Central voyage of discovery

Central Vietnam is one of the country's best-kept secrets. There are sandy beaches with stylish hotels, Unesco World Heritage Sites and top golf courses. Da Nang International Airport has flights to a growing list of domestic and regional travel destinations.

According to Zulki Othman, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa, the region started to see a spike in tourism when the airport's new terminal opened in 2012. 

"Since then, we have seen Dragonair, Hong Kong Express, Korean Air, Asiana, SilkAir, AirAsia and Vietnam Airlines starting to operate routes into Da Nang or increase their frequencies," Othman says, adding that the beaches of Danang and the nearby historic towns of Hoi An and Hue are an irresistable draw.

"The streets of the ancient port city of Hoi An are filled with bicycles and vendors that line the river, peddling interesting items such as paper lanterns that one can release into the river," Othman says. "There are also many ancient and historical sites such as the nearby city of Hue, the caves at Marble Mountain, Ba Na Hills and My Son. The delightful street food of Da Nang is another drawcard. Traditional dishes such as pho, cao lau and banh my can be enjoyed on the streets as well as in hotel cafes and restaurants."

The largest integrated resort in Vietnam, Laguna Lang Co has two five-star hotels and an 18-hole golf course. The venue has proved popular with organisers of large-scale events. 

The 229-room Angsana Lang Co has three food and beverage outlets, a spa and many recreational options. The hotel's ballroom can fit 200 delegates. Other facilities include a 12-seat boardroom. The Banyan Tree Lang Co has 32 lagoon pool villas, 17 beach pool villas, four food and beverage outlets and a spa. 

In Da Nang, the Pullman Danang Beach Resort is a five-star hotel located along the sands of Bac My An Beach in Da Nang. The hotel has three food and beverage outlets and numerous recreational options.