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Are you a beach bum or an adventure lover? It does not matter that you are interested in a relaxing trip, a cultural trip or an adventurous one, Vietnam has it all. Owing to gorgeous natural landscapes, paradise beaches, dynamic cities and unique culture, Vietnam can offer you a vacation with various possibilities.

Things to do in Da Nang

Attracting much reverence throughout the country and internationally, Da Nang city was once a bit of a backwater in the grand scheme of Vietnam. Up until a change in policy by Emperor Minh Mang in 1835, Da Nang had very little to boast, and after the French occupied the city, it had even less. Much of Da Nang was developed by the French over the course of their six decades in charge, and the city changed once more during the American War, when it became an important base for American and South Vietnamese troops. After being quite considerably through the mill, Da Nang emerged as Vietnam’s third-largest city, and now features one of the strongest marriages of nature, architecture and religion in the country. Da Nang Sightseeing Amongst many of the best things to do in Da Nang, there runs a theme of jaw-dropping nature, viewable from many of its internationally renowned sites such as the Marble Mountains, Son Tra, the Hai Van Pass and My Khe Beach. The city’s iconic Dragon Bridge has emerged not only as a symbol of the city, but one of the country as a whole, heralding a modern look to a city with ancient roots and a troublesome recent past. Many Vietnam tours rightly feature Da Nang in their itinerary, despite it being sandwiched between the two bigger attractions of Hue and Hoi An. With a view to ensuring Da Nang is not overlooked, we present our guide on the top things to do in Da Nang. Best Things to do in Da Nang Marble Mountains The Marble Mountains almost look like they have been dropped from above rather than risen from below, such is their unusual appearance amongst the flat land between Da Nang and Hoi An. The five outcrops are spread out from each other, but are connected by an elemental theme, as each one is named for an ancient force intrinsic to Buddhism: metal, water, wood, fire and earth. Once a great source of natural marble for the villages that hug their foothills, chipping away at the holy mountains is now forbidden as they are now an important religious and touristic site. The Marble MountainsThuy Son (The Water Mountain) is the most prominent mountain, with many religious buildings and viewpoints around its craggy surface making it one of the top things to do in Da Nang. The Water Mountain is an overland time capsule, with many pagodas dating back to around 400 years ago, and many more being built throughout the intervening years. The series of steps and paths that winds around the mountain also dips inside at points, into caves like Huyen Khong, a stunning cavern where natural light filters from above, illuminating the Trang Nghiem Tu Temple and the streaked marble walls that rise up around it.Thuy Son (the Water Mountain)Just outside, you will find the Tam Thai Pagoda; for photographers, probably one of the best things to see in Da Nang. The appeal of the instagram-friendly façade is created through colourful lanterns, extravagant roofing, a green sea of potted plants and the wisps of incense that snake up from the front of its white walls. Continue climbing for a great panoramic view of the area, including the other four mountains and the otherwise flat plateau between Da Nang and Hoi An.Tam Thai PagodaWalking around Son Tra Peninsula Because one (or five) mountains is never enough, Da Nang features another huge one just at the northern tip of its city, stretching out ambitiously into the ocean. This bloomed outcrop sits atop a thin stem of land connecting it to the city, and bursts into life on the weekends as the locals come to enjoy one of Danang’s top attractions. If life feels relaxed and simple in the city, try experiencing a daytrip from Da Nang to the Son Tra Peninsula, where stunning views from the ocean road and a gorgeous sunset will provide you with one of Vietnam’s unmissable experiences. The 639m-tall mountain won’t win any awards for height, but its wide base gives it an imposing figure and the perfect conditions for construction. This is why on any Vietnam group tour that visits Son Tra, you will find winding ocean roads and the Linh Ung Pagoda, a beautiful and modern temple dedicated to the Lady Buddha as the 67m-tall statue of her looks out to sea. The views atop the temple complex are magical, as you can see Da Nang’s ocean, curved coastline, urban sprawl and mountainous background all in one scene.  