[Vietnam] Motorcycle Adventure: Danang, My Khe, Hoi An, Bana Hill, and Hai Van Pass

Day 1 in Da Nang, Vietnam: My Khe Beach and Dragon Bridge

This sentence describes the first day of a trip to Da Nang, Vietnam, highlighting two specific locations: My Khe Beach and Dragon Bridge.

Here's a breakdown of the translation:

• Day 1 in Da Nang: This indicates the specific day and location of the experience.
• @Vietnam: This clarifies the country where Da Nang is located.
• My Khe Beach: This refers to a famous beach in Da Nang known for its white sand and clear water.
• Dragon Bridge: This refers to a prominent landmark in Da Nang, a bridge shaped like a dragon that breathes fire and water.

The sentence provides a concise overview of the first day's activities, focusing on two popular tourist destinations in Da Nang.

This trip took place from June 19-22, 2017, for a total of 4 days.

The first day began with a flight from Don Mueang to Da Nang, Vietnam, on Air Asia.

This trip included round-trip tickets for 3,500 baht, including accommodation.

It only took us 1 hour to reach Da Nang Airport.
After getting off the plane and passing through the security check, we will find the SIM Internet purchase counter on the left-hand side.

There are many providers to choose from, with prices ranging from $4 to $6. Promotions will vary. Once you have decided on a provider, the staff will change your SIM card and set it up for you.

After obtaining your SIM card, you will need to exchange currency. The currency exchange booths are located outside the airport. Simply turn left after exiting the terminal and you will find them.

Before our trip, we exchanged our money into US dollars. We prepared around $200 for this trip. We exchanged it into Vietnamese Dong and received 4,511,000 VND, which is roughly equivalent to 7,000 Thai Baht.

When you have money and are ready, you can hail a taxi at the exit. It's easy to find.

The 7 km journey cost 165,000 VND, which is approximately 250 baht. (It seems I was overcharged on the first day, as the return trip only cost 118,000 VND or 170 baht.)

The room I booked was supposed to have separate beds, but due to an unknown error, I was assigned a room with a shared bed.

The owner promised to change the room tomorrow.

Upon arrival at the accommodation, after settling in, you can rent a motorbike. You can request this service from the hotel.

The rental price is 130,000 VND per day (24 hours), which is approximately 195 Baht.

The restaurant will deliver to your hotel within 30 minutes.

For this trip's vehicle, the assigned motorcycle was a SYM Excel 150, which was in a rather old condition...

Upon inspection, the vehicle exhibited numerous deficiencies.

• Flat tire (can be inflated at a motorbike shop for 5,000 VND, approximately 8 baht).

- The side mirror is only on one side and cannot be tightened.
- The rear brakes are not very effective, but fortunately the front brakes are still usable.

- Intermittent starting issues, engine stalls without throttle input.

- The speedometer is broken. No matter how you turn the knob, the needle doesn't move.

• The engine stutters when accelerating hard and struggles to pick up speed.

• Fortunately, the horn works, as it is commonly used here. I will endure it for now and request a replacement vehicle tomorrow.

After the car was ready, we went around looking for a gas station, which was not far from our accommodation.

The recommended amount of fuel to fill up is approximately 50,000 VND, which is equivalent to around 75 Baht. This should be sufficient for a full day of sightseeing.

Just tell the gas station attendant the price, and they will fill it up for you. Also, when you pick up the car, don't forget to ask where the fuel tank cap is located. (The fuel tank cap for this model is located at the rear of the car, and you don't need to open the seat to refuel.)

Driving in Da Nang: Roads here are right-hand drive, and there are a lot of motorcycles.

Based on my observations, 90% of motorcycles do not have side mirrors, or only have one on the left side. Additionally, riders rarely use their mirrors.

When exiting an alley or intersection, drivers often do not look around before proceeding.

However, as people here do not ride fast, around 40-60 km/h, they will slow down and let you pass.

The cacophony of horns here is deafening, with most drivers using them to indicate their position rather than as a warning.

Another peculiarity of this place is the absence of traffic lights at roundabouts.

Drivers are weaving in and out of traffic, trying to find an opening to merge. It's a chaotic scene, and several near-collisions have already occurred.

While traffic violations such as running red lights, driving against traffic, not looking while driving, and turning before reaching the lane are common, they are more prevalent in alleys and along the coast. In the city center, driving is generally orderly.

