Da Nang, Vietnam - Day Trip from the Crystal Symphony

The Crystal Symphony docked in Chan May, Vietnam, so that guests could take shore excursions to either Da Nang, Hue, or Hoi An. We chose the 5-hour tour of Da Nang (also spelled Danang), and enjoyed the ride through the Vietnam countryside to Da Nang (also spelled Danang).

Our first stop was at the Museum of Cham Sculpture, an interesting outdoor museum with over 300 pieces from the Cham empire, dating back as far as the 7th century. Next, we watched young seamstresses perform intricate work at a local embroidery workshop. We walked through the local market, and experienced a sensory overload as we took in the many smells and colorful sights. The bus drove onto the Marble Mountains, and we watched the stone workers craft their sculptures. While there, we took time to explore one of the many Marble Mountain caves, but did not have time to get a closer look at the pagoda. Finally, we enjoyed a well-deserved rest at China Beach, which is now a resort, but was once a favorite R&R site for American soldiers.