The forested face of Son Tra gives it an attractive and distinctly Vietnamese look. You can follow the snaking mountain roads between the trees via car or motorbike, looking out for the many monkeys who live here, along with deer, who are much rarer. Giant white standing lady Buddha statue in Linh Ung PagodaGet Educational with Cham Sculptures ‘Cham sculptures’ may be a term unfamiliar with most, but during the 9th century in particular, the region encompassing Da Nang, Hoi An and many areas north and south of what is now Central Vietnam was full of examples of grand Cham monuments. The Cham people were the subjects of the Cham Kingdom, an impressive civilisation between the 2nd and 15th centuries, eventually brought to an end from constant warring with the Vietnamese and Khmer. The Cham fled throughout Southeast Asia and experts nowadays have gone to great efforts to preserve their most impressive feats. One of the great preservers of Cham culture is the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Da Nang, where visitors can find the biggest collection of Cham sculptures in the world, devoted mainly to Hinduism but also featuring sculptures of the Buddhist and Islamic religions to which some of the Cham people converted. This central Da Nang attraction was built in 1915, therefore marrying ancient Cham artistry with colonial French architecture, as France was in full control of the city at the time. The museum’s expansion in 1936 has allowed the additions of some large, ornate and fantastically well-preserved sculptures, and now an entrance fee of just 40,000 VND ($1.90) can grant you access into one of the most interesting things to do in Da Nang. The Museum of Cham SculptureThe crowning achievement of the Cham civilisation lies nearby, just west of Hoi An. My Son Sanctuary is often referred to as ‘Vietnam’s Angkor Wat’ for its weather-and-war-eroded temples, which sit amongst a jungle environment that creates a beautifully eerie atmosphere around the complex. Day trips from Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary are certainly possible, though they are much more common from Hoi An.My Son Sanctuary - UNESCO World Heritage CentreRelax on My Khe Beach For a beach so close to a city to be in pristine condition is a highly commendable feat, particularly when this beach is located in a country not particularly known for its environmental concerns. My Khe Beach is often graced with two vast blue seas; one being the concave bay leading out to the East Vietnam Sea, and one being the deep blue sky that lies above. Running the entire length of Da Nang, My Khe offers relaxation through its white sands dotted with swaying palm trees, with a view of Da Nang’s impressive architecture on one side and the sights of beautiful nature across the bay and up to the Son Tra Mountain.  One of the best experiences in Da Nang starts from My Khe, and it starts very early in the morning. The entirety of the beach faces east, meaning sunrises are completely uninhibited and can be viewed from anywhere along the length of My Khe. Join the morning exercises here with the locals, or wait until later in the day to relax on the sands, swim, or join students for a game of da cau - foot badminton. My Khe BeachTour the Four Bridges over the Han River All credit to the Vietnamese, who could have constructed a few drab bridges over the Han River to connect the two halves of the city, but instead decided to create four architectural masterpieces that gave the city many landmarks and helped to put it on the map of Vietnam. Of the four, the indisputable king is Cau Rong, the Dragon Bridge, featuring on virtually every postcard sent from Da Nang. The long, rippling body of the golden dragon that runs up the middle of the bridge is an awe-inspiring sight, even more so when the dragon lights up and breathes fire and water every weekend evening. You can’t cross the bridge while the dragon is spouting its fury (surprising, considering Vietnam’s less-than-whole commitment to health and safety), but taking a trip along its length during the day is certainly one of the best things to do in Da Nang. It affords fantastic views of both sides of the Han River, as well as the other bridges that are certainly worth a look as well. Cau Song Han (the Han River Bridge), Cau Tran Thi Ly and Cau Thuan Phuoc are the other bridges spanning the wide-river, and taking a motorbike across their lengths is one of the essential Vietnam experiences. The Dragon BridgeCruise the Hai Van Pass The four hours in between Da Nang and the imperial city of Hue can either be extremely boring or extremely beautiful, depending on which route you take. While public buses plough through the efficient, but lacklustre Hai Van Tunnel, passengers on Vietnam tour packages and independent travellers opt for the longer, but much more thrilling Hai Van Pass, regularly voted amongst the best mountain roads in the world.  This 21km road winds along the northern reaches of Da Nang, around its forested mountain and sets visitors on their way towards Hue, with a perennial gorgeous backdrop of soaring mountains and the carpet of blue across the ocean. Along the way, drivers can make stops at viewpoints, waterfalls and beaches, following in the footpaths of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, who televised their crossing of the Hai Van Pass in 2008 for the BBC’s Top Gear. Hai Van PassRevisit Indochina at the Ba Na Hills Resort Amidst the forested surrounds of Central Vietnam lies the Ba Na Hills, one of the most unique things to see in Da Nang. Travelling to Europe is just a pipedream for many Vietnamese, so the Vietnamese megacorporation, Sun World, decided to bring that dream closer by completely renovating a French resort that had served French tourists from the 1920s. The small town that eventually sprung up became known as the Ba Na Hills Resort, nowadays featuring a record-breaking cable car, funicular railway, 500 hotel rooms, an amusement park, wax museum, French gardens, and a gigantic statue of Buddha, to remind visitors that they are still indeed in Vietnam. The Ba Na Hills Resort has found much appeal with locals and tourists alike, all of whom are eager to experience French food, culture and music on the top of a Vietnamese mountain. This wholesome Da Nang attraction is perfect for families, as kids will enjoy Fantasy Park and all of its thrilling rides, while adults can explore a replica French town and sit down to a cup of French-press coffee. The Golden Bridge - An artificial masterpiece in the midst of Da Nang nature

