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"Short stories and travel reports from my life adventures around the globe".

Travel Report: Cool Spots Around Danang.

The Happy Yacht in Danang.

Cool Spots Around Danang, Vietnam.

April 2018.

Well folks, you surely know the drill by now. Following my individual articles on Dragon Bridge, The Marble Mountains, The Danang Coastline and Monkey Mountain, here’s my roundup of the best of the rest. Yup, it’s another Vietnamese city wrapped up with my Cool Spots Around Danang.

Visit Danang Cathedral in Vietnam.

Danang Cathedral.

Having taken in a sizeable chunk of Danang’s temples, pagodas and Buddhist shrines, it was an interesting change of tone when I came across Danang Cathedral. You literally can’t miss this pretty pink edifice, the only church constructed during the city’s French colonial rule.

Visit Danang Cathedral.

Cool Spots Around Danang.

A French priest by the name of Louis Vallet built the place in 1923. Locals call it Con Ga in reference to the rooster perched on its bell tower. As the only show in town, the church remains very busy, serving over 4000 Catholic parishioners. Services take place in French, Vietnamese and English, depending on the day. 

The garden at Danang Cathedral.

Danang Cathedral.

Unfortunately, Danang Cathedral was closed that afternoon. Moreover, I was unable to get inside on three further attempts. From what I’ve read the interior is somewhat stark, but does feature a few rhombic arches and some fine medieval style stained-glass windows.

So I made do with a walk around the cathedral garden, which has some well-kept plants and flowers in addition to statues depicting various scenes from The Bible.

Cool Spots Around Danang.

Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary Danang Cathedral

Danang Cathedral.

The highlight is certainly this fascinating grotto dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to several online sources, Vallet and his church associates created it drawing inspiration from the Lourdes Grotto in France. You can find the cathedral on Tran Phu Street. Assuming they bother to open, their hours are typically 05:00-17:30.

Hail Maria Danang Cathedral Vietnam

Cool Spots Around Danang.

For an insight into local youth culture, there’s nearly always something going on at the promenade square near the tail end of Dragon Bridge. Sometimes it’s busking, other times short theatrical sketches or arts and crafts. One morning I came across a breakdancing crew smashing out some impressive moves to bristling Vietnamese rap.

Locals breakdancing Danang Vietnam

Cool Spots Around Danang.

On the other side of The Han River, just a few minutes walk from the dragon’s head, stands a large covered market that hosts an array of events throughout the year. Back in April 2018 it was home to the giant Coca Cola Street Food Festival. This was one of the busiest places I saw in the whole of Vietnam, with hundreds of people snacking on traditional Vietnamese dishes.

Coca-Cola Street Food Festival Danang

Cool Spots Around Danang.

In truth the market itself didn’t interest me much. I’d seen similar spots across the country, had already eaten that day and was keen to get away from the masses. Thus I found myself drawn to the kitschy fun of Coca Cola Street, just outside the main hall.

Coca Cola Street Food Festival.

Coca Cola Street Danang.

Cool Spots Around Danang.

Here, locals posed with friends and family for photos against a number of Coca-Cola themed murals and art installations. At first glance it was an admittedly depressing exhibition of corporate advertising. But the more I observed, I couldn’t help but smile at how much people were enjoying it.

Coca Cola Street Cool Spots Around Danang

Coca Cola Street, Danang.

In fact, there was so much smiling and laughing, I joined in and took some photos of my own. What’s more, I am very partial to a can of Coke. Hence I picked up a cold one on my way out. “Damn you, Coca-Cola and your wily charms”. 

Coca Cola Art Danang Vietnam

Cool Spots Around Danang.

Just five minutes on foot from the market sits one of Danang’s iconic sights. Indeed wherever you may be in the river neighbourhoods, one cannot miss the gigantic Happy Yacht. 

The Happy Yacht Danang.

Cool Spots Around Danang.

A permanent fixture in DHC Marina on The Han’s western banks, this luxury 5-floor super yacht offers fine dining with restaurants serving Vietnamese, Thai and Korean cuisine, among others. It’s all quite fancy and expensive, by Danang standards at least.

The Happy Yacht DHC Marina Danang

Cool Spots Around Danang.

When I came to take a look one late midweek afternoon, the yacht was quiet. Nevertheless, I found a helpful hostess stationed outside who asked me what I was looking for. “Hm, a drink perhaps?” I asked. And so she directed me to the top deck, a so-called Sky Bar with tables and chairs overlooking the river.

Cool Spots Around Danang.

The Happy Yacht. Cool Spots Around Danang.

The Happy Yacht, Danang.

Ok, so this was hardly up in the clouds. But boy these had to be some of the best river views in town. Furthermore, I was the only person on the entire deck! “Is it going to get busy?” I asked the smartly dressed waiter. “Yes sir” he smiled, performing a half bow. “We have a set dinner menu from seven… and a DJ”.  

