Over the course of time, I felt the guide books had biased reviews and much information was not included.
So, the best thing I figured out was to ask locals about their city.
As a part of Very Rough City Guides, we talk to Ngoc Anh Nguyen who has been living in Da Nang for more than 20 years.
Hai Van Pass
How do you sum up Danang? Danang is a very beautiful city. People are very friendly and helpful and is the most worth living city in Vietnam. Not only famous for its beautiful beaches, Danang is also attractive, thanks to its position as leaning to the mighty Truong Son range, and its magnificent Son Tra Peninsula. Moreover, Danang prides itself in Hai Van Pass, with its excellent view to the ocean and winding road curves. In addition, there are a lot of attractive places in the city such as Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountain. Not only gifted by Mother Nature with beautiful scenery, Danang is also worth living in because of its purity and peace. Being continuously in the nation’s top growing cities, Danang maintained its excellent safety and order, without beggars, drug addicts and mostly no traffic congestion. As a result, tourists can be assured and relaxed walking around the city. Coming to Danang, travelers can enjoy many specialties like Quang noodles, rice paper and pork, and fresh seafood. To sum up, Danang is the ideal place for people to have a great relaxation.
A perfect day in Danang would be like…. Having breakfast with local food and drinking coffee at small coffee shops on the sidewalk (this is a striking feature of Danang). Then, going around the markets in the city to take a close look at local life and having lunch in one of the local restaurants with specialties. In the late afternoon, going to the beach for swimming and sunbathing. Having dinner in the seafood restaurants along the coastal road. Then, going around to see city life at night or sitting in one of the bars/pubs on Bach Dang Street along Han river and seeing Dragon Bridge with fire/water breathing (on Saturday and Sunday only).
Boats on Danang beach
If anyone is visiting Danang, what should they do? Trying local food and drinking coffee especially Di Nhậu. Going to the beach for swimming, sunbathing and walking. Visiting some interesting places inside the city like Linh Ung pagoda, Museum of Cham sculpture, motorbiking over the Hai Van pass and exploring the markets.
Where can someone find the perfect meal in the city? It depends on what people want to try. For specialties like Banh Xeo, Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo, Mi Quang, you can find everywhere. For seafood, you can find in restaurants along the coastal road (Truong Sa Street and Pham Van Dong Street).
Banh Xeo
What is the best thing about Danang? Many things – peaceful environment, friendly people, breath taking landscape, delicious food and less traffic.
What is the worst? Do not have many activities for relaxing at late night. It’s quiet hot in summers.
A little known fact about Danang…. The first city in Vietnam that has no beggars.
Your favorite spot in Danang is…. Beaches
On a typical weekend what would you be doing? Having breakfast and drinking coffee with friends in the morning, eating out at night at places called Quán Nhậu where beer is served with foods going well along with it.
