TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Da Nang, Vietnam

Da Nang

Da Nang, Vietnam

Da Nang is the big port city in Central Vietnam lying half-way between Hanoi and Saigon. It has been voted one of the top 15 world destinations by the New York Times. With Da Nang, you also get to visit its neighbors Hue and Hoi An, both designated Unesco World Heritage Sites. Other travelers who were just passing by find themselves taking up permanent residency. Da Nang is clean, spread out, organized and relatively cheap. It's buildiing up like the rest of Vietnam, particularly with the big multi-national resort chains and hotels who are developing the beach front areas. Food in Da Nang is famous and authentic, specially seafood dishes whether they be soup noodle, a rice topping or a viand on its own.


DA NANG BLOGS

30-Day Mini-life in Danang, Goodbye and Thank You traveling

30-Day Mini-life in Danang, Goodbye and Thank You

(Dec 8, 2018) It was an unpredictable 30 days that awaited me in Danang. With just $78 in cash, my mandate was to survive and later on thrive. After 2 weeks, my cash came down to $0.32 (and some loose Thai Baht) after 2 weeks - not even enough for a meal!....more »»

The Universe Provides quantummechanics

The Universe Provides

(Dec 8, 2018) Whatever happens, wherever I end up, I fully accept with sound thinking that everything that happens needed to happen as part of my karmic process. Or, put it another way, whatever happens, heppened because I caused/allowed it to happen - that it was my doing. I alone am responsible for my lot - it's never 'them'.....more »»

Pampered Living at Sea Sand Apartment and Hotel traveling

Pampered Living at Sea Sand Apartment and Hotel

(Nov 14-Dec 8, 2018) Without a doubt, this hotel made life a luxurious existence for me during the 25 days I stayed here despite being low on cash, or even running out of money. At the end of the day, I had the assurance of a comfortable bed with all the ameneties of a fine hotel.....more »»

Thich Nhat Hanh in Hue, Vietnam meditation

Thich Nhat Hanh in Hue, Vietnam

(Dec 7, 2018) I got word from friends that Plum Village founder, Thich Nhat Hanh is now back in Vietnam and residing in Hue, after decades of absence from his homeland. I speculate that now being 92 years old and sick, the government allowed him back to Vietnam for his final days. With Hue just 3 hours away, I planned for a visit to pay my respect.....more »»

Goodbye Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 sliceoflife

Goodbye Xiaomi Redmi Note 3

(Dec 8, 2018) Two years ago, when I lost my LG phone, my universe handed me the exact amount I needed to buy that Xiaomi phone within 48 hours - 400 Ringgit (I was in Malaysia then). I have always regarded that phone as a special gift to me from my universe. I had a special bond with it. Now it's gone. What my universe gives, it takes away too....more »»

Beer, Burgers and Friends at CohibaR DaNang chill

Beer, Burgers and Friends at CohibaR DaNang

(Nov 25 - Dec 6, 2018) CohibaR was an interesting find in DaNang. Havana (Cuba) comes alive in this trendy resto/bar - Salsa nights, Cuban theme (Fidel, Che, etc.), DJ music and yes, great burgers (Cuban or not!). As such, it's a perfect venue to meets friends to share insights and narratives....more »»

Friendship, Beer and Sausages at the German Deli food

Friendship, Beer and Sausages at the German Deli

(Nov 20 - Dec 1, 2018) What are the odds that a German Deli is discreetly tucked-away in DaNang where a certified Master Butcher from Bavaria is actually making the sausages in the German tradition? This was the venue for me in celebrating new and looming friendships in Da Nang.....more »»

Beach Yoga in DaNang, Vietnam yoga

Beach Yoga in DaNang, Vietnam

(Nov 17, 2018) It's hard to do one-legged asanas on sand, but the great part is, you're conducting a yoga class in the great outdoors of DaNang by the beach as the sun rises.....more »»

Danang Wall Art art

Danang Wall Art

(Nov 8 - Dec 8, 2018) It's not quite the street art of Penang, Malaysia, but it's a good and promising start for Danang. Mostly, these art can only be seen inside commercial establishments as they double-up as branding material....more »»

Revisiting DaNang, Vietnam traveling

Revisiting DaNang, Vietnam

(Nov 8, 2018) Danang is bustling! I was here 2.5 years ago and what once were empty lots are now high-rise hotels, restaurants and cafes. It seems like a party town. It's energetic and with all the new establishments trying to get settled, I just might make a few bucks here.....more »»

Backpacking Da Nang, Vietnam traveling

Backpacking Da Nang, Vietnam

(Jan 12-16, 2015) Da Nang is voted one of the top 15 world destinations by New York Times. With Da Nang, you also get to visit its neighbors Hue and Hoi An, both compelling places to see and experience. Other travelers who were passing by find themselves taking up residency. What's the magic of Da Nang? Time to find out!....more »»