Visit Danang The Happy Yacht.

Cool Spots Around Danang.

Wanting absolutely nothing to do with the set dinner, the DJ, nor indeed the crowds they would bring, I counted my lucky stars. After all, for now I had this fine Danang vista all to myself. Scanning their disappointing drinks menu, I took a Heineken ($3), kicked back and savoured the moment. “Cheers, Dragon Bridge!” 

Danang by night.

Cool Spots Around Danang.

It was a wonderful spot from which to enjoy a Danang sunset and the bleeding colours of the skyline as night descended. A short while later DJ Dax arrived and began setting up his equipment. After a few short blasts of his (way too loud) beats, I bid The Happy Yacht adieu.

Cozy Coffee Cool Spots Around Danang

Cozy Coffee, Danang.

Another string to Danang’s considerable bow is its excellent coffee scene. One of my favourites was Cozy Coffee, a place that lives up to its name with comfy chairs, gentle music and a polite, softly-spoken barista/waitress. They do wonderfully creamy flat whites and… hallelujah! … the wifi isn’t shit.

Cozy Coffee.

Best coffee Cool Spots Around Danang

Cool Spots Around Danang.

If you like your cafes very busy (some might say happening), you couldn’t find a trendier spot than The Coffee House on Nguyen Chi Thanh. This place is a bit on the pricy side, but they offer a huge variety of flavoured coffees and excellent desserts. Be warned though, it has just a single toilet cubicle for all customers. Man, I wish I hadn’t gone in there.

Coffee House Cool Spots Around Danang

Countless people… one toilet.

Danang is also a great food city! Oh how I should’ve taken more photos of its culinary delights. My favourite breakfast spot was the fantastic Happy Heart Cafe, whose staff are exclusively deaf, hearing impaired and ethnic minority.

Happy Heart Cafe Cool Spots Around Danang

Cool Spots Around Danang.

Online, the cafe was so ridiculously recommended I had to come and see it for myself. I hadn’t had anything resembling a cooked western breakfast during my entire Vietnam trip. So imagine my excitement when I saw that Happy Heart does their own twist on a Full English.

Happy Heart Cafe.

The Happy Heart Cafe, Danang.

I dove happy-heartedly (sorry) into that excellent breakfast. Aside from the grilled tomato (a pet hate of mine), it was a resounding win. I’m talking yolky eggs, baked beans, fried mushrooms, crispy bacon, a juicy beef burger, roast potatoes and fluffy toast with butter. Oh, and a token slice of watermelon to make you think it’s healthy. Yum.

Cool Spots Around Danang.

English breakfast at the Happy Heart Cafe. Cool Spots Around Danang

Cool Spots Around Danang.

The team at Happy Heart also knocks out a mean chilli con carne and some outstanding nachos, salads, steaks and pastas. After my breakfast, I got chatting to the owner, a warm local lady dependent on crutches to walk.

She told me how she’d started the cafe for her friends, many of whom had trouble finding employment because of their lack of hearing. When she heard that I was going to write about her cafe, my host insisted on gathering the team together for a group shot. A genuinely lovely moment.

Meet the team! Happy Heart Cafe Cool Spots Around Danang

Cool Spots Around Danang.

When it comes to Vietnamese food, I simply have to put in a word for Mrs Mua Restaurant, a scandalously under-the-radar eatery on Nguyen Tri Phuong. Online, you’ll find only passing references, and very little in the way of images. And yet this was one of my most memorable local dishes.

I went for the Special Mix Noodles, pictured below. It’s a concoction of wispy rice noodles and mixed herbs served with grilled beef, spring onions and a single, soft-boiled egg. Not pictured is the little tub of creamy yellow curry broth that you pour over everything.

Adventures in Vietnam.

Mrs. Mua Restaurant Cool Spots Around Danang

Cool Spots Around Danang.

Sealing Danang’s reputation as a culinary titan, in my book at least, is the presence of a solid Indian restaurant. Happily, Namaste Omar didn’t let me down with its delicious Chicken Korma, Basmati Rice and Cheese Nan. So good.

Namaste Omar's Indian Restaurant Cool Spots Around Danang

Cool Spots Around Danang.

Finally, I’d like to conclude my Danang chronicles with a word on my humble lodgings, Tomodachi Guesthouse. This Japanese style home from home has to be one of the quietest hostels I’ve ever stayed at.

Inspired perhaps by the zen vibe that prevails throughout, my fellow dorm guests kept themselves to themselves. Indeed all I remember hearing is the occasional rustling from behind the curtains of various bunk beds. A rare experience in my 20+ years of world travel.