What to Eat in the Mekong Delta

In the deep-south of Vietnam, there is an area that the locals like to refer to as the country’s ‘rice bowl’. 60% of Vietnam’s rice comes from the paddies of the Mekong Delta, which is staggering considering how prevalent it is in meals and how much reverence is attached to this staple food across the country. Along with that, the Mekong Delta accounts for 70% of Vietnam’s overall fruit output, another incredible statistic considering the country’s close relationship with natural food. The Mekong Delta is a foodie’s paradise, one blessed with natural alluvial soils carried from the Mekong River, deposited along the banks, creating the ideal fertile wonderland. With this being said, the question of what to eat in the Mekong Delta is one with many answers. Aside from rice and fruit, the Mekong is blessed with seafood in its abundant rivers and canals, as well as all other produce that such tropical climates can afford. Here, we look at the best things to eat in the Mekong Delta to get a real taste of the region through its fabulous specialties and delicacies.Bún Cá (“buhn kah”)It’s unsurprising to most travellers to find that the answer to ‘what to eat in the Mekong Delta’ is usually fish. The various snaking waterways of the 40,000km2 area brim with seafood, and the locals have more than one method to get them out of the water and onto their plates. One seafood dish is bun ca, with a very telling translation of ‘fish noodles’, and a favourite of instagrammers for its mishmash of colourful ingredients. The rice noodle, bun, is accompanied by slices of boiled snakehead fish, some prawns, pork, and various green vegetables and beansprouts, all of which sits in a steaming fishy broth. If this is sounding like an overly fishy concoction, then you may want to visit one of the restaurants that uses the roots of an autumn crocus to mask the scent of fish. This is one of Vietnam’s signature dishes, and deservedly so.Where to find bun ca in the Mekong Delta?• This nationally popular dish won’t be hard to find anywhere in the country, let alone in the vast waterways of the Mekong Delta. Many vendors at Cai Be and Cai Rang floating markets will serve up this classic piece of Mekong Delta cuisine from the convenience of their own floating kitchens.Hủ Tiếu Mỹ Tho (“hoo tee-oo mee-tar”)Hu tieu is a dish borrowed from Cambodia and spread throughout the Mekong Delta and beyond, acquiring many regional variations along the way. Hu tieu My Tho is one such variation, coming from the city of My Tho, which lies on the northern banks of the Mekong River. As with most food in the region, this dish features at least a nod to the Mekong Delta’s strong fishing culture, with prawns set amongst pork and liver, while variations within this regional variation can feature fish balls or squid. Added vegetables like spring onion, shallots and chives are all optional, but they invariably sit in a colourful bowl, swimming in a pork stock soup. Even 70km up the road in Vietnam’s burgeoning metropolis, patrons enjoy a different version of Hu Tieu, and daytrips from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta can provide a more conclusive look at the diversity of this flavourful dish.Where to find hu tieu My Tho in the Mekong Delta?• The only place to have hu tieu My Tho is in the city itself. Yeltsin Road is a promenade along My Tho’s canal, full of food places where you can find many answers to the question of what to eat in the Mekong Delta, but with a strong focus on the delights of the region’s beloved speciality.Bánh Xeo (“ban say-oh”)Named for the sizzling sound it makes when the raw ingredients are thrown together into the frying pan, banh xeo is not only one of the easiest and most effortless things to eat in the Mekong Delta, but nationwide as well. Its popularity is born for its ease of construction, ease of eating and powerful flavour with a beautifully crunchy texture. In the Mekong Delta, the ingredients inside the taco-like rice paper shell include pork, shrimp, chicken, beansprouts and mushrooms, all folded and fried to create a crispy pancake that is then dipped into fish sauce and devoured. Despite the dozens of versions of banh xeo cooked daily throughout the country, you will have to go a long way to find one bigger than in the Mekong Delta, where one pancake can take the force of two hungry diners.Where to find banh xeo in the Mekong Delta?