When you arrive in Danang, you will discover the official Vietnamese currency which is the Vietnam Dong. The first question that people ask when they arrive at the airport is where to exchange money in Danang.

Don’t worry, Dollars are accepted almost everywhere in Vietnam for everyday purchases.

Euros are not used at all in everyday life, but are accepted in some hotels and on arrival at the airport to pay your visa if you chose this option.

However, paying in foreign currency is not always advisable because the conversion of dong into foreign currency in small establishments is sometimes at your disadvantage. In daily expenses, it is convenient to always have dongs on you but where to exchange money when you arrive in Danang ?

There are 500d, 1000d, 2000d, 5000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d, 100,000d, 200,000d, 500,000d notes.

Apart from US Dollars, many banks in Vietnam still exchange VND for these foreign currencies:

  • Australian Dollar: 1 AUD  17,000 VND
  • British Pound: 1 GBP  29,000
  • Euro: 1 EUR  25,000 VND
  • Canadian Dollar: 1 CAD  16,000 VND
  • Japanese Yen: 1 JPY  200 VND
  • Singaporean Dollar: 1 SGD  16,000 VND
  • Taiwanese Dollar: 1 TWD  500 VND
  • Hong Kong Dollar: 1 HKD ≈ 3,000 VND
  • Swiss Franc: 1 CHF  22,000 VND
  • New Zealand Dollars: 1 NZD  15,000 VND
  • Thai : 1 THB  700 VND

You can easily convert to dongs upon arrival at the airport, banks, exchange offices or jewelers.

Visa, MasterCard, American Express … are widely accepted in most hotels, major cities and many tourist centers. Payments by credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club) are accepted in some large shops, hotels, shopping centers… As for traveler’s checks, they are exchanged only in the authorized banks.

Where to Exchange Money in Danang

Exchange money at Danang international airport

The international airport of Danang is the easiest and most convenient way.

This way is not always encouraged as the exchange rate is very high or you will be charged a large transaction fee. You are just advised to use it if you are in hurry.

Exchange money at Danang airport

Exchange money at Danang’s local banks

Certainly, the safest way to exchange your money is at a local bank, you can easily find out when moving towards the downtown area.

Vietcombank run by the government can help you convert into the dong from the following currencies:

  • USD
  • Thai Baht
  • Euro
  • British Pound Sterling
  • Japanese Yen
  • Australian
  • Hong Kong
  • Canadian
  • Singaporean Dollars

Exchange money at the bank

Although using bank services is the safest approach for this converting, there is something annoying you, e.g. the bank will require you to fill out a form along with showing your passport.

It is important that you should keep your paper notes carefully because any torn or damaged will not be accepted.

Vietnamese banks agree to exchange foreign currencies in cash, traveler’s checks (a 1% to 3% charge applies) and credit cards (Visa Card, Master Card, American Express). In some cases, you must show a piece of identification. Keep in mind that exchanging currency and travelers’ checks are not always available in small towns.

Banks in Danang are open from Monday to Friday, from 7:20 to 11:20 and from 13:20 to 17:00. At some big branches of the bank, they also serve you on Saturday morning.

Here is the list of all the banks in Danang. You will find easily the closest bank near your hotel in order to exhange money in Danang :

Foreign Trade Bank of Vietnam, Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 140 – 142 Le Loi Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3.822110

Investment and Development Bank of Vietnam, Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 90 Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 05113.821703/824496/837602
  • Fax: 05113.827693
  • E-mail: danang@bidv.com.vn

Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (Agribank), Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 23 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Danang City, , Vietnam
  • Tel: 05113.821168/812151
  • Fax: 05113.823495

VID PUBLIC Bank, Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 02 Tran Phu Street, Hai Chau District, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3.826801/826802
  • Fax: 0511.3.826800

Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 16 Thai Phien Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 05113.897806/897886/897963
  • Fax: 05113.897883
  • Website: http://www.acbbank.com.vn

Vietnam Technological Commercial Bank (Techcombank), Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 244 – 248 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 05113.655118/655119/650775
  • Fax: 05113.655455
  • Email: admin@tcb.dng.com.vn

Vietnam Trade Joint – Stock Bank for Private Enterprises (VP Bank), Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 112 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 05113.835090/835092/821186
  • Fax: 05113.835065

State Bank in Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 01 Yen Bay Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 05113.821128
  • Email: ngahadana@dng.vnn.vn

Industry and Commerce Bank (Incombank), Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 172 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 05113.822158/ 821823 / 821993
  • Fax: 05113.825528
  • Email: Danaicb@dng.vnn.vn

Danang Trade Joint – Stock Bank, Vietnam

  • Add: Cach Mang Thang 8 Street, Hoa Tho Commune, Hoa Vang District, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: (84.05113) 672368/ 672369
  • Fax: (84.05113) 672369

Marine Trade Joint – Stock Bank, Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 15 Le Duan Street, Hai Chau District, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 05113.825019/ 825804
  • Fax: 05113.825014

Vietnam Export and Import Joint – Stock Bank (Eximbank), Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 48 Tran Phu Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 05113.830889/ 826676/826673
  • Fax: 05113.826674

Social Policy Bank, Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 127 Quang Trung Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511. 3887438
  • Fax: 0511. 3. 892307

Viet A Commercial Joint – Stock Bank, Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 33 Hung Vuong Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3.837543

East Asia Trade Joint – Stock Bank (EAB), Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 51 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3.582971