Be cautious of the dust and sand along the roadside, which is present throughout the journey. Is driving difficult?

If you have driven in the heart of Bangkok during rush hour, you should be able to handle this.

For novice drivers who have never driven on major roads, it is advisable to avoid taking risks.

Along the way, finding a restaurant proved to be a challenge. While eateries lined the streets, deciphering their offerings was nearly impossible. Menus lacked English translations, pictures were absent, and signage appeared indistinguishable. Compounding the difficulty, locals possessed limited English proficiency. Eventually, a roadside eatery, presumably specializing in pho, emerged as a saving grace, offering a much-needed sustenance.

The taste is bland with a slight sourness. The price is 30,000 VND or 45 baht per bowl.

Mini marts are scarce, with only one found after driving 7-8 kilometers (there are no 7-Elevens here). Most shops are small grocery stores or convenience stores.

The prices in the store are not much different from those in our country.

Plain water 5,000 vnd

Soft drinks 7,000-9,000 VND

Smoothie: 20,000-30,000 VND

Instant noodles 6,000-15,000 VND

The first place we visited was My Khe Beach, which is ranked as the 6th most beautiful beach in the world.

Take a leisurely stroll and soak up the atmosphere. The beach here boasts pristine white sand and azure waters. However, the beach is divided into zones for different activities, with the majority of visitors being Westerners, Koreans, and Vietnamese.

If you want to relax and enjoy the atmosphere, there is a parking fee of 3,000 VND (5 baht).

After enjoying the sight of the girls in their swimsuits, we continued our journey to the local landmark.

The "Dragon Bridge," also known as the Mangkon Bridge.

This newly constructed landmark, known as the "Dragon Carp," will serve as a prominent feature of the area.

It appears similar to the Singapore Sea Lion, and will be located nearby at DHC Marina.

We can park nearby for 10,000 VND (15 baht). We spent a considerable amount of time here, waiting for the sunset.

Upon returning to your vehicle, you may find that your parked motorcycle has vanished. However, there is no need to panic. After 5 pm, parking on the sidewalk is prohibited. Your motorcycle will have been moved to a nearby parking lot. Simply ask a nearby vendor, and they will point you in the right direction.

After finishing, we continued our journey. Now our stomachs were rumbling, so we started looking for food. We came across an interesting restaurant with a lot of people, which seemed to be a barbecue place.

Ordering food was a challenge, as the menu lacked pictures. While an English menu was available, it was difficult to decipher.

The servers here don't understand English, so we observed the table next to us and ordered the same thing.

Finally, I got 3 things.

• Pork with bone, ordinary taste, the bone is thick and the meat is a bit less.

This marinated pork dish is delicious. I give it a thumbs up.

Another dish that resembled stir-fried morning glory had a rather bland taste, lacking the intensity of flavor.

Today's expenses amounted to 151,000 VND (225 THB).

After finishing our meal, we took the opportunity to ride along the beach road. On both sides of the road, there were groups of teenagers hanging out, with nothing but restaurants, food stalls, and minimarts in sight.

Day 1 in Da Nang, Vietnam

After searching high and low, we decided to head back to our accommodation.

Here's a summary of our first night in Da Nang:

• Food: Finding food proved to be the biggest challenge. Restaurants, especially those along the coast, lacked English menus and pictures. Additionally, locals had limited English proficiency. We relied on restaurants with clear pictures to ensure we could order food.
• Driving: Driving requires extreme caution. Most roads are two lanes, with motorbikes occupying the right lane and cars the left. Overtaking on the left is common, and encountering vehicles crossing lanes unexpectedly shouldn't come as a surprise. We recommend keeping your speed below 40 km/h, as locals drive at a leisurely pace. Even with green lights, expect vehicles to cut across intersections.
• Parking: Always inquire about parking duration and relocation procedures if exceeding the time limit.

Day 1 Expenses:

• Taxi: 165,000 VND = 248 THB
• Day 1 fuel: 30,000 VND = 45 THB
• Pho (2 bowls): 60,000 VND = 90 THB
• Sweet drinks (2 bottles): 14,000 VND = 21 THB
• Parking: 13,000 VND = 20 THB
• Bottled water (2 bottles): 10,000 VND = 15 THB
• MiniMart (water & snacks): 30,000 VND = 45 THB
• BBQ dinner: 151,000 VND = 227 THB

Total: 291,500 VND or approximately 711 THB

Note: This excludes the 3-day car rental fee.

