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Chapters: 

00:55 • Cham Archaeological Museum

02:38 • Cloud Pass and Lap An Bay

03:34 • Marber Mountain

Da Nang

Located halfway between Hanoi and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang is a city of nearly 750,000 inhabitants. This city was the first in Vietnam to be colonized by France, at the end of the 18th century.

But Da Nang is also close to the ancient capital of the Champa kingdom between 875 and 978, Indrapura. This geographical proximity explains the presence of the most important museum of Cham sculpture in the world, created in 1915 by the French archaeologist Henri Parmentier.

The city is currently experiencing a major economic boom and is the third largest city in Vietnam. Da Nang is also a major port and has lovely beaches.

But, apart from the Cham Archaeological Museum, the interest of Da Nang lies more in its surroundings than in the city itself.

History of Da Nang

The city was founded during the Kingdom of Champa created at the end of the second century AD. The ancient capital of the kingdom, Indrapura, was located about fifty kilometers from Da Nang, where the current village of Dong Duong is located.

The 10th century was a turbulent time for the kingdom of Champa, threatened by the Khmer empire to the west. The kingdom therefore tried to expand its territory to the north, provoking a conflict with the Dai Viet who occupied the Hanoi region. These dreams of conquest could not be realized despite the support of China, because of the very strong resistance opposed by the Vietnamese. A Vietnamese diplomatic delegation to King Cham Parameshvaravarman I was arrested and imprisoned. This angered the ruler of the Dai Viet, Le Hoan who decided to take action, devastating Indrapura and killing King Cham.

This military action forced the Cham to leave the region but did not mean the end of hostilities. In the years that followed, the Cham were forced to surrender their three provinces to the rulers of Hanoi, who embarked on a conquest of the southern lands, a conquest that resulted in the annexation of virtually all Cham territories several centuries later. at the end of the 15th century.

Arrival of Europeans

The first European to land in the Da Nang area was the Portuguese explorer Antonio de Faria. This was the beginning of regular arrivals of Portuguese and French traders and missionaries in the important port that was at the time Hoi An, located about forty kilometers further south.

French colonization

Using the persecution of French missionaries as a pretext, Napoleon III sent several punitive expeditions to Da Nang. In 1847, and 1858 French troops landed in Da Nang and quickly occupied the city and the Tien Sa peninsula. But their victory was short-lived, as the Vietnamese army quickly besieged them and forced them to retreat in 1860. However, the French occupation of regions further south eventually forced the Vietnamese to cede several provinces to the French with the signing of the Treaty of Saigon. This occupation ended with the bitter defeat of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, which did not mean, however, that Vietnam would enter a period of peace and prosperity.

Vietnam War

Da Nang served as a first-class air base for the Americans during the Vietnam War. Located about 600 kilometers from Hanoi, Da Nang was an ideal place to deploy the imposing air force available to the Americans and South Vietnamese.

After Vietnam's victory and reunification, Da Nang became the most important city in central Vietnam.

Tourist interest

Da Nang city has become an important tourist spot for beach lovers. For those who prefer more cultural trips, the city's interest is pretty much limited to the magnificent Cham sculpture museum. But the surroundings of the city offer interesting places to visit.

North of Da Nang

North of the city, Lang Co Bay is famous for its beautiful beaches, but the fish farming activities in the morning mist make for sumptuous images. A little further, the Col des Nuages ​​(at Hoa Hiep Bac) offers a panoramic view of the bay. It is rare to see a blue sky there, but this light permanent mist gives it a slightly magical side.

South of Da Nang

Vietnam is a major producer of marble statues. South of Da Nang, rise the Marble Mountains. Long exploited for the extraction of marble, these hills have a religious importance of the first order. They are a high place of pilgrimage, both Buddhist and Hindu. Caves located at the top of the mountain shelter pagodas where the faithful Buddhists come to make offerings.

Nowadays, the extraction of marble is prohibited, in order to respect the sacred character of the place.

Spoken comments in the film: 

Da Nang in Vietnam is a major port and the city served as a military base during the Vietnam War. The city is not very rich in tourist attractions, but a few steps from the Cau Rong bridge, which means Dragon Bridge, beyond the An Long temple, is the Cham archaeological museum which contains some treasures of the sculpture of the time of the Cham Empire.

A few kilometers north of the city is Cloud Pass from which there is a beautiful view of Lap An Bay.

After having provided its marble for many years for the construction of temples and the manufacture of statues, the marble mountain has once again become a sacred place sheltering caves where Buddha is venerated.

Music:

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Disclaimer: Despite its appropriateness, copyright issues prevent the use of vietnamese traditional music in "Da Nang and surroundings • Vietnam", hence the use of royalty-free music. Despite our careful selection, some might regret this decision, which is necessary to avoid potential lawsuits. Although difficult, this decision is the only viable solution.