DISCOVERING DA NANG, VIETNAM: BEYOND THE BEACHES

Vietnam has so much to do, and when it comes to choosing where to go, I was left feeling overwhelmed. I had the time, but the weather was not in my favor. It was hot and rainy. Not the best combination and I was not prepared. I intended on doing it all and seeing as much as I can, but ended up leaving earlier than expected. I got halfway through my itinerary. The halfway point was Da Nang, a coastal city known for its beautiful beaches.

When researching more about Da Nang, I found out about Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, and since my trip happened to be around the same time, I knew I couldn't miss it. This annual event showcases dazzling fireworks displays from various countries, lighting up the night sky and drawing thousands of spectators from around the world. The atmosphere is electric. Tickets are sold for this event, but you can watch the fireworks on display for free, by finding a spot along the Han River.

I ended up cutting my time in Da Lat short so I can make it for one of the shows. I took a short flight from Da Lat. Since the decision was a bit last minute, the hotel I had originally booked was a lot pricier and now outside of my budget, so I opted in for another one which ended up being a nightmare, because of its lack of cleanliness. It's not that I didn't check the reviews, but I quickly found that the 4-star rating meant nothing.

Upon landing in Da Nang, my first stop was the restaurant to grab breakfast. I made my way to Quán Chay Sáu Thu for some comfort vegetarian food. Everything was made in-house, by a Vietnamese grandma, which was so sweet, as she kept coming to check on me and see if I need anything else. The food? Authentic, tasty, cheap! Not a lot of tourists around since it's quite hidden on a small street, but every bite promised warmth and happiness. I strongly recommend visiting this restaurant if you can. My only regret is not coming back for more.

Though I landed quite early in the morning and had an early lunch, I took it easy. I planned on doing a lot, but with the scorching heat, and given that the hotel was a bit far out from the city center (around 15 minutes), I decided to hang out in the lobby to cool down and wait until I get a room.

In the early afternoon, I had booked the viral 21-step hair treatment at Maha Spa and it did not disappoint. I felt relaxed and my hair was completely transformed. I loved every minute of the experience. The best part is that it was a fraction of the price that I would normally pay in Canada, so it was definitely worth it for me.

The pampering began with a calming scalp massage that felt amazing. This was followed by a deep-cleansing shampoo and a conditioning treatment. The highlight was an herbal mask tailored to nourish and hydrate my hair. After about two hours, my hair emerged feeling silky smooth and looking incredibly vibrant. The results were astounding! Not only was my hair healthier, but it also had a radiant shine.

I visited the local market. What brought me to the market in the first place was a drink that I had seen online and of course, shopping as well. I found litchis found 1/3 of the price that I had paid in Ho Chi Minh, and I wish I could've bought more since I visited during litchi season, but I knew there was no way of finishing it, especially after eating almost a kilo by myself, since landing in HCMC a few days earlier.

At the market, I tried the avocado drink, which was also delicious and super refreshing. The drink basically consists of milk, avocado, coconut ice cream and topped with grilled coconut bits. The line up was long, with so many locals gathering around the booth to have it, and though I hesitated to try it as I did not want to get food poisoning, I couldn't resist it.

I then made my way to the Dragon Bridge for the fireworks festival. The crowd waited for what felt like hours. The show was set to begin at 8 pm, but by 8:30, there was still no signs of any fireworks. Then it finally started closer to 9 pm, an hour later, and it went on for an hour. I chose the Dragon Bridge to watch the show, since it is a popular attraction and on weekends, at 9 pm, the dragon breathes fire and sprays water. It poured a bit and the fireworks were on and off. The fire/water show? Never happened. I was soaked by the end of the night, but the fireworks made up for it, especially with the grand finale.

By the time it was over and I started making my way to the restaurant to find something to eat, a lot of places were either starting to close or they didn't have the options suitable to my diet. I ended up coming across Gapella Dining and Cocktail Bar, a restaurant serving Western food, but I didn't mind, since what caught my eye was the place itself. It felt like I was immediately transported to Europe. By the time I got back to the hotel, it was time for a shower and sleep. Thankfully I was only at the hotel to shower and sleep, which was not bad. The room and bathroom were just OK for me, everything else was not.

The next day, I couldn't even care less about having breakfast at the hotel. The hotel was very close to Marble Mountains, so in the morning, I decided to spend some time there before checking in at my next hotel. The Marble Mountains refers to the "Five Elements Hill": Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire), and Tho (earth). The climb up can be steep, but the good news is there's an elevator which you can take, if you pay an additional fee, but the downside is that it only takes you past the first part.

From there, you can still expect more stairs. There are some shaded areas under the trees with benches to rest. You can also expect to find pagodas at the top. The view of the ocean and Da Nang is nice to see from up top. With the heat, I spent only about two hours before deciding to make my way down, and back to the hotel to collect my backpack and proceed to my next hotel for the next two nights.

In the early afternoon, I walked over to "the best pizza spot in Vietnam", Pizza 4P's for lunch. Don't ask why I am having pizza in Vietnam when I should be having Asian food, but it was mostly to see what the hype was about. Personally, I found it good, but I feel like I would've much rather opt in for pho or another comforting meal from the vegetarian restaurant.

