Are you cruising to Vietnam? Will your cruise ship be docking at port of call: Hue/ Da Nang (Chan May) Cruise Port, Vietnam and you do not know how to find and book Da Nang Shore Excursions for you and your family? Adventures Travel Vietnam is here to write this blog to give you, hopefully, some know before you go useful insight about port of call: Hue/ Da Nang (Chan May) Cruise Port, Vietnam. From how to head for an exit to suggested Da Nang Shore Excursions; the 10 must-visit attractions in Hue; the best restaurant for lunch;… This is all you need to take note!
I. OVERVIEW OF DA NANG SHORE EXCURSIONS
Four decades ago, Da Nang was America’s major strategic base in Vietnam. The 1968 Tet Offensive saw bitter fighting for control of the old imperial capital of Hue – the turning point of the war. But that was 40 years ago. Today Danang is your gateway to the scenic and cultural riches of Vietnam for Da Nang Shore Excursions. A World Heritage Site, Hue is the most visited spot in the entire country. Travelers will long remember their visit to its Imperial Citadel, modeled on Beijing’s Forbidden City. China Beach, where Marines landed in 1965, is an internationally acclaimed resort.
And against an exotic backdrop of forested hills and Cham ruins, farmers toil in paddy fields still worked with water buffalo. Hoi An with world heritage will attract many passengers. Once a fishing village on the Han River, Da Nang is a city of over 400,000 people. Da Nang is 1.5 a hour drive from Chan May Port for Da Nang Shore Excursions.
1. Good to Know for Da Nang Shore Excursions
Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An are comparatively safe, but like almost every crowded tourist area, there are pickpockets and scammers. There have been some incidents of men on motorbikes snatching purses from tourists in the crowded Central Market (a public market with lots of tables) in Hoi An. There also have been reports of pickpocketing by groups of young boys begging for money the markets in Hue. Remember to keep handbags, shopping bags and backpacks close at hand at all times during your Da Nang Shore Excursions.
Keep currency and other valuable in cross-body bags that are difficult to grab or cut. While this isn’t exclusive to Vietnam, ask first before you take a photo of a colorful local. The person might expect a small fee. It’s best to set the price in advance than argue about its cost after the fact. That is the reason why you should consider when you are on Da Nang Shore Excursions.
2. Food and Drink for Da Nang Shore Excursions
The Vietnamese love seafood, but chicken, beef, pork, vegetables and fruit are common in their dishes. Their cuisine is considered very healthy and non-fattening, which might explain why most of the people are thin, despite the fact that they seem to eat all day long.
Dishes are often flavored by fish sauce made of fermented anchovies and spiced with lemongrass, ginger, Vietnamese mint, coriander, Saigon cinnamon, bird’s-eye chili, lime and fresh basil leaves. The result is an enticing combination of contrasts — sweet, salty and spicy. It attracts many passengers during their Da Nang Shore Excursions.
Pho is the another choice during your Da Nang Shore Excursions. It is the Vietnamese noodle soup that is a particular favorite for breakfast, while bahn mi, a stuffed local bread resembling a baguette sandwich, is a treat any time of the day. Upscale dining is often a fusion of French and Vietnamese cuisine, a favorite of foodies around the planet. To dine like a native, take rice from the large shared dish and put it in your rice bowl.
Use chop sticks to pick meat and seafood from serving dishes and add to the rice. Remember, it is very bad form to stick chop sticks into the rice bowl vertically — it is the Buddhist sign of death.
In Da Nang Many local seafood restaurants are available along My Khe Beach in Da Nang. For fancy restaurants, some suggestions during your Da Nang Shore Excursions are: Water Front, Bau Troi Do, The Fat Fish, …
In Hoi An, most passengers will have lunch at Brother’s Cafes during their Hoi An Shore Excursions. The restaurant is in town where you enjoy scenic seating outside in the gardens or upscale comfort inside. Try the local specialty, the meat-stuffed dumpling called “white roses.” (27 Pham Boi Chau Street; (84510) 3914150; open daily 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.) Hoi An’s hip spot is the Mango Room.
