CITY INFORMATION

ABOUT DA NANG

Da Nang City lies in the Midlands of Vietnam, from which Ha Noi capital in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south are almost equally spaced. Da Nang is also the central point connecting three UNESCO World Heritage sites: Hue Citadel, Hoi An ancient town, and My Son Sanctuary.

Da Nang in frost. Source: Nguyễn Sanh Quốc Huy

Da Nang borders Thua Thien Hue province in the north, Quang Nam province in the west and south, and the East Sea in the east. The city is located in the middle of the country, on the North–South trunk roads on road, rail, sea, and air, and lies at one end of the East–West Economic Corridor, an economic corridor connecting Vietnam with Laos, Thailand, and Burma (Myanmar).

The city has an area of ​​1156.53 km² consists of 06 urban districts (Hai Chau, Thanh Khe, Lien Chieu, Ngu Hanh Son, Son Tra, Cam Le) and Hoa Vang rural district, the Hoang Sa island district, with a population of 942 132 inhabitants (as of to 31/11/2010).

In the middle of the 16th century, when Hoi An was a busy center of the south, Da Nang was only a small port for goods in transit and ship repair. It gradually developed into a commercial port replacing Hoi An in the early 18th century, when European shipbuilding was improved and large deep draught vessels could easily enter Da Nang Bay.

In 1835, after King Minh Mang ordered: “European vessels are not allowed to anchor to do trade at any harbours except for Han Port”, Da Nang became the largest commercial port in the central region. The local small-scale industries, including shipbuilding, preliminary processing of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products, and trade, services prospered accordingly.

In 1975, after gaining complete independence, Da Nang (temporarily under Quang Nam – Da Nang Province) began to overcome the war’s severe consequences. Regardless of the difficulties, the city’s rehabilitation and development had some results, especially after the renovation in 1986.

On 6 July 1996, the tenth session of the 9th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam passed a Resolution separating Quang Nam – Da Nang Province into Quang Nam Province and Da Nang City, which was directly responsible to the central government. The new city of Da Nang consisted of the previous Danang, Hoa Vang Rural District, and Hoang Sa Island District.

NAMES OF DANANG THROUGH PERIODS OF TIME

The land of Da Nang, part of the Dai Viet nation’s territory, was in Hoa Chau County in the time of King Tran Anh Tong in the 15th century. In King Le Thanh Tong’s reign Dynasty starting from 1466, it belonged to Dien Ban District, Trieu Phong Prefecture, Thuan Hoa Province.

The name of Da Nang was first seen in “O Chau Can Luc” by Duong Van An in 1533 when the book mentioned a temple in Da Nang seaport where a famous figure of King Le Thanh Tong’s reign was worshipped.

The name of Da Nang, understood in the Champa language means “big river” or “main estuary”. Located next to an important seaport on the west bank of the Han River, Da Nang has been on maps since the 16th century.

Cua Han, another name for the land, was popular with the public and Europeans at that time. This name is close in meaning to the Han River and was seen on 17th century maps. Father Buzomi, a European missionary coming to the Inner Area (Dang Trong) in 1615, founded a church in Kean, the land situated on the foot of the Hai Van Pass. The name Kean was also used on a famous map made by Father Alexandre de Rhodes in 1666. Kean is “Ke Han”, stemming from the term “Ke”, a quite popular name at that time denoting crowded places such as markets and streets.

DIVERSITY OF NATURAL LANDSCAPE

Da Nang is a coastal city with a 60-km long shoreline. With smooth and sandy beaches running across the coast, Da Nang beach is voted by Forbes (U.S.) to be 1 of 6 most beautiful beaches in the world. Emerge yourself in the sapphire water, play with the waves, or just sunbathe on the fine beach and you will get to relax and unwind after a hard working day. What’s more, a selection of beach games is available on demand: canoeing, parasailing, jet-skiing, banana boats, scuba-diving, …

Not only is the city famous for its beaches, but Da Nang’s charm also lies in its geographical position: leaning against the majestic Truong Son mountains (or the Annamite Range), as well as having Son Tra Peninsula embracing the sea. Hai Van Pass, shaped by this ideal geographical feature is praised ‘The most marvelous scenery of all’ for having an amazing view overlooking the sea, besides the notorious dangerous curves. Since the opening of Hai Van tunnel (Viet Nam’s longest road tunnel) traffic flow and safety have improved. From then on, Hai Van Pass has become the destination for nature-loving explorers and motorists who dare to challenge themselves on these notorious routes.