• The simple nature of banh xeo means that it can be made anywhere; on boats, on the streets, at home or in restaurants. The likely places to find it are in the Delta’s various provincial capitals, such as Can Tho, My Tho and Soc Trang. You can find particular speciality restaurant at Ban Xeo Ca Mau (Le Loi Street, Can Tho).Cá Tai Tượng (“kah tie tur-ung”)The giant gourami is nicknamed the ‘elephant ear fish’ for its saggy, grey appearance. While not all that much to look at, the elephant ear fish endures as one of the most popular foods in the Mekong Delta, and is included in many southern Vietnam tours as an introduction to the wonderful seafood of the country. Its serving can be a little shocking, as it is usually deep-fried whole, with scales, fins, tail and all, and placed vertically in a stand for diners to pick apart with chopsticks. Although the bones make eating it a fairly labour-intensive experience, the crispy skin and tender meat are the delicious reward, and the accompanying noodles, rice, vegetables, rice paper or sweet and sour sauce only serve to bring out the punch of this flavourful Mekong fish.Where to find elephant ear fish in the Mekong Delta?• The best way to tackle the elephant ear fish is with a guide on a south Vietnam tour package, as the nature of the fish requires delicate serving and an experienced hand to dig through the bones. These tours usually stop off in Can Tho, where you can head to a humble restaurant like Lang Tre Phi Ho (118/9/78B Le Loi Street).Lẩu Cá Kèo (“low kah kay-oh”)If the elephant ear fish is too intimidating a meal, then maybe for you, what to eat in the Mekong Delta will be the more innocent-looking goby fish. The long, thin and smooth bodies of the goby fish offer a completely different dining experience, and its serving in hotpot style make it one of the more sociable lunches on a daytrip from Ho Chi Minh City to its southern neighbour. The goby fish are usually eaten whole after receiving a thorough boiling in the broth, bubbling alongside ingredients like tomatoes, dried onions, leafy greens and garlic. These are used to bring out the bitterness of the broth and highlight the flavour of the fish, which can grow to 15cm in length in the rich waters of the Mekong Delta.Where to find lau ca keo in the Mekong Delta?• For a slow and indulgent lunch, head to Lau Ca Keo 86 (86 Mac Thien Tich, Can Tho), where plates of fish and vegetables are piled high, awaiting their introduction into the hotpot.Click on the links to see our best tour to the Mekong Delta: Mekong Delta Day Trip, Ben Tre Mekong Delta Full Day Tour, Mekong Delta Full Day by Speedboat, and Foody Tour in Ho Chi Minh and Mekong Delta.Bánh Pía (“ban pee-a”)The strong smell of durian fruit might put a lot of people off the banh pia, but it certainly found a lot of favour in the Chinese community, who emigrated from the Chaoshan region of China to find a new life in and around the old Saigon.  Many settled in Soc Trang, one of the more diverse of the Mekong Delta’s cities, bringing the ‘pia cake’ with them. These are baked buns with green beans, a salted egg and the infamous durian fruit, known for its intense pungency. Savoury flavours can have minced pork and mung bean paste, all covered with a buttery casing that creates a rich appearance and dense flavour – certainly one of the best things to eat in the Mekong Delta.Where to find banh pia in the Mekong Delta?• It would be sacrilege to try the speciality of Soc Trang anywhere other than the city itself, or in Saigon if you’re not joining a Mekong Delta tour from Ho Chi Minh City. The most famous company to produce banh pia are Tan Hue Vien, who sell their products throughout the city of Soc Trang, and even make it up to Hanoi, such in the popularity of this delicious piece of Mekong Delta dessertBánh Cóng (“ban kong”)Another output of the prolific city of Soc Trang, banh cong is a firm shrimp ‘muffin’, and also a firm favourite food to eat in the Mekong Delta for its many residents. Peeled and salted shrimps are placed into a liquid batter of flour, coconut milk and oil, before the whole thing is placed in the fryer, creating a crispy coating but fluffy interior. Along with the shrimp, minced pork and the ubiquitous onions and shallots are added, making a delicious snack and a great souvenir to take away from your Vietnam holiday package.Where to find banh cong in the Mekong Delta?• The ease of banh cong’s construction makes it one of the best street foods to eat in the Mekong Delta. You will find it along the streets of many cities, but Can Tho in particular, and can be experienced best on a food tour of the city.Đuông Dừa (“doo-ung zuh-a”)The resourceful Vietnamese have always found a way to make the best of a bad situation. For the residents of Ben Tre and other provinces of the Mekong Delta, the plague of worms eating through their precious coconuts is a constant one, but alleviated somewhat by the tastiness of the worm itself, which is one of the delicacies of the Mekong Delta. These fat grubs are served either grilled or alive and swimming in a small bowl of chili and lime-infused sauce – most certainly not a dish for the faint hearted. It’s also not a dish for those strapped for cash, as a kilogram of this costs around 500,000 VND ($22).Where to find duong dua in the Mekong Delta?• Naturally, the huge coconut trees of Ben Tre are a prime target for these coconut worms. Restaurants around the province, such as Nha Hang Noi Ben Tre, serve duong dua by the bowlful, if you can stomach more than one.