Da Nang or Danang is a
class-1 municipality and the fifth-largest city in
Vietnam by municipal population. It lies on the
coast of the East Sea of Vietnam at the mouth of the
Hàn River, and is one of Vietnam's most important
port cities. As one of the country's five
direct-controlled municipalities, it falls under the
administration of the central government.
The city was known as Cửa Hàn during early Đại Việt
settlement, and as Tourane (or Turon) during French
colonial rule. Before 1997, the city was part of
Quang Nam - Da Nang Province. On 1 January 1997, Da
Nang was separated from Quảng Nam Province to become
one of four centrally controlled municipalities in
Vietnam. Da Nang is designated as a first class
city, and has a higher urbanization ratio than any
of Vietnam's other provinces or centrally governed
cities.
Da Nang is the commercial and educational center of
Central Vietnam and is the largest city in the
region. It has a well-sheltered, easily accessible
port, and its location on National Route 1 and the
North–South Railway makes it a transport hub. It is
within 100 km (62 mi) of several UNESCO World
Heritage Sites, including the Imperial City of Huế,
the Old Town of Hội An, and the Mỹ Sơn ruins.
Da Nang has a Human Development Index of 0.779
(high), ranking fifth among all municipalities and
provinces of Vietnam.