According to A2zgov, Da Nang – the 5th largest city in Vietnam, a major port – is located on the Pacific Ocean in the Central part of the country. First of all, it is famous all over the world for its luxurious China Beach: a wide coastal strip of light velvety sand, the “right” waves for active sports and all the necessary infrastructure annually attract thousands of tourists from all over the world. In addition, it is a real paradise for kiters and surfers. Da Nang successfully combines the features of a business metropolis and a relaxing place for a beach holiday, authentic markets and ancient temples coexist here with high-tech skyscrapers.
Today Da Nang is a fashionable resort with all the necessary attributes – well-equipped beaches, five-star hotels, surfing and diving clubs and a huge modern amusement park “Asia”.
Communication and Wi-Fi
In Da Nang, as well as throughout Vietnam, communication services are provided by 4 operators – Mobifone, Viettel, Vietnamobile and Vinaphone. All have similar rates. Viettel has the widest coverage area. It is better not to buy SIM cards immediately upon arrival at the airport – it is expensive, but to buy it already in the city – in a hotel, communication stores (of which there are plenty) or supermarkets. It is most profitable to deposit money into an account in The Gioididong mobile equipment chain stores at the checkout. You can also replenish the balance with special cards that are sold in any supermarket. The starter package costs from 70,000 VND, plus another 130,000 VND for 10 Gb of Internet (it’s more profitable to call via Viber and Skype). 3G Internet is widespread in Vietnam.
Wi-Fi is available in almost all hotels and restaurants, as well as at the post office. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Da Nang Airport.
Da Nang beaches
The most famous beaches in Da Nang – My Khe and China Beach (or Bak My An) stretch in a wide strip in the eastern part of the city. They are covered with soft light sand, the entrance to the water here is quite gentle – the depth grows smoothly, the territory is clean and well-groomed. These are city beaches – they do not charge an entrance fee (umbrellas and sun loungers are paid, like all the others).
According to National Geographic China Beach is one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. A 63-episode film of the same name about the events of the Vietnam War is associated with this beach.
Mi-Khe is more popular with locals during the season – it can be noisy there, so for those who love silence and solitude, it is better to choose China Beach. Non Nuoc Beach is located in the suburbs, closer to Hoi An – next to the Marble Mountains (you can walk to them from here).
When planning a vacation with children, you need to consider that there are decent waves on local beaches, especially from November to February.
The infrastructure on the beaches of Da Nang is well developed: there are sunbeds with umbrellas, armchairs, cafes, free showers and toilets. The cost of a sunbed is 30,000 VND, chairs – 23,000 VND. Here you can also buy fresh fruits from peddlers – coconut from VND 30,000 (it quenches thirst perfectly in the heat).
What to bring
There are plenty of places in Da Nang where you can have a good shopping: for clothes, shoes and equipment you should go to the Khan market (Cho Han), for souvenirs and handicrafts – to the shopping streets of Phan Chu Trinh and Hung Vuong. It is better to buy fruits, fish, seafood in the Big C supermarket.
Vietnam is traditionally famous for its quality coffee and tea. The two most popular Vietnamese coffee varieties, Arabica and Robusta, are considered the best in the world. Gourmets here can buy a special variety of it – “Kopi Luwak”. Its grains are extracted from waste products, but simply from the excrement of musang animals that feed on the fruits of coffee. In the intestines of these animals, grains acquire an unusual taste under the influence of certain enzymes.
Vietnam Airlines often arranges promotions for tourists – it gives coffee to those flying out of the country.
It is worth taking a closer look at clothes made from Vietnamese silk and local pearl jewelry (Vietnamese pearls are very highly valued in the jewelry market). As a gift, you can choose leather goods (bags, belts, wallets) – both quite traditional and exotic – made from the skin of crocodiles and snakes. Flip flops, which have become a household name, will also serve as a wonderful souvenir from Da Nang. You can’t ignore traditional medicine products – all kinds of ointments, balms and tinctures – for example, the famous Asterisk balm.
Cuisine and restaurants in Da Nang
Vietnamese cuisine is very diverse: the main combination of flavors is spicy-sweet. For Russians and Europeans, many dishes may seem very exotic, but you should definitely get acquainted with the masterpieces of local cuisine. Fortunately, there are many authentic restaurants in Da Nang. The most popular budget restaurant is Thung Phi BBQ, where you can taste grilled seafood sets. The average check is 700,000 VND. The most expensive and luxurious restaurant is La Maison 1888 – the owner of three Michelin stars, located in the building of the Continental Hotel.
The main unusual local treat that has become famous all over the world is fish sauce. It is prepared from finely chopped salted fish by fermentation.
The basis of Vietnamese cuisine is rice and soups. The most famous are “Pho”, “Bun-Bo-Hue”, crab soup, “Lao”. Da Nang is full of places where they sell food right on the street. There is no need to disdain these “diners” – locals eat only here, because it is tasty and cheap. We advise you to try “ban-bao” – steamed pies with various fillings (about 15,000 VND). Another interesting variety of street food is nem nuong rice rolls (deep-fried rice flour pancakes stuffed with vegetables, fish or soy), as well as rice chips. Exotic lovers will be able to taste fried insects, battered frogs and minced snake.
