Da Nang is Vietnam's up-and-coming city. It offers urban excitement, Vietnamese culture largely unaffected by tourism, and stunning natural beauty. But Da Nang is in many ways still a small town, and it remains poorly documented, even in Vietnamese-language publications.

This is the local's guide to Da Nang and Hoi An that includes a knowledgeable Vietnamese person's take on the best to see, do, and yes, eat and drink in Da Nang and Hoi An.

Hang out where the locals hang out, make friends and see the real...