Hoi An to Hue (Danang area)

This journal covers our journey north from Hai An to Hue (way). It features the Marble Mountains, China Beach, with a peak at Danang, the spectacular Hai Van Pass, and pretty Lang Co beach & village.

"Marble Mountains"
Limestone & marble quarries cluster around the foot of Water...

The people of the Marble Mountains
are famous for their traditional stone carving and engraving craftsmanship.

Another craftsman.
Stone from the Marble Mountains has been exported to many countries.

Not exactly the best working conditions
but at least most wore masks to avoid inhaling the dust.

Intricate workmanship
There were several shops in the village where we stopped. While the...

The colored marble was amazing
Each of the mountains is riddled with caves and grottoes, with some...

Wonderful green marble

This stone 'egg'
was in an adjacent field.

The steps leading up to the cave
and pagoda in Water Mountain that the rest of our group visited. This...

"China Beach"
China Beach, which extends north and south of the Marble Mountains...

Now a popular surfing beach,
China Beach (aka Non Nuoc or My Khe) is an endless stretch of white...

Note the nice clean, unpolluted beach
"Danang" in the background? Danang is the 4th largest city in Vietnam...

Old base barracks?

Old dining hall?

Coracles on the beach
These are round, woven wicker boats used by one person to shuttle short...

Net fishing in the Lap An lagoon
near Lang Co village on the south end of the Hai Van Pass highway. We were on...

"Hai Van" post office

At the summit of Hai Van Pass (496m)
The view from the top of Hai Van Pass is one of the most impressive panoramic...

A better view of the ancient gate

Map of the old tunnels?

The road to Danang
The portion of the central coast around Danang, where the mountains drop...

View of "Lang Co" village and beach
Lang Co, one of the most beautiful places in Vietnam, is on a sand spit...

Lang Co peninsula bridges
Before the new tunnel & bridge were built (foreground), Lang Co Bay had 2...

New bridge connects to a new tunnel
The Japanese-built, 8-km tunnel & bridge across the lagoon to Lang Co...

another angle
this one with a better view of the crystal clear, turquoise blue...

We stopped for lunch at this resort
The long white sand beach at Lang Co has a gradual slope, an average...

Except for a group of American Veterans,
also on a tour, the resort was quite deserted & looked in dire straits? I...

Attractive entrance to the beach
The restaurant & hotel were higher up the slope.

The welcome dolphin
and another welcoming, clean beach.

Shrimp ponds

article published 6/13/2006

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Impressive with Marble Mountain. Like their workmanship. A ordinary rock turn into a worthy statue. Thanks for showing us.
— Teo Say Wei, June 16, 2006

Lorraine, once again, a lovely presentation of the subject. Having served in Viet Nam in the early 70's, I see a number of photos of places I remember, but the thing that I'd forgotten and now smile at are the ceramic elephants I note in your photos of the ceramic dealers. These elephants (ceramic) were EVERYWHERE in Viet Nam and lots of the guys took them home when they left Viet Nam. Thanks for bringing back some good memories of that time.
— Bill Brown, June 14, 2006

Very nice
photos and texts, Rainy. You've given us a real feeling for this part of the country.
— Fred Perry, June 13, 2006

sir
another rainy example of informative and well shot pics ,, said it before but you have a great talent,,,,,,,
— harry, June 13, 2006

Good Update
Thanks for sharing- couln't help noticing the pic of the man by the beach, i know he is not but looks like he is urinating?
— HPLow, June 13, 2006