Anyone who claims you can “have it all” is either naive or lying. However, when it comes to vacation destinations, sometimes you can get almost everything.
Đà Nẵng consistently ranks as one of Vietnam’s top destinations for domestic and international travelers. Its location and development allow it to balance several of Vietnam’s greatest virtues, including natural splendors, world-class dining and amenities supported by modern infrastructure, glimpses into slower-paced, traditional lifestyles, local charm, and great value.
Because much of Đà Nẵng’s growth has been recent, the city’s infrastructure is top-notch. From the relatively new international airport near the city center to the wide roads and expansive bridges, including one that breathes fire, traveling to and within it is as carefree as travel gets. Đà Nẵng’s reputation as Vietnam’s most modern city extends to its tourism offerings and nightlife. Global trends in dining and entertainment abound alongside arts and culture unique to the area.
The city is home to live music, cocktail bars, restaurants helmed by Michelin chefs, festivals, and markets, as well as opportunities to explore forests and partake in extreme sports such as paragliding and surfing. The city is especially attractive during the summer months when international teams fill the sky with bright colors every Saturday night through July 12 as part of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF).
Photo courtesy of Danang Marriott Resort & Spa.
Despite its rapid development, Đà Nẵng hasn’t lost its inviting small-town allure. Small street food stands serve regional dishes passed down for generations at prices that always surprise guests from Hanoi and Saigon. Meanwhile, quaint coffee and tea shops feature homey vibes.
Of course, one thing that cannot be developed is geographic placement. Đà Nẵng is blessed with sweeping beaches and temperate weather. Sitting in the sun, soaking up the soft sound of waves and the occasional bird song, is a joy that cannot be offered via city planning alone. Similarly, just down the road rests Hội An and its UNESCO Heritage Old Town. Despite being less than 30km away, its green rice paddy fields, historic wooden architecture, and small boats floating amongst lanterns make going there feel more like traveling in time than in location.
Photo courtesy of Marriott Danang Resort & Spa.
Once you’ve decided on Đà Nẵng, you must consider where to stay. Unsurprisingly, the city has a range of accommodations catering to nearly all price points and preferences. Marriott Danang Resort & Spa welcomes guests who want to conveniently experience the city, but also have some privacy. Optimal for small groups of friends and couples,the lush, sustainable-focused grounds filled with flowers and coconut trees conjure a peaceful atmosphere filled with flourishes of Đà Nẵng culture around each corner and the ocean in the background.
International guests often return to their homes raving about Vietnamese coffee for good reason. To provide insight into what makes it so unique, Marriott Danang Resort & Spa offers complimentary coffee classes that explain regional specialities including Đà Nẵng’s trendy coconut coffee, Hanoi’s egg coffee, and the uber-sweet Saigon cà phê sữa đá. Guests can learn how to make them using a traditional phin and thus be able to get their fix long after their vacation ends.
Vietnam’s fresh, flavorful food also leaves an impression, which the resort introduces to guests via a complimentary cooking class. Using ingredients picked right from the onsite organic garden, one of the chefs teaches how to make a classic gỏi cuốn with a peanut dipping sauce unique to central culture.
Domestic travelers who already know how to appreciate cà phê sữa or make gỏi cuốn will likely find themselves more drawn to the afternoon tea, which includes a panoply of indulgent pastries and snacks, served wherever they’d like, including a refreshing balcony with views of the ocean. The ocean is also the perfect background for a lavish afternoon seafood bbq. Similarly, opportunities for exercise include a tennis court that rests in front of the picturesque Marble Mountain.
The mountains, Hội An and downtown Đà Nẵng are all within easy access, and the staff can arrange a car or tour wherever one would like to go. But many guests select Marriott Danang Resort & Spa because it doesn’t necessitate leaving while still feeling like you are far from home. This is particularly felt when visiting Quan Spa, which utilizes local ingredients in its treatments. The aroma of local herbs and fruits mingles with the music of traditional Vietnamese instruments played at its entrance.
Local flavor exerts itself most overtly at the resort in the dining room. Madame Son, in particular, offers a full sensory immersion into central Vietnam. Lanterns, umbrellas, crafted wooden tables and Champa reliefs establish the visual aesthetics while the meals’ incorporation of locally-produced fish sauce, honey, rice paper, seafood, fruit, and chili peppers provides the flavor. It’s no surprise that the culinary team all hail from the region. Đà Nẵng has many excellent dining opportunities that span street food standouts to high-end affairs, and Madam Son can compete with them all. The meals are so exceptional that Saigoneer recommends guests staying elsewhere book a table for a romantic dinner or a jovial family get-together.
Because of its ability to simultaneously retain its small-town friendliness while embracing global trends and developments, Đà Nẵng should top people’s travel agenda for quite some time. Whether it's residents of nearby cities looking to unwind by the beach or people crafting once-in-a-lifetime cross-country journeys, Marriott Danang Resort & Spa allows guests to understand and appreciate the region’s unique charms. This season is the best time to experience it all thanks to the ongoing Summer Coco-Fun Escape package, which includes complimentary family bicycle rentals, arts and culture activities, and generous F&B credits per night.
Danang Marriott Resort & Spa's website
+84 236 396 8888
Danang Marriott Resort & Spa|7 Truong Sa Street, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang, Vietnam, 55000
