Some
of the highlights to explore in and around
Central Vietnam's gateway city
Please click on the map locations for more information
Danang
Beach
U.S. television show helped
to popularize Danang beach and duped it "China Beach", once
a favorite R&R hangout for American soldiers during the Vietnam War.
Now this long stretch of white powdery sand is home to the world class
"Furama Resort" with exciting recreation facilities and first
class diving.
Marble Mountains
The Marble Mountains, also
called Ngu Hanh Son or Hon Non Nuoc (which mean mountain and water in
Vietnamese), are located approximately 8km southeast of Danang City, close
to the sea.
In the early 19th century, Gia Long King, founder of the Nguyen dynasty, named the five mountains according to each of the five elements of nature: Kim Son (metal), Moc Son (wood), Hoa Son (fire), Tho Son (earth), and Thuy Son (water). Of the five mountains, Thuy Son is both the largest and the most beautiful.
Thuy Son Mountain, covering 15 ha, consists of three main peaks namely Thuong Thai, Trung Thai and Ha Thai. Tam Thai Pagoda is located among beautiful landscapes. Also on the mountain are Linh Nham, Van Thong, Tang Chon and Huyen Khong grottoes.
Tam Thai
Pagoda
The pagoda was built in 1825
on Thuong Thai Peak and has been restored several times since. Close to
the pagoda stand Pho Don Tower, Tu Tam Pagoda and Vong Giang Dai (River-reviewing
pavilion).
On the left of Tam Thai Pagoda is Huyen Khong Grottoes with its fresh air chamber and numerous stalactites.
Linh Ung
Pagoda
The Pagoda was built under
the reign of Minh Mang King on the cliff of Son Thuy Mountain facing the
sea. On the right of pagoda is Vong Hai Dai, (sea viewing pavilion) which
offers a clear view of Danang Beach
Pho Da Pagoda
This pagoda is located at 323
Phan Chau Trinh Street, Danang, and was built in 1927, founded by Venerbale
Thich Ton Thang. It was restored in 1937, 1945 and 1983. The pagoda is
dedicated to the sect of he genuine Buddhist.
The Temple of Caodaism
in Danang
The Holy See Temple of Caodaism
Central Association (the Central Hung Buu Holy Sea) was built in 1956
at 35 Hai Phong Street, Danang City, and its architecture is exactly like
the Tay Ninh Holy Sea in miniature.
Tang Chon
Grotto
Tang Chon Grotto lies behind
Linh Ung Pagoda. This rectangular grotto is 10 m long and 7 m wide. Daylight
reaches the grotto's chamber, enhancing its beauty.
Non Nuoc
Quarry Village
The quarry handicraft in Non
Nuoc was founded in the 18th century by Mr. Huynh Ba Quat from Thanh Hoa
province. It used to become the main source of living for Hoa Hai village
(part of Non Nuoc village) since the 19th century. A wide variety of articles
are sculptered in marble, from Buddhist and saint statues, to animals
and bracelets.
Phong Nam
Village
Many hundred-year-old remains
such as communal houses, temples, shrines pagodas wells and residences
remain in the village which is located near National Highway 1, 10km southwest
of Danang.
Sontra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain)
About 12km from Danang is the Son Tra Peninsula, a welcome escape
from the city. People say it looks like a mushroom: the cap of the mushroom
is the peak of Son Tra mountain rising 693m above the sea level and the
mushroom's stalk is the white sand beach that is ideal for playing sports,
fishing and swimming. Son Tra Peninsula is classified as a National Park
and features original forests and rare animals such as red-mouth monkeys.
Cham Museum
Founded by the French in
1915, the Cham Museum is the only one of its kind in Southeast Asia dedicated
to preserving the unique Champa sculptural heritage. There are about 300
items of sculpture dating from the 5th to the 16th centuries. Most are
original works carved in sandstone, while some are made from terracotta.
Items include altars, statues and decorations from Cham towers and palaces.
The statues feature Indian Gods such as Shiva, Vishnu and Rama, as well
as Buddhas, dancers, musicians, and sacred animals.
Haivan Pass
The Hai Van Pass is the
highest and longest pass in Vietnam, with the north-south national highway
zigzagging through it for almost 20 km. The literal meaning of Hai Van
is "Sea and Cloud". Indeed, when reaching the Pass's highest
point of 496m above sea level it is often lost in the clouds. On clear
days you get a bird's eye view of the rich lowlands encircling Danang.
Ba Na
A former French hill station
which enjoyed a brief heyday in the 1930's, Ba Na was abandoned after
it became the scene of fierce fighting during the Vietnam War. Since the
completion of a new road in 1998 and the installation of a cable car system
in 2000, Ba Na has reopened to visitors. At 1,482m above sea level, it
offers a cool refuge from the heat of Danang 40 km away. When temperatures
near the coast reach 32°C, Ba Na is about 17°C to 20°C.
Ho Chi Minh
Museum
This museum is dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh's life and cause.
An exact replica of his stilt house in Hanoi is built beside the museum.
Also, there is a display of the wars of resistance against the French
and American forces in central Vietnam.