Da Nang "perfectly blended" through the lens of international reporters

Anthony Bourdain – the late world- famous chef and documentary filmmaker – once had an impressive saying about the S-shaped land: "Vietnam grabs you and doesn't let go. Once you love it, you love it forever."

To appreciate the late American chef's assessment, as well as to experience the "wonderful blend" of cuisine , culture, scenery and history, reporter Chris Dwyer of Channel News Asia (CNA - Singapore) took a 72-hour trip to Da Nang - a coastal city in central Vietnam.

Below are the feelings and travel guide to Da Nang from a British reporter.

STREET FOOD

A great way to really get a feel for Da Nang is to join a small group food tour, led by “enthusiastic bilingual Vietnamese youth”. According to Chris, Mi Quang is a must-try dish when visiting Da Nang.

The "essence of the famous dish" comes from layers of flavors: fresh vegetables, banana blossom, herbs, rice noodles and shrimp blend in a broth simmered from pork, beef, fish and chicken bones, then finished with turmeric.

Not only that – a squeeze of lime for acidity, optional coriander, roasted peanuts and crispy rice paper make for the perfect taste journey.

Another memorable dish on the culinary tour is definitely banh xeo. "The crispy golden pancake gets its name from the 'sizzling' sound when the batter is poured into the hot pan. The pancake is wrapped in rice paper, raw vegetables and fragrant grilled meat, and dipped in a special brown sauce made from pork liver, peanuts, garlic, chili, shrimp paste and many other ingredients - creating an irresistible flavor" - Chris described.

Of course, there are countless other local restaurants with "unbelievable" prices, and the secret to choosing a crowded restaurant is always effective, the