It's the first time I've spent over 100,000 VND in a single day. Considering it was only the first day, and the cost per person was around 350 THB, it's not too bad.

Day Two: Exploring the World Heritage City of Hoi An

Our second day began with a thrilling motorbike ride to the enchanting city of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The distance from the accommodation is approximately 36 kilometers.

Before leaving, we had breakfast at the accommodation, which consisted of bread and omelets.

The bread here is rather hard and dry, while the omelet is soft and delicious. The sauce is similar to what we have at home.

The motorcycle used yesterday was deemed difficult to handle in several aspects, prompting a request for a replacement.

As a result, we are currently waiting for a new car. However, when the new car arrives, we discover that it has the same symptoms as the previous one.

The car ran out of fuel and wouldn't start, so I decided to continue using the old one.

The sun was blazing as we set off around 11 am.

We opted for the coastal route today, thinking it would be easier to navigate than the city streets.

While the conditions are not significantly different, at least there is a cool sea breeze blowing. The most pressing need at this moment is water.

The weather was quite hot, but not stifling. It took us about 20 kilometers to find a store.

On the way to Hoi An, finding a mini-mart proved difficult, as most shops were small convenience stores. A regular activity I enjoy when traveling abroad is trying unique local beverages. The orange-colored bottle tasted like a carbonated Red Bull, offering a refreshing fizz that helped combat drowsiness. The green tea, on the other hand, was slightly sweeter than what I'm accustomed to at home. Both beverages cost 7,000 VND (approximately 11 baht) per bottle, while plain water was 4,000 VND (approximately 6 baht) per bottle.

After taking a break for both the rider and the motorcycle, it is recommended for those who will be riding during the day to bring gloves and a sun mask. Otherwise, you will end up like this...

After traveling for approximately 10 kilometers, we finally arrived at Hoi An. The journey took about an hour. (The speed limit here is around 40-60, so we couldn't go much faster. This includes rest stops.)

As the midday sun wasn't ideal for photography, we decided to grab a bite to eat first.

We parked our motorbike in front of Miss Ly's restaurant, where we were going to eat. The parking fee was 10,000 VND, which is equivalent to 15 baht.

The ordered dish was "Fried Dumplings," a local specialty, priced at 100,000 VND or 150 Thai Baht.

It is a deep-fried dumpling with minced pork filling on the bottom, topped with a sweet and sour stir-fry. It is considered quite delicious.

As for the drinks, I was so thirsty that I forgot to take a picture. Now there's only an empty glass left. Haha.

However, I recommend pineapple at 50,000 VND or 75 baht. Pineapple is refreshing.

Unsatisfied, we continued to another restaurant called Bale Well, located outside of Hoi An city.

Two batches arrived, entering the alley about 50 meters. Arriving in Vietnam, we had to try the original Nem Nuong.

This set includes:

• Spring rolls
• Grilled chicken
• Pickled vegetables
• Fresh vegetables
• Two dipping sauces
• Fried egg with shrimp filling
• Rice paper for wrapping
• Dessert

To eat, unfold the dough sheet and gather all the ingredients together. Drizzle with the mixed dipping sauce. The resulting piece is thick and large. Take a big bite!

- This outfit costs 120,000 VND per person.
- Two cans of Pepsi cost 30,000 VND.
Total 270,000 VND or a little over 400 baht.

The portion size was very generous, and the food was truly delicious. However, there was a bit too much oil used in the preparation. The dessert was quite sweet, so it would likely appeal to those with a sweet tooth.

Around 3 pm, it's a good time to explore the city. Our first stop is the Japanese Bridge.

Upon entering, the right-hand side features a popular landmark, a bridge crossing the river. As the crowd is still sparse and the lighting conditions are not yet ideal, we opted to explore the city first.

The city offers a wide variety of goods to choose from, including clothing, bags, and souvenirs.

The food and drinks are relatively more expensive than outside.

(Mineral water here costs 10,000 VND or 15 baht, while outside it only costs 4,000 VND or 6 baht.)

Translation:

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the landscape, I found myself captivated by the vibrant hues of the approaching twilight. With time to spare before the golden hour, I amused myself by capturing fleeting moments with my camera. As the sky transformed into a canvas of fiery oranges and deep purples, a steady stream of people began to gather, drawn by the allure of the impending spectacle. By four o'clock, the bridge was teeming with eager onlookers, their anticipation palpable in the air. Amidst the growing throng, we remained vigilant, ensuring that none of our companions were lost in the human tide. Finally, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with breathtaking colors, we were rewarded with the breathtaking vista we had eagerly awaited.