Saigon Commercial Bank (Sacombank), Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 202 Hoang Dieu Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3582619

Saigon Commercial & Industrial Bank , Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 169-171 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3 652491

Phuong Nam Trade Joint – Stock Bank, Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 337 Le Duan Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3 893420

Orient Bank, Trung Viet Branch in Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 05 Dong Da Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3.887899

Military Trade Joint – Stock Bank, Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 54 Dien Bien Phu Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3.257999

Bank for dwelling development in Delta Mekong, Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 129 Le Loi Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3817840

International Trade Joint – Stock Bank, Danang Branch, Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add: 189-193 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Danang City, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3.653171

The Mekong Delta House development Bank in Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add 1 : 278C Trung Nu Vuong street, Danang city, Vietnam
  • Tel : 0511.3552997
  • Add 2 : 439 Hoang Dieu street, Danang city, Vietnam
  • Tel : 0511.3552861

Branch of Saigon – Hanoi Commercial Bank in Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add : 89- 91 Nguyen Van Linh street, Danang city, Vietnam
  • Tel : 0511.3584599

Branch of Nam Viet Commercial Bank in Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add : 46 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Danang city, Vietnam
  • Tel : 0511. 3584846

Branch of Hoang Hai Commercial Bank in Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add : 222 Hoang Dieu strret, Danang city, Vietnam
  • Tel : 0511. 3584996

Representative office of agricultural and rural development Bank in Central Vietnam in Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add : 228 2/9 street, Danang city, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3622607

Branch of social policy Bank, Thanh Khe branch in Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add : 106 Thai Thi Boi street, Danang city, Vietnam
  • Tel: 0511.3648899

Branch of agricultural and rural development Bank, Hai Chau branch in Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add : 392 Nui Thanh street, Danang city, Vietnam
  • Tel : 0511. 3642384

Branch of Dong A commercial Bank in Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add 1: 112 Ong Ich Khiem street, Danang city, Vietnam
  • Tel : 0511.3531687
  • Add 2 : 260 Dong Da street, Danang city, Vietnam
  • Tel : 0511.3531847
  • Add 3 : 88 Dong Da street, Danang city, Vietnam
  • Tel : 0511.3540636

Branch of An Binh commercial Bank in Danang city, Vietnam

  • Add : 174 Nguyen Van Linh street, Danang city, Vietnam
  • Tel : 0511.3225263
  • 0511.3225265

Exchange money at Danang’s jewelers

There are not as many jewelers in Danang as in Hanoi but you can find some in the center of the city.

They can also exchange money with a better rate than the banks or at Danang international airport.

Get money at the ATM

ATM machine Distributors are everywhere in Danang. These machines accept cards: VISA or MASTER CARD: withdrawal of money in cash up to the availabilities of the account. 3% bank charges. 

Other tips

Bear in mind that paying by credit card is not common in Vietnam, and especially in rural areas, so be interested in how to exchange currency when you arrive in Danang.

If there are still some dongs left after the trip, make sure you should exchange them before leaving as it is very difficult to do that in your country or some regions in the world.

How to get to Sapa ? By bus or by train ?

Sapa town is at 370 km northwest from Hanoi. Sapa was a French climatic health resort located just over 1000m above sea level in front of Mount Fansipan (the highest peak of ancient Indochina).

At this altitude, the air is cooler than in Hanoi. Sapa offers incredible scenery with many rice terraces, rivers, mountains and many ethnic minority villages all around Sapa.

Sapa by train or by bus

As it is one of the most touristic destination in northern Vietnam, access to Sapa is easy, by bus or train.

A few years ago, the best way to reach Sapa was to take the night train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. Then take the bus or minibus to reach Sapa after 1 hour drive.

However, after the inauguration of the Hanoi – Lao Cai highway in 2014, the drive to Sapa decreased half the journey time, about 5 hours away.

Sapa by train

Most tourists choose to take the night train to reach Sapa town.

In fact, the train does not reach Sapa directly but stops only at Lao Cai station. Then take a bus or taxi to Sapa, which is a 45-minute drive away.

Trains depart from Hanoi around 20-21h and arrive at Lao Cai station around 5-6h the next morning.

A bunk in a compartment of 4 is recommended to have more space to sit. One sleeping berth costs from 35 usd/pax.

Sapa by train

Several railway companies allow to go to Sapa. The comfort between the different companies can be different. We recommend taking Chapa train which is good value for money.

In Hanoi, trains for Sapa depart from Tran Quy Cap Station, near Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

It takes around 8 hours night train to reach Sapa from Hanoi.

At the exit of Lao Cai station, it is easy to find a shared bus for Sapa, which costs only about 50,000 vnd. You can also take a taxi.

Sapa by bus

There are several bus departures for Sapa every day.

These are very comfortable buses with air conditioning. You can book a sleeping bus or a limousine which is more comfortable and more convenient for elderly.

The bus ticket costs between 10 USD and 20 USD.

Sapa limousine bus

The bus will take the new highway to reach Sapa. It takes around 6 hours drive with 2 comfort stops.

Most of the buses departure is around 6h30-7H in the morning. The tourists will arrive around 13h in Sapa town which is quite faster than by train.

Sapa sleeping bus

Our advise :  Sapa by bus or by train ?

In general, tourists choose to take the night train rather than the bus in order to save 2 nights of hotels. Also, people want to spend the maximum time in Sapa to enjoy the fresh air longer.

