One of my favourite things to do in any destination I travel to and feel safe in, is to wander aimlessly through the smaller streets and older neighbourhoods. With no plan in mind, I discover hidden gems that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. Get lost with me in Da Nang Vietnam and let’s see what we can discover.
Where to Go?
Da Nang is the third largest city in the country, home to 1.2 million people. There are many areas one could chose for this adventure. I am going to select an area a few blocks inland from the beach. I know all along this coastline, was once a series of small villages. I’m curious if there is much evidence of this left, as the beach has become a tourist zone full of big hotels and all that comes with that.
Alleys
Always a good place to start is in the smaller alleys and little lanes. This is where real life happens. People are busy with their daily tasks such as heading off to school, washing their dogs and purchasing items from the travelling vendors.
I’m amazed to discover some alleys that are not paved. To find this in such a big city is wonderfully quaint.
Houses
I’m seeing some old single-story brick and plaster houses, and I think these are original to the villages that were once here. They are utterly charming with their soft shades of colour and small front verandas.
I notice that many have a tall stepping stool near the front door. This I am curious about. Some have an open lattice above the front door, which would help to create a cross breeze in this warm and muggy climate.
Doors & Windows
A passion that always fills my camera roll no matter where I travel are the doors and windows that I encounter. I am fascinated by the ones I see here. Many are painted bright and pastel colours which blend so well with the greenery that is lush and vibrant.
I see patterns in the metal and the glass that I find endearing. Most homes seem to have a large front gate right on the road. Just inside is where the owners park their motorcycles. But its these large gates that fascinate me today. The variety of patterns, shapes and sizes of the metal
Greenery
In this tropical climate, plants grow to abandon. Bougainvillea is an absolute favourite of mine, as it cascades its beautiful bounty and creates a canopy of sorts over the alleys.
Many of these homeowners have also used pots and containers to plant gardens all along the front of their homes. I can see large fruit trees, some of which must have been around for decades now. Bananas, jackfruit and papayas seem to be in almost everyone’s yard.
Dried Goods
Such a lovely sight and a frequent one too, are the items left to dry in the sunshine. Just outside of these homes, are any number of goods including fish, herbs, vegetables, peanuts and even charcoal.
These are all left laying flat on bags, baskets or woven bamboo as they evaporate and dry out. None seem to get blown by the wind and each is interesting in its own way. Some items I don’t recognize at all, which is always fascinating for me.
Offerings
If you have travelled to Bali, you will be familiar with the plethora of religious offerings placed daily on the sidewalks and doorways. In Vietnam a similar thing can be seen, but here these are being left to honour ancestors.
See them at the base of light standards and trees, tucked into fences and brick walls and on top of electrical boxes and such. They usually consist of colourful balls that resemble a children’s cereal, dry rice, cigarettes, incense, a rice porridge, drinks and candy. Other items might be small ceramic plaques and figurines of all sorts.
If you have the chance, are a slow traveller like myself, I encourage you to let yourself get lost. This is the type of travel that I love, the discovery, the ordinary life, daily scenes. These views, learning and experiencing a different culture in this way, is what travel is all about. Forget the big tourist-centric sights, go off grid and find the gems.
