Da Nang

Da Nang sits on Vietnam's central coast, halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Tien Sa Port is about 10 km from the city centre, an easy taxi ride. The Dragon Bridge, which actually breathes fire and water on weekend evenings, crosses the Han River in the middle of town. The Lady Buddha statue on Son Tra Peninsula is 67 metres tall and visible from most of the city. The Cham Museum holds 300 sandstone sculptures from the Cham kingdom that ruled this coast a thousand years ago. Hoi An, a UNESCO-listed trading town 45 minutes south, is the most popular excursion: lantern-lit streets, centuries-old shop houses, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Closer to Da Nang, the Marble Mountains are a cluster of limestone hills with caves, pagodas, and views from the top. My Khe Beach is long and clean. For food, try mi quang noodles or banh xeo, crispy stuffed crepes served with herbs and dipping sauce. Cho Con market sells marble carvings and silk. Taxis are cheap; download the Grab app for rides.