However, the price of the night train remains quite high. If we add the intermediate costs such as moving to the station and the journey from Lao Cai station to Sapa, the train is not at all the most economical solution.

Indeed, staying at the hotel in Hanoi and taking the sleeper bus, the total price is equivalent to that of the night train.

Likewise, most people have trouble sleeping on the night train because of stops and shaking. It is difficult to fully enjoy Sapa after a sleepless night on the night train.

Finally, arriving at 6am at Lao Cai station, there is still 1 hour drive to reach Sapa. Most people arrive around 7am in Sapa. Then, they shower and breakfast before starting their treck. The departure of the treck is not done before 8:30 in the morning.

For the return by night train, it is necessary to leave Sapa around 16H in order to have the time to go down to the station of Lao Cai then to take the dinner. In the end, the time saved in Sapa is not significant.

Rather, we recommend that our travelers take the sleeper bus or limousine bus to travel comfortably and enjoy Sapa. It is also possible to take the night train one way and take the sleeper bus back to experience the Sapa night train.

Halong Bay is now the most popular destination in Vietnam but her little sister called Lan Ha Bay becomes more and more popular because of many reasons listed here. What is the difference between Halong Bay and Lan Bay ? Let’s take a look at our advise !

What is Halong Bay ?

Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in northeastern Vietnam’s Gulf of Tonkin, in Quang Ninh Province. The lush emerald and turquoise waters harbor over 1,600 mostly uninhabited—and thereby undisturbed—islands and islets, according to UNESCO.

This extraordinary area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. For many tourists, this place is like something right out of a movie. The fact is that Halong Bay features a wide range of biodiversity, while the surrealistic scenery has indeed featured in endless movies.

Even in a country with the diversity of Vietnam, the spectacular seascape at Halong Bay can stun the most powerful into humility.

Halong Bay world heritage

In Vietnamese, Halong means “descending dragon”. Dragons play a prominent role in Vietnamese culture, and the most popular legend has it that one such creature and her children descended from heaven to defend the Vietnamese people from invaders, spraying fire and emeralds or jade. She and her children then stayed on Earth.

The jewels eventually formed towering limestone formations, and over millennia, their protective crags and jagged edges evolved into the backdrop of green islands, towers, and water relished by visitors. A nearby bay, Bai Tu Long, refers to the children of the dragon.

“These legends strike a chord with Vietnamese beliefs and history in two ways,” says Hanh Tran, lecturer of South and Southeast Asian studies at the University of California, Berkeley. “First, the history of fighting against invaders. Second, the belief that Vietnamese people are descended from a dragon father (Lac Long Quan) and a fairy mother (Au Co), and that there is a sacred, hidden power to support them in their war efforts.”

That’s not to reduce the charm of Halong Bay to the fanciful. From a scientific viewpoint, it’s remarkable as “a very evolved, very advanced, unusual looking karst landscape,” says Robert Brinkmann, professor of geology, environment, and sustainability at Hofstra University in New York. Most such formations are on land, such as in Florida or Puerto Rico, and not on the water.

What is Lan Ha Bay ?

Lan Ha Bay is located in the east of Cat Ba Island. It’s overlooking the Van Gate, adjacent to Halong Bay. with over 7,000 ha, of which 5,400 ha is the management area of ​​Cat Ba National Park. This is a very gulf-shaped bay about 400 large islands creating a huge picture depicting the scene.

Other than Ha Long Bay, all 400 big and small islands in Lan Ha Bay are covered with trees or vegetation, even small islands. A peaceful sea with small fishing villages as separate from the rest of the world. Under the peaceful island clusters. There are many species of local specialties. Such as blue mussel, snakehead, crab, abalone, fresh shrimp live according to the daily needs of visitors.

Lan Ha Bay Beach

Lan Ha Bay is the home of Cat Ba Island. The bay itself and Cat Ba National Park are included in the biosphere reserve of the world. Therefore, European travelers and American backpackers often hire their own boats for a self adventure, selecting from the bay’s 139 beaches for one pleasant sandy beach to camp overnight.

They also enjoy a trip through the Cat Ba National Forest, home of many precious animals, including rare white-headed langur. Overcoming Ngu Lam peak, at the end of the journey, Viet Hai fishing village, the most unspoiled fishing village of Cat Ba Island, is where the visitors can discover many interesting characters of the local people of the island.

Difference between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay

Halong Bay is recognized as one of the 10 most beautiful bays in the world. Not only landscape value, its geological value with at least 500 million year history is also a plus mark for Halong Bay. Halong is one of the most important areas in the world of Fengcong (clusters of conical peaks) and Fenglin (isolated tower features) karst and is considered as the best example of marine-invaded tower karst.

Halong has many caves of different sizes and interiors. The number of the cave, until now, has not been confirmed yet; some of them have been named and famous worldwide while some are less known or even unknown.

Lan Ha Bay is at the southern part of Halong Bay, far away from the boat crash in the north then coming to Lan Ha Bay, you will have chance to get closer to local fishing life, and are less likely to see as many tour boats and ships passing, never need to worry about the crowd.

The difference between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay is that Lan Ha Bay reserves a more pristine scenery with an intense concentration of limestone mountains which the sea surface has partitioned into smaller bays and gulfs. Many lagoons, bays, and caves still remain untouched.

The bay has up to 139 golden sandy beaches, small but pretty and isolated as “blue straits” inviting tourists to explore. Many sandy beaches stretching between two rocky mountains, quiet with no big waves, are really the ideal beaches.

