Da Nang - what to see / do

Hi we are on the HAL cruise arr DA Nang 26 Dec... again looking for ideas of what to do and where to go?

Hate doing ship's organised tours.. so any advice gratefully received.

Hi we are on the HAL cruise arr DA Nang 26 Dec... again looking for ideas of what to do and where to go?

 

Hate doing ship's organised tours.. so any advice gratefully received.

Take a taxi from ship to Hoi An---it is a wonderful town---and visit China Beach.

Thank you... Are taxi's safe?

Thank you... Are taxi's safe?

We have been to Viet Nam 4 times and never had a taxi problem.

Our last time in DaNang we hired a taxi on the dock for 1/2 day.

We did the ship's transfer to Hoi An, and then just toured around on our own for the day before meeting up with the transfer again back to the ship in the late afternoon.

We found an excellent cafe recommendation on Trip Advisor for lunch, and it was spot-on. Hoi An is a beautiful town full of friendly locals. You'll have a great time.

Can you give me an idea please of distance time to Hoi An from the port where ship docks and roughly how much a taxi is?

Do we need private guide there?

How far is China Beach? And is it "en route" to / from Hoi An?

What is weather in December ?

Can you give me an idea please of distance time to Hoi An from the port where ship docks and roughly how much a taxi is?

 

Do we need private guide there?

 

How far is China Beach? And is it "en route" to / from Hoi An?

 

What is weather in December ?

I think HAL use the commercial port some miles north of Danang, sorry I don't know that distance.

China beach is just south of Danang, only a few minutes. It's more relevant to US war vets, and the remains of barracks are still there though the beach itself is no big deal.

But overlooking China beach is Marble Mountain. Put it high on your list.

Your taxi driver will want to take you to one of the marble workshops along China beach, he gets a commission. Easiest way to say "no" is actually to say "yes", politely have a quick look round, then ask to be taken to Marble Mountain, just a couple of minutes away. A street of little artisan marble workshops, and some very steep steps up the "mountain". Make the effort, only 5 to 10 minutes, hard work but well worthwhile. Go as far as the temple cave & the pagoda just beyond.

http://www.passionvietnamtravel.com/en/centre-du-vietnam/the-marble-mountains.html

Hoi An is further south, IIRC something like 30 minutes? Super little town, very historic, lots of little shops, ancient Japanese bridge, waterways just beyond.

You should have plenty of time for all this, but best to head for the furthest place (Hoi An) first, & work your way back.

Or - completely different - Hue is much closer to the commercial port. Sorry, not been there.

Make sure you have an English-speaking driver. Or driver and English-speaking guide. They're pretty friendly & trustworthy & they're used to cruisers. Agree a price & vague itinerary/timescale before you board, pay when you get back - it's the norm.

No worries.

JB :)

Thanks JB sounds fantastic.We will definitely catch a taxi or share a van to Hoi An then ask to see Marble Mountain and China Beach.

I think HAL use the commercial port some miles north of Danang, sorry I don't know that distance.

 

China beach is just south of Danang, only a few minutes. It's more relevant to US war vets, and the remains of barracks are still there though the beach itself is no big deal.

But overlooking China beach is Marble Mountain. Put it high on your list.

 

Your taxi driver will want to take you to one of the marble workshops along China beach, he gets a commission. Easiest way to say "no" is actually to say "yes", politely have a quick look round, then ask to be taken to Marble Mountain, just a couple of minutes away. A street of little artisan marble workshops, and some very steep steps up the "mountain". Make the effort, only 5 to 10 minutes, hard work but well worthwhile. Go as far as the temple cave & the pagoda just beyond.

http://www.passionvietnamtravel.com/en/centre-du-vietnam/the-marble-mountains.html

 

 

Hoi An is further south, IIRC something like 30 minutes? Super little town, very historic, lots of little shops, ancient Japanese bridge, waterways just beyond.

 

You should have plenty of time for all this, but best to head for the furthest place (Hoi An) first, & work your way back.

 

Or - completely different - Hue is much closer to the commercial port. Sorry, not been there.

 

Make sure you have an English-speaking driver. Or driver and English-speaking guide. They're pretty friendly & trustworthy & they're used to cruisers. Agree a price & vague itinerary/timescale before you board, pay when you get back - it's the norm.

 

No worries.

 

JB :)

How big is the town??

How big is the town??

Go to Trip Advisor - Vietnam and look up Hoi An plus any of the other places you are planning to visit as it will give you a wealth of information as well as tips to things to avoid, taxi scams etc

How big is the town??

The pedestrianised main street, with the Japanese Bridge at the far end, is very easy to walk - drivers usually park in the car park of a "mall", just around the corner. All very easy.

JB :)