For years, tourists planning holidays to Vietnam have focused on Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, in the country's north and south. Now Central Vietnamese destinations, notably port city Da Nang, are rising out of their shadow.

Da Nang was voted the world's No. 1 Destination On The Rise For 2015 by TripAdvisor travellers and No. 43 on the New York Times' list of 52 Places To Go In 2015 last month.

Travellers say its markets, friendly locals and pristine beaches make it a destination in its own right, but Da Nang also stands out as a gateway to a trio of Unesco World Heritage sites.

The former Nguyen dynasty's imperial capital Hue is 100km to the north, the lantern-lit old town of Hoi An is 30km to the south and the ancient temple ruins of My Son are 70km to the south-west.