After walking for a long time, around 7 pm, we decided to head back. However, we encountered a problem: "the car was missing." We assumed it had been moved somewhere else. As we continued walking, we found it had been relocated to the entrance of the road instead.

As we were leaving, the uncle who was guarding the front of the car approached and said something, but I couldn't understand what he was saying (the people here hardly speak or understand English). He then stood in front of the car to prevent us from leaving.

Despite prolonged negotiations, we were unable to reach an understanding until a nearby official intervened to mediate.

Upon hearing the word "Money," we finally understood the situation. We likely exceeded the parking time limit or incurred a relocation fee. We paid an additional 10,000 VND (approximately 15 Baht), and they finally let us go.

The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.

The return journey during this period may have some areas with limited lighting, but there is still a steady flow of traffic, making it relatively safe. However, it is important to be cautious of the right lane, as there is sand along the roadside.

For dinner, we opted for a restaurant near our accommodation, believing that the prices would be more affordable than those in tourist areas.

Another obstacle to visiting here is choosing a restaurant. Most restaurants have Vietnamese neon signs without English labels. You have to drive slowly and peek to see what kind of restaurant it is.

The majority of the stalls along the road appeared to be selling seafood.

Although I was worried about getting a stomach ache, I spent a long time looking for a restaurant until I found one nearby.

Ordering food was also difficult, as the servers did not speak English. Although there was an English menu, it was not accurate and did not include pictures of the dishes.

This time, they tried asking in animal language.
Pork - Oink oink / Beef - Moo moo / The waiter was still confused... I wanted to cry 8e88 555+

In the end, I was able to order two dishes: grilled pork ribs and fried chicken wings.

Translation:

The dish had a strong flavor, but it was a bit oily. The price was 60,000 VND per dish, and a Coke was 12,000 VND. The total came to 132,000 VND, which is equivalent to a little over 200 baht.

Water review: The bottle on the left is a familiar brand, with a taste similar to what we have at home, but at a lower price.
The can on the right is Sasi, which tastes like it has been mixed with herbs.
It's hard to describe, but it wasn't very appealing.

Day 2 expenses summary:
Water: 7,000 + 7,000 + 4,000 + 15,000 = 31,000 VND = 47 THB
Fuel: 50,000 VND = 75 THB
Tire inflation: 5,000 VND = 8 THB
Face mask: 2,000 VND = 3 THB
Dumplings: 210,000 VND = 315 THB
Bale well: 270,000 VND = 405 THB
Water: 20,000 VND = 30 THB
Parking fee: 20,000 VND = 30 THB
Dinner: 132,000 VND = 200 THB
Mini Mart: 28,000 VND = 47 THB
Water: 15,000 VND = 22 THB
Paper: 50,000 VND = 75 THB

Total: 835,000 VND = 1,226 THB

Day 3 in Bana Hill - Hải Vân Pass@Vietnam (Bana Hill - Hai Van Pass)

On the third day of the journey, after yesterday's sunburned arms, I decided to find a pair of gloves and a mask.

I happened to drive past the market and found them for 10,000 VND, or just 15 baht.

The market here is quite simple, with goods displayed directly on the ground. It offers a variety of products, including vegetables, fruits, clothes, and even underwear. We stopped by to buy some stuffed bread to keep for our stay at Bana Hill (as food on the hill is expensive, it's better to prepare in advance).

We then set off on our journey, stopping to fill up with gas for 50,000 VND, equivalent to 75 baht.

Translation:

9:15 AM: Depart for Bana Hill. During the drive, please be cautious of the road on the right side, as there will be sand throughout the way. Additionally, avoid following trucks due to the excessive dust they generate.

It took us approximately 40 minutes to arrive here.

The entrance fee here is 650,000 VND or 900 baht. Upon arrival, we will queue to board the cable car, which is considered the longest in the world.

After a 30-minute journey, we finally arrived at Bana Hill. Upon entering, we were greeted by a majestic castle and the sound of enchanting music.

The brave warrior's emotions surged as he ventured forth to hunt the demon lord. The scenery here is truly magnificent.

