Port Of Da Nang, Vietnam

Da Nang Port lies at the south end of a bay off the South China Sea in east central Vietnam some 622 kilometers north-northeast of Saigon Port in Ho Chi Min City. One of the country's biggest cities, Da Nang Port has an excellent harbor enclosed to the east by the Tien Sa Peninsula and Cape Da Nang. In 2008, about 900 thousand people lived in Da Nang Port.

In addition to being one of the country's major container ports, Da Nang Port is an industrial city with a fast-growing economy. The major products produced in Da Nang Port's 4900 factories are seafood, furniture, household goods, and clothing. Tourism is also important to the local economy.

Da Nang Port was first ceded to France in 1787, but it was not part of the French protectorate. Called Tourane by the French, Da Nang Port was, however, a French concession outside the protectorate. When Vietnam was partitioned in 1954, Da Nang Port grew in importance.

In the 19th Century, the Nguyen Dynasty ruled that all western cargo vessels could only trade at the Han estuary, making Da Nang Port a center for foreign trade. Da Nang Port also benefited from the silting up of the Co Co River, ending the advantage of the commercial port at Hoi.

Under orders from Napoleon III, French troops landed in Da Nang Port in 1858, beginning the French colonial occupation of the city. It was soon one of five major cities in Indochina.

During the United States' Vietnam War, the city held a major US air base, and Da Nang Port facilities were expanded by the Americans.

In the 1960s, a new modern textile mill was added to the traditional textile and silk-spinning facilities in Da Nang Port. Beverage-making plants and machinery appeared in Da Nang Port in the 1970s. In 1976, a new hospital and polytechnic college were established in the city, and Da Nang Port was linked to Ho Chi Minh City (previously Saigon) by both highway and rail.

Until 1997, Da Nang Port was part of Quang Nam-Da Nang province. In 1997, the city became Vietnam's fourth independent municipality, being separated from Quang Nam Province.

After a century of growth and development, Da Nang Port has become the busiest port in central Vietnam and a vital component of the regional and national economy. Recognized by the government for its outstanding performance, Da Nang Port has also become one of the country's most modern ports. As the gateway to trade for the East-West Transport Corridor that includes Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, Da Nang Port is an import-export center serving central Vietnam and the country's highlands.

The Vietnam National Shipping Lines is the port authority for Da Nang Port. Da Nang Port occupies 1.2 thousand hectares with a depth of from 10 to 17 meters at Danang Bay. Surrounded by the Son Tra Peninsula and Hai Van Mountain, the harbor is well protected with a breakwater that facilitates anchorage and cargo-handling throughout the year. Located hear the Danang International Airport and the national railroad station, Da Nang Port has easy access to the nation's transportation networks and the hinterland.

In 2008, Da Nang Port handled a total of 2.7 million tons of cargo, including 1.2 million tons of exports, 525.9 thousand tons of imports, and 985.6 thousand tons of domestic cargo. Cargoes included 61.9 thousand TEUs of containerized cargo. Da Nang Port also served 29.6 thousand passengers in 2008, a significant increase over prior years.

Da Nang Port contains a total of 1493 meters of berths in two major areas: Tien Sa Terminal and Song Han Terminal. Da Nang Port has capacity to handle up to five million tons of cargo per year.

The approach channel to Da Nang Port's Tien Sa Terminal from the pilot station is eight nautical miles long with a channel depth from 10 to 17 meters. The annual throughput capacity at Tien Sa Terminal is 4.5 million tons.

All berths at the Tien Sa Terminal at Da Nang Port have alongside depth of 3.7 meters. Berths 1 through 4 are each 185 meters long, and Berth 5 is 225 meters long. The 450-meter long breakwater allows berthing throughout the year, free from the affects of waves and monsoons.

The Tien Sa Terminal is a natural deep-water port with depths from 10 to 12 meters. Its berths total 965 meters at one wharf with two finger piers. The Tien Sa Terminal can accommodate general cargo vessels to 45 thousand DWT, container vessels to two thousand TEUs, or passenger vessels to 75 thousand GRT.

