1
West Side
Weather Promotional photos always show Da Nang as a sun soaked beach city with a clear blue sky. The good news is for most of the year on most days it is, the graphs below should give you a good idea of seasonal differences in weather.
Temperature Cold
Jan
Feb
Warm
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Cold
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Rain & Thunder Storms Light Rain
Thunder Storms
Light Rain
90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
0% Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
Source: www.weatherspark.com
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May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Culture The Vietnamese, especially in Central Vietnam, are friendly, welcoming, and generally honest people. They welcome foreigners with open arms. However like with any multicultural exchange there can be some hiccups and gaps in understanding and expectations on both sides. This section should help bridge the cultural divide and help visitors navigate social interactions smoothly while visiting this lovely slice of the world.
Meeting People When meeting a new person in Vietnam it is not common to shake hands nor is it expected that a person bow elaborately as it is in, say, Thailand or Japan. A nod of the head and a simple “nice to meet you” should suffice. When meeting an older person or someone of high status—say a monk or politician—remove any headwear and bow slightly at the neck and shoulders. When saying goodbye men and women do not hug or kiss on the cheek, a friendly wave works for all genders.
Social Distances The accepted distance to pass or be close to a stranger in Vietnam is much closer than is common in the west. People walk close to each other and may do something like grab an item from another table (chopsticks or a napkin) without asking. This is commonplace and not a sign of disrespect.
Body Language In some ways body language is universal. In other smaller aspects it differs from culture to culture. For example, in Vietnam a person should never touch the head of another person, even a child. The head represents the highest point on the body and to touch the head of a person is diminutive and insulting. Following this same thinking, the feet are the lowest and dirtiest point on the body so to point the feet at a person is an insult. Never point feet toward images of the Buddha.
Problems and Arguments In Vietnam, as with much of the rest of Southeast Asia, people see calmness and reserve as virtues. So if visitors encounter problems with a local person or business, it is fine and natural to disagree and even to do so firmly. However, the moment a person becomes visibly upset or raises their voice, in the eyes of the Vietnamese, they have lost their composure and therefore their dignity and, by proxy, the argument itself.
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Need to Know
Useful Tips When Traveling
Eating and Drinking Eating and drinking (specifically, beer in the context of celebration) is a big deal in Vietnam and may go on for several hours with a large group. Chopsticks act as the main utensil and meals are eaten family-style with people receiving several small bowls to serve themselves. Politeness dictates trying each dish on the table before taking more of a favorite. When plates are passed, take them with both hands. It’s considered rude to refuse an offer of food even when already full. Chopsticks should always rest on the bowl parallel to the table. Leaving chopsticks to rest in the bowl resembles a funeral rite and is offensive. Otherwise, enjoy the local cuisine. It’s healthy, fresh, and plentiful. That about covers the main rules of eating, as for drinking, Vietnamese men usually drink (sometimes in great quantity) while women usually abstain or drink only a small amount. The Vietnamese see the ability to drink as a sign of strength and health in men. When beer is out, it is common for a man to be asked how much he can drink. However, while drinking is often endorsed and encouraged, excessive drunkenness (stumbling, slurring words, etc.) is not seen well. When drinking at a table of Vietnamese, don’t sip alone, raise a glass and say “yo” so everyone drinks together at the same pace.
Tours Guided tours are on offer in abundance throughout Da Nang to suit all interests. Whether looking to take in some stunning natural landscapes above ground or the sweeping coral reefs and schools of tropical fish undersea, these friendly guides will get you there. For those interested in the war or the rich cultural heritage of Central Vietnam from the ruins of My Son to the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Hoi An and Hue, historical curiosity is easily satisfied. Even the Vietnamese culinary tradition is on display with food tours and cooking classes to satisfy any appetite.
Climbing For those looking for an adventure, Central Vietnam offers plenty of options to climb and explore the lush natural landscapes. Visitors can trek up the mountains that flank Da Nang on either side, scale the beautiful cliff-faces and waterfalls near Lang Co, or explore the jagged peaks of Marble Mountain.
Snorkelling When snorkelling close to coral, it’s best not to use fins. The water in theses areas doesn’t have strong currents. The constant use of fins disturbs the water flow around the corral and this disrupts the ecosystem gradually harming growth.
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Rip Currents
Do not swim against a rip If you find yourself without a foothold and being pulled out by a rip current, don’t panic. More importantly, don’t try to swim against it back to shore. This will only cause more fatigue and make little progress against the rip. Relax and recognize what has happened. Swim sideways If you know you’ve been caught, don’t point your head toward the beach. Instead put the shore on your left or right side and swim parallel to the beach until the rip stops pulling. Then there’s little resistance and the waves should help push you back to shore. See this diagram for a visual.
If unable to swim relax and wait If you cannot swim or are fatigued, relax and float on your back. The rip current won’t take you all the way out to sea, only about 25 meters from shore. The impulse to panic is natural and strong, but not helpful. Tip your head back, fill your lungs with air, and float on your back. Raise your arms and signal lifeguards. Know how to spot a rip Waves don’t break in a rip current or are drastically smaller. If you see a calm area of water with waves breaking on either side, this is a rip current. Swim where the waves are breaking white.
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Need to Know
Da Nang beach has unusually strong rip currents that can suck swimmers quickly out to sea. A rip current is caused by a gap in the sandbar that pulls water out faster than other areas along the shoreline. These currents can sometimes sweep up and disorient swimmers quickly pulling them out to sea. Here is some practical advice about how to spot and handle rip currents while swimming on Da Nang’s beaches.
Trung Quang
Need to Know
NHÀ XUẤT BẢN LAO ĐỘNG Chịu trách nhiệm xuất bản: Giám đốc- Tổng biên tập Võ Thị Kim Thanh Biên tập: Mai Thị Thanh Hằng Đối tác liên kết : Công ty TNHH Lenel In 10.000 bản, khổ 14,8x10,5 cm tại Công ty TNHH in Kiến.VN. Địa chỉ: 75 Hoàng Diệu, Đà Nẵng. Giấy ĐKXB số: 518-2016/CXBIPH/01-11/ThT. Quyết định xuất bản số: 54/QĐ-NXBTT cấp ngày 16 tháng 03 năm 2016. Mã số ISBN: In xong và nộp lưu năm 2016.
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Vietnam Pocket Guide: Da Nang 2nd edition – July 2016 Published by Lenel Co. Ltd., VBN 0401675105 1A Group, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang, Vietnam Lenel Media Offices 34 An Thuong 3, My An Ward Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang, Vietnam Phone No.: +84 0905 433 665 text © Lenel Co. Ltd. 2016 Printed by Labour Publishing House at Kien.Vn Printing Company Limited Printed in Vietnam All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—except brief extractions for the purpose of review—without the written permission of the publisher. Lenel Media and Vietnam Pocket Guide do not allow their names or logos to be appropriated by commercial establishments without the explicit permission of the company. Lenel Media does not accept responsibility for any loss, injury, or inconvenience sustained while using this book.
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