Danang, Hoi An, Hue, My Son | Vietnam Trip Part 2

We departed Ho Chi Minh City for Hoi An via Da Nang on Vietjet Air VJ624 (~SGD46 pp one way) on Day 3 of our 10-day Vietnam trip.

Arriving at 10am we had half a day to kill before checking in at our hotel in Hoi An. We booked a minivan from Hoi An Cars to take us to Marble Mountains and Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village then to our hotel. This costs VND1,250,000 (~ SGD71) for the 5-hour duration.

Marble Mountains

Marble Mountains is a cluster of five limestone and marble hills located in the coastal city of Da Nang in central Vietnam. The mountains, also known as Ngu Hanh Son, are popular with tourists for their natural beauty, cultural and historical significance, and religious sites.

Each of the five mountains represents one of the five elements of the ancient oriental philosophy – metal, wood, water, fire and earth. Visitors can climb up to the peaks of the mountains for panoramic views of the East Sea, which we did not do due to the lack of time and fitness 😊.

The mountains are also home to a number of caves and tunnels, some of which were used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.

One of the most notable caves is Huyen Khong Cave. At noon, the angle of the sunlight illuminates the gold-rimmed altar adorned with intricate Buddhist statues. It is truly an amazing and beautiful sight.

Another popular attraction is the Am Phu Cave, which is said to represent the Buddhist concept of hell. Visitors must descend a steep staircase to enter the cave, where they will encounter a maze of dark tunnels, eerie statues, and realistic depictions of the punishments awaiting sinners.

Other than the natural caves, Marble Mountains is also home to several pagodas and temples, including the Linh Ung Pagoda and Tam Thai Pagoda, which are dedicated to various deities and have beautiful architecture and ornate decorations.

Entrance fees are not too expensive: VND40,000 and VND 15,000 for the elevator. Ok to visit if you have some spare time.

Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village

Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village is a charming eco-tourism destination near Hoi An, a coastal city in central Vietnam. The village is known for its picturesque scenery, lush greenery, and traditional Vietnamese way of life.

The main attraction of the village is the vast coconut palm forest, which covers an area of over 3 hectares. We really enjoyed the unique coconut basket boat ride, known as “thung chai,” through the maze of narrow waterways that weave through the forest. Helmed by skilful oarsmen and women we were whisked through the river-forest amidst a cacophony of dance music and boat spinning performances. Not to be missed if you are in Hoi An.

The boat ride is also an opportunity to admire the serene beauty of the coconut forest and observe the daily life of local fishermen and farmers. Visitors can also try their hand at traditional fishing methods using bamboo rods and nets, or even join in with the locals to harvest the coconuts.

After a cool coconut drink by a riverside stall we headed to our hotel, the Ann Retreat Resort & Spa, where we stayed for 4 nights (SGD118 per room/night). It is on the quieter side of the river only a short 10-min walk to the old town.

Day 4  – We spent the day walking around the old town savouring local cuisines like cao lau, white rose dumplings from the White Rose Restaurant, the famous banh mi recommended by Tripadvisor Banh Mi Queen, and chilling with cold beers by the riverside.

We timed our arrival in Hoi An to coincide with the first full moon of the Lunar New Year to partake in the Lantern Festival. Street lights were turned down and colourful lanterns lined every street. At dusk, street food stalls popped up along the river selling delicious vegetarian food alongside traditional grilled pork dishes and tasty mooncakes.

In the evening we watched a Lune Production show at the Hoi An Performing Arts Centre. We booked the lowest tier ticket at 700,000 VND (~SGD40) for the 45-min performance called Teh Dar showcasing culture of Vietnamese tribes. Although it received rave reviews on Tripadvisor I personally didn’t enjoy the show very much. YMMV.

We ended the night with a private boat ride to take in the magical glow of Hoi An from the river. As a tradition for good fortune we released paper candle-lit lanterns on the river. Festivities began to wind down around 9.30pm.

Day 5 – We took a tour, also facilitated by Hoi An Cars with an English speaking guide, to Hue. Our friendly guide Fletcher took us on a 120km journey along the scenic coastal road though the Hai Van mountain pass and a turquoise lagoon.

Hue – The Ancient Capital

Hue is a charming city located in central Vietnam and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945 and is known for its rich history, culture, and architecture.

