Central Vietnam’s largest city, Da Nang is the travel hub for Vietnam’s central plains, exotic Pacific coast and gateway to the charming towns of Hue and Hoi An. A major travel hub for Vietnam, Da Nang is accessible by train, road and air, with international air connections arriving from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and other major Asian urban centers. As the third largest city in Vietnam, it’s often cheapest to fly to Da Nang and travel onwards than to travel directly to the other towns in the region.

A major strategic location during the Vietnam War, Da Nang was home to an American airbase and held itself as an important location for South Vietnamese military forces. While the military influence is slightly visible, there are no large reminders of the war like those in Hue or Hanoi. Today, Da Nang is the economic capital of central Vietnam, and home to over 750,000 people. If you need major supplies before a trip to Hue or Hoi An through the Hai Van pass, Da Nang is the place to stock up.

While Da Nang isn’t a major tourist draw on its own, the strategic location and large size make it the perfect place to base your central Vietnamese adventure from. Tour agencies are common and inexpensive, with buses to nearby Vietnamese towns and small cities from just $5. In addition to this, Da Nang has a huge variety of street food and local bars on offer, giving visitors a uniquely ‘big-city’ experience while still maintaining local Vietnamese culture.

What to see:

Just 10km to the south of Da Nang are the Marble Mountains, a series of highly impressive marble and limestone hills. Jutting out suddenly from the skyline, the mountains have intricate cave and tunnel networks, and make the perfect day trip from Da Nang. Tourist buses service the area, however it’s unlikely that you’ll get to move at your own pace on a guided tour. For a more casual and enjoyable experience, find a taxi driver or motorcycle taxi and ask them to take you around the place.

Da Nang is renowned as a good surfing spot, at least by Vietnamese standards. While you’ll struggle to find swells on the level of Bali and the many islands of the Philippines, novice surfers will be more than satisfied with the waves on offer in Da Nang. Ask around at travel agents for a surf shop and you’ll have no problem finding a board to rent. Make sure to check for damage on the board before parting cash, as scams involving ‘damaged’ boards are occasionally reported.

With relatively few attractions of its own, Da Nang is primarily a transit point for tourists that are visiting Hoi An or Hue. Hue can easily be accessed by road or rail, with each generally taking around 2 hours. The Hai Van pass road is one of the best in Asia, and a very popular route for motorcyclists. Bikes are available for hire in Da Nang, and the entire trip will take around 2 hours.

As Vietnam’s rail network doesn’t extend to Hoi An, Da Nang is generally the most popular drop-off point for travelers on the north-south railway line. From Da Nang it’s a simple 2 hour trip through some lush countryside to Hoi An, which is available through just about every tour company in Da Nang.

Where to stay:

Guesthouses are available from around $7 per night, which will provide a very basic room without a private bathroom. Beds are typically uncomfortable, air conditioning is a rarity at this price range, and service isn’t exactly five star. For a more enjoyable night $12 is the recommended budget, which will typically provide you with a double bed, private bathroom and semi-comfortable room.

For those with a higher budget, there are several boutique hotels in Da Nang, most of which can be found around My Khe beach. $25 per night will buy a very comfortable hotel room, complete with a private and comfortable hot water bathroom and queen/king size bed. At this price range you’ll start finding air conditioning –the most important part of any Vietnamese hotel room — as standard.

How to get around:

Da Nang isn’t large, however most of the areas that are of interest to tourists are relatively close together. Transport options are fairly similar to elsewhere in Vietnam, with motorcycle taxis and taxi meters available to transport you to almost anywhere in the city and various destinations outside of it. As usual, make sure to negotiate a fare in advance — failure to do so will generally result with a ridiculously inflated fare upon arrival. Take some time and try to negotiate to 50% of the original price, which is usually around market value.

Motorcycles are available for rent, and are perfect for an exciting ride through the Hai Van pass. Most bikes are simple 110cc scooters, however with a bit of work you’ll be able to find a Minsk sport or trail bike, which have extra engine power and riding comfort. The Hai Van pass is a highly recommended trip for motorcyclists, being considered one of the best rides in Vietnam, and certainly a more entertaining way to travel than in the back of a tourist bus.

Costs, Customs and Extras:

While less expensive than Vietnam’s major centers, Da Nang will still cost more to visit than a small country town. However, with its smaller tourism industry it’s much easier to find bargains and local chops, which reward both with their lower prices and the interesting experiences that they provide. Take a day to explore Da Nang on your adventure through central Vietnam — you won’t be disappointed.