Da Nang is my ‘hometown’ and my team and I really love sharing it with our overseas friends. Tien Sa port is part of this wealthy, modern and rapidly expanding city and Da nang is where many Vietnamese aspire to live! But it has a long history too – with origins that date back to the ancient kingdom of Champa. It was originally called Cua Han during early Dai Viet times, and Tourane during French colonial rule. So in Xuan Tu’s full 8 hour Private Shore Excursion we look closely at my country’s culture, history, beauty & beliefs.
We start our tour by greeting you shipside at Tien Sa port, and in our modern air conditioned vehicle with professional driver we make our 10 minute drive along the seafront of Da Nang bay, stopping to see fishermen’s wives selling their husband’s fresh catch – see if you can identify each fish on sale! We see coracle shaped boats still in use today. Frequent comfort stops are made during the day to freshen-up if required.
We were recently on a cruise ship and docked at Da Nang Vietnam. I found this tour company, rated #1 on TripAdvisor. The owner is Xuan Tu, a lovely young woman who has the BEST website I have ever seen for a tour company and guide
– Client TripAdvisor Review
Many visitors say the next part of our excursion is one of its highlight as we leave the confines of Da Nang and head up the stunning 21km Hai Van mountain pass – made famous by the BBC’s ‘Top Gear’ programme who described it as; ‘a deserted ribbon of perfection, one of the best coast roads in the world’. This is Ščo HaŅi Vān in Vietnamese, and means literally ‘ocean cloud pass’. Driving to its summit and weather permitting we see reminders of my country’s recent past, Red Beach 2 in the distance where in 1965 the US Marine Corps made its famous landing, and at the summit a bullet scarred French Fort. Once over the pass we experience the haunting beauty of Lang Co bay as we retrace our steps to Da Nang by returning the ‘quick’ route through Hai Van tunnel opened in 2005. On a good day this can save some 30+ minutes on our outward journey over the pass!
Exiting the tunnel we find ourselves on the outskirts of Da Nang again and make our way to ‘Marble Mountains’ for a photo opportunity. This is a stunning cluster of 5 limestone & marble hills and a well known pilgrimage site with peaks, caves, tunnels & temples. If time allows we may take a short elevator ride to view the mountains from a higher vantage point.
Visiting anywhere in and around Da Nang it is difficult not to see remnants of, or escape discussion of the effects of the Vietnam War – in 1965 the US Marine Corp landed at ‘Red Beach 2’, our International Airport was once the giant US Da Nang airbase and My Khe Beach was an area for R&R. Marble Mountains was not immune to the war’s effects, so remember to ask your guide about its use during the conflict.
We drive onto ‘Million Dollars Road’, passing My Khe Beach voted as one of the ‘top-10’ world beaches by Forbes magazine, and return into the city to visit Han Market, which at 28,000m2 offers a great insight into the daily life of ordinary Vietnamese. Feel free to shop here, we will be next to you if you need help – and at least try the local specialities such as coconut candy or lotus & dried melon seeds. The market is a perfect choice to see local Da Nang food too – during the day you will be offered either a typical Vietnamese lunch at an excellent local restaurant or snacks along the way if required. This is something we will discuss on our way to Da Nang as we are conscious you will have dinner on-board when you sail!
During our excursion and depending on traffic, we cross one or more of the 3 bridges of Da Nang: Han River Bridge, Tran Thi Ly Bridge and its famous Dragon Bridge.
One of our most sacred places of worship is the 18th century pagoda of Ling Ung on Son Tra peninsular and this is our final destination, Here you will enjoy breathtaking views of Da Nang and its beaches, and along with visitors from many countries you will certainly meet groups of rural Vietnamese visiting the pagoda, and can marvel with them at the gigantic 67m tall ‘Lady Buddha’ statue as she gazes out over the East Sea and Cham Islands in the distance.
We have now come full circle and are just 15 minutes from Tien Sa, so we must say goodbye as we return you safely to port in plenty of time for your ship’s departure after a memorable day
My ‘Da Nang & Hai Van Pass Private Shore Excursion’ fee includes;
- ‘Meet & Greet’ at Tien Sa port
- a full 8 hour private guided tour in English
- all entry feescold, bottle mineral water
- moist towellettes
- use of a modern air conditioned vehicle & my professional driver
My fee excludes;
- any meals & drinks taken during the tour (bottled water is free of charge)