Lan Ha Bay and Halong Bay

Lan Ha is a peaceful sea with small fishing villages existing isolated from the rest of the world. There are wooden floats raising different species such as the green mussel, geoduck, cobia, crab, abalone, grouper, which can serve visitors according to their needs. By small boat, visitors can glide through the ravine, lagoons to visit the caves, resting on the beach.

Unlike Halong, the Lan Ha Bay itinerary is quite flexible, which means you can do any water activities that you can imagine, jumping down from the boat, going fishing with local, doing kayaking to anywhere you desire to explore, diving or surfing or even rafting. Your passion for water is only limited by your own imagination.

Tour price for the package and even backpacker travel is lower than in Halong since the fee in Lan Ha Bay is lower than in Halong.

You would like to visit Sapa but you don’t know when is the best time to visit Sapa ? You are wondering when are the beautiful ricefields of Sapa green or yellow ? You would like to enjoy the fresh air of Mount Fansipan (the rooftop of Indochina) ? You are on the right page to know when is the best time to visit Sapa mountains.
First of all, the best time to visit Sapa depends on which activities you would like to do in Sapa and why you are going to Sapa. Generally, Summer and Autumn are the best seasons to visit Sapa, when the rice is green and become yellow before harvesting. But some people prefer the winter to enjoy the cold weather of Sapa and it is then the best time to visit Sapa with sometimes a little bit snow.

Sapa, along with Halong Bay and Hoi An Ancient town, is now one of the most attractive destinations for tourists when they visit Vietnam.

In 1922, the French has first established Sapa as a hill station to use for the war. Although Sapa and the local there went through a lot in the past, it has become a wonderful place in Vietnam with many outstanding sceneries and unique cultures.

In each kind of weather conditions, Sapa has different beauties, but tourists have to choose the right time to witness the most spectacular scenes in Sapa, especially on clear sunny days.

Actually, tourists can visit Sapa all year round, but here is some useful information to know if you want to visit Sapa at the best time.

August to September – best time for sight-seeing

In these months, the weather is perfect and suitable for sight-seeing, photo-taking and camping. This is the end of summer season in Sapa when the sky is clear and blue, which makes the landscapes more amazing.

The sun shines through hundreds of mountains and creates huge shadows in combination with vibrant landscapes and deep blue sky; all that visual effects come together to make Sapa much more outstanding.

The weather is around 20-25°C which is perfect, but there’re sometimes rains to refresh the atmosphere. In general, this is one of the best time to visit Sapa.

Also, in September, it is time for harvesting. The terraced ricefields become yellow during this period. The landscape becomes amazingly beautiful.

Many people are working in the ricefields in September because of harvest time which is also very interesting to watch.

Best time to visit Sapa, Sapa in october

June to July – another great time to visit Sapa

This is spring in Sapa when plants grow and flowers blossom.

In June, the ricefields become green. It gives to Sapa spectacular landscape.

The temperature during this period is around 25°C. It is the warmest period in Sapa.

Note that from June to August, it is rainy season in Northern Vietnam. That is why it can be hard for trekking. Don’t forget to bring a raincoat. It will not rain all the time because in this mountainous area, the weather changes very quickly.

Summer in Vietnam is very hot in Northern Vietnam and in the big cities like Hanoi but the weather in Sapa will be not too hot during this period.

Best time to visit Sapa, Sapa in Spring

October to May – not the right time

This is the winter season in Sapa which is really harsh and long with average temperature of zero degree and cold breezing winds from December to January. It’s not a right time for tourists to visit Sapa, especially those from tropical countries.

From October to November and from February to May, it is not too cold in Sapa but there are no rice crops anymore in the terraced ricefields. The view is not so good then.

Also, during the winter, the mountains are often in the clouds and it is difficult to have a nice view.

Together with weather, the quality of the tours is also important. As suggested by many tourists, those tours listed in sapa tours are good choices for tourist’s reference.

Hoi An Night Market may seem like a whole new world. It’s easy to be swept away by all the smells, people, noises and unidentifiable foods served on rice cakes.

A visit to the night market is a living experience for families, couples, buyers and photographers. Children also love this night market, given its many lights, toys and music.

Hoi An Night market

Where to find the Hoi An Night Market ?

The official Hoi An Night Market is located on Hoi An Island, opposite the Japanese Bridge, Nguyen Hoang Street.

The street is illuminated by hundreds of colorful lanterns, animated by a life and a frenetic activity! Every evening from 17h to 22h, vendors line up in three rows, forming two main aisles in which visitors can walk.

The two outer rows (left and right) are lined with food stalls. The middle row consists of stalls selling local souvenirs.

What to see at the Hoi An Night Market ?

The 300-meter long street, home to Hoi An‘s official night market, is home to more than 50 vendors selling many different of local snacks, crafts, souvenirs, trinkets, clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories. If you have already been in a night market in Vietnam, you will not be lost !

It is good to know that most of the time, the first stands are more expensive so head towards to the end of the market to do good business. You will negociate better prices at the end of the night market.

What to eat at Hoi An Night Market ?

If you have never been to Vietnam, this is the place where you can taste some Vietnamese snacks. In the first stands, you will find Vietnamese pizza, skewers of meat, glutinous rice with grilled banana, coconut cake, etc …

Prices are around 30,000 vnd for most of the dishes. This is a good way to taste dishes that you will not find in your hometown.