I loved reading about their story and seeing that everything is made by themselves, from the vegetables being grown in Da Lat to the cheese being made in Da Lat as well. Everything is organic and all ingredients are fresh. You can taste that difference when you eat. I also loved the fact that I can opt in for a 50/50 pizza, so that I can taste two different flavors. The Salmon Miso Cream Pizza was notable and left an interesting on the palate. I actually liked it and especially loved the Japanese touch.

As it started pouring again, I made my way to a local coffee shop, called Cửa Ngõ Cafe, to hide and relax. I don't typically drink coffee, but in Vietnam, it was another story. I fell in love with their coffee and my diet consisted of coffee, all day long, whenever I can. I knew I was in for a treat the moment I approached the coffee shop, since I saw so many motorbikes parked out front. When I walked in, I saw only locals. The cafe reminded me of Korea's cafe scene. It was aesthetically pleasing and super relaxing. Despite the heat, I didn't mind sitting outside, as it meant I could be near the water and the little pond. I opted for a seat near the mini waterfall and watched the rain and the fish. They also had fans and charging spots outside, which was great, along with free Wi-Fi. Inside, there's a free kids playground.

The rest of the afternoon was dedicated to more shopping, this time at the local supermarket, because I never visit any place without checking out their grocery store. I bought lots of different types of coffee, pho spices, noodles, snacks, coconut candy, coconut crackers, and even came across matcha butter!

I took a trip to Greece to end the night. I booked a Grab bike to the Son Tra Marina, a cafe inspired by Santorini. The vibes, and the fact that it was by the water made me forget that I was in Vietnam for a second. You need to purchase either a beverage or dessert to enter, so I opted for a passionfruit cake. Here you'll find coming for the pictures mostly, but I tried to sit and savor the moments, instead of just trying to capture every moment in a snapshot. To my surprise, my Grab application wouldn't work for me to get back to the city. I panicked for a moment, thinking that I'm stranded in the middle of nowhere, but thankfully I found a Grab driver waiting right outside. I made my way back to the hotel and called it a night, as the following day I had an early start and a long day ahead. I planned to visit one of the most popular attractions, the reason why most people come to Da Nang (aside from its beaches) in the first place: Ba Na Hills. You may not have heard about it, but you would instantly recognize the place if you see the open palm bridge. That's where I'm off to next!

On my third and final day in Da Nang, I booked a tour to Ba Na Hills. Since it is about an hour away, I figured it would be best to book a group tour, as roundtrip transportation is included, making it cheaper than if I am to pay my own taxi there (I did the math). There is a lot to do at Ba Na Hills, so much so that I plan on dedicating a full blog post about it.

But to summarize, it is Vietnam's Mountain Wonderland. It is both a mountaintop resort and theme park. You'll find lots of restaurant options, hotels and lots of entertainment. It was originally built as a hill station by the French in the early 20th century, as a place to escape the heat. Nowadays, it is a surreal blend of European architecture, lush gardens, and modern entertainment—all perched 1,500 meters above sea level. To get to the top, you need to ride two cable cars.

Once we reached, we got free time to explore the area, take pictures on the famous Golden Bridge, and enjoy the rides. We even got a free voucher for a drink or small appetizer from one of the vendors. Since it's so far up the mountain, the temperature is much cooler. You can often experience four seasons in a single day, surrounded by clouds, castles, and culture. Whether you're chasing Instagram-worthy views or just want a break from the city, it’s a must-see destination in central Vietnam. Stay tuned for my full guide.

Unfortunately for me, my day at Ba Na Hills ended on a bad note, as I had an unexpected trip at one of the rides, which took a hard hit on both of my knees. Ending the day at the medical clinic on-site, among locals was not on my bingo card, but there I was. The stress of getting left behind my group hit me as I was running out of time to go back to our meeting point and my phone battery was getting close to 1%. Suddenly the pain from my knee was the last thing I thought about, and instead I tried to sneak out of the medical center so I can head out to my meeting point. The staff was concerned about my wellbeing, which was nice, especially since those unexpected times are some of the hardest as a solo traveler. The staff escorted me back and though I felt embarrassed to face the group again, since I was limping, I was just glad to be heading back to the hotel. The tour guide was very considerate and nice, and let me come with her to skip the long lines.

This is one of the reasons why my Vietnam trip ended up being cut short. Another reason was the backpack, since it was my second time attempting "backpacking," as in no carry-on, just me and my backpack and a spare bag for my shopping. I was limited and running out of space, since dirty laundry was piling up and for some reason, dirty laundry takes more space in the bag. I couldn't leave Vietnam without visiting one more spot though, one that I was extremely excited about, since it's possibly one of the most charming Ancient towns and high on my list of one of my favourite places I've been to date.

My trip to Da Nang was nothing short of magical. From the breathtaking fireworks festival to the luxurious and unforgettable spa experience, to the the lively local market, and the awe-inspiring beauty of Ba Na Hills, every moment was filled with joy, despite ending on a bad note. If you're planning to visit Da Nang, I recommend timing your trip around the International Fireworks Festival for an unforgettable experience.

Da Nang is a destination that offers something special for everyone, and I eagerly look forward to my next visit!

Have you been to Da Nang? Let me know!