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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.
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. This pass is
created by a spur from the Truong Son Mountain
Range that extends to the coast. 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.
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