Good Morning Vietnam
I have been researching Vietnam as a travel destination for months and finally decided to take the leap and continue my journey. As a United States citizen your first step is to go on line and get a visa approval letter which you hand in at immigration. The cost varies but as a general guideline USD $30.00 plus… depending on agency and time frames. When you arrive at immigration you present a stamped copy of your letter, fill out another form and get a tourist visa for 30 or 90 days. I decided to get the 90 day multiple entry tourist visa and the cost was $95.00 I was good to go!
I arrived at Da Nang International Airport and took a metered taxi to my hotel which was $6.50 and checked into my hotel just three blocks from the infamous China Beach. The name of my hotel is Danang Beach Hotel which was spotless clean and a friendly and helpful staff. Located in a quiet area it was an easy walk to the beach and restaurants. My pre-booked price using Booking.com was $14.00 a nite or $98.00 for the week. An example of the helpful staff was I showed a scientific name of a special herb and within hours the staffs driver purchased two bottles of the product.
China Beach
Da Nang Beach bay is so awesome it is hard to describe as it curves toward the mountain on the north and goes as far as the eye can see to the south. The beach itself is manned by professional lifeguards and there are a series of great spots to take in Vietnam’s cafe sua da or iced coffee. This is some of the best tasting coffee in the world.
China beach is situated directly across from some excellent resorts and you have some of the best live fish restaurants situated along the beachfront.The beach is sandy with surfer type waves and runs nearly 10 miles to the south.
I walked on a brick paved street on the ocean side for seven kilometers and arrived at the famous marble mountain. The marble shops have everything from colorful mermaids to giant lions and laughing Buddhas.
Marble Mountain
Da Nangs rebuild after the Vietnam war is short of miraculous. The streets are laid out wide with excellent infrastructure and new upscale buildings exploding everywhere you look. Many new trendy bars are owned by foreigners and the word on the street is Da Nang is the next retirement heaven in Asia.
So there you have it! If y0u want to experience a new vibrant culture with friendly people in a peaceful country, excellent tropical weather, and restaurants to die for…then why not consider Da Nang, Vietnam as a tourist destination.
Travel Vietnam
QUOTE: “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but, by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”– Maya Angelou
THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW:
Previously occupied by both the French and the Americans, Da Nang marks the halfway point between the capital in the north, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City in the south. It’s the fourth largest city in Vietnam. Apart from some shopping highlights and historical sights, the main reason for most travelers staying here is its proximity to the well-known China Beach.
China Beach was a popular spot for American soldiers seeking R&R during the Vietnam-US War. Water sport activities here are in abundance, Da Nang’s coastline stretches 30 kilometers, renowned for calm, cool waters and also popular for fishing, water-skiing, diving, and yachting.
Vietnam Coastline
THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO SAVE: The culture…like extinction once it is lost its gone forever.
ZENTRAVELER SAYS: What are you waiting for Grasshopper… hit the trail now before nine billion people discover this beach paradise.
From here to Infinity and Beyond is a relatively short ride! The next leg takes eons and eons as you fly through the Barycentric Dynamical Time Zone! …and on and on and on. Follow the Zentraveler Blog often for Travel, Health and Zen-like stories and such. Where else can you get a three in one blog for the price of free.
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