Hrvatski | English · Da Nang, Vietnam

August after August, solo both times.

From the plane you see a long beach and, behind it, a row of high-rises. Half of them are still in scaffolding.

2025, from Hong Kong

First five days in Hoi An: two in the old town, three at a beach resort. Then five in Da Nang.

2026, from Hanoi

Eleven days in Da Nang: four at Vernal, in the centre, seven at Tam House, near the sea. I talked most with the people who work there.

The dew point is around 25 °C. Every surface colder than that collects condensation.

My favourite dish is bánh xèo, a crispy pancake rolled up with herbs in rice paper.

The glass façades along the promenade face east, out to the open sea. Outdoor AC units hang on the balconies, one above the other, and the condensate drips straight onto the pavement. Up top there are terraces and pools, on almost every roof.

Between the towers, old houses have survived, narrow and deep, with a light well in the middle.

Dragon Bridge crosses the Han River, and at nine on weekend evenings it spits fire and water. On the Sơn Trà peninsula stands the white Lady Buddha.

Some foreigners here use up the whole 90-day tourist visa.

Maia and Malibu, Da Nang

By day, at Maia beach bar, people swim and lie on sunbeds, drinking coconut from the shell, or a cocktail.

After dark, Malibu beach bar has music, disco and a show. Two young men spin fire on chains, throw it up and catch it.

A big MY AN BEACH sign stands on the sand, with DA NANG in small letters underneath.

Da Nang series: I. Solo

Read more: Travelling to Vietnam – Magic of Vietnam · Central Vietnam – Hoi An

About the author: Vanja Keindl

All my writing on Vietnam in one place: Vietnam – Vanja Keindl