Danang took over as the most important trading port in central Vietnam after Hoi An when it became the only trading port  Europeans were allowed to use. It is now the fifth largest city in Vietnam, growing and changing quickly, and has one of the highest GDP per capita. Americans started deploying troops at the airfield here in 1962, and used it as a major base throughout the war.

The city centre is quite spread out, divided between the beachside area and the business centre, and it can be a bit tricky to find out where to go at first. The region is famous for its cuisine, and Danang has many great restaurants and the famous China Beach starting in the middle of the city, but many tourists only land here to go directly to Hoi An.