Danang, the fourth-largest city in Vietnam, is one of the most important seaports in the central region, and the current booming Vietnamese economy has seen an economic growth (GDP) rate in busy Danang as high as 14%. As the most convenient deepwater port in the region, Danang is now greeting more and more international cruise ships, along with the glut of trade vessels.
The city played a prominent historical role in the Vietnam War. It was the landing site for the first U.S. troops officially sent to Vietnam on March 8, 1965. On that day, 3,500 soldiers in beach assault vehicles joined more than 23,000 U.S. advisors who were already in the country.
Danang has nothing in the way of charm, and there aren't any major attractions except for the Cham Museum, which has become just a quick stop on the tourist-cafe buses between Hoi An and Hue. But Furama Resort, a short ride from the city center, is one of the finest high-end resorts in Indochina, and there are some excellent-value hotels in town (some use this as a budget base to explore nearby Hoi An).
China Beach, and also nearby My Khe Beach, are worth a stop. This former U.S. recreation base has a light-sand coast with excellent views of the nearby Marble Mountains, and it's beginning to draw more and more international tourists, as well as weekend visits by Danang's growing expat community.
