Đà Nẵng, Vietnam A Port of Call

Visiting Da Nang and Nearby Hoi An Vietnam

Downtown Da Nang is a modern cosmopolitan city, with an impressive skyline, major shopping options, parks, walking malls, and a beautiful beach. The Han River runs through the center of the city, and is crossed by four incredible bridges. The bridges offer an incredible light display of rainbow colors at night. On both banks of the river are parks and walking trails.

Where Your Ship Docks

Most large cruise ships visiting Da Nang dock at Tien Sa port. Bus travel from the port to Danang City is around 30 min. At the port’s entrance (approx 500 m / 1650 ft from the cruise pier) there is a taxi stand. Smaller cruise ships often dock in town at the city’s Han River Port (on the river’s western bank).

Transportation

Taxis are inexpensive and available everywhere in Da Nang, particularly near tourist attractions, and shopping areas. The most popular taxi companies are Mai Linh, Taxi Xanh, and Vinasun. All taxis use meters, with the starting price at US$0.65 and after that less than US$1.00 per mile. The drivers also have a fairly good command of English, and there’s also a helpline number stated on the passenger door.

Danang Private Taxi is a private taxi service with English speaking drivers that specializes in arranging tours along with airport service. Visit them online at https://danangprivatetaxi.com/.

Uber? Uber stopped operations in 2018 in Vietnam but a fast growing, Asia ride share servcie is taking its place. The operation is GoJek with their Vietnam service affiliate being Go-Viet. Apps are available from Apple and Google.

Currency

1,000 Vietnamese Dong = less than 3.5¢ US and American currency is gladly accepted. Major credit cards are usually welcome at most businesses.

Attractions – Da Nang is Vietnam’s fastest growing and most progressive city. Going downtown and walking along the Han River is an experience in itself. The area boasts incredible beaches and there are a number of nearby picturesque and historical towns within easy reach.

Marble Mountains is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located in Ngũ Hành Sơn District, south of Da Nang city in Vietnam. There are a number of marble carving locations with retail outlets.

Bà Nà Hill Station is resort area located in the Trường Sơn Mountains west of the city and features the longest cable car in the world along with a number of interesting attractions including

The Golden Bridge a unique 450 foot pedestrian bridge. Located above 4,000 feet above sea level, it has views of the Sea and the surrounding mountains.

Danang Cathedral, Da Nang – Built in 1924 when Vietnam was under French control, the pink Gothic church stands above the city. In 1963, the church was officially recognized as Danang Cathedral. Behind the church is a grotto, fashioned after the Lourdes grotto in France.

Hoi An

Hoi An is referred to as the Ancient Town and is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating to the 15th century. It is only about 15 miles outside Đà Nẵng and is usually visited with cruise tours. Its buildings and streets demonstrate the influences, both Vietnamese and foreign, that produced this unique World Heritage Site. In town are a number of craft based businesses including enamel ware, and and a facility that will turn your photograph into a cross-stitch work of art.

Hoi An’s shopping scene is a bargain hunters paradise featuring affordable yet quality tailoring outlets, where you can order custom-made dresses, suits, shirts, and shoes at a fraction of the price anywhere else. There are also plenty of arts, crafts and traditional goods on sale in Hoi An and its pedestrian-friendly streets, with charming local shopkeepers. making an afternoon or evening out shopping a delight.

While the prices and workmanship are almost unbelievable you need to pay particular attention to buying over the counter clothing as sizes tend to run very small from western standards.

Modern, historic and fascinating port of call Đà Nẵng is the the fastest growing most progressive city in Vietnam. Surrounded by historic towns and great beaches.