Beyond the verdant valleys of Truong Son Mountains lie some of Vietnam’s most prized sights. An hour’s drive West of central Da Nang, a lengthy cable car ride awaits, taking travellers miles above ground to discover the scenic beauty of Ba Na Hills. Blankets of mist lift and settle sporadically, providing breathtaking glimpses of the hilltop wonder. A medieval French village boasting restaurants and resorts is homed here; and so is the heavenly Golden Bridge, which offer two hefty, beckoning concrete hands that seemingly bolster the aureate walkway.
Over a three-day weekend in December 2019, SG Magazine left its little red dot to explore Da Nang, a place that promises abundant attractions beyond My Khe Beach’s sandy shores. Boarding Vietjet’s inaugural flight from Singapore to the Vietnamese coastal city, we flew less than three hours across the South China Sea in hopes of uncovering gems that dot the windswept locale.
Conquering high altitudes to reach Ba Na Hills was not merely enough, for the second day, we ascended the Marble Mountains, to marvel at the colossal marble and limestone hills, and find craggy caves that house sacred, religious statues, figures and altars. Sun rays beam through the craters in the dim grottoes, barely illuminating the space for us to wander.
With florid faces, we eventually descended the well-known pilgrimage quarters, to take the road often travelled within the Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village. A bamboo basket boat ride took us on a tranquil journey around the vast jungle that perfectly embodies the blend of olden and new age Vietnam, as the once war shelter is now a popular culinary destination thanks to its fresh seafood offerings.
A trip to the rising star of Southeast Asia would not be complete without a taste of the authentic, local nosh. To leave room for these meals, we avoided all temptations of hearty, warm bowls of pho, and instead traded noodles for banh xeo, a crispy, paper-thin, savoury pancake that featured brine shrimp which added more flavour and crunch. But salt-licked pork meat stuffed into toasted baguettes also laid in wait for us at the ancient town of Hoi An, as we sought out their famed banh mi eatery, recommended by none other than celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain.
Curiously an anagram of Hanoi, the well-preserved town near Da Nang fed us more both visually and culturally. The architectural phenomenon, incredibly deserving of its status as a Unesco World Heritage Site, presents a peek into the former port city, with its historical buildings like the conserved 18th-century merchant’s home, Old House of Tan Ky and Assembly Hall Of Fujian Chinese, a photogenic spot, previously created for the Chinese living in Hoi An. Colourful lanterns adorn almost every inch of the picturesque location too, further breathing vibrance into the charming site.
Alas, all the best vacations have to come to an end. Thankfully, we’ve tasted our way through Da Nang in every possible way; just take a look at our cinematic trip to the dreamy destination. Now, where to next?
Vietjet now offers direct flights from Singapore to Da Nang, Vietnam.