One of the main attractions of Hue is the Imperial City, which served as the residence of the Nguyen Emperors and their families. The Imperial City is a vast complex of palaces, temples, gardens, and defensive walls, all of which reflect the grandeur and opulence of the Nguyen Dynasty. Visitors can explore the various buildings and structures within the Imperial City, including the Palace of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Mandarins, and the Forbidden Purple City.

Another highlight of Hue is the Perfume River, which flows through the city and is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. Visitors can take a boat ride along the river and enjoy the stunning views of the city and its landmarks.

Hue is also known for its rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in its many temples, pagodas, and tombs. One of the most famous tombs is the Tomb of Tu Duc, which was built for the fourth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty and is known for its intricate architecture and peaceful surroundings.

In addition to its cultural attractions, Hue is also a culinary destination, with a rich and diverse food scene. Visitors can sample traditional Hue dishes such as “bun bo Hue,” a spicy beef noodle soup, and “banh khoai,” a savory pancake filled with shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts.

It is important to have a good guide. Because of Fletcher who spoke perfect English, Hue’s history came alive, almost like we lived through it.

Day 6 – The next day for our visit to My Son we requested for Fletcher as our guide again. The journey was about an hour. We got there at 10am to avoid the crowds.

My Son Sanctuary

My Son is an ancient temple complex built between the 4th and 14th centuries by the Cham people, an ethnic group that ruled over parts of Vietnam and Cambodia.

The My Son complex is composed of over 70 temples and tombs, most of which were built with red bricks and decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures. The temples were dedicated to various Hindu deities, including Shiva, Vishnu, and Krishna. The My Son complex is surrounded by lush green forests and mountains, making it a beautiful and serene destination.

Despite being heavily damaged by war and natural disasters, many of the temples at My Son have been partially restored and are open to visitors. Fletcher guided us around the complex and patiently explained about the Cham civilization, their religious beliefs, and their architectural techniques. The tour also includes a cultural performance featuring traditional Cham music and dance.

Day 7 – We checked out of Ann Retreat Resort and made our way to Danang for a night at the Halina Hotel (886950VND, or aprrox SGD50) so that we are nearer to the airport for a very early flight to Dalat. On the way we took a detour to Bana Hills.

Ba Na Hills

Ba Na Hills is a popular tourist destination located in central Vietnam, near the city of Da Nang. The area is known for its natural scenery, cool mountain climate, and amusement park attractions.

The Ba Na Hills area is accessed by cable car, which takes visitors on a scenic journey through the clouds to the top of the mountain. This was the longest cable car ride I had ever taken. The uninterrupted line is 1.5km long and took about 25 mins to reach the top.

At the summit, there’s French-style village, which features a variety of restaurants, shops, and attractions. There’s also an amusement park, with roller coaster rides, a funicular railway, an indoor arcade and a wax museum. The whole place looks too gaudy to me, truly a well-oiled tourist trap.

One of the main attractions at Ba Na Hills is the Golden Bridge, a unique pedestrian bridge that spans across two mountain peaks. The bridge is supported by giant stone hands and offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests. It was quite crowded at photo-friendly vantage points and we had to be extra patient to get shots without unwanted distractions.

Visitors can also take a nature walk through the forest, visit the Linh Ung Pagoda, and explore the many gardens and parks within the complex. In addition, there are a variety of food and beverage options, including local Vietnamese cuisine and international fare. We had buffet lunch at a Japanese restaurant for 360,000VND (~SGD20) pp, a pretty average meal but coffee was bad.

Ba Na Hills is a huge place. Go early if you want to enjoy all the attractions.

Entrance fees:
Adult: 850.000VND
Children: 700.000VND

Opening hours: 7:30am to 9:30pm daily

We settled in at the Halina hotel in Danang for the evening, Had an overpriced seafood dinner at Lang Ca Seafood Restaurant and ended with ice cream at the beach.

We departed early next morning for the 7am flight VN1955 (~SGD55 pp) to Dalat.

…./continued on Part 3 – Dalat

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We booked our stays in Hoi An and Danang at Agoda.com.

1. Ann Retreat Resort & Spa, Hoi An

2. Halina Hotel & Apartment, Danang