Tomodachi Guesthouse Cool Spots Around Danang

Cool Spots Around Danang.

Staff are courteous, shoes go off at the front door and you’ve got everything you need throughout, including strong WIFI, plug sockets aplenty and a basic but free breakfast. They do private rooms too, which at the time of my visit represented some of the best-priced doubles in the city.

Cool Spots Around Danang.

Hanging out at Tomodachi Guesthouse in Danang

Tomodachi Guesthouse, Danang.

One evening, tired but perfectly content from a day’s exploring, I settled in for the evening in Tomodachi’s chilled common room. It was just me, my MacBook, some M&M’s and a range of drinks I’d picked up from a local store.

Back then my blog was still called Leighton Literature and man it’s fun to see that old homepage again. I can’t remember which article I worked on that night. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s still on the long list of pieces I’m scheduled to re-do. Slowly, slowly….

Leighton Travels travel reports short stories.

For more on this amazing Vietnamese city, take a look at my other articles on Danang.

Or maybe look further afield with my many more pieces from across Vietnam.

I’ve been living, working and traveling all over the world since 2001. So why not check out my huge library of travel reports from over 30 countries.

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37 Comments

  • Dhirendra.S.Chauhan

    Great description of Danang & stunning photographs! Thanks so much for sharing 💕dear 🙏🏾

    November 24, 2021 - 11:20 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks for reading! Appreciate your kind words.

      November 24, 2021 - 11:28 am Reply
  • Little Miss Traveller

    An excellent review of Danang’s cool spots. Catching the sunset and views of the Dragon Bridge from the deck of the luxury yacht with a beer looks blissful and how great is the team photo of the Happy Heart all lined up along the staircase Leighton.

    November 24, 2021 - 11:51 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks Marion, if I lived in Danang The Happy Heart Cafe would be a regular hangout, no doubt. And I’d be about 10 kilos heavier ha ha. Hope your week is unfolding well!

      November 24, 2021 - 11:58 am Reply
  • wetanddustyroads

    The cathedral is quite pretty and what a beautiful background you had for your photo on the Happy Yacht! And the Happy Heart Cafe sounds like such a brilliant concept – it’s great that they all posed for you! And oh my, that is a BIG breakfast you had there … I can understand why you were happy with that 😉.

    November 24, 2021 - 12:01 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Yeah The Happy Heart Cafe is such a heartwarming place. Delicious food made and served by lovely people. It sounds simple when you write it like that, but in my experience this combination is not always easy to come by.

      November 24, 2021 - 2:40 pm Reply
  • ourcrossings

    A beautiful city on the coast of the East Sea, especially the Dragon Bridge and the Da Nang Cathedral with its unique design and colour. Thanks for sharing, Leighton, I very much enjoyed your various travel articles about Danang 🙂 Aiva

    November 24, 2021 - 12:07 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Appreciate that very much Aiva. A little break from Vietnam now before I return with the next location. Hope you’re having a great week!

      November 24, 2021 - 2:41 pm Reply
  • travelling_han

    That cathedral is an interesting colour!!! and I love the happy heart cafe 🙂

    November 24, 2021 - 12:33 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      It is a curious colour for a cathedral! Not sure I’ve seen another quite like it. The cafe is just wonderful and glad to see they have survived the pandemic, albeit in a different premises.

      November 25, 2021 - 10:54 pm Reply
  • WanderingCanadians

    I had no idea that Coca-Cola was so popular in Danang!

    November 24, 2021 - 1:03 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      It was kinda weird that market, but those little Coca-Cola themed murals were so popular! Thanks for reading guys.

      November 24, 2021 - 2:38 pm Reply
  • kagould17

    Excellent summary as usual Leighton. Looks like a great city. The local youth on display remind me of my experiences in Harajuku Tokyo, where all the kids come out to play and display. The relaxing drink on the yacht had a great view. I am with you on the DJ. Can there not just be quiet? Thanks for sharing. Stay well. Allan

    November 24, 2021 - 2:43 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Yes, I have similar recollections of Harajuku! You know, anything to do with boats just has to be accompanied by blasting dance music. One of my least favourite things about Asia. But hey, you take the rough with the smooth. Thanks, as ever, for your readership and contributions Allan.

      November 24, 2021 - 3:05 pm Reply
  • Diana @ Handstands Around the World

    Having never been to Asia, I must say that the cathedral was not the type of architecture I was expecting to see in this post.

    November 24, 2021 - 3:09 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Hey Diana, yeah it certainly isn’t a typical look for a Vietnamese cathedral. Not that there are a whole heap of surviving cathedrals to begin with. This one is unusually slender and then you’ve got the pinkness. I’m still a bit bummed I didn’t get to look inside.

