Delightful Central Coast

Just when you thought you know all about Vietnam’s fastest growing golfing strip, Da Nang throws up a couple more surprises.

- Jeffrey Oon, Benny Teo

Like an eager teen finding his feet, Vietnam’s third largest city after Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi is fast growing up. Quickly emerging as one of the country’s most vibrant cities, Da Nang is located midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. A mere 2.5 hour flight away from Singapore, the coastal city is a peaceful alternative to popular - and some may say, over commercialised – beach destinations Bali or Phuket.

An ideal gateway for exploring the surrounding Central Coast of Vietnam, the centre piece of this city of a million people is a roughly 10km pristine beach facing the East Vietnam Sea called My Khe beach. Also known as Danang Beach during the Vietnam War by American troops on off-duty breaks, Vietnam’s most picturesque beach is now home to numerous upscale resorts as well luxury spa retreats.

Nestled in the bosom of the Son Tra Peninsula, 1.2 million foreign tourists are drawn to Da Nang and the central coast of Vietnam every year, attracted by not one but three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the ancient trading port of Hoi An, 25km south of Da Nang, the former Imperial Citadel of Hue, two hours’ drive to the north, and My Son, a cluster of over 70 ancient Hindu temples and tombs which lie another 60km south. But whether you have a week to spare ( just about right if you want to cover all three sites), or shorter, the city caters to travellers of every type.

For example, every Saturday and Sunday at 9pm, the 700-metre Dragon Bridge in the city centre comes alive for a 10-minute fire-breathing display. (Tip: Make sure you’re positioned at the correct side of the bridge.) A relaxing, evening stroll along the boardwalks of the Song Han River which cuts through the city also offers beautiful views of the city at night.