Danang (Ðà Nãng)
The guidebooks will tell you that there's not much to see in Danang. They may have a point. Certainly, there are no big attractions, ancient monuments, or even much shopping, but Danang has that small town charm which makes people watching an enjoyable pastime, if you like that sort of thing.
 Entrance to the Cham Museum in Danang. |
There are, however, a few notable things to see in Danang. Your first stop should probably be the Cham Museum (Båo Tàng). This museum was built by the French and houses many find sculptures collected from the ancient monuments of the kingdom of Champa. The building itself is rather unique, being mostly open air. Most of the collection is actually built into the museum's structure so that you see items in some degree of context.
Although the museum is really quite small, you can easily spend a couple of hours here. Be a little wary of the many "guides" both inside the museum and out. There are usually several cyclos parked around the entrance, who's drivers will offer to take you on a city tour. I'm not a big fan of cyclos, but did take a driver up on a tour to see what else the city had to offer.
 The Cao Dai temple in Danang. |
There are a number of significant temples in Danang, although none of them are really notable compared to those of Hue, or even the clan houses of Hoi An. One exception is the Cao Dai temple (right), the largest outside of the group's headquarters in Tay Ninh. The sign at the very top of the picture reads "Van Giao Nhat Ly" which supposedly translates to "all religions have the same reason." Behind the golden letters are depictions of Mohammed, Laotse, Jesus, Buddha and Confucius. Its a rather strange place, although the caretaker is quite friendly.
There's also a war museum in Danang. Out front are arrayed many rusting remnants of American war machines along with Soviet and Chinese armaments as well. The museum is in the grounds of the Ho Chi Minh museum, which is reportedly worth a visit, but was closed on my one day in Danang.
China Beach
 The boys on China Beach. |
Another "sight" of interest, at least to Americans (or viewers of American television), is China Beach. This is actually a very long beach stretching for several kilometers. If you're a "beach person" or just like five-star luxury, then you might consider making the Furama Resort on China Beach your home base for visits to Danang and Hoi An.
Other nearby attractions include Marble Mountain, a large limestone outcrop riddled with caves variously used as Buddhist temples and VC hideouts.
Danang Weather
Danang and the central areas can be quite cool in the winter months, but soon warms up around March or April.