      November 24, 2021 - 3:38 pm Reply
  • Lyssy In The City

    You really did and saw it all! I had the same thought as you about the Coca Cola corporate advertising haha but it’s still fun. That yacht seemed like the perfect spot to have a relaxing drink and take in the sunset!

    November 24, 2021 - 3:41 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks for following my Danang adventures Lyssy. Slowly I’m getting through these collections. Hope your week is going well and very jealous of the time you have to read!

      November 24, 2021 - 3:43 pm Reply
      • Lyssy In The City

        Your posts have a lot more history and details than mine, I always learn something new! We are heading to Downtown Detroit today with my cousins/family, so hopefully I’ll get some interesting content 🙂 I have three books on hold when I get back to nYC haha

        November 24, 2021 - 3:55 pm
  • Monkey's Tale

    We really missed a lot by passing through Danang. Great review of the cool spots in the city. Maggie

    November 24, 2021 - 4:26 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks Maggie, I’m glad you like the look of Danang. There are several locations I missed out on too and there’s always next time I guess.

      November 24, 2021 - 4:44 pm Reply
  • Memo

    Another great wrap-up post. We start with an eye catching pink cathedral and move up. Always enjoy the food crawls complete with mouthwatering photos. But to sit alone on the upper deck of your personal yacht and enjoy the river sights while planning where you’ll have the captain take you to next – perfect.

    November 24, 2021 - 4:43 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thankee Memo. I used every last photograph available to cobble this piece together. It’s a city I wouldn’t mind going back to, should we ever revisit Vietnam.

      November 24, 2021 - 4:48 pm Reply
  • grandmisadventures

    I really love seeing the assortment of great spots in these cities! The pink cathedral was so pretty and different from most cathedrals. And I really loved getting to see the dragon bridge all lit up across the water. Excited for your next series of places 🙂

    November 24, 2021 - 9:37 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks Meg, I’ll be back to London posting over the weekend. Have a great week!

      November 24, 2021 - 9:53 pm Reply
  • Rebecca

    Now you’ve convinced me to head over to Danang (and overall Vietnam) someday! The Coca Cola Street Food Festival might look like a bad case of corporate advertising, but capitalism be damned, because I see the appeal of the Instagram-worthy crowd; I admit I’d go there to check it out! The Happy Yacht is where, like you, I’d like to have a drink overlooking the Dragon Bridge. And of course, to give back and try out the Happy Heart Cafe would be a lovely experience. 🙂

    November 25, 2021 - 5:04 am Reply
    • Leighton

      A friend of mine visited Danang right when the pandemic was going down. He reported that the top deck of The Happy Yacht was under renovation and that the Happy Heart Cafe had moved to a new address (I’ve linked to it in the article). That’s life I guess, but I’m guessing if I went back now I’d find the city quite different indeed. Hope you get there someday.

      November 25, 2021 - 7:49 am Reply
  • thehungrytravellers.blog

    A pink cathedral! I reckon it’s probably 30 years since I drank a Cola of any kind – dreadful stuff! Danang as you know was on our schedule when…..oh never mind, we’ll get back one day! I’m keeping your articles handy for when we do.

    November 25, 2021 - 7:28 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Very little sweet food… no Coca Cola… you’re probably going to live forever! I’m glad to get another Vietnam locale blogged up. Only four more collections still to do…

      November 25, 2021 - 7:45 am Reply
  • Christie

    The good old times! A nice introduction with the pink cathedral, so interesting they do services in 3 languages

    November 26, 2021 - 5:29 am Reply
    • Leighton

      Hey Christie! So sorry I missed your comment, my eagle-eyed wife just pointed it out to me. Glad you liked the look of the cathedral, it’s quite unusual, especially in Asia.

      December 7, 2021 - 8:25 pm Reply
      • Christie

        Best regards to your wife 😊. But no worries, it happens. Sometimes I need to check my spam as well, for lost messages. Cheers, have a beautiful day!

        December 9, 2021 - 3:49 pm
  • Travels Through My Lens

    Lovely photos showing that Danang is a lively and energetic place. I hope to visit someday.

    November 27, 2021 - 3:54 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Thanks for reading!

      November 27, 2021 - 10:32 pm Reply
  • rkrontheroad

    The juxtaposition of the pink church against a modern skyscraper was not lost on me. How fun to share some exciting local happenings – the break dancers, food festival (even if it was quite commercial). You always seem to find interesting cafes/restaurants. I do remember every place in Vietnam being crowded, a reminder of the teeming population in most Asian countries.

    November 29, 2021 - 3:20 pm Reply
    • Leighton

      Hey Ruth, great to hear form you. Glad you found these Danang snapshots interesting. Frankly, The Happy Heart Cafe alone made it a city worth visiting.

      November 29, 2021 - 3:36 pm Reply

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