Danang City

Overview

While most tourists neglect Vietnam’s fourth-largest city in favour of nearby Hue and Hoi An, Danang has considerable charm in its own right. The economic powerhouse of central Vietnam, it combines the buzz of a bigger city with beautiful beaches and great restaurants. A lot of money has recently been poured into tree-lined boulevards, bridges

Geography

Danang City is located in middle of Central Vietnam, between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, separated from Laos by the western Truong Son Mountains. It is surrounded by Thua Thien-Hue along the northern border and Quang Nam on the southern border. It is embraced by the East Sea with 150km of seacoast.

Topography is rather complex. The south is impressive Hai Van Pass with Mang Mountain 1, 708m, Ba Na Mountain 1, 487m. The east is Son Tra Peninsula, an ideal site of yellow sand beaches, historical remains, and rare bird and animal species. The south is Ngu Hanh Son (Marble Mountains). The seashore is Hoang Sa archipelago with a large fishery.

Climate: Danang is located in the zone of typical tropical monsoon, temperate and equable climate. The city's weather bears the combination of the north and the south climate characters with the inclination to the former. There are two seasons: the wet from August to December and the dry season from January to July, cold waves are occasional but they are of average and short lasting. Average humidity is 83.4%.
Average temperature is about 26ºC, the highest is 28-30ºC in June, July, August, the lowest is 18-23ºC in December, January, February. In Ba Na Mountain, the temperature is 20ºC. Average rainfall is 2, 505mm per year that concentrates during October and November.

Cham Museum and the Marble Mountains. Da nang is the third largest city in Vietnam and it is an economic hub. Da nang is a charming city with an abundance of restaurants, bars and shops. The city is busy and roads are crowded with traffic. Many tourists use the city as a starting point to explore the surrounding areas.

Climate

The average temperature is 26C with temperatures rising during June until August. The cool season if from December until February. During monsoon season there is heavy rainfall which may result in flooding. The rain can hinder sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Transport

Da nang is easily accessible by air as it has its own international airport. There are also flights available within Vietnam and it is possible to fly to other cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City from Dan nang. The airport is small and does not have many amenities but restaurants, shops and money changes are available. The airport is conveniently situated 3 km from the city center. There is a train station within Da nang and traveling by train will allow you to see more of Vietnam's scenery. The local train is cheap but slow. Buses also travel from city to city. Da nang transport options include taxis, motorbike taxis and buses. If you catch a taxi, negotiate a fare before you begin your journey or use a metered taxi. Some metered taxis may however rig the meter so that you are overcharged for the journey.

Attractions

There is an abundance of sightseeing activities in Da nang. Cham Museum first opened in 1915 and the museum offers more information on the Cham civilization. Included in the exhibitions are many different sculptures that are centuries old. There is an admission fee to enter the museum. Marble Mountains attract tourists for their beauty, caves and temples. It is possible to hire a guide to show you around the Marble Mountains. Ba Na Hill station was once a popular French resort. During summer the area offers a respite from the heat. Here you can explore the forest area and enjoy views over the surrounding area. Cham Island and Myson sanctuary are other tourist attractions.

Shopping

A trip to Da nang would not be complete without visiting a local market. There are many different markets scattered around the city. The markets offer a glimpse into the local culture and it is fun exploring the different stalls. Markets are also a good place to sample local cuisine. Shopping centers are also located within Da nang.