Danang Hotels

Daring Danang

Danang is a bit like a Banh Mi sandwich. It’s hot, it’s saucy, it gives you bang for your buck and it’s best experienced by coming to terms with the messiness and getting stuck right into the thick of it. One of the biggest cities in Vietnam, Danang is now as famous for the alluring beaches of Nam O and Bac My An as it once used to be for its sleazy bars. ... Read more »

Danang’s history will definitely keep you busy. Visit the Bo Ban Communal House too see some fascinating ancestral artefacts, pay your respects at the Iphanho Cemetery and check out the range of war memorabilia at the Fifth Military Division Museum – especially if you think the only things the American soldiers brought to the city were bars and dancing girls.

Danang’s Top 10

10. My Khe A secluded beach oasis with clear waters and sun-warmed sands.	5. Cham Museum Danang’s largest collection of ancient Cham sculptures can be found here.
9. Danang Cathedral A candy-coloured church built by the French in the 1920s. Look out for the rooster that sits on the belfry.	4. Non Nuoc The most-popular beach in town is lined with palm trees and littered with pretty shells.
8. Communal Houses Like museums but better, Danang’s five communal houses hold the remnants of Vietnamese royalty and a host of other treasures.	3. Danang History Museum The city’s fascinating and complex history is brought to life with exhibits, films and dioramas.
7. Phap Lam Pagoda You’ll find a mammoth statue of Buddha out front, and a spiritual, sculptural wonderland inside.	2. Pho Da Nang Pagoda This Buddhist shrine is as big and impressive as its statues are famous.
6. Marble Mountains A little south of the city is a cluster of mountains filled with tunnels, caves and Buddhist sanctuaries.	1. Cao Dai Temple Rich in embellishments and colour, this sacred place has a mind-boggling interior.

Danang History

Hai Van Pass – Built during the 15th century, this is a scenic pass on the road from Danang and Huế, on the National Road in Vietnam.
Hoi An – This ancient town was once one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia.
Dien Hai Citadel – Built in 1813 and formerly known as the Dien Hai Fortress in the 12th year of Gia Long's reign by Da Nang's river.
Linh Ung Pagoda – Built on the cliffs of Son Thuy Mountain, it overlooks the South China Sea.
Tuy Loan Communal House – Houses are used primarily to worship gods and deities.

Danang Art & Culture

Ho Chi Minh Museum – The biggest war museum about the Vietnamese revolution against the French and American forces in Danang.
Danang Museum of Cham Sculpture – The only museum in the world that exclusively displays a fine collection of artifacts of the great ancient Cham empire.
Kim Bong Carpentry Village – One of the most famous craft villages in Vietnam, due to the exceptional skill of the local woodworkers.
Tra Que Vegetable Village – Specializes in growing vegetables, many of which are used in traditional Vietnamese medicines.
Cao Dai Temple – Representations of key religious figures, including those of Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.

Danang Shopping

Metro Cash & Carry – The most Western shopping experience to be found in Da Nang.
Intimex Pasteur – One of the most popular stores in the city of Danang selling locally produced goods.
Zen Plaza – Proper Western shopping mall providing everything from designer clothing to luxury goods.
Big C – Well-known hypermarket brand with a full supermarket selling foodstuffs and clothing.
Con Market – Danang's largest market, but it is mainly a daytime affair.

Gay & Lesbian Danang

Waterfront Restaurant & Bar – Enjoy fine international and Vietnamese cuisine with fantastic views at this stylish restaurant.
Red Sky Bar & Restaurant – This romantic Western restaurant has a friendly wait staff and a great bar scene.
Camel Club – If you feel like dancing in Danang, this venue is the spot to boogie down.
Fusion Maia Resort – A gay and lesbian-friendly
Star hotel on the beach with all inclusive amenities for a luxurious stay.

Danang Events

The Lunar New Year is celebrated with a sensory extravaganza of fireworks, folk music and all-round good vibes at Tet Nguyen Dan in January/February.

February’s Quan The Am Festival lasts for three days and is comprised of a religious ceremony and a party. You’re probably here for the latter, so expect parades, music, art, tug-o-war, lion dancing, boat races and a whole bunch of lanterns.

The Cau Ngu Festival (Whale Festival) in May starts with a fish-worshipping ceremony, then it’s time to earn your laurels with fishing and net casting. The boats smothered in flowers and lanterns are a highlight.

Revel in the sizzling city heat at June’s Danang Beach Festival – an eight-day party of beachside feasting and boat racing till the sun goes down.

The spiritual Hon Chen Temple Festival in September is a big deal. After a massive religious procession, there’s a more peaceful one packed with lantern-covered boats.

When To Go

Danang has a tropical monsoonal climate, which means truckloads of rain in September, October and November.
Unfortunately the rain doesn’t take the edge off the heat, with summer often reaching 40ºC (104ºF)
February to April is the best time to visit, with warm days and limited rainfall.

Getting Around

Taxis are convenient, but rigged meters are common. Xe oms (motorbike taxis) are fast, fun, cheap and a great photo op if you don’t drop your camera.
Walking is a great way to explore Danang. It’s small, and many of the attractions are centralised.
Hiring a bike or scooter is popular with locals and tourists alike, but Danang is not the best place for your first lesson!

HotelClub Blog

iPhone App Guide to Asia

« Hide