Best of Danang City & Hoi An Ancient Town from Cruise Ports

Linh Ung Pagoda, the most peaceful place with stunning view.

People in Son Tra Peninsula recalled that, at the time of Minh Mang King (Nguyen Dynasty, XIX century), there was a Buddha statue from nowhere to drift on the sandbank here. Believing that was an auspicious sign, people here established a shrine for worship, from that, the region was stable and fishermen could work in peace during a long time. The sandbank where the Buddha statue drifted was then named Bai But (i.e. Buddha land on earth) also was where Ling Ung pagoda erected today.

The Dragon Bridge is a bridge over the River Hàn at Da Nang, Vietnam.

Construction of the bridge began on 19 July 2009 (the same day as the inauguration of the nearby Thuận Phước Bridge) when the former Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung and many high-ranking government officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

Dragon Bridge is 666m long, 37.5m wide and has six lanes for traffic. It opened to traffic on March 29, 2013, at a cost of nearly VND 1.5 trillion dong (US$88m).The bridge was designed by the US-based Ammann & Whitney Consulting Engineers with Louis Berger Group. Construction was undertaken by Company No. 508, an affiliate of Civil Construction Engineering Corporation No.5, and Bridge Company No. 75.

Main span was completed on October 26, 2012. The bridge was opened to traffic on March 29, 2013, the 38th anniversary of the liberation of Da Nang City.

This modern bridge crosses the Han River at the Le Dinh Duong/Bach Dang traffic circle, providing the shortest road link from the Da Nang International Airport to other main roads in Da Nang city, and a more direct route to My Khe Beach and Non Nuoc Beach on the eastern edge of the city. The bridge was designed and built in the shape of a dragon and to breathe fire and water each Saturday and Sunday night at 9PM.

Han River Bridge marks the development of a youthful and energetic city and symbolizes the rising aspirations of the citizens. Designed by Vietnam engineers, Han River Bridge becomes the highlight embellishing Han River much more sparkling and dreaming.

Considered to be Vietnam's most picturesque beach, the white sandy 20-mile stretch of My Khe Beach was named by the American troops who visited during the Vietnam War for R&R. It offers excellent surfing from September just off the shores of Danang. There are also a number of high-end resorts within the vicinity should you be in need of pampering with most offering a rich choice of treatments at their spas and a range of dining options. Sunbathing and surfing aside, there are a host of historical sites situated close by including the port of Hoi An which is only 10 minutes away by bus and offers wonderfully preserved merchant houses and small alleyways to explore. Hoi An is also a superb place to get anything you desire tailor made usually within 12 hours, and while you wait it’s definitely recommended that you try some local delights including very fresh shrimp pancakes.

Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. On arrival take a walking tour of enchanting Hoi An visiting an old merchant house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese Assembly Hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge.

The Marble Mountains are home to several Buddhist and Hindu grottoes. A stairway of 156 steps leads to the summit of Thuy Son, the only Marble Mountain accessible to visitors. It allows a wide panoramic view of the surrounding area and the other marble mountains. There are a number of grottoes, including Huyen Khong and Tang Chon, and many Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries, the temples of Tam Thai, Tu Tam and Linh Ung, and the pagoda of Pho Dong. The sanctuaries feature statues and relief depictions of religious scenes carved out of the marble.

Han Market’s ground level is where locals shop for fresh vegetables, seafood, and butchered meat in the early morning. There are also numerous fruit stalls set in front of the market, where you can purchase tropical fruits such as bananas, mangoes, durian, and jackfruit. Ideal as souvenirs for loved ones back home, make sure you stock up on prepacked chilli paste, Ly Son garlic, rice crackers, and dried squid, all of which are available on the same floor. Especially, that you can buy many products such as icons of Hoi An, Danang, Banahills and Golden Gates, ... There some shops are selling lovely ceramics and rattan bags with unique designs and good price.