DESTINATIONS VIETNAM | ASIA
CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: Golden Bridge, Marble Mountains cave and InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula
Resort, all Da Nang; red-shanked douc langur monkeys PICTURES: Yeo Eng Hwee; Shutterstock/Hien Phung Thu, saiko3p, Nguyen Thi Quynh Chau
Kieu Pedestal, a huge, ornate altar featuring symbolic images such as Apsara dancers. Da Nang is known for its striking architecture. At the weekend, Dragon Bridge, a dragon-shaped overpass spanning the River Han, breathes clouds of hot fire during sunset light shows. Clients who enjoy riverside walks should also consider a stroll along nearby Bach Dang, the city’s first night-time ‘walking street’. Unveiled in 2024, this pedestrianised thoroughfare opens from 3pm to midnight and stretches from Dragon Bridge to Tran Thi Ly Bridge. It’s lined with stalls selling everything from street food to local crafts. No visit to Da Nang is complete without
an exploration of the Marble Mountains – five limestone peaks four miles to the south. Home to caves and temples carved by Nguyen Dynasty kings, its highlights include Huyen Khong cave, which was a Viet Cong hideout during the Vietnam War and is now a popular spot for selfie-snappers, who pose in circles of sunlight created by shafts of light piercing the cave’s shattered ceiling. The Linh Ung Pagoda, surrounded by monkey-topped ceremonial halls and sculpture gardens 640m above sea level, is a great spot to soak up views over the coastline. Da Nang is getting greener too – there are plans for beachfront parks in its centre, as well as in the Son Tra District. This peninsula, to the city centre’s north, is known for its wildlife, and
travelweekly.co.uk
critically endangered red-shanked douc langur monkeys are regularly spotted here. The peninsula is also home to beautiful beaches and Da Nang’s most luxurious hotel – the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. Designed by American architect Bill Bensley, it’s home to the city’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, La Maison 1888.
HOI AN A small city 17 miles south of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for its ancient canals and rich history. Its Unesco World Heritage designation was awarded due to its status as an “exceptionally well-preserved example of a southeast Asian trading port”. Most visitors make a beeline for its historic
centre, where pastel-hued, greenery-draped buildings date back to the 1500s and reflect Chinese, Vietnamese and European architectural styles. Today, many of its inhabitants are Chinese descendants of the traders who shaped this city, building structures that have been carefully preserved and opened to the public: dragon- adorned assembly halls and squat wooden houses topped with rainbow-hued glazed tiles. The sheer number of historic buildings in its old town can seem overwhelming, but this is where the Hoi An Old Town ticket comes in. For about £3.40, visitors can purchase a pass providing access to a choice of five historic
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exper expert ASK THE
Jo Reeve, general manager UK & Ireland, Intrepid Travel “Travellers are increasingly seeking more culturally enriching
experiences beyond Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Hoi An, Hue (pictured) and Da Nang offer a rich history, beautiful landscapes and authentic local charm, making them an attractive alternative to larger urban hubs. Additionally, new direct flight routes from the UK with Vietnam Airlines make these destinations more accessible than ever.”
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