Getting around
Grab | Top car service in the region I must say. Install an app if you haven’t, type in the destination, choose either car/motorbike, and leave the rest for Grab to handle. The added option of paying cash is also a bonus. The price can be higher at night, on holiday and ... on a rainy day but Grab knows it has grabbed its reputation! There is also a Grab Bike option for someone wants to save the budget for traveling inner city.
Source: laodong.vn
Scooters/Motorbike | Maybe a new challenge for some?
There are many motorbike hiring shops in busy tourist areas (My An, Son Tra, Hai Chau etc.), they don't ask for your driving license but will ask for your passport to deposit. The motorbike quality is varied according to price. You can try to bargain for a lower price, but if you come to the shop in person to hire a motorbike, make sure you try it first before you take it, also exchange contact method with the shop owner, so that if something happens to the motorbike on the way, you have a number to call. Some shops offer delivery to where you stay and some hotels offer motorbike rental service too, so if you're into this mode of transport, it's a good idea to check for this information.
Recently automatic motorbikes (i.e. Automatic Transmission Motorcycle) aren’t allowed to go up Son Tra, manual motorbikes (i.e. Manual Transmission Motorcycle) still can do, so check for that information with the shop owner too. If you don't need to go up Son Tra, scooters are much easier to ride.
However, the most important thing to bear in mind is that riding a motorbike is not that easy (even traffic in Da Nang is much lighter than in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh city). People are more likely to respect traffic rules - follow correct vehicle lanes, wear helmets, and generally ride slowlier. But things can be challenging for a foreigner to ride on a wet road, a jammed road, intersections, and accidents, and hospitals are not fun!
For guests who stay at the NAVIS, there is a motorbike hiring shop to the right of The NAVIS, opposite the road (there are also many shops around in walking distance). You can park the motorbike in the building basement. Make sure you put on a helmet, pay close attention to the habits of local drivers.
Taxi | Taxis are relatively cheap and widely available. Just be sure to have them use the meter, as always.
For guests staying at the NAVIS, you can ask the receptionist to help you call a taxi.
Walking | There are coffee shops, restaurants, massage, convenience stores, pubs all located in a short walk from The NAVIS. You can also walk along the beach where the blocks are stretching out up to near Son Tra peninsula. Try running in the morning too!
Also, Tran Phu st and Bach Dang st (along the river) are also walking-favorable with souvenirs shops, street coffee shops, and many more. Try walking at nighttime (after 7 pm) here, much less traffic and the lights are on!
For guests staying at the NAVIS, contact the receptionist if you want to hire a private car for your daily trip to Hoi An, Hue, Ba Na Hill, and other destinations.
Sim card - Data
Getting a SIM card in Vietnam for travelers and ex-pats has never been this easy. The three most popular mobile internet providers in Vietnam are Mobifone, Viettel, and Vinaphone.
It is recommended to get your SIM card at the arrivals at the airport as all the packages are friendly for travelers. Also, Sim cards, Top-up scratch-off cards are easily purchased in convenient stores, at any phone shop, credit kiosks if you haven’t got them at the airport. However, to avoid the hassle, just get your SIM as you land since it is so cheap, it’s not like you are going to save 50$US if you buy it in the city center. You will be able to get your SIM card after you passed the Immigration Officer where luggage belts are.
A Viettel LTE sim card with 3GB data for 120,000 VND is a good option. Or a VietNamMobile sim card with only data for 70,000 VND (Price may change but believe me, either the sim itself or data is very cheap in Viet Nam).
To verify how much credit you have in your balance, for Viettel SIM cards: On the dial screen, call “*101#” to check the official balance or call “*102#” to check the promotional balance. For Vinaphone and Mobifone SIM cards: On the dial screen, call “*101#”.
It’s simple to top up your credits if you need to add minutes to your unlimited data package without minutes. You can buy credit anywhere and the vendor might sort the process out for you or point at the back of the scratch card to tell you to do it yourself. Instructions on what to do are clear and in English.
Exchange Money
The official Vietnamese currency is the Vietnam Dong.There are 500d (not frequently used), 1000d, 2000d, 5000d, 10,000d, 20,000d, 50,000d, 100,000d, 200,000d, 500,000d notes.The international airport of Danang is the easiest and most convenient way, yet the exchange rate is often higher than most local banks you can find on the streets. The banks will require you to fill out a form along with showing your passport. It is important that you should keep your paper notes carefully because any torn or damaged will not be accepted.
The good news is that Payments by credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club) are accepted in most convenient stores and more and more shops around the city right now.
For guests staying at the NAVIS, nearest banks are: Viettinbank (49 Ngu Hanh Son St); Vietcombank (537 Tran Hung Dao St.), MB bank (815 Ngo Quyen St.)