After the first stands, you will find others with all the specialties of Hoi An on the market such as Cao Lau or Mi Quang. As before, the prices are standard and it will not exceed 30,000 vnd.

There is also a popular ice stand. His specialty is making ice cream with sweetened condensed milk (the same as in Vietnamese milk coffee). The ice cream is spread on an iced metal plate, chopped and served rolled up. A show in itself that you should not miss !

Hoi An Night market ice cream

Hoi An Lanterns market place

Without a doubt, the highlight of the market, both esthetically and for shopping, is its lantern corner.

From the beginning of the market, you will find five stands offering lanterns of all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors and patterns. Sellers typically charge VND 20,000 ($ 0.90) for a photo in front of their stores.

If you buy lanterns at the store, this cost will probably be canceled if you settle with your new purchase.

It is also a good Instagram spot in Hoi An and you will see many tourists taking in the walls of lanterns. This is the best place to buy a lantern in Hoi An.

Here, the price of a lantern should not exceed 100,000 vnd.

Opening hours of Hoi An Night Market

For those who prefer to come to the market without the crowds, the best time to visit is just before sunset.

Most sellers arrive around 5 pm, but people do not really start until 6 pm For those who do not have a problem with the crowd, the busiest time is from 18:30 to 20:30.

After 21 hours, the number of people is significantly reduced and the owners of food stands move their carts closer to the market entrance to attract new customers. Most stands close around 10pm.

The second Night Market in Hoi An

A second night market opened in Hoi An in 2018 and occupies Tran Quy Cape and Bach Dang Streets near the Central Market. Do not confuse it with the Hoi An Night Market.

They offer more or less the same products as the first night market.

Good point, There are a lot less people. This makes it an easier alternative for strolling and shopping than the official, more crowded night market.

On Bach Dang Street, you will find a few food stalls.

The major disadvantage is that there is no Lantern market that makes a difference.

Lantern Night Market Hoi An

Danang is the third biggest city in Central Vietnam. This city has two different season : the rainy season and the dry season. Let’s take a look here on the weather of Danang in January.

January is one of the “coldest” months with average temperature between 19 and 24 degree Celsius.

In Janury, the number of rainy is decreasing because it is the end of rainy season. The average number of rainy days is around 10 days during this month. Which is the half of the rainy days during December.

So, January is good time for visiting Danang with dry and cooler weather.

However, temperature of water which drops to its lowest level of the year at 22 degree Celsius makes January not a good time to swim and join in other water sports in this coastal city. There can be often big waves at the beach which makes it more difficult to swim.

This month is a good period to visit Ba Na Hills because most of the attractions will be not crowded. You will also have the chance to discover Ba Na Hills during the winter with an average temperature between 10 and 15°C.

If you travel to Danang during this period, tourits will discover the Têt festival. People rush for Têt shopping, and main streets are lit up and decorated with colorful flowers and flags these days.

Besides, visiting Danang or any other big cities in Vietnam at the end of January; tourists have a chance to appreciate colorful firework displays on the Tet Eve.

Note that during Têt Holidays, it is much more difficult to travel to Danang because most of the services are more expensive.

January is an intermediate month between rainy and dry season, January is somtimes rainy month. February is better time to visit Danang with warmer and drier weather.

Looking to stay connected in Vietnam? Buying a local SIM card is inexpensive, with good coverage and data speeds. Our local travel agency will provide you a good and cheap Sim Card with the best price.

The easiest way to get a Sim Card in Vietnam is to buy it at the airport. Most of the travellers buy a sim card at the airport when they arrive at Hanoi, Danang or Ho Chi Minh city. It is a fast and trustly way to buy a sim card in Vietnam.

However, at the airport the price of a Vietnam Sim Card is about 10 USD.

Mobifone Sim CardMobifone sim card Vietnam

You are looking for a cheap Sim Card in Vietnam. The Mobifone is a good choice if you want to stay connected with the cheapest Sim Card in Vietnam. You will have 9GB high speed data and low speed data after.

Data : Unlimited with 9GB high speed

Availibility : 2 weeks

Price : 4 USD

Vinaphone Sim Cardcheap sim card in Vietnam

If your looking for more data and you would like to stay connected with high speed internet during your whole trip, Vinaphone Sim Card is the best option. It is also a cheap sim card in Vietnam, cheaper than at the airport.

Data : Unlimited with 2GB high speed/day

Availibility : 2 weeks

Price : 6 USD

Almost all payments in Hanoi and in all Vietnam are made in cash. The local currency in Vietnam is Vietnam Dong (VND). It is therefore important to always have a small bundle of cash on you when you go to restaurant or for shopping. The question then is: where to exchange money in Hanoi?

Here are the listed the best places to exchange money in Hanoi.

There are different types of places where you can exchange money in Hanoi. Some places are more convenient but the exchange rate is often not very good. In few places only, you will find a good exchange rate in Hanoi.

VND exchange rate

Exchange rate change money in Hanoi

The Vietnamese dong (VND) is the Vietnamese official currency. The VND 10,000 is the smallest polymerised bill you’ll find on the street these days.  Coins of as low as VND 200 have long been phased out but you will find bills of 1000 VND and 2000 VND. The upper limit is the VND 500,000 bill.

Getting a grip on all those zeroes can be challenging for the first-time visitor to Vietnam. With a little time and practice, buying and spending Vietnamese dong becomes second nature to the Vietnam visitor.

