Table of Contents

YOUR INSIDER'S TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG TO DA NANG

IN VIETNAM 🇻🇳 SINCE 2008

HCMC INSPIRATION TRAVEL DA NANG

WHY DA NANG IS THE CLEANEST CITY OF VIETNAM

STAY IN A STUNNING ETHNIC VILLAGE

HCMC INSPIRATION TRAVEL DA NANG DISCOVER DANANG, VIETNAM

Here is why you shall travel to Da Nang, Vietnam

With its rapidly developing economy, Da Nang Vietnam is fast becoming a modern world-class city, yet manages to retain its cultural charm. High-rise buildings stand adjacent to local markets, and cyclos are still present in traffic despite the growing emergence of cars. Established by the Champa Kingdom in the second century, the name Da Nang derives from the Cham word for ’opening of a large river’. Recognizing its value as a major port, French imperialists began their Vietnamese campaign in Da Nang and the city rose in prominence. Now, it is the fifth most populated city in the country.

The surrounding area is known for its natural wonders, most notably the stretch of beaches offering pristine sand and gentle waters. In the mountains, head to Ba Na Hill, a former French hill station converted into a vacation hub. With hotels, restaurants, historical sites and children’s Fantasy Park and arcade, this idyllic jungle hideaway is perfect for the whole family.

While there, don’t miss out Ngu Hanh Son Mountain to see one of the largest stone carving villages in Vietnam. Climb to the top and you’ll be rewarded with magnificent views of Danang’s uriece of memory of this scenic city. For thrill-seekers, check out Hai Van Pass with its hairpin turns and stunning views of the Truong Son Range. Danang city is also famous for its bridges. The Dragon Bridge, which can actually breathe fire, is one of Danang’s most impressive structures and a must-see.ban lightscape. When you’re ready to come down, buy some carved stones to bring home a souvenir.

Take a late night walk along the Han River, relax in a coffee shop on its bank and wait until 1 am to witness the Han Bridge rotate 90 degrees to allow larger ships into the city port, definitely worth staying up for. For those who like to party, Da Nag is a rising star in southeast Asia, watch this film to uncovered Da Nang best kept secret.

As Vietnam’s leading centre of urbanisation and industrial production, Da Nang’s economy is growing and diversifying to include everything from textiles to aviation technology. For a look at the city’s historical commercial hub, browse Han Market for an extensive array of consumer goods and souvenirs.

Da Nang’s international airport, the third busiest in Vietnam, was recently upgraded and expanded and receives flights from South Korea, China, Singapore, and Malaysia. The area is expected to attract, in particular, far more Chinese middle class tourists as it is the closest Vietnamese coastal location with 10 months of warm temperatures.

HCMC INSPIRATION TRAVEL DA NANG WHY DA NANG IS THE CLEANEST CITY OF VIETNAM

Forbes Magazine voted Da Nang beach as one of the six most attractive worlds beaches.

Unfortunately in Vietnam, littering by locals and tourists alike is a major problem that the government of the biggest city in central Vietnam has only now decided to tackle. When I arrived in Vietnam a couple years ago, still a tourist without any intentions to stay in the land of motorbikes and delicious noodle dishes, I met an engineer on the train and we had a chat. When I told him that my next destination will be Da Nang, his eyes lit up and he told me Da Nang is the cleanest city of Vietnam. It turned out, he was actively involved in several environmental campaigns, and that he was absolutely right about Da Nang.

When I arrived, it didn’t look too clean, but that was because of this obnoxious typhoon, Haiyan, that devastated the Philippines and struck the center of Vietnam. Haiyan messed up the beaches quite a bit, but during my six-weeks stay, things gradually got fixed and tidied up. Meanwhile I have seen enough of Vietnam to appreciate the cleanliness of Da Nang. It is truly Vietnam’s most advanced city in terms of garbage management.

Da Nang’s clean up program

In June 2015, Da Nang launched an education and communication program for environment and tourism after pictures of two tourists, cleaning up the beaches, made it into the media. The decision to impose penalties fell on the 15th of July. The focus of Danang’s clean up program lies on the major tourist areas Ngu Hanh Son and Son Tra. Tran Chi Cuong, Danang City’s vice director of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Department announced in that context: “We educate local people in these districts to set a good example of tidiness. First we warn local residents, restaurant owners and tourists and then fine if them if they continue littering.

The campaign will run until September 30th and attempts to instill civic behavior in residents and tourists alike, as well as creating a safe and tidy environment for touristic development. If the program turns out to be successful, it will be reviewed for permanent implementation. The biggest city of the Center attracted two million tourists during the first half of the year, of which 600,000 were foreigners. A 25% growth compared to past years, especially important since tourism in the rest of Vietnam is doing not too well. The fines for littering on the beach lie between VND 50,000 and VND 100,000. Residents throwing their trash on the street are fined VND 200,000 and urinating in public places costs VND 300,000.

