Why Solo Travelers Love This Lesser Known Coastal City In Southeast Asia

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It’s no secret solo vacationers have been flocking back into Southeast Asia now that the area has totally lifted all of its border curbs.

The world capital of backpacking tourism, the subcontinent is legendary for its tropical ambiance, vibrant tradition, heat and welcoming individuals, and affordability, with vacationer {dollars} stretching so much additional right here than they’d within the Western World.

Interestingly, it’s a lesser-known coastal port that appears to be stealing the limelight these days, drawing in a rising variety of younger adventurers:

Da Nang Is Southeast Asia’s Unsung Tropical Getaway

Da Nang is a big metropolis straddling the central coast of Vietnam.

Though it has by no means been as extensively widespread as Nha Trang, the bustling resort vacation spot additional up the coast, nor the nation’s two largest metropolises, Ho Chi Minh City (alternatively known as Saigon) and Hanoi, it’s been gaining traction these days amongst finances vacationers.

Man and woman backpackers standing in the street using their phone

It’s actually no secret Vietnam is a world-class finances vacation spot the place you’ll be able to survive on as little as 100 {dollars} for per week, however little is claimed about Da Nang particularly:

Historically, Da Nang traces its origins again to the traditional Kingdom of Champa, established as early as 192 AD alongside the shoreline of modern-day Vietnam.

Essentially a fishing village all through its early days, Da Nang grew in relevance following Western contact when Europeans arrange buying and selling posts on the coast, resulting in the area’s speedy improvement and urbanization.

The Gateway To Central Vietnam

Aerial View Of Da Nang, A Coastal City In Central Vietnam, Southeast Asia

Nowadays, it’s a big regional capital with a inhabitants of over 1.3 million residents, well-known for a landmark ‘Dragon’ Bridge that spans a fast-flowing river, clusters of towering skyscrapers, and its multicultural group.

Da Nang is simply as vibrant and thrilling a metropolis break as Bangkok, with comparable electrical nightlife and a vibrant social scene.

It is bordered by gorgeous pure reserves, very like Ubud, in Indonesia’s Bali, and it’s near the ocean.

At the identical time, Da Nang will be a lot cheaper and fewer crowded than these aforementioned locations, that are already fairly inexpensive themselves.

Da Nang Is Hugely Affordable

A Woman Wearing A Money Belt As She Pulls Out A Note, Unspecified Location

Believe it or not, a single particular person’s month-to-month prices in Da Nang are estimated at a mere US$453.30 per 30 days (with out hire), as the price of residing within the metropolitan space is pretty low, and shopper costs are vastly inexpensive.

According to Numbeo, a modest meal at an affordable eatery in Da Nang – almost definitely a kerbside meals stall – is a negligible one greenback and sixty-three cents, whereas a extra elaborate, three-course meal for 2 individuals at a mid-range restaurant is as low-cost as US$22.39.

Numbeo‘s figures should be taken with a pinch of salt, as their information isn’t peer-reviewed and depends on contributions from unverified sources, however having been to Vietnam ourselves, together with Da Nang, we’re capable of verify it’s not too removed from the reality.

To offer you a greater overview, BudgetYourTrip‘s common every day price for a visit to Da Nang is US$47 per particular person, whereas the common resort worth is US$39.

These are nonetheless inexpensive within the grand scheme of issues, however keep in mind their median numbers could also be overestimated, as they’re extra generally based mostly on the bills of vacationers or short-term guests with cash to spend on luxuries, versus natives and the native way of life.

More typically than not, solo vacationers journey on extra restricted funds and make budget-conscious choices, particularly in Southeast Asia, a backpacking hotspot and multi-country vacation spot.

Backpacker Walking Through Hoi An, Vietnam, Southeast Asia

There are quite a few inexpensive B&B stays and three-star accommodations in Da Nang for beneath US$30 an evening, and youth hostels for less expensive, although we wouldn’t advocate them except an AC system is put in, as the warmth and humidity will be overwhelming at instances.

Da Nang is the right vacation spot not just for consuming low-cost and buying but additionally exploring the unspoiled Central-Vietnamese nature.

What To See In And Around Da Nang

It is the gateway to the world-famous Marble Mountains and the majestic Bà Nà peaks, and it’s a widespread homebase for visiting a few of the nation’s high cultural sights.

Golden bridge lifted by hands in Vietnam

These are the Golden Hands Bridge, a crossing suspended by two large fingers amidst dense, inexperienced foliage, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An, a yellow-colored historic with an eclectic Old Town, combining parts of each Indochine structure, and Japanese and French colonial city-building, and Hue, the previous Imperial City of Vietnam.

The Hue Citadel is a formidable fortification jam-packed with historic temples and stately palaces.

Also, not removed from Da Nang, exactly 27 miles from town middle, lies the ruined cluster of temples of Mỹ Sơn, one more UNESCO-protected zone established as early because the 4th century.

East Gate Hien Nohn Gate In Hue, An Imperial City In Central Vietnam, Southeast Asia

If you’re in search of seashores, one of the best ones inside brief driving distance of Da Nang (often half an hour), with passable charges of cleanliness, and with gentle, golden sands are My Khe, Phước Mỹ Beach, and Man Thai Beach.

Da Nang Is Remarkably Safe For Foreigners

Finally, but one more reason why solo vacationers love Da Nang is its excessive stage of security.

Much like different main Vietnamese cities, it will not be the cleanest, and site visitors can really feel hectic at instances, however you’ll quickly be taught you’re beneath no threat of falling sufferer to city violence, and even petty crimes aren’t a typical incidence.

Spotless Golden Sand Beach In My Khe, Near Da Nang, Central Vietnam, Southeast Asia

The Vietnamese are extremely welcoming individuals, and aside from the odd avenue vendor, in the event you ever get approached by a passerby, it will likely be out of sheer curiosity and with pleasant intent.

How To Get To Da Nang

Da Nang International Airport hosts flights from a lot of locations in Asia, together with Kuala Lumpur International in Malaysia, Seoul-Incheon in South Korea, Manila within the Philippines, and Singapore, making it simple to journey for backpackers country-hopping across the continent.

Regrettably, no nonstop flights are scheduled between the North American continent and Da Nang.

In order to get there, U.S. residents should first journey to an intermediate Vietnamese destination or Asian nation, often through Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo in Japan, or Taipei in Taiwan, that are all served by nonstop flights from the States.

Alternatively, vacationers can land in both Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s two most important entry factors, and board an in a single day practice to Da Nang.

In order to enter Vietnam, they will even want a vacationer visa, which will be obtained on-line prematurely and lasts for three months.

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