Da Nang City is also home to Ba Na Hills – a well-marketed brand of Da Nang tourism. Explored and constructed since the French colonization, Ba Na Hills has increasingly become a popular tourist attraction with 2 Guinness World Records holder cable cars and the greatest indoor amusement complex in South East Asia – Fantasy Park (Sun World Danang Wonders).

Golden bridge, Ba Na Hills. Source: thanhnien.vn.

From Ba Na Hills – the western part of the city, visitors can turn to explore Son Tra Peninsula in the North East – a jungle in the middle of the city with rich vegetation, fauna, and flora; along the unspoiled rough and rocky coast. Heading toward South East, you will be caught by the renowned Marble Mountains where scenic beauty, culture, and religion are preserved.

A JOYFUL AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT

Not only blessed by countless beautiful sceneries, Da Nang is said to be ‘worth living’ due to its refreshing and peaceful environment. Used to lead the country in terms of economic advancement, Da Nang at the same time keeps its safety and security level under control, resolves states of homelessness and vagabonds, does away with drugs, and reduces traffic jams to a minimal degree.

Therefore, visitors can rest assured and tour the city in the most comfortable and mind-easing position. Coming to Da Nang, tourists will satisfy their appetite with countless local specialties such as Quang noodles, steamed rice pancake rolls with sliced boiled pork, and fresh seafood,… in over 150 high-quality and standard restaurants.

At present, a wide range of recreational activities are taking place all around the city, predominantly at Bach Dang street. Take a walk along the street to get a feel of Da Nang by night, check out traditional art performances, or engage yourself in nightlife entertainment outlets.

Golf lovers will surely be delighted at Da Nang’s awards winner 18-hole golf course.

To become an event tourism destination, Da Nang is running plenty of large-scale tourism events, one of which is the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival or DIFF – a display of marvelous fireworks shows from many different countries. Such a success has DIFF been that the event is said to be Da Nang's ‘original’ tourism product. In May 2011, the city organized the ‘International Parasailing Contest’. Following shortly in June is the opening event of the summer season ‘Da Nang Summer Destination 2017’ – a selection of beach recreation activities for holiday-makers.

EASE OF ACCESS

Tourists should have no difficulties getting to Da Nang. The city’s international airport operates at great capacity (receiving about 6 million passengers per year) and has opened many direct flight routes. Tien Sa seaport is another traveling hub of the city, accommodating luxurious cruise ships. If you are coming by road or by train, Da Nang is among the main stops where there will be callings.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTLOOK

In the first 6 months of 2017, the total number of arrivals to Da Nang reached 3,229,476 people, increasing by 33.2% compared to the same period in 2016. Out of the total number, there are 1,222,398 international arrivals – a 72% increase from last year; 2,007,079 domestic arrivals – an increase of 17.1% from 2016. The total number of tourists (staying overnight) rose to 2,007,079 – accounting for 51.3% of the 2017 projected figure.

In the first half of the year 2017, arrivals by road from Thailand and Laos to Da Nang grew to 4,470 passengers; arrivals by air increased by 2.2 times (726,360) from 2016; arrivals by sea saw a 24% rise (52,203) with 44 cruise ships docking at Tien Sa deep seaport.

The city’s development plan till 2015 gives priority to trading, service, and tourism industries; with the latter being heavily invested to become the leading economy. Da Nang tourism is envisioned and developed from three approaches:

• Coastal tourism (leisure, well-being & spa) and ecotourism
• Experiential and educational tourism (culture, history, heritage sites, country life, craftsman villages…)
• I.C.E tourism (meetings, incentives, conferences, events) and shopping

Da Nang aims to welcome 4 million visitors in 2015, of which there are estimated to be 1 million international arrivals. The corresponding capacity for accommodation is anticipated to be 21 thousand hotel rooms, of which 15,700 are of 4 or 5-star standard.

(from https://danangfantasticity.com/)