Cham Sculpture Museum
The museum was established by French academics in 1916 and contains the largest display of Cham art anywhere in the world with more than 300 artefacts ranging from the 4th to the 14th century. With a beautiful setting, the complex is open land in design, providing an environment in which the artefacts can be exhibited to their best advantage. There are numbers of rooms including My Son, Tra Kieu, Dong Duong and Thap Man, each dedicated to a different period of Cham art dating from the 7th to the 15th century.
Danang Cathedral (known as the Rooster church)
Single-spired with a pink sandstone coloured wash, the cathedral was built for the city’s French residents in 1923. Today, it serves a Catholic community of 4,000 of Danang City. The architecture of the cathedral is marvellous with several medieval–stained glass windows of various saints. Masses are held from Monday to Saturday at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m., and on Sunday at 5:00 a.m., 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Han Market
The colourful market is located right in central city, at the intersection of Hung Vuong St. and Tran Phu St., all day long busy with sellers and buyers in and out, and goods of all kinds. A lively and cheerful atmosphere permeates the marketplace from vendors in conical hats sitting on the ground with their small baskets of little fruits and vegetables to salespeople at their big well-stocked stands. It is a nice place for shopping as well as snap-shooting.
Ho Chi Minh Museum
One of the reproductions of the local people to beloved Uncle Ho, founded in 1977, has three sections, a museum of military history in front of which American, Chinese and Soviet weaponry is displayed, a replica of Ho Chi Minh’s house in Hanoi, and a museum about Uncle Ho’s life. The replica of Ho Chi Minh’s house is must-see for anyone who won’t make it to the Ho Chi Minh’s House in Hanoi (or to any reproductions scattered throughout the country).
Marble Mountains
They consist of marble hillocks by the sea. Each is said to represent one of the five elements of the Universe and named accordingly: Thuy Son (water), Moc Son (Wood), Hoa Son (Fire), Kim Son (Metal) and Tho Son (Earth). The largest and most famous Mount Thuy Son has a number of natural caves in which Buddhist sanctuaries have been built over the centuries. Also an important religious spot for Cham, the peaks became havens for communist guerrillas during the war owing to their commanding view of Danang airbase. Mount Thuy Son is a popular pilgrimage site, especially on days of the full and sliver moon and during the Lunar New Year. It is located about 8km southeast Danang.
Non Nuoc Carving Hamlet
On the southern side of Thuy Son, the hamlet is a few meters west of beautiful Non Nuoc Beach. The marble carvings made here by skilled artisans would make great gifts for tourists to send home; even it is entertaining to watch the carvers at work. A wide variety of articles are sculptured in marble, including Buddhist and saint statues, sacred animals, Cham-style statues, etc.
Non Nuoc Beach
It stretches for many kilometres north and south of the Marble Mountains. During the Vietnam War, American soldiers were airlifted here rest and relax’ resort celebrated in rock songs before being returned by helicopter to combat. It is now quiet sandy beach with some surf and at times a strong cross current.
Phap Lam Pagoda
Built in 1936, the pagoda is also known as the City’s Buddhist Association, one of the typical pagodas of Mahayana Buddhism – the predominant religion of Vietnam. This pagoda has a great brass statue of Dia Tang, the King of Hell, near the entrance. Permanently, the pagoda is served as a religious place and the head office of the City’s Buddhist Association. Some of the monks live here.
Mount Ba Na
39km west of Danang, known as French hill station built in 1920 including waterfalls, forest and colonial style villas. Old buildings, cable cars, steep road to Mount Ba Na (1420 metres above sea level) & Mount Chua (1487 metres above sea level) were open to visitors since 1999.
Hoi An
30km southwest of Danang, the tranquil town of Hoi An rests on the shores of the Thu Bon River. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, Hoi An was a vital commercial seaport in South East Asia from the 17th to the 19th centuries attracting merchants from China, Japan, Portugal and France. The long houses built by the merchants reflect the architectural styles of their homeland and remain in near perfect condition today. Visitors can take an early morning walk through the market and marvel at the quaint narrow streets and centuries-old communal houses and pagodas. Moreover, monthly festival on full-moon night is worth a visit.
My Son
The once glorious holy see of the Champa Kingdom at My Son is Vietnam‘s most important ancient historical site. Situated about 75km southwest of Danang, the towers and temples which cover the area provide an insight into the spiritual and religious beliefs of the Cham people. Unfortunately, many of the relics have been damaged by years of war but the site has often been compared to the ruins of Angkor in Cambodia, Pagan in Myanmar and Ayuthaya in Thailand.
Quang Ngai
140km south of Danang, 450km north of Nha Trang, 200km east of Kontum, it is a small town by the Tra Khuc River, famous for Son My massacre sites, pristine beaches, Thach Tru hot springs and H’’re tribe villages (60km from Quang Ngai). New industrial parks are under construction. |