The approach channel to Da Nang Port's Song Han Terminal is 12 nautical miles long from the pilot station, and the channel depth is from 6 to 7 meters, and it can accommodate vessels to five thousand DWT.

The Song Han Terminal at Da Nang Port has capacity to handle one million tons of cargo per year. The terminal offers five berths at a total 528 meters long and a draft of 0.7 meters. Berth 1 is 140 meters long. Berths 2 and 3 are each 100 meters long, and Berth 4 is 90 meters long.

Song Han Terminal is located on the Han River near Da Nang city. With a total of 528 meters of berths, it serves customers in the city of Da Nang.

Da Nang Port contains a total of 229.3 thousand square meters of storage area including 29.2 thousand square meters of warehouse space and 183.7 thousand square meters of yards.

The Tien Sa Terminal contains 13.7 thousand square meters of warehouses, including a 2.2 thousand square meter Container Freight Station, and 138.3 thousand square meters of yards. The Song Han Terminal contains 3.3 thousand square meters of warehouses and 16.3 thousand square meters of yards. In addition, the Quang freight warehouse station contains 12.2 thousand square meters of warehouses and 29.1 thousand square meters of yards.

The City of Da Nang is a picturesque city on Vietnam's eastern coast. With beautiful natural surroundings, Da Nang Port is at the heart of three world cultural heritage sites: the ancient capital of Hue, ancient Hoi An town, and the holy land of My Son. Da Nang Port is a popular tourist destination with many attractions that visitors will want to check out.

The Son Tra peninsula that protects Da Nang Port is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and the peninsula is surrounded by scenic alluvial plains. The beautiful Han River is a source of pride for the people of Da Nang Port. The Han River bridge is a symbol of the new life of the city and its prosperous future. With long clean beaches, Da Nang Port is one of Vietnam's favorite vacation spots.

Being the landing point for the French colonial invasion, many reminders of the colonial period remain in Da Nang Port. There are also many reminders of the "American War" in Da Nang Port. The ruins of a military base remain on China Beach, with helicopter hangars reminding visitors and residents of the city's recent stormy past.

While many tourists miss the charms of Da Nang Port, it is one of the best places for backpackers in all of Vietnam.China Beach is now home to guest houses and shops. With some of Vietnam's most isolated and beautiful beaches, it is the perfect detonation for tourists on a budget.

While the province was not friendly to foreigners in the past, the local government has eagerly pursued tourism and foreign investment since the 1990s. Over the past decades, the city has grown quickly. Today, it sports multi-story buildings and modern beach resorts. The downtown area of Da Nang Port is relaxed and quiet, with several attractions that include a zoo, a water park, tennis courts, pool halls, and a soccer stadium as well as many night clubs.

During the relatively dry summers, temperatures can reach 36 °C (97 °F) from July to August. Tropical storms are common in October and November.

The Marble Mountains, about nine kilometers south of Da Nang Port, are a fascinating place where Buddhist temples hide in caves and grottoes and pilgrims still journey. Am Phu cave offers a steep climb from caverns filled with statues of sinners being punished to a magnificent view and many sacred sculptures from the top of the mountain. Guides are available for hire, and visitors are advised to wear climbing or walking shoes.

Ba Na Hill Station is a 1920s French Resort about 40 kilometers west of Da Nang Port that used to house villas, restaurants, and clubs enjoyed by the French colonials. In the midst of an unspoiled forest and with a temperate climate, the Ba Na Hill Station offers breathtaking views of the South China Sea and Lao mountain range. While the roads are difficult, demanding 4-wheel drive, the site is also reachable by a new cable system that takes visitors to the top of Mount Chua.

The 1915 Cham Museum in Da Nang Port contains a collection of stone sculptures that were made by the Hindu Cham civilization that lived here from about 1000 B.C. to the 14th Century AD. While the sandstone sculptures have been weathered badly, they show the skills of the artists who made them. Statues depict Shiva, garudas, nadas, and animals holy to the Hindu religion. The collections were taken from the disintegrating Cham ruins before they could be taken by looters.

So beware!!!