Grab a street-front seat and have a Vietnamese beer. The food is good, too. The owner spent time in the U.S., and the menu has both Vietnamese and California-influenced offerings. (111 Nguyen Thai Hoc; (84510) 3910839; open daily 8 a.m. to midnight)
4. Culture & History of Hue/Da Nang (Chan May) Cruise Port for Da Nang Shore Excursions
Da Nang’s role in Vietnamese history is primarily as a port city which rose to prominence in the 19th century. Before that, Da Nang was a relatively small village that was colonized by the French in the 17th century. In 1954, the French ceded control of the port city, and Da Nang experienced a period of substantial population growth. Today, Da Nang is beginning to come into its own as a trade center and a place where jobs in web and technology are booming, too.
Da Nang’s culinary scene is remarkable yet unpretentious, so don’t expect an overly fussy dining experience. Some of the best eats are found in street markets and back streets. You should not miss Da Nang during your Da Nang Shore Excursions.
5. Hue/Da Nang (Chan May) Cruise Port Facilities & Location for Da Nang Shore Excursions
The Chan May port is about an hour from the center of Da Nang, and some travelers pass through Hoi An from there. The Da Nang cruise port is minimally equipped, but there are some basic open-air market stalls with jewelry, clothes, and other Vietnamese souvenirs available for tourists to purchase during their Da Nang Shore Excursions.
6. Transportation in Hue/Da Nang (Chan May) Cruise Port for Da Nang Shore Excursions
For Da Nang Shore Excursions, there are limited transportation options from the port of Chan May. The best ways to get around are to book private transportation or take one of the local taxis into the city from the Da Nang cruise port. From the Chan May port, it’ll take about an hour to get into Da Nang. Car rentals are also an option for travelers during a stop in Da Nang. With private shore excursions from Vietnam Shore Excursions, all-inclusive transportation to Da Nang Shore Excursions comes with your booking.
7. Shopping Near Hue/Da Nang (Chan May) Cruise Port for Da Nang Shore Excursions
There’s not much at the cruise terminal itself in the way of shopping, but once you head into Da Nang, Han market is popular with locals. You can buy any goods here. Open-air markets and a walkable set of storefronts in Da Nang make it an easy, relaxed day of shopping. You can go shopping here during your Da Nang Shore excursions.
8. Currency & Best Way to Get Money for Da Nang Shore Excursions
The main unit of currency is the dong (VND), which comes in notes ranging from 200 to 500,000. For current currency-conversion figures, visit www.xe.com or www.oanda.com. U.S. dollars also are widely accepted. Carry plenty of ones and fives to buy bargain for souvenirs (if you use larger bills, your change may be in dongs). There are ATMs at branches of Vietcombank in Da Nang, Hue, and Hoi An. You should exchange your money when doing your Da Nang Shore Excursions here.
9. Language for Da Nang Shore Excursions
For Da Nang Shore Excursions, the official language is Vietnamese, but English and French are widely spoken.
II. TOP THINGS TO DO FOR DA NANG SHORE EXCURSIONS FROM HUE/DA NANG (CHAN MAY) CRUISE PORT, VIETNAM
1. Hai Van Pass
Connecting two major tourist destinations Hue and Da Nang, Hai Van Pass or ocean cloud pass is about 21 kilometers long on National Highway 1A. Many names have been invented to call the pass, but they all indicate the same thing – its beauty and danger.
When riding on Hai Van Pass during your Da Nang Shore Excursions, you’ll find yourself constantly stop to take in the beautiful natural views of mountain-hugged beaches. Especially when you reach the pass’s highest point, you can see the total view of Lang Co beach. Motorbiking and bicycling are often the two most popular way to explore Hai Van pass. Other way is taking Reunification train from Hue to Da Nang, you can also see the spectacular views of the coastal line. So you should not miss this place for your Da Nang Shore Excursions.
