Hue/Danang/Hoi An, Vietenam

 

Millennium will dock in Chan May, the gateway to DaNang, Hoi An and Hue.  Danang is about an hour’s drive away;  Hue or Hoi An are both about a 90 minute drive from the port.  Hue and Hoi An are in opposite directions from Chan May.

Hoi An is interesting & very laid-back, very easy to walk.  The locals are very friendly.   Old Town is a UNESCO Heritage site.  It’s a wonderful place to wander and soak up the ambiance.  If you’re a photographer, it’s a dream.    There are some excellent tailor ships and a lively waterfront market.  Be sure to try some of the tasty local food specialties. 

From Chan May to Hoi An, the quick route isn't along the coast but it's only a minor diversion to visit famous China Beach and Marble Mountain.

Marble Mountain is well worth an hour or two.  There are many little marble workshops at the foot of the mountain.  You can take the elevator up to the pagoda near the top, if you want to avoid the steps. Wear good walking shoes.

If you visit China Beach, you will see the ruins of the U.S. military base, complete with helicopter hangers.  It was on Da Nang's coast where the first U.S. troops landed on March 8, 1965. As the war progressed, the airport's runway was extended to become the longest in all of Southeast Asia. Da Nang fell to the Viet Cong in March 1975.  Here's a link to an interesting article published in The Guardian about the 50 year anniversary of the landing of U.S. troops there.

 Hue is equally fascinating and is historically significant since it was the ancient capital of Vietnam, it's much larger and full of hustle.