The first stop on our tour was the 2B floor, which houses various arcade games for children. Adults can also relax and enjoy a massage here.

Try playing 5D. When you enter, it will be like riding a horse, moving up and down according to the rhythm of the movie.

The experience was somewhat underwhelming, as it only involved a screen and a basic shooting mechanism. It was completed within a few minutes.

After exiting, we headed to our intended ride, the Alpine Coaster. We waited in line for approximately 30 minutes before finally getting to experience it.

The seats are equipped with belts and levers. Pushing forward accelerates, while pulling back brakes. Initially, it seemed intimidating, but in reality, it was more enjoyable. Ideally, it's best to be among the first riders or wait until those ahead have moved a considerable distance to avoid disruptions in control.

After that, I walked around the event, taking in the atmosphere and stopping for lunch at 3 pm.

After walking for a while, it started to rain, so we decided to head back because we had somewhere else to be. However, we encountered a problem: we got on the wrong cable car! There were three cable cars to choose from.

The third path leads to the resort's entrance.

This caused us to waste time investigating with the authorities to confirm that we were indeed on the wrong path.

This document will serve as your ticket to return to Cable 2, where you can then transfer to Cable 1.

Enjoy the panoramic views from the cable car as you ascend to the top.

After descending, we continued our journey towards Hải Vân Pass.

Translation:

The return journey was impossible on the original route due to the one-way traffic system. We were forced to take an alternate path. As we rode back, the rain and cool mountain breeze provided welcome relief from the burning sun. However, upon descending the mountain, the sun reappeared, and within moments, our skin was once again burning. We stopped to put on jackets and took a break at a roadside shop.

It is advisable to bring water with you, as there may be shops along the way, but prices may be inflated. For example, today, a Coke and another bottle of water cost 30,000 VND, while the usual price in the city is around 12,000 VND.

We continued our journey. The destination was not far from our accommodation, about 30 km away.

Exhausted from playing on the rides and feeling the sun's heat, we were instantly rejuvenated by the breathtaking view. The crescent-shaped coastline, crystal-clear water, and pristine sand filled us with awe. After soaking in the scenery, we continued our drive, eager to discover more stunning viewpoints.

We spent quite a while at this spot, watching the sunset from the other side after driving a little further.

After enjoying the view until the sun set, it was time to head back before it got too dark.

Driving at night here is quite dangerous.

Due to various factors, such as the lack of lighting, insects flying into the eyes and nose, and cows walking along the dark road,

Drivers of vehicles and trailers crossing lanes should exercise extreme caution.

Upon descending, we embarked on a quest for sustenance, encountering a plethora of culinary establishments. However, communication proved to be an insurmountable obstacle.

There are no English menus at the beachfront restaurants in this area, and they don't have pictures of the food either. I've been to 5 or 6 restaurants, but I haven't been able to find what I'm looking for.

We found a restaurant selling bún chả. Let's eat here. I'm tired of looking.

"Bun Ja" is a dish characterized by thin, vermicelli-like noodles. It is typically served with a sweet and sour curry broth. The noodles are soaked in the broth before being eaten. The overall flavor is considered to be quite delicious.

The second dish, "Bun Deaw" or fermented rice noodles with fried tofu, is served with "Mam Tom", a shrimp paste dipping sauce. The side dishes include fried tofu, boiled pork, and vegetables. Personally, I found the shrimp paste to be too salty. Adding chili and garlic would have made it more delicious.

Today's expenses are as follows:
- Gasoline: 50,000 VND (75 baht)
- Gloves and masks: 20,000 VND (30 baht)
- Bread: 30,000 VND (45 baht)
- Water: 18,000 VND (27 baht)
- Bana Hills tickets: 1,300,000 VND for 2 people (1800 baht)
- Water: 30,000 VND (45 baht)
- Mini mart: 17,500 VND (25 baht)
- Bun Cha: 74,000 VND (96 baht)

There will be additional expenses on the return trip:
- Car rental: 130,000 VND x 3 days (but the hotel charged for 2.5 days instead), totaling 345,000 VND (520 baht)
- Breakfast x 3 days: 300,000 VND (450 baht)
- Taxi back to the airport: 118,000 VND (180 baht)

In total, this trip cost around 2 million dong, or about 3,000 baht.

This concludes my account of my trip to Da Nang, Vietnam.
If I have the opportunity to visit another place, I will share my experiences with you again.

Thank you all for following along!^^