Why We Picked Da Nang
- V.Gray
- Feb 8, 2023
- 4 min read
On past trips we have both been to Da Nang, Vietnam and loved it instantly. It is a big city, which for us to like a large city is quite strange. We are both small town people, and in the past have enjoyed our time more when staying in small villages or towns. Whether it is the weather, the hustle and bustle, easy access to the airport to travel around, how easy the city is to navigate to the beaches, markets, food, nightlife or attractions all around this area (Monkey Mountain, Ancient Town of Hoi An, Marble Mountain or Sunworld). I honestly cannot tell you why, we both do enjoy this area so much.
Coming from Canada the weather is spot on, we travel from December to April yearly. December is the end of the rainy season for these areas, there are a few showers when we arrive but the overall temperature is anywhere from 22C - 26C daily. Prefect for laying around on the beach, walking around or just leaving the windows open while we sleep (it does drop down to 18C - 20C at night).
Photo Credit: V.Gray
The hustle and bustle sounds intimidating, once you're here it really is not. If it is riding the scooter through the streets to the market or touring Monkey Mountain, hearing the buzz of everyone getting ready to go is thrilling. As Ryan explains it the traffic just makes sense, it looks chaotic in videos or for new travellers to the country. However it is not it just works (I am honestly still unsure how but it does).The markets and stores are busier than what we are used to back home, even compared to our cottage season. Negotiating the price of our groceries (produce, meat and snacks) is kind of fun, especially while watching the price of inflation Photo Credit: V.Gray
on the news for groceries back in Canada.
Airport, this is important to us because right now (2022) the Vietnam Government will only issue a single month single entry tourist VISA to Canadians. This is a pain in the butt, as we typically like to stay for 4 months. However, having an international airport close to us, 6. km from our apartment is super handy. Flights throughout Vietnam are cheap (compared to Canada) and even to fly internationally to Thailand or Singapore is around $175 round trip each.
Zipping around on the scooters to see the sites or take a 45 minute ride down the coast to Ancient Hoi An or touring through Monkey Mountain. Does not matter, scooters are a great way to get around. Whether you rent one for a day or call a Grab bike, it's easy and cheap. Remember though, you are not top of the transportation food chain. Transportation food chain goes livestock, tractor trailers/buses, cars/trucks/minivans , scooters/motorcycles, bicycles, and people/dogs crossing the road. So if the car wants to go left and you're there brace yourself for the honking (I still jump when it is right behind me or a bus/transport truck). It is completely handy to be on a scooter at a red light and wiggle all the way to the front of the line of traffic.
Video Credit: V.Gray
Markets and eating out are two of the same. You can go to the market to do your groceries or pick up snacks or grab a meal while you are there. There is not only one market either, Da Nang is broken up into smaller sections/communities with their own markets, with some different things and some of the same. I personally like the market for the food, the fruit is fresh and the snacks are outstanding. You can also grab cleaning/ house supplies, clothes, shoes, souvenirs, make up and all sorts of other neat things at the markets.
There are tons of beaches in the Da Nang area and for 10,000 dong you can rent a chair on the beach. You can also bring your towel and sit on the beach wherever you want or sit in one of the many restaurants or cafes in the area overlooking the beach and sea to watch the sun set or just have a refreshing beverage at some point in the afternoon. There is almost always some body surfing, local men fishing or people just walking around.
*****PICTURE
Attractions Monkey Mountain is a quick 30 minute scooter ride north up the coast. As you approach the mountains, see Lin Hung Pagoda, the boats in the bay and the big thick beautiful jungle. If you go south down the coast 30 - 45 minutes you are in the Ancient town of Hoi An. Full of Japanese architecture, packed with history, outstanding local dishes like Cau Loa and street markets for shopping. You will also pass Marble Mountain and Sun World Amusement Park. You can also take an hour and a bit car ride to Ba Na Hills, see the Golden Bridge or SunWorld amusement park or stay in one of the hotels/spas.
You can also go to the Son Tra Night Market beside the Dragon Bridge. This market starts nightly around 5:30 - 6:00 pm packed with local venders for street food (lots of fresh seafood), souvenirs, clothes, flowers, whatever you can think of you can probably find here. Then around 9:00 pm the Dragon Bridge shuts down to traffic for a show of the Dragon shooting fire and water (from the lake) out over the crowd.
Photo Credit: V.Gray
When it comes down to it, there is lots to do in Da Nang and the surrounding area. There is no shortage of restaurants, cafes or bars to pick from and it's easy to get around. We do have our normal spots for Bun Bo Hue or Bahn Mi that we go to weekly (once they get to know the portions get a bit bigger). We also have our regular merchant at the market that we buy our fruit from, which helps when you do not know what some of the fruit is. They are very quick to offer you a taste, sometimes a better price and help you.
We have both been to Vietnam several times now, each time I find myself loving the food, the culture and its people more. The warm welcoming atmosphere, the easy going laid back pace and it's always a good time for a coffee or bowl of soup.
Cheers!
Photo Credit: V.Gray
**Please note that all opinions and views expressed in this post are my own, from my own experiences. If you would like to see more pictures follow me on Instagram vikki.gray **
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