Lies in the central path of Vietnam. Da Nang was the landing point of both the French and the Americans during their stints in Vietnam. When the French established a garrison in Da Nang (then called Tourane), more soldiers died from disease than the associated fighting in establishing the garrison.
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Lies in the central path of Vietnam. Da Nang
was the landing point of both the French and the Americans during their
stints in Vietnam. When the French established a garrison in Da Nang
(then called Tourane), more soldiers died from disease than the
associated fighting in establishing the garrison.
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There is now a small cemetery dedicated
to them. During the Vietnam War, Da Nang was the home to one fifth of
all US servicemen based in Vietnam. This made Da Nang on of the heaviest
defended cities in South Vietnam, yet it eventually fell to the North
Vietnamese in 1975 with hardly a bullet fired.
Da Nang marks the halfway point between
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and was the first place to organize its own
local communist party committee. The city is fairly featureless, and if
you are coming from the tranquil setting of Lang Co, Hoi An, or anywhere
for that matter, Da Nang is an extreme disappointment. It is a busy,
dusty, colorless city, the fourth largest in Vietnam, and one of the
largest business centers. Unless you are in Da Nang for business,
chances are you will pass straight through. Da Nang does have a
fascinating Cham Museum that contains an excellent collection of Cham
art. However, the main reason for staying in Da Nang is in the
surrounding region. China Beach, the Marble Mountains, Hoi An and My Son
are all within striking distance of Da mange, though it is more
pleasant to stay in Hoi An and visit these sights.
Lang co beach: If you were not planning
on staying in Lang Co, a drive through may change your mind. The main
street is lined with palm trees enticing you to go for a swim in the
crystal clear waters that lap onto fine white sandy beaches. Lang Co is
on a sand spit peninsula with a sparkling lagoon on one side, and a long
beach lining the South China Sea on the other. This is one of the most
beautiful places in Vietnam, and is yet to be developed extensively for
tourists, which is probably a good thing.
Hai Van Pass: Travelling by road between
Lang Co and Da Nang, you will have to get over the Hai Van Pass. A spur
from the Truong Son Mountain Range that extends to the coast creates
this pass. This extremely mountainous road, with its sensational views,
is the cause of many local vehicles breaking down. So if you are on one,
allow yourself plenty of time. The view from the top of the pass is
extraordinarily beautiful and well worth a stop to take it all in.