An officer who wants to remain anonymous, said: “We want to raise people’s awareness of keeping the environment clean. The punishment will be enforced thoroughly to deter violations.” The program was welcomed with open arms by my friends and acquaintances here in Saigon, Vietnamese and foreigners alike, and the general consensus was that other cities in Vietnam should follow Da Nang’s pioneering example.

Is Da Nang’s cleanup mission spreading?

After Da Nang’s environment and tourism program popped up all over the media, groups of young environmental activists, as well as local governments have taken the torch and started their own environmental programs. Here, youth are collecting trash at the beaches of Phan Thiet, as well as the results of their effort:

In fact, people collecting trash is not a new hype. Vietnam friendship published an article in May 2015, introducing two Vietnamese men – Tuan at the age of 50 and Tran Xuan Mao, 70, who made it a habit to clean up the streets and beaches. They are active in La Gi Town in the south-central province of Binh Thuan and on Nam O Beach in Lien Chieu District’s Hoa Hiep Bac Ward in Da Nang. They also mentioned Pierrot, a Canadian man who cleaned up the beaches along Pham Van Dong Street in Nha Trang during his stay in Vietnam. Pictures of other foreign tourists picking up garbage along Cat Ba Beach in Hai Phong City caused a commotion on social media.

Actions like that often inspire local people to lend them a hand and help in the tidying up process. Nonetheless, the trash collected here is just the tip of the iceberg. I hope that the media presence of Danang’s example will put some pressure on the local governments in other regions, so after neglecting the garbage problem for far too long, they may finally tackle it. A mix of raising awareness and imposing penalties should reach every culprit of the country. But I have witnessed the process of developing an environmental consciousness before, and it’s a long and tedious one that has to start in the mind of every single person.

Trash Stream on Phu Quoc Island (Suoi Da Ban)
Phan Thiet will become a dump, unless we do this..

HCMC INSPIRATION TRAVEL DA NANG The Golf Courses

Golfers who book a holiday in Da Nang are in for a very pleasant surprise.

In Not only does this popular resort area have fine beaches and excellent hotels, it also boasts three of the best golf courses in Vietnam. This area is also known as “The Golf Coast”. Da Nang is one of the major port cities of Vietnam and is located on the south central coast of Vietnam. The first golf course to be opened, Montgomerie Links, was designed, as the name implies, by former Ryder Cup captain, Colin Montgomerie and in its short history, has been acclaimed as the best golf course in Vietnam and by the 2012 Forbes Travel Guide, as one of Asia’s ten most elite golf courses.

The designer has used all the natural features of the area to design this superb golf course and this links-style golf course is an absolute delight to play. The golf course caters for players of all abilities and the golf club has golf packages arranged with the many hotels in the area. As it is only 15 minutes from the hotel and downtown Da Nang, then it is easy and quick to reach by the golf course shuttle bus or taxi.

The club is fully equipped with a stunning clubhouse, a restaurant offering first class cuisine and a fully equipped golf shop. Rental golf clubs and shoes are available. As with all golf courses in Vietnam, caddies are mandatory (and very helpful). Buggies are optional, but recommended. Because the club is popular, then it is recommended to book a tee time in advance, either through the website – www.montgomerielinks.com. The website also contains details of promotions and hotel packages.

The Greg Norman designed Da Nang Golf Club opened shortly after Montgomerie Links and in 2103, was named as the Best Golf Course in Vietnam in 2103 and in the same year, by Asian Golf Monthly as one of the Top 10 Golf courses in Asia. All the holes are well designed by The Shark as he is commonly known and it is a course that will be enjoyed time and time again by all handicap ranges. The signature holes, number 16 is a stunning par three, with the ocean and China Beach as a backdrop. It is not a long hole but club selection is determined by the strength of the sea breeze at the time of playing.

The 4,000 square meter clubhouse with glass curtain walls and meshed cladding is amongst the best in Asia. There is a café and an international restaurant, plus a golf shop and all other amenities you would expect to find in a five star location. The fully equipped golf shop offers everything for the golfers needs, including rental golf clubs and shoes. Booking in advance is advised and the website details promotions and packages. www.dananggolfclub.com

For his part, the Laguna Lang Co Golf Course is located some 35 minutes from Da Nang airport, near to the historic town of Hoi An. Integrated within the Banyan Tree operated Laguna Lang Co resort, the golf course has already received many allocates, such as “Best New Course Asia Pacific” by the 2103 Asian Golf Monthly awards. Designed by six times major winner Sir Nick Faldo, this links-style course offers a traditional nine out-nine back routing and golfers will be delighted with the layout and the playability of the course.

The par 71 course has a variety of tees, from over 7,000 yards to a more friendly 5,263 yards from the front tees, so it is suitable for all handicap ranges. A calming sea breeze prevails and each hole has a unique design, weaving between trees, natural streams, rock features and even rice paddies, thus giving a very unique golf experience. Stay and play packages are available at the resort – resort and golf website is www.lagunalangco.com – and include accommodation, golf and round –trip transfer for the airport. Caddies are mandatory, buggies optional.

