Under a cloudy Vietnamese sky, our excursion began with a lively bus ride from the Chan May pier. We navigated a road shared with water buffaloes and buzzing scooters, illustrating the vibrant daily life of the region.

Our journey included traversing the impressive Hai Van Tunnel, stretching nearly four miles and completed in 2005, a modern marvel connecting us to the country’s rich tapestry of history and progress.

Our journey began at the My Son Sanctuary, nestled in the heart of a lush valley. These ancient Hindu temple ruins, dating back to the 4th century, once served as a religious center for the Champa Kingdom. The intricately carved stone towers and sanctuaries, though ravaged by time and war, still emanate the spiritual legacy of the Cham civilization.

In Da Nang, the city presented a complex mosaic of history and modernity, with developments that appeared halted, possibly due to the COVID pandemic or the fluctuations of the economic climate. Amidst this intriguing backdrop, we reached Hue Xua Cafe, a local cafe where we savored a delightful lunch. The menu featured an array of local flavors, including chicken corn soup, crispy spring rolls, savory fried soy noodles with seafood, rich cheese-baked chicken, cabbage in a delicate shiitake mushroom sauce, and perfectly seasoned fried rice.

As we rode through the streets the modern skyscrapers stood alongside historic structures, symbolizing the city’s rapid growth and development. Our guide spoke of how in recent years, the Vietnamese government has implemented programs allowing homeowners to purchase land, a significant shift in policy in a country where land is traditionally state-owned. Typically, these parcels vary in size, with urban residential plots often being more compact due to space constraints, while rural areas might offer larger tracts of land. A typical urban parcel is typically 5 by 20 meters.

Our day continued with a visit to the serene Linh Ung Pagoda, a beacon of peace towering above the city. This pagoda is renowned for its 67-meter tall statue of the Lady Buddha, one of the tallest in Vietnam, overlooking the sea and symbolizing compassion and protection.

Our exploration culminated with a drive along Non Nuoc Beach, a pristine stretch along the coastline known for its soft, white sands and clear waters. On this day however, the waters were churning, driven by a low pressure system off the coast. Historically, this beach served as a rest and recreation spot for American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Today, it’s a peaceful retreat away from the city’s hustle, a perfect place to relax and soak in the natural beauty of Vietnam.