The exchange rate of the VND is modeled on the exchange rate of the US dollar and also takes into account the rate of inflation. So, about thirty years ago, a few Dongs were enough to buy a bowl of soup (or Pho Bo). Today, with the effect of inflation, the price of a bowl of soup is about 30,000 VND.

The rate of Vietnam Dong varies daily according to the variation of the US dollar. It is therefore necessary to check the current exchange rate of your currency in Vietnam Dong before going to a bank or the like.

The reference site for checking the exchange rate is: https://www.xe.com/en/

Exchange money at Hanoi airport

Change money in Hanoi airport

A quick and easy way to exchange your currencies into Vietnam Dong is at the airport. In each international airport (including Hanoi airport and Ho Chi Minh City airport), you will find many counters at the exit  where it is possible to exchange money.

The biggest advantage of the airport is to be able to exchange almost any currency. The counters are also easily accessible upon your arrival in Vietnam and the service is fast. The counters are open from 6.30am to 9pm. 

The disadvantage of the airport is the exchange rate. The exchange rate is often disadvantageous. It is advisable to compare rates between each counter.

So, Hanoi airport is the most convenient way to exchange money in Hanoi but the exchange rate is not very good. That’s why we advise to exchange few currencies at the airport in order to take the taxi or the bus and exchange more money in Hanoi old quarter.

Exchange money in the bank in Hanoi

Banks in Hanoi can exchange money in Vietnam Dong. In big cities, it’s easy to find banks on every street corner. The advantages of banks in Vietnam is to be able to exchange money at an interesting rate. Banks are also very secure. It is therefore easier to exchange a large quantity of liquid safely. Most of the employees at the counters also speak English.

The disadvantage of banks in Hanoi is the opening schedule. Indeed, most banks open at 9:00 am and close around 17:00. It is therefore not possible to exchange money in the late evening. Also, the banks are closed on sunday in Vietnam.

In addition, banks do not allow to exchange all currencies in Vietnam. Euros and dollars are accepted by all banks.

Apart from US Dollars, many banks in Vietnam still exchange VND for these foreign currencies:

  • Australian Dollar: 1 AUD  17,000 VND
  • British Pound: 1 GBP  29,000
  • Euro: 1 EUR  25,000 VND
  • Canadian Dollar: 1 CAD  16,000 VND
  • Japanese Yen: 1 JPY  200 VND
  • Singaporean Dollar: 1 SGD  16,000 VND
  • Taiwanese Dollar: 1 TWD  500 VND
  • Hong Kong Dollar: 1 HKD ≈ 3,000 VND
  • Swiss Franc: 1 CHF  22,000 VND
  • New Zealand Dollars: 1 NZD  15,000 VND
  • Thai : 1 THB  700 VND

Exchange money in a jewelery store in Hanoi

Most jewelery shops allow you to exchange money in Hanoi. They agree to do it at a very interesting rate and very close to the actual rate. Some jewelers have become specialists in money exchange in Hanoi and do not even sell jewelry anymore. These jewelry stores accept all currencies.

For example, in Hanoi, you can visit Quôc Trinh Jewelery at 27 Ha Trung Street, at 10-minutes walk from Hoan Kiem Lake. You will see many tourists there to exchange money. The staff do not speak English but will take your money and show you the rate on a calculator. If you agree, your money will be exchanged to Vietnam Dong. 

Exchange money at the hotel in Hanoi

A simple and practical way to exchange money in Hanoi is to do it directly at your hotel. Most hotels agree to do this. Your hotel used to help their customers in order to simplify there stay in Vietnam. So, you can ask them to do many things and also to exchange your money.

The hotel will exchange your money at the actual rate without taking any commission.

However, the hotel will often not be able to exchange large sums of money because they do not have enough Vietnam Dong in the cash register. It is worth going through your hotel to exchange small amounts of money in Hanoi.

If you arrive late in Hanoi old quarter and you do not have any local currencies, exchange money at your hotel is the most convenient way to get local currencies.

Note that all the hotel do not accept to exhange money. The small and budget hotels will not accept to exchange money.

Take cash at the ATM

Take cash at the ATM in Vietnam

A simply way to get cash with local currencies it to take it at the ATM.

Most ATMs are connected to Visa and Mastercard networks. But do notice that a currency exchange fee and an ATM withdrawal fee will be applied.

Our advice is that you should ask your bank about the rules of getting cash advances overseas because the fee may be unfairly large.

There is no best time to visit Mai Chau but many different good times to visit Mai Chau. In this article, we will explain you when the ricefields are green and when they are yellow just before harvesting.

Mai Chau in JulyThe idyllic and rural valley of Mai Chau is located at only 150 km from Hanoi but it’s like being in a parallel world. Fields and rice paddies stretch as far as the eye can see, and the mountains blend into the horizon. The best time to visit Mai Chau is when the rice paddies are green or yellow because at some periods in the year, there are no rice crops anymore and this peacefull area is less beautiful.

The only soundtrack here comes from nature, the delicate song of birds, the roar of buffaloes, the cry of chickens and children playing freely in the fields. Although Mai Chau has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, it has kept its welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.

Best time to visit Mai Chau

The best time to visit Mai Chau is from April to May and even better from September to October, both in terms of climate and scenic beauty.

Best time to visit Mai Chau in June

There are 2 rice harvests in Mai Chau and its surroundings. The rice is planted after Tet, in late January and early February. After that, the rice fields will be green from April until the end of June. At this period, you will have the chance to see many different types of green in the valley.

