Da Nang Tourist Tips
We’ve all heard the standard tourist tips: Make sure you barter, don’t make yourself a target by walking around with a huge map, drink enough water. But here’s a few Da Nang tourist tips you might not know.
Choose the Best Taxi
There are two big taxi companies in Vietnam, called Mai Linh (green with white letters) and Vinasun (white with green & red letters). Though some people may have a preference, these two are considered the most reputable throughout the country. In fact if you go down south to Saigon, that’s pretty much all you’ll find. But in Da Nang there’s also a third major company, called Tien Sa (yellow with black). These cabs are actually slightly cheaper than the other two, and the drivers are just as good. Plus, because Tien Sa is slightly less popular than either Mai Linh or Vinasun, it’s easier to call for one to pick you up when they’re in high demand (like during the whole rainy season). As a cherry on top, if you have a Mobiphone SIM, you can call one for free by dailing 777.
Know your Rights
In Da Nang the government has taken preemptive action to prevent the city from turning into another tourist trap. I’m talking about all the red signs on the main streets. They basically say ‘No shining shoes, no selling trinkets, no following tourists to give them a ride.’ Unfortunately they’re only in Vietnamese, which does undermine their usefulness. But you can still use them to help you. When you’re walking around the city, you’ll inevitably get approached my all kinds of people. My favorites are the shoe shiner who try to coax me into letting them clean my sandals. Unfortunately a simple ‘No thank you’ is not always enough for some of the more aggressive hustlers. Pointing to the sign usually does the trick.
Cover Up
It’s a good idea to cover up when you’re here, but not for the reasons you probably think. Yes, Vietnamese people dress modestly, especially during the day. Walking around with your butt showing or with no shirt at all (no a bikini top doesn’t count as a shirt) is really not OK. But the real reason to cover up is because of the sun. It’s strong here! Lots of Western tourists want to get a little tan on their holiday, and that’s great, but most people don’t realize how quickly you’ll go from medium bronzed to lobster-red. Take a page out of the locals’ book and wear something light but long-sleeved. Keeping the sun off you actually does keep you cooler, plus you won’t turn into a tomato when you’re hiking up Marble Mountain.
Conclusion
So there you have it, my Top 3 Da Nang Tourist Tips. Want to learn more about this awesome place while digging into the local food scene? Come on my food tour!