2. Dragon Bridge
One of Da Nang’s quirkiest sights is Dragon Bridge, which is a yellow-orange bridge that breathes fire and water into the air. Both a bridge and a stunning modern sculpture, the Dragon Bridge lights up at night and promises fun shows every Saturday and Sunday night. You won’t find a bridge like this anywhere else. Travelers can visit this place for their Da Nang Shore Excursions.
3. Walk the Golden Bridge
There’s another bridge in Da Nang that attracts tourists and offers plenty of photo ops, and that’s Cau Vang Golden Bridge. Two giant stone hands hold up the massive, bright yellow walking bridge, which extends nearly 500 feet across. The Golden Bridge hands are called “the hands of God,” so you’ll be awed by their scale and magnificence as you walk across. You should not miss this place during your Da Nang Shore Excursions.
4. Cham Museum
The Cham Museum has the largest collection in the world of Cham sculpture, with more than 300 sandstone pieces dating from the fourth to 14th centuries. A guide is almost a necessity to fully appreciate these timeless treasures (and to understand the labels, all in Vietnamese). (Tran Phu Street; open daily 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; admission around $3 for adults). Travel agents will add this place for your Da Nang Shore Excursions.
5. Linh Ứng Pagoda and Lady Buddha statue
Another popular sport for Da Nang Shore Excursions is Linh Ung Pagoda. Located on the center of Son Tra Peninsula, Linh Ung Pagoda is one of the typical examples of Vietnamese pagoda. The path leads to the main chamber of the pagoda consists of 18 Arhats statues, each depicts various human emotions. Linh Ung Pagoda is also famous for the huge statue of Lady Buddha – 67m high, hence it got the name Lady Buddha pagoda.
Lady Buddha statue stands in a perfect position that visitors can see it from every corner of Danang. It is the highest statue in Vietnam, measuring 67 meters in height and 35 meters in diameter at its base. The Lady Buddha Statue in Vietnam created a wonderful place where visitors can free their mind. Linh Ung’s not only just a religious place, but it is also one of the most visited attractions in the city of Danang. Here is the most popular for Da Nang Shore Excursions beside Hoi An Shore Excursions.
6. Marble Mountain
A must spot during your Da Nang Shore Excursiosn is Marble Mountains. The five Marble Mountains are each named for elements — water, metal, wood, fire and earth. Tho Son (earth) is the highest peak, and for a small fee, visitors can climb 153 rather steep steps to the top for tremendous views of Da Nang, China Beach and the South China Sea beyond. There also are caves where the Viet Cong hid during the war. Most of the temples and shrines are new, replacements for those destroyed during the fighting. Donations are requested at some of the shrines.
Below the mountains, the town of Non Nuoc produces marble goods, and there are numerous production studios and stalls selling everything from tiny folk figures and chess sets to giant statuary. Ship’s Hoi An shore excursions often stop at these studios for shopping and bathroom breaks on the way back to the cruise port.
7. Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An is the main spot for Hoi An Shore Excursions beside Da Nang Shore Excursions. This place offers visitors a wealth of culture, great food, friendly people and some of the best shopping in Vietnam. Basically untouched during the Vietnam War, it is a 45-minute drive from Da Nang and two hours from Chan May. Hoi An’s narrow streets (many pedestrian only) are lined with well-preserved architecture that gives the centuries-old town a wonderfully quaint atmosphere. To visit the museums and old houses, get a ticket for a nominal fee at the Hoi An Tourist Guiding Office (1 Nguyen Truong).
Most visitors simply wander and shop, stopping for a refreshing iced coffee before boarding buses back to the ship. The Central Market, near the Thu Bon river at Nguyen and Tran Phu streets, has stalls selling food, crafts, spices, fish and so forth, and lots of hustle and bustle (haggle there if you want to buy anything). As for the shops, Shop Ngoc Uyen (92 Le Loi Street) is an excellent souvenir venue for high-quality silk scarves, purses and other accessories (at prices so reasonable you’ll want to stock up). So you should add this place in your travel list for Da Nang Shore Excursions.