At the end of June, the rice will be harvested. It is the time of the first harvest. In Mai Chau, all the people work together and harvest the rice by hand which is a spectacular perfomance.

Then the rice is sown again in July and harvested in October. So, from August to October, it is also a good time to visit Mai Chau with green ricefields.

In terms of climate, the weather oscillates between showers and bright sunshine in April and May. The temperature average is around 25 and 30°C.

In June, temperatures and humidity rise up and become really hard to bear. Go for shorter walks and bike tours.

In August, the rice fields are very green, but it rains a lot. It is also very hot at this period with a temperature average around 32-35°C.

Best time to visit Mai Chau in July

Then in September, the rain diminishes, the weather is cooler and the rice fields are again green until the second harvest in late September, early October.

Mai Chau in September

The weather remains ideal for visiting the area until late November, but the landscape loses its luster once the rice is gone.

The winter in Mai Chau

From December to end February, it is cold (temperatures can drop below 15 degrees), the sky is overcast and it often has drizzle. At this period, there are no ricecrops anymore in Mai Chau. It is not a good time to visit Mai Chau. The ricefields will be brown and the farmers don’t work in the fields at this period.

Most of the people spend an overnight in a homestay in Mai Chau. Most of the year, the weather is pleasant in Mai Chau and people don’t need air conditioning in the room. In the winter, the nights in Mai Chau can be less comfortable because with temperatures under 15°C at night, it is very cold if you stay in a traditionnal wooden house from the Thai minorities.

What to see in Mai Chau

Mai Chau is located in a peaceful valley. Most of the people visit Mai Chau to enjoy the calm of the vietnamese countryside.

When you arrive in Mai Chau, you will have the chance to arrive at the top of a mountain with an amazing view on Mai Chau Valley. At this view point, there is a rock with a vietnamese flag. All the people who want to have a lucky trip in Mai Chau have to go on the top of this rock to enjoy the view.

In Mai Chau valley, there are a lot of small villages. The Viet people live around the main road and the Thai minorities live in small villages far from the main road. It is quite easy to find a homestay in Mai Chau. Also, it is possible to spend a night in a hotel. The most popular hotel in Mai Chau is Mai Chau ecolodge where people can spend an amazing night in an individual small house with all the modern comfort.

Mai Chau is a good place for easy trekking and learn more about the Thai traditions. Many people visit Mai Chau by bicycle which is a good choice because this area is flat. It is also possible to hire an electric car in Mai Chau for elderly.

Ba Na Hills is one of the most popular attraction around Danang city. There are many things to see in Ba Na Hills. Ba Na Hills is a mountaintop resort complex that looks like a medieval castle, but inside these stone walls are modern accommodations, world class restaurants and a Fantasy Park full of exciting rides. Here are the top things to see in Ba Na Hills.
Located just 35 kilometers away from Danang city on Nui Chua mountain, Ba Na Hills is a tourist destination for domestic and foreign travelers. With a cooler and moderate climate, Ba Na Hill station was praised as ‘Da Lat of Da Nang city’ ever since the hill station’s inauguration in 1919, built by the French.
Ba Na Hills View
In 2018, the opening of the Golden Bridge has given to Ba Na hills the popularity like never before. But if you don’t know much about the other things to see in Ba Na Hills other than the Golden Bridge, then our article will help you to spend a wonderful day there.

Firstly, the name ‘Ba Na’ comes from Katu language. Katu language comes from the local ethnic minority group residing in the area, which means ‘my mountain’.

There are three parts of Ba Na Hills:

Lower part: Le Jardin D’Amour Garden, Debay Cellar, Golden Bridge,…

Upper part: French Village, Fantasy Park,…

Mountaintop: Tru Vu Tea Corner, Spiritual Zone,…

Ride the cable cars

Ba Na Hills Cable car

Visitors can only get to Ba Na Hills via cable cars. Ba Na Hills cable car system is one of the most impressive ten cable car lines on earth.

The cable car system at Ba Na Hills was completed in 2013 and holds several Guinness World Records, including the widest gap between stations and the greatest change in elevation. You will have a spectacular view on Danang and on a natural landscape from the cable car.

With three lines of cable cars of total 25 kilometers in length, the longest ride takes you about 20 minutes to get to the mountaintop. The lines departing from Da Nang are:

Dream Spring Station – Ba Na Station

By taking this short line, you can visit Linh Ung Pagoda with the giant Buddha statue and take funicular to Le Jardin D’Amour – a lovely French garden. After that, take the Debay – Morin cable car to Chua mountaintop to visit resort complex and Fantasy Park.

Toc Tien Station – L’Indochine Station

This is the line that holds several world records: longest one-wire sling, greatest elevation between station, longest unpatched wire and heaviest cable roll in the world. The ride takes you around 20 minutes and travel over the beautiful Toc Tien waterfall.

Hoi An Station – Marseille Station

From Hoi An Station, the cable car ride will take you to Marseille Station which is located just next to the famous Golden Bridge. From this station you must take a funicular to the garden Le Jardin D’Armour and Linh Ung Pagoda. To visit the mountaintop, take another cable car at Bordeaux Station.

You might think the cable car fee is too expensive but actually it’s inclusive many activities you can enjoy on Ba Na Hills and the scenery during the ride is absolutely worth every of your penny. Especially, from the cabin you can admire the beautiful panoramic view of mountains and sea.