The Ba Na Hills Golf Club, designed by Luke Donald and managed by IMG, is a world-class facility located at the foothills of the famed Ba Na Hills on Vietnam’s central coast, located 25 minutes from downtown Da Nang. Ba Na Hills Golf Club was also awarded “Asia’s Best Golf Course” at the World Golf Awards 2018.

This stunning property is set amongst some of the most impressive mountain ranges in the region. The par 72, 18-hole Championship golf course provides a balance of challenge, enjoyment and excitement to golfers of all levels and abilities with 5 sets of tees to ensure golfers of all standards a pleasurable round of golf. Ranging from 7,857 yards from the Professional tees to 6,022 yards from the white, friendlier tees, a good variety and mixture of playing lengths makes every hole feel unique.

Getting to Da Nang

Da Nang is well supported by an international airport with daily flights from Hanoi and Saigon and international flights from Hong Kong, Singapore and other popular destinations. All the major hotels offer pick up service. There is also a regular coach service from all major Vietnam cities and Hanoi/Saigon rail service has a regular timetable every day of the week.

Climate in Da Nang

Da Nang has a tropical monsoon climate. The typhoon and wet season lasts from September through to March and a dry season from April through to August. Temperatures are at there hottest between June and August, averaging 33 to 34 degrees. The coldest period is December and January, with temperatures averaging 18 to 19 degrees. As this is the average, temperatures in the coldest period can be higher and this year, lower.

HCMC INSPIRATION TRAVEL DA NANG Stay in a Stunning Ethnic Village, with a Heavy Touch of the Luxurious…

By Peter Mahomet

Nestled in ethnic Co Tu territory, in the mountains between Da Nang and Laos, is the picturesque Ethnic village of Bho Hoong.

Roughly 65km from Da Nang, to get there you follow an incredibly scenic (for both natural and cultural sights) country road that winds its way through steep mountains, lush forests and swidden lands. From some viewpoints, you can see all the way down through the valley to Marble Mountain and the azure ocean in the distance.

Bho Hoong village, situated on the banks of the Kon river and flanked by impressive mountain peaks, is home to a small group of people of the Co Tu ethnicity. The Co Tu are thought to have come from southern China a few thousand years ago, and migrated down into Vietnam, Laos and eventually into Malaysia before returning to central Vietnam. Their rich tradition of steep, thatch-roofed houses and wood carving reveals their relationship to some Malay cultures – for a highland people, caricatures of sea life such as turtles and sea serpents are surprisingly common.

Well regarded in the past as fierce warriors – the Co Tu only stopped headhunting 50 years ago – they have largely been left alone by the Vietnamese Kinh majority. Like many of Vietnam’s remote ethnic groups, the economic success enjoyed by coastal and riverine areas of the country has not really made it to their alpine home yet. Theirs is a simple agrarian existence, occasionally supplemented by government pensions for their efforts as tenacious fighters during the American war.

Active Adventures

The government has attempted to improve a few Co Tu communities, including Bho Hoong village, but with mixed success. And this is where Active Adventures Vietnam comes in. About seven years ago, the government decided to turn Bho Hoong into a tourist “homestay” with a view to increasing the villagers’ incomes. A number of traditional-style longhouses and a communal house were built as accommodation for visitors. Unfortunately the project was not well thought through, and the whole ‘new’ village sat dormant and unloved for a few years.

Pham Vu Dung, Mark Wyndham and Vu The Vinh from Active Adventures Vietnam negotiated with the local government to let them renovate and reignite the homestay venture – and it worked. As you cross the suspension bridge that spans the rolling Kon river, you are met by a beautifully bucolic scene: a cluster of traditional wooden houses on stilts, with their steep thatched roofs, dotted around the edge of a village common, the whole area lorded over by the majestic communal house. It is difficult to describe the splendor of this communal house, with its massive central wooden column thrusting towards the firmaments, covered with intricate yet subtle carvings and tribal paintings.

Individual Luxury

What makes this small ethnic village different from the rest is that the traditional houses have been individually styled, each one taking the name of a different animal sacred to the Co Tu people. In addition, all the bungalows have their own private balcony overlooking the peaceful river – the perfect place to rest, read, contemplate and forget all your troubles.

Modern conveniences such as marble en-suite bathrooms and comfortable mattresses with high quality linen have been added to ensure a luxurious stay. Twin and triple rooms are available for friends and small families, and a nice hot cup of locally grown tea awaits you when you arrive.

The great thing about this whole venture is that everyone wins: tourists get a glimpse into a wonderful bygone world that most people will never see; local villagers benefit from increased employment and ownership; the environment and culture are protected through increased awareness and education; and Active Adventures Vietnam gains another successful tourism partnership in the region.

For more information about this amazing village, visit the Bho Hoong project website: www.bhohoongbungalows.com