Google Map

Da Nang (city), Vietnam

important places in Da Nang IMPORTANT PLACES

Da Nang International Airport Da Nang International Airport

hotels in Da Nang HOTEL

Sea Sand Apartment and Hotel - walk to the beach, newly opened, everything brand new, spacious units 402
46 An Thuong 3, phuong My An, quan Ngu Hanh Son, 550000 Da Nang, Vietnam

restaurants in Da Nang RESTO | bars in Da Nang BAR

CohibaR Da Nang CohibaR - Cuban resto bar, Salsa nights, DJ music, great BURGERS!
6 An Thuong 3 (1.81 km), 550000 Da Nang, Vietnam

delicatessens in Da Nang DELICATESSEN

M.Z. German Delicatessen M.Z. German Delicatessen - meticulously handcrafted by a German butcher using high quality ingredients available in Da Nang
38 Phan Tu (0.34 km), Da Nang, Vietnam

electronic gadgets in Da Nang ELECTRONIC GADGETS

FPT Shop Danang FPT Shop Danang - phone, laptop, tablet, accessories, SIM card, Apple, Huawei, Oppo, Samsung, Xiaomi
7-9 Nguyen Van Thoai, Bac My Phu, Son Tra, Da Nang 550000, Vietnam

USEFUL INFORMATION

Da Nang International Airport (DAD) to Downtown Da Nang
  1. the airport is practically on the edge of the city center about $3 by cab. Taxis from the airport taking you to the city will try to charge you VND 10,000 "airport fee" in addition to your fare. Don't pay it. The passenger coming in to the airport already paid for this. But drivers don't pay this when going out. We were victimized by a Mai Linh taxi in this manner.
FYI / Tips
  1. Da Nang doesn't seem to have a backpacker area like Bangkok's Khaosan Road. The establishments are spread out within the city but most of them are lined up along the river between Han River Bridge and the Dragon Bridge
  2. XeOm or moto taxis are cheap and not aggressive
Hanoi to Da Nang
  1. plane - Jetstar takes you there in 1 hour, 15 mins. Da Nang Airport is just on the outskirt of the city center...about $3 by cab
  2. bus - a bus may take 15-16 hours from Hanoi's Giap Bat station
  3. train - the Reunification Express makes a stop in Da Nang
How to Get around Da Nang
  • there are no tuks-tuks in Vietnam but you can rent a motorcycle, take a cab or hire a XeOm single motorcycle
  • most of the places within the city center can be reached by foot - recommended as you see more of the city on foot than on a motorbike
  • still, the best way to see Da Nang is on a bicycle. VND 50,000, it is not as cheap as Cambodia ($1), but it's still not bad. Or, you can check-in at a hotel that offers it for free - like Sanouva Hotel
Things to do, Places to go in Da Nang
  1. Lady Buddha - a 67m white marble statue on the slope of Monkey Mountain, similar to Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer
  2. Linh Ung Pagoda - same location as the Lady Buddha. Built in the 18th century and rebuilt by Minh Mang, the second ruler of Vietnam's Nguyen Dynasty
  3. Cham Museum - world's largest collection of Cham artefacts from the 7th to 15th century
  4. Danang Museum - free admission. Depicts life in Central Vietnam from 14th century
  5. Marble Mountains - see marble making at its finest together with an assortment of fine marble handicrafts. You can also explore the area for its many tunnels, caves and grottos
  6. Monkey Mountain - at 693MASL, it offers a stunning vista of Da Nang. You'll pass by the Lady Buddha on the way to the top
  7. My Khe Beach - fine white sand beach that stretches all the way along the eastern coast of Da Nang going to Hoi An
  8. Man Thai Fishing Village - a fishing village still using traditional methods
Vietnam FYI / Tips / Dos and Don'ts
  1. Hanoi Grapevine HCMC Update - for the latest events in Vietnam
  2. Vietnam establishments will not accept US dollars, unlike Cambodia. You have to use Vietnam Dong (US$1 = Vietnam Dong VND 23,255 = Php 53.20 as of Aug 1, 2016)
  3. Vietnamese smokers will smoke in air-conditioned establishments, air-conditioned buses packed with people including women, children and babies. They also smoke inside hospitals with no smoking signs.
  4. Vietnam ranks almost the same as Thailand and Cambodia for cheap price. Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia cost more
  5. internet speed is generally fast and reliable but during important events like Tet holiday, election, etc., it slows down
  6. Vietnamese generally do not speak or understand much English. It will be a challenge.
  7. best to dress appropriately, not revealing too much skin (Saigon is an exception - the ladies there set the trend in very short shorts)
  8. remove your shoes when entering a home or place of worship
  9. ask first before taking someone's picture. If they say no, don't persist or offer money
  10. best to carry your hotel's business card with you when going out. You can just show it to the cab driver or XeOm driver if they don't understand English
  11. leave your valuables, passport, travel tickets, etc. with the hotel's safety deposit box
  12. when lying down, don't point your feet or the soles of your shoes to anyone or to a family altar
  13. carry only enough cash for your needs that day
  14. don't lose your temper in public - Vietnamese people are warm, generous and polite. They look down on people who lose their composure
  15. don't take pictures of military installations - you can go to jail
  16. refrain from taking videos of minority people until permitted to do so
Lesser-Known Vietnam Destinations
  1. Phu Yen Province - by the beach
  2. Hoa Binh Lake - locals' alternative to Halong Bay
  3. Ninh Binh - Trang An Grottoes, Tam Coc, Mua Caves, Bai Dinh Pagoda, Van Long Nature Reserve
General Travel Tips
  1. arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
  2. put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
  3. avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
  4. power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
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