Walk on the famous Golden Bridge

Ba Na Hills Golden Bridge

The Golden Bridge is one the most famous things to see in Ba Na Hills. This attraction was famous even before its opening in 2018. Since it’s officially opening, the bridge has created a worldwide phenomenon and become one of the most beautiful landscape on earth according to Time magazine.

Why is the Golden Bridge so famous for tourists all over the world? The most obvious reason is its staggering appearance – a delicate gilded bridge being lifted by two giant stone hands, with an amazing view on Da Nang city.

It’s safe to say that Golden Bridge is the most instagrammable man-made construction in Vietnam right now. For the most gorgeous pictures, come to visit Ba Na Hills in summertime !

The French Village

Ba Na Hills the French Village

The French village in Ba Na Hills is a miniature Europe with medieval French architecture beautifully designed on every of its corner and alley.

You might actually feel like you are in the French Alps. When the mists come up at night, or when the clouds fog cover the entire mountaintop, the illusion is even more complete. The cobblestone streets and European-style buildings are remarkably well-built considering that this resort is in Vietnam and at an elevation of 1,500 metres (4,921 feet).

Any visitor would gasp at the sight of the village when see it at the first time. French village is a complete town complex that consists all most everything: a church, a square with fountain, shops, eateries and hotels. With little to none fusion with other architecture style and the cool mountain air, these monuments are the things to see in Ba Na Hills !Ba Na Hills French Cathedral

Not only the architecture and the ambience, there are a lot street artists performing on the streets of French village. They will also take pictures with you. At night, these small yet gorgeous French town sparkles with the colorful lights on.

If you want to stay longer at French village, Mercure Hotel should be your choice, not only for its luxury accommodation services but also because it look just like any other French building here, making feel like you’re not staying at a hotel but rather a local residence.

Le Jardin D’Amour Flower Gardens

This beautiful garden is located at the lower part of Ba Na Hills, together with Linh Ung Pagoda, the giant Buddha white statue and Debay Wine Cellar. To get to the complex, you’ll take a short funicular ride.

Le Jardin D’Amour welcomes you with its gorgeous beauty of 9 different gardens which tell 9 different love stories. This is the paradise of those who are fans of flowers and European architecture, you’ll have the chance to admire the quintessence of them both. A harmony that will please every visitor who sets foot here.

The nine gardens are: Love Garden, Mystery Garden, Legendary Garden, Memory Garden, Heaven Garden, Grape Garden, Brain Storming Garden, Dream Spring Garden, and Sacred Garden.

Love Garden is the most popular of them.

The Wax Museum

If you would like to meet the most famous people of the world and take a photo with them, the wax museum is one the things to see in Ba Na Hills. There are some approximations on the wax statues but most of them seems to be real.

The Alpine CoasterBa Na Hills the alpine coaster

The Alpine Coaster is for children and people who like roller coasters. The Alpine Coaster will make you feel like in a speed car. The cars can go up to 40km/h (24 mph), but don’t worry, each car comes with its own braking system so you can go as fast or slow as you want. The Alpine Coaster is one the things to see in Ba Na Hills for children.

The 4D Death Race experience

Featuring a large 3D screen and moving seats, the Death Race lets guests feel the thrills of flying in a Formula 1 air race — but from the comfort of an air-conditioned theatre. There are even machines for wind, steam and smoke to further trick the senses. Your children will be very happy to try this attraction which is one of the famous things to see in Ba Na Hills for children.

The Drop TowerThe drop tower Ba Na Hills

Go from stunning beauty to cavernous terror in the blink if an eye at the Drop Tower, the wildest ride at Ba Na Hills. At the top, riders can look out the glass dome and see as far as the clouds will allow. Then, without warning, you’re dropped 29 metres (95 feet) into a cave based on two Jules Verne novels: Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1864) and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870).

Taste wine at 100-year-old Debay Wine Cellar

Since you’re at the garden, do not forget to visit the 100-year old wine cellar – Debay Cellar, built by the French in 1923. The cellar was dug in 100 meters long, through Ba Na Mountain, to maintain a continuous temperature of 16 – 20 degrees Celsius. A special material was used in the creating of the cellar you might never hear about. It’s litsea cubeba resin, in Vietnamese, called ‘mang tang’ which can only be found in this area. Come to this Debay cellar, you can enjoy the finest wine in Da Nang, and even Vietnam.

Ba Na Hills Ticket Fees

Ba Na Hills Cable Car ticket cost 700,000 VND per adult and 550,000VND per child for round-trip ticket.

You can join our Ba Na Hills group tour with daily departure from Danang to visit easily Ba Na Hills park. So, you will not get lost in Ba Na Hills and it is a cheap and easy way to visit Ba Na Hills from Danang.

Ba Na Hills is open everyday from 7 am to 10 pm. It takes a whole day to visit all the things to see in Ba Na Hills.

When is the best time to visit Ba Na Hills

The best time to visit Ba Na Hills is from January to August with dry weather.

If you’re visiting Ba Na Hills to take pictures of Golden Bridge, come during April to August but it is often crowded at this period especially on the Golden Bridge. The Golden Bridge is sometimes in the fog but from April to August the weather will be clear.

From September to March the Golden Bridge will be empty and it will be much better to pose for your Instagram pictures. However, don’t forget to bring umbrella because in September and October it’s supposed to rain because it is rainy season in Central Vietnam.