8. Historic My Son Sanctuary
You should visit this place beside Hoi An for your Da Nang Shore Excursions. Not far from Da Nang is the sanctuary of My Son, which dates all the way back to the 4th century. The temples here hold precious Hindu significance and are dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
III. SUGGESTED DA NANG SHORE EXCURSIONS (PRIVATE & GROUP SHORE EXCURSIONS) IN HUE/ DA NANG (CHAN MAY) CRUISE PORT, VIETNAM
Adventures Travel Vietnam offers the best private custom deluxe Da Nang Shore Excursions for all valued cruise ship passengers from Hue/Da Nang (Chan May) Cruise Port, Vietnam. We have been highly recommended by many customers on Tripadvisor, Cruise Critic and Private Guides. Join our Da Nang shore excursions, you not only have a chance to explore all the beauties and hidden charms of Da Nang City, also enjoy various delicious speacialities and understand more Vietnam history and cultures. We guarantee a local perspective that will give you and your family a once in a lifetime experience.
Please check out recommended Vietnam Shore Excursions, if you do not find any suitable itinerary, please contact our Vietnam travel experts. We will help you tailor a unique shore excursion to Vietnam that is exclusively for you.
Da Nang is a coastal city in central Vietnam known for its sandy beaches and history as a French colonial port. It’s a popular base for visiting the inland Bà Nà hills, located to the west of the city. Here the Hải Vân Pass has views of Da Nang Bay and the Marble Mountains, 5 limestone outcrops that are home to pagodas and caves containing Buddhist shrines.
Nowhere in Vietnam is changing as fast as Danang. For decades it had a reputation as a provincial backwater, but big changes are ongoing. Stroll along the Han riverfront and you’ll find gleaming new modernist hotels, and apartments and restaurants are emerging. Spectacular new bridges now span the Han river, and in the north of the city, the landmark new D-City is rising from the flatlands…
NHA TRANG SHORE EXCURSIONS
Nha Trang is known as the Riviera of the South China Sea, offers a six-kilometre stretch of beautiful coastline with white sandy beaches, clear waters with an abundance of marine life and thriving reefs, verdant mountain ranges at each end, as well as 19 untouched islets that are just a short boat ride away.
This city also offers a myriad of sightseeing and recreational activities, the coastal town itself is steeped with breath-taking structures that date back to the Champa Kingdom, Buddhist temples, and gothic-style Catholic churches, as well as natural hot springs, salt fields, and unique waterfalls. Customers will have a chance to taste and try fresh seafood and Vietnamese cuisine while lively bars and pubs along the pristine beach are favourite hangouts for tourists to watch the sun sets over the East Sea…
DA NANG & HOI AN SHORE EXCURSIONS
This shore excursion is specially designed for cruise ship passengers from Chan May or Tien Sa Port who want to discover all must-see attractions of Marble Mountains, China Beach, the Japanese Bridge, the UNESCO-listed old quarter of Hoi An, and Dragon Bridge in one day. With this shore excursion, customers not only have a chance to learn about the history and culture of each city, also enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant…
MY SON SANCTUARY & HOI AN SHORE EXCURSIONS
This shore excursion introduces two unique & amazing attractions recognized as world heritage by UNESCO: My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Ancient Town. Customers not only have chance to explore My Son Sanctuary, admire the mysterious ancient ruins of a once blooming capital under the Cham civilization dating from the second century, but also visit Hoi An Ancient Town – a trading center of Vietnam in 15th Century and have best souvenirs for your friends and family…
VUNG TAU SHORE EXCURSIONS
Vung Tau city or Ba Ria-Vung Tau is a famous port city in Vietnam. It has long sandy beaches which stretch along the coastline. This city is also the best place on mainland where you can admire sunrise and sunset on the sea beautifully and has many unique relics such as Vung Tau Lighthouse, Jesus Statue, Niet Ban Tinh Xa Pagoda, Thich Ca Phat Dai Pagoda, Long Son Large House, etc. All the attractions of the city thank to the harmonious combination between natural landscape, urban architecture and cultural works…
GOLDEN BRIDGE & BA NA HILLS SHORE EXCURSIONS
Ba Na Hills is one of the newest and most exciting tourist destination in Da Nang, Vietnam. It is 1,487 meters high over the sea level with very cool climate of 20 degree around the year. Ba na Hills is a mountaintop resort complex that looks like a medieval castle, but inside these stone walls are modern accommodations, world class restaurants and a Fantasy Park full of exciting rides. This shore excursion brings you to visit the Golden Bridge – a new wonder of Vietnam, get lost in French Villas, stand on the top of Bana Mountain, and get a glimpse of Buddhism in Vietnam by a visit to sacred Linh Ung Pagoda…
HUE SHORE EXCURSIONS
Hue is known as the capital of imperial Vietnam for 143 years, shines with the glories of the old times. The city has a peculiar kind of conservative beauty and slow paced life style. Emperors’ tombs, Imperial Citadel, historic relics, beautiful beaches to poetic Perfume River, Dong Ba Market, Thien Mu Pagoda – Hue is just like a hidden gem of Central Vietnam where you can forget the flow of time. And these are just the most obvious things to do in Hue, just a scratch of what this beautiful city can offer…
HALONG BAY SHORE EXCURSIONS
Halong Bay is known as a beautiful natural wonder in northern Vietnam. It is dotted with 1,600 limestone islands and islets and covers an area of over 1,500 sqkm. This extraordinary area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. For many tourists, this place is like something right out of a movie. The fact is that Halong Bay features a wide range of biodiversity, while the surrealistic scenery has indeed featured in endless movies. Do not miss Halong Bay Shore Excursions for your holiday…
HANOI SHORE EXCURSIONS
Hanoi is known as one of the most ancient capitals in the world, where travellers can find well-preserved colonial buildings, ancient pagodas, and unique museums within the city centre. A great place to explore on foot, this French-colonial city is also known for its delectable cuisine, vibrant nightlife, silks and handicrafts, as well as a multi-cultural community that’s made up of Chinese, French and Russian influences…
HO CHI MINH CITY SHORE EXCURSIONS
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is known as the business and financial hub of Vietnam. It becomes a popular tourist destination due to its fascinating culture, classic French architecture, and sleek skyscrapers as well as ornate temples and pagodas. The city is also filled with rooftop bars that overlook Saigon and beyond, while fantastic restaurants offer a combination of French, Chinese, and, of course, local Vietnamese cuisine. Here is the ideal destination for cruise passengers from Phu My & Sai Gon Port…
HO CHI MINH CITY & CU CHI TUNNELS SHORE EXCURSIONS
With Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh City Shore Excursions, cruise passengers not only have a chance to explore an immense network of connecting underground tunnels that witnessed several military campaigns during the Vietnam War, but also see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life in Ho Chi Minh City. Whether you are a veteran, a war-site enthusiast or just a visitor, you will leave Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh City with newer and deeper perspectives of the country than you had before…
MEKONG DELTA SHORE EXCURSIONS
Mekong Delta – the endearing name Vietnamese people often call the land – has always been the most unique destination of Vietnam for cruise passengers from Phu My & Sai Gon Port. With most of the land covered and divided by wetlands and rivers, Mekong Delta has developed a unique way of life and culture adapting to the geography characteristics. There’re a lot of things to do in Mekong Delta Vietnam with the immense beauties and cultural charms…
CU CHI TUNNELS SHORE EXCURSIONS
Cu Chi Tunnel is known as one of the must-see spots in Phu My & Sai Gon shore excursions for cruise passengers. It boasts an immense network of connecting underground tunnels that witnessed several military campaigns during the Vietnam War. Whether you are a veteran, a war-site enthusiast or just a visitor, you will leave Cu Chi Tunnels with newer and deeper perspectives of the country than you had before…
Are you temped to visit Hue? Why not let Adventures Travel Vietnam arrange your perfect Da Nang Shore Excursions and Vietnam? Tell us your own ideas and requests by mailing to chiduyencssh@gmail.com. One of our travel experts will get back to you as soon as possible!