Excursions
Excursions
| Da Nang: Gateway to Central Vietnam |
Da Nang, Vietnam’s third largest city, is right at the heart of what was once the ancient Kingdom of Champa – monarchy of one of the most advanced civilization to rule much of South East Asia. Da Nang’s prominent history is reflected in its colonial architecture, remnants from the days when the French and Spanish occupied the area during the 19th centuries. This busy seaport of nearly one million people is an important trading and transport link between the capital of Hanoi in the north and the thriving commercial centre of Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Danang is the gateway within 100 km of World Heritage Sites, including the Imperial City of Hue, the Old Town of Hoi An, and the My Son Holy Land. Today, Danang has own the charm as one of leading tourism cities of the Central Vietnam with the exceptional and incredible beauty of the coastline and the crystal blue seas as well as luxurious, tropical hinterland to experience. Danang is renowned for numerous tourist attractions which worth time to spend from historical and religious storing Marble mountains, the miniature of Da Lat – Ba Na hills is to Son Tra Peninsula – an very ideal site of pristine beaches. Da Nang with its reputation for the best place for authentic local cuisines, offers the visitors unforgettable tastes from the traditional food to the rich variety of delectable seafood, promising a memorable gourmet journey. Danang has its own international airport with daily domestic filghts to Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. There are directly international flights from Singapore, Taiwan, Ghangzhou, and future plans for flights from HongKong, Tokyo and Korea. |
| Marble Mountains |
Five miles (8km) south of Da Nang, a cluster of five hills is known as Marble Mountains or “Mountains of the Five Elements”. Mysterious caves within the mountains conceal elaborate altars dedicated to Buddha, Bodhisattvas and the different genies of local folklore. Dating back centuries, they still serve as religious sanctuaries. The mountains also provide a valuable source of red, white and blue-green marble, and at the foot of the mountain, skilled marble carvers chisel out an interesting variety of objets d’art which make ideal souvenirs. |
| Ba Na Hill Station |
45 minutes drive from Danang or around 40km west of Danang, Ba Na is located 1,487 meters above sea level in the Truong Son mountain range. Ba Na was formerly a 1920’s French resort and once boasted 200 villas, restaurants, and clubs. It is well known as the second Da Lat or Sa Pa in central Vietnam. Its temperate climate, unspoiled forest, and spectacular views over the South Bac My An sea and the Lao mountain range made Ba Na a popular retreat for both the French and the wealthy Vietnamese. Today the area still attracts locals and tourists alike, although extra effort and a four-wheel drive are required to reach Ba Na as the roads are quite rough. Come to Ba Na Hill! Visit this exclusive hidden gem of Central Vietnam! And go to the top of Mount Chua by a new cable system that was officially opened on 25th March 2009 and set two Guinness World Records for its height and length! |
| Hoi An (UNESCO World Heritage Site) |
Established in the 15th century, the ancient town of Hoi An was once one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia and an important centre of East–West cultural exchange. Its ancient past is superbly preserved in fascinating temples, pagodas, shop houses and homes which make up the town’s old quarter. Hoi An is 15 miles (25km) southeast of Da Nang. |
| My Son Valley (UNESCO World Heritage Site) |
My Son Valley was the spiritual centre of the ancient Cham civilisation, in the same way as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Borobudur in Indonesia and Pagan in Myanmar. A religious sanctuary since the 4th century, its history is reflected in the temples and towers that remain. It is also the home of the Museum of Cham Sculpture, which records the development of the culture and history of the Cham people through their elaborate sculptures and carvings. My Son Valley is 42 miles (70km) southwest of Da Nang. |
| Hue (UNESCO World Heritage Site) |
Hue was once the national capital and is today one of Vietnam’s most important historical attractions. |
| Phong Nha Caves (UNESCO World Heritage Site) |
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a giant mountain reserve which stretches to the border of Laos, is renowned for the spectacular Phong Nha Caves – buried within Vietnam’s largest primeval jungle. Phong Nha’s grottos and passages extend for 44.5 kilometres into a limestone mountain. Discovered in 1935, the underground system was opened to tourists three years ago, with stalactite and stalagmite-adorned abysses romantically named ‘Roads to Hell’ and ‘Roads to Heaven’. Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is around 350 kms north of Danang. |
| Other excursions |
Hai Van Pass (Cloudy Pass), breath-taking trails and views from 1,500m. Hai Van Pass is one of the most scenic hillside roads in Vietnam. When braving the steep winding roads of a paved mountain pass, you will have a chance to discover peace, quiet and history along the way Hoa Chau Village, a typical Vietnamese countryside village. Ba Na Mountain, France’s “lost paradise” in Indochina. |
| Other places of interest in Danang |
Ho Chi Minh Museum The biggest War Museum about Vietnamese Revolution against French and American forces for more than one hundred years. Location: near the corner of Nguyen Van Troi Street and Nui Thanh Street Open from Tuesday to Sunday / 7:00 ~ 11:00 and 13:00 ~ 16:30 Museum of Cham Sculpture (Cham Museum) The only museum in the world that exclusively displays a fine collection of artifacts of the great ancient Cham Empire. Location: on the corner of Trung Nu Vuong Street and Bach Dang Street Open daily / 8:00 ~ 11:00 and 13:00 ~ 17:00 Da Nang Cathedral (Catholic church) Location: 156 Tran Phu Street Daily masses at 5:00 and 17:00 Da Nang Evangelical Church Location: 164 Ong Ich Khiem Street Daily services on weekdays at 4:30 and Sunday masses at 7:00 and 19:00 Caodai Temple Location: Hai Phong Street Phap Lam Pagoda Location: 373 Ong Ich Khiem Street Tam Bao Pagoda Location: 253 Phan Chu Trinh Street Han Market Traditional Vietnamese shopping at its best. Location: at the intersection of Hung Vuong Street and Tran Phu Street |
Tour to Linh Ung Pagoda |
Built since 2004 and just completed and opened in July 2010, the pagoda is set upon 12 hectares of landscaped grounds where guests can enjoy spectacular views of mountain ranges including Marble Mountains, awe-inspiring ocean views including the Cham Islands and even the magical sparkle of Danang city lights by night. The centrepiece of this pagoda site is the extremely impressive 67-metre high Bodhisattva Kwan Yin statue (Phat Ba Quan Am), which also lays claim to being the highest statue in Vietnam. This pagoda is also home to the largest Buddhist training centre in Central Vietnam. The name, “Linh” meaning sacred and “Ung” meaning effectual, was first proposed by King Thanh Thai in 1891. The name has since been used to name three pagodas in the local area: one on Ba Na Hill, one at Marble Mountains and this one at Son Tra Peninsula. At the entrance, guests can see a photograph of a Halo which appeared around the statue’s head during construction. Many people are of the belief that the appearance of this Halo has confirmed the sacredness of the site. |
| Son Tra Moutain Bike Excursion & Fishing |
Son Tra Peninsula was a big island with three mountain peaks (Nghe, Mo Dieu and Co Ngua). Step by step, the streams of the East Sea brought alluvium to form the mushroom-shaped Son Tra Peninsula that together with Hai Van Pass bent the sea into a bay called Non Nuoc. The Furama Resort Danang makes an ideal base for Son Tra mountain bike and fishing excursions. It is spectacular to see Son Tra Mountain, 693m in height, enjoy ocean and mountain views and luxuriantly green forests with monkeys. Start off the excursion from the resort, take in a small fishing village on the way and visit the tallest statue in Vietnam, a big Buddha statue. Photography opportunities abound throughout this entire trip even before arriving in beautiful Bai But to enjoy fishing and swimming. Truly an excursion to remember! The resort also offers mountain bikes for rent for in-house guests from 8am to 6pm. |
