Les Go to Da Nang

It may be a bad sign that every time I get out of Hanoi I can breathe. Literally and figuratively. In the past two weeks I have literally travelled to North, South, and Center of Vietnam so I’ve had plenty of breathing opportunities. My most recent travel was to the beach town of Da Nang which is in the center of Vietnam. How have I slept on Da Nang for so long?! Turning a business trip to an extended breather was exactly what I needed. So, Les Go to Da Nang!

Day trip in Hoi An

Hoi An is arguably the most charming side of Vietnam. Not only is there a lantern filled river that intersects the city it’s also beach side.

There’s something about beach towns. Universally they have a lighter, fresher vibe. For the three years that I’ve lived abroad I’ve always said, “OK, this year I’m moving to a beach town.” I never do. But I know without a doubt in my past life I lived on the coast, soaking up the air, sun and meditating to the sounds of the ocean.

Now that I have a big girl job, like legit big girl job I feel I have to spend a little money to fit the part. Now I still feel one can be a professional minimalist (Steve Jobs wore the same outfit everyday) but I want to have things that last in my minimalist lifestyle. In Hoi An you can get anything custom made. I splurged and literally spent over $100 USD on 3 pairs of shoes. I’ve never done that in my life and I may still be having sleepless nights over this concept.

These little gems were custom made to my feet. I am a horrible vegetarian and I do feel morally torn with this purchase. I don’t eat meat because I want my carbon footprint to be low low. I know these fuckin all leather inside and outside shoes do not help. Don’t judge me.

Hoi An Gardening

The food in Hoi An and Da Nang is my jam. They have massive gardens in Hoi An that supply the whole little region within reach. As we were walking down the quiet road my girlfriend and I stumbled upon a garden that was breath taking. Idyllic would be a better word. If this is a selling point on Communism I’d be halfway inclined to say yes; Except for the government propaganda songs the were streaming from the light posts. Everything can’t be perfect.

Da Nang

Da Nang is slept on. Honestly the most slept on city in Vietnam. I was so impressed with Da Nang. The streets were by far the cleanest I’ve seen to date in Vietnam. The air was fresh and the people were nice. THE PEOPLE WERE NICE! It’s so rare to find nice people these days that this was jus damn delighting.

It honestly felt like I was in another South East Asian city and not in Vietnam. The whole vibe of Da Nang is completely different that any other city I’ve been to in this country.

Green Vibes

I feel this city definitely aligned with my values. There were plenty of vegan eateries and vibey coffee houses and lounges. The particular place we loved and went to twice (one time driving in pouring rain whilst lost) was Roots Plant Based Cafe.

• 

• 

All of this raw, vegan goodness in my mouth, please. You know how some meat eaters honestly crave bacon or think steak is Goddess-sent? That’s how I feel about raw, vegan/veggie food. I honestly love everything about it: how it makes me feel, cooking it, tasting it. All of the above.

Pleasantly enough there was a dope little bar across the street that catered to my dog-loving heart. This little hipster joint was actually deeper than surface level and aligned with Paws for Compassion to make me smile.

The City

If one were to tell me that I would love a fruit that some say smell like rotten garbage I’d laugh. But, it’s the truth. I love durian. I honestly want to go back to Penang, Malaysia specifically to return to this durian cafe but that’s aside the point. We went to this market in Da Nang that may have changed my life for ever because of the durian+avocado+coconut milk smoothie action.

• 

The city itself is just my speed. Not only do they have a bangin veggie scene, it’s surrounded by rolling hills and literally on the coast line. We road all the way up to Son Tra mountain and right when the crisp, fresh mountain air hit me I was transported back to Costa Rica. Not only was this fresh mountain air, it was mingled with a tinge of ocean sweeping up from the coast.

And bright coffee shops were you jus feel good. Ya feel me?

• 

• 

Along with the veggie vibes, there was just a sense of eco consciousness that my soul doesn’t get in Hanoi. The architectural style in Da Nang is very green with most houses having greenery cascading down the front.

Oh yea, and it did help that this was my last view as I debriefed after an information overloaded work conference.