Da Nang is an ideal hub for travelers to enjoy Vietnam’s multi-faceted wonders. This resort town offers many things to do with its creative culture and natural diversity abound. It’s also a gateway to the Imperial City, Hue, and artistic center, Hoi An.
Da Nang’s Multi-Cultural History
The rich Da Nang history draws from many cultures, such as, France, China, Japan and the Dutch. All these cultures utilized this area as one of the most important trading posts in southeast Asia. Later, Hoi An replaced it as a trading post. The Cham people populated the area from the 2nd to 15th century. The Cham were an Austronesian culture, syncretic with religion, integrating Buddhism and Hinduism.
Related: The Creative Culture of Hoi An Highlights
The Vietnamese usurped the Cham people. These people left behind many treasures, such as, exquisite sandstone sculptures, and Buddhist/Hindu grotto shrines. Most importantly, their spiritual center, Myson is another archeological treasure. Throughout the years, this has been a crossroads, where cultures merge into a melting pot of diversity and creativity.
Da Nang’s Famous My Khe or “China Beach
In Da Nang, the famous My Khe or “China Beach” became well known and hip in the 60’s and 70’s during the Vietnam War. On this beach in 1965 the first 3500 troops arrived to a warm, incongruous welcome to defend the airbase.
This is where many soldiers later took refuge from the war, along its white sands stretching for 20 miles. Even now it’s an escape with much to do, for instance, golf courses, private villas, spas, yoga centers, restaurants and coffee shops. Today, still bamboo round basket boats remain on the beaches, from French colonial times. Because the French taxed the boats, Vietnamese cleverly created the “Basket Boats.” After all, these were baskets, not boats to avoid taxes.
Son Tra or Monkey Mountain – Da Nang Attractions
From the beach you can see north the peninsula Son Tra (Monkey Mountain) with the 67-meter- tall white Goddess of Mercy, the tallest in SE Asia. It’s called Monkey Mountain because throughout its lush National Park are Rhesus Macaques and Long-tailed Macaques.
Additionally, a popular hiking trail goes through the park from Bai Bac Beach to the summit about 700 meters above sea level. It’s a breathtaking drive to the summit, with the elegant Linh Ung Pagoda or “Monkey Temple.” The main attraction is the white Goddess of Mercy, along with beautiful gardens and Bonsai trees all surrounded by a panoramic view of the ocean and Da Nang below.
Marble Mountains & Shrines
Near the ocean shores, south of Da Nang Vietnam’s cluster of 5 hills, all referred to as Marble Mountains. These 5 marble and limestone hills are each named after one of the 5 elements derived from Chinese philosophy: kim-metal, thuy-water, moc-wood, hoa-fire, and tho-earth. All hills are interlaced with caves, tunnels, Buddhist sanctuaries, stone sculptures, pagodas, temples and Buddhist/Hindu grottoes.
I went to the largest hill, Thuy (Water) climbing up many stairs to see Buddhist shrines in the caves. A highlight for me was seeing the beautiful Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) carved in marble inside a cave (left photo). I also got a wonderful panoramic view of the other 4 mountains, the ocean and Da Nang below. It’s an amazing marble labyrinth with exquisite sculptures and architecture all seamlessly in harmony with the natural settings on the mountain. Direct rock extraction from the area is now banned.
Da Nang Museum of Cham Culture
The Cham people’s Hindu temples and artwork display at the Myson Ruins and a sculpture museum. The Cham people followed a syncretic form of Islam with Hinduism. The Myson Ruins are 2 hours from Da Nang, as a cluster of abandoned Hindu temples built between the 4th and 14th century, before overthrown by the Vietnamese. Myson was dedicated for worhip of Shiva, while being a religious site and burial for royalty. Also, this was the most prominent Hindu temple in SE Asia and a most of it was destroyed in 1 week by a U.S. carpet bombing during the war.
Along the Han River is the amazing Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, with the largest exhibit of these sculptures, organized by the French. I had the wonderful opportunity to visit it and was captivated by the sandstone carvings of the Champ people. Their sandstone sculptures of the Gods include Ganesh and Shiva, recognized by the third eye, trident and hands above the head with Mudra symbolizing perfection.
Riverside Walk and Dragon Bridge
At the heart of Da Nang in Vietnam, along the Han River is a riverside walk with many cafes, shops, restaurants and marble statues.
The main attraction is the Dragon Bridge, crossing the Han River, as the longest bridge in Vietnam shaped like a golden dragon 666 meters long. This dragon bridge is an important icon for the city, symbolizing power, nobility and good fortune. At night it lights up in colorful LED lights. During festivals, it spits water or breathes fire from its mouth.
Overall, Da Nang Attractions
Travelers can easily spend a week in Da Nang with much to see and do. I was fortunate to visit there 5 times while working as an Acupuncturist-at-Sea and enjoyed something different each stop. Da Nang has always been an important crossroads, where many cultures unite to prosper from its plentiful resources through its ocean shores, river and mountains. Even in the modern times, it’s a hotspot for travelers, artisans and investors to enjoy its natural and cultural beauty.
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