Danang is a port city in the South Central Coast of Vietnam, halfway between Hanoi and Saigon. Its surroundings, flanked by the se to its east and mountains on its west makes it a superb headquarters to experience some of Vietnam’s natural wonders. What’s more, some of the country’s famous historical cities are also nearby.

Let’s take a closer look at Danang’s nearby attractions. About 10 kilometers South of Danang are Marble Mountains, a group of five limestone formations filled with caves and marble crafts depicting mystical creatures and images of Buddha. To further add to the mystical experience, you can climb up one of the mountains (Thuy Mountain) and be treated to superb views of the shoreline and surrounding land.

Not far are the UNESCO sites of My Son and Hoi An. If ruined temples are your thing, then My Son is your place. There are over 70 architectural pieces present at the site. Some have even compared it to great Southeast Asia archaeological sites such as Borodudur in Indonesia, Bagan in Myanmar, Angkor in Cambodia and Ayutthaya in Thailand. And what about a traditional 300-year-old Oriental town? Hoi An will take care of that. The city is also famous for its relaxing beaches as well as its arts and crafts shops.

That is not to say Danang lacks any attractions though. The Cham Museum displays weathered but still highly skilled artistic sculptures of Shiva (an important Hindu God), garudas (mythical bird-like creature), nagas (mythical serpent deity), lions, monkeys, and elephants, many of which were recovered from My Son.

Just off the shore of Danang are the Cham Islands. It is one of Vietnam’s popular island escapes featuring coral reefs, quiet sandy bays and limestone formations. The islands are also forested, presenting a wide range of flora and fauna. Some of the world’s best bird’s nest soup can be found at these islets.

Danang is a great starting point if you want to explore the rich history of Central Vietnam. You can do so with Exotissimo’s A Day Hoi An and My Son. See more with our Vietnam tours.

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