Stay Safe & Healthy in Da Nang
In general, you will discover that Da Nang is a safer and somewhat more relaxed city than Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Obviously, as the number of tourists increases, things begin to alter. This does not imply that you will need to carry your suitcase while walking down the street, as you would in larger cities. Nonetheless, it is prudent to obey the following guidelines to minimize unnecessary hassles:
- Avoid wearing extravagant jewelry or apparel that demonstrates your (relative) wealth.
- Carry money and copies of crucial documents in a thin wallet as opposed to a bulky purse.
- Leaving a rental motorcycle outside during the day is safe, but you must bring it inside at night.
Taxi scams
One thing to watch out for is the common taxi scam: On a long travel to Ba Na Hills, Hue, or elsewhere, a dishonest taxi driver may agree to a very cheap charge for the return trip. Knowing you have no other options, he triples or quadruples the fee once you reach your destination. When you return to your hotel and park the vehicle somewhat away from the main entrance, he locks the doors and demands payment before releasing you. To prevent this circumstance, only take cabs from respected firms, such as Mai Linh or Vinasun, and negotiate a fee with them beforehand. Take your driver to the hotel desk to reconfirm the pricing, and leave the taxi information, including the license plate number, with the hotel reception.
Even if the driver initially acknowledges that he knows where the hostel is located, he will at some point claim that he needs assistance from a passerby who speaks English fluently in order to find it. This individual then enters the taxi, stating that he would assist the driver with directions and will soon begin pushing his business to the customer. To avoid this situation, it is recommended that late guests book a private transfer in advance with a travel agency or the hostel. The added expense may be well worth the piece of mind.
