Man cannot live by golf alone, and the Danang/Hoi An region is blessed with two weeks’ worth of non-golfing tours and activities. Some are self-directed tours, while others are proper tours offered through The Nam Hai, Lifestyle Resort Danang and Vietnam Golf Coast’s official tour operator, Golfasian (www.golfasian.com). Here’s a sampling:

Lunch at Bai Bup: The Son Tra Peninsula, a.k.a. Monkey Mountain, sits at the entrance of Danang Bay. Locals say it looks like a mushroom: the cap being the peak of Son Tra mountain rising 693m above the sea level, and the mushroom's stalk being the white sand beach that connects it to the mainland. Son Tra is classified as a National Park and features old growth forests and, yes, the rare red-mouth monkey. There are some lovely beachfront restaurants located in coves around Monkey Mountain. The fish are “off the hook fresh”, and the environs authentic and unspoiled.
 
Hai Van Pass: A stirring half-day trip for those visitors who perhaps don’t have the time for a full-day trip to Hue, the old imperial capital. By itself, the winding, switchback road from Danang up to the Pass  is worth the trip, with its everwidening views of majestic Danang Bay, the city and Son Tra. The literal meaning of Hai Van is "Sea and Cloud", as the Pass's highest point is 496m above sea level. Lunch in Lan Cau, on the other side, and back through the tunnel makes for a lovely 3-4 hour outing.

Marble Mountains Tour: Once the redoubt of the National Liberation Front (a.k.a. Viet Cong) during the Vietnam War, this cluster of five limestone hills are full of grottoes, pagodas and sweeping views of the region. The five marble mountains represent, and are so named for the five natural elements: Thuy Son (Water), Moc Son (wood), Hoa Son (Fire), Kim So (Metal or Gold) and Tho Son (Earth).

Cham Museum:  Founded by the French in 1915, the Cham Museum is the only one of its kind in Southeast Asia dedicated to preserving the unique Champa sculptural heritage. There are about 300 items of sculpture dating from the 5th to the 16th centuries. Most are original works carved in sandstone, while some are made from terracotta. Items include altars, statues and decorations from Cham towers and palaces. The statues feature Indian gods such as Shiva, Vishnu and Rama, as well as Buddhas, dancers, musicians, and sacred animals.

The Beach:  Forbes magazine has hailed the long strand between Danang and Hoi An as one of the world's most spectacular stretches of sand. One of the easiest points of access is at Cua Dai Beach, near Hoi An, but the Nam Hai and Lifestyle Resort Danang (along with many other resorts) boast their own private perches on the East Sea.

Pagoda Tour: Tam Thai Pagoda was built in 1825 on Thuong Thai Peak and has been restored several times since. Close to the pagoda stand Pho Don Tower, Tu Tam Pagoda. Close by are the Huyen Khong Grottoes with their fresh air chamber and numerous stalactites. Linh Ung Pagoda was built under the reign of Minh Mang King on the cliff of Son Thuy Mountain facing the sea. Pho Da Pagoda, located at 323 Phan Chau Trinh Street, Danang, was built in 1927, founded by Venerable Thich Ton Thang and restored in 1937, 1945 and 1983

Hoi An Tour:  A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, the architecturally rich Old Town looks much the way it did when Hoi An reigned as one of the region's premier trading ports, in the 17th Century. Explore Chinese temples, merchant homes, great restaurants and a wealth of shopping (including what many believe to be the country’s finest tailoring) on the grid of pedestrian-friendly, riverfront streets.

Hue Tour:  The ancient capital of Hue is a beautiful, riverfront city in its own right. It’s also site of The Citadel, built by French military architect Sebastian Vauban. The Citadel comprises three walled enclosures, each wall within the other, creating a city within a city. This tour is offered through The Nam Hai.

My Son Tour:  Strategically located in a lush valley surrounded by towering mountains, My Son was continually inhabited for 900 years, longer than any of the other sites of the great civilizations of Southeast Asia. During the 4th century, My Son became the religious, cultural and educational center of Vietnam. This tour is offered through The Nam Hai.

Local Fisherman Tour:  Participate in a daily Central Vietnamese ritual. Depart at sunrise and learn how to maneuver the boat into position to cast a traditional Vietnamese fishing net. Enjoy the fruits of your labor back at The Nam Hai, where our team of chefs will be waiting to prepare your fresh catch, any way you like it.

Diving off Cham Island:  Cham Island is actually a cluster of eight  small islands 18km off Hoi An’s shoreline. Coral gardens surround each of these islands making it the perfect place for snorkeling, scuba diving and discovery of an authentic Vietnamese island ecosystem. Tours arranged through Rainbow Divers (www.divevietnam.com).

Sailing the East Sea:  Experience the East Sea and Cham Islands in one memorable excursion on VIETNAMSAILING. Their sleek ship, Trimaran Oceane, embarks for half-day and full-day trips, or stay overnight on one of the islands. Available through hotel and resort concierges or at info@vietnamsailing.com or by phone, +84 (0)918 255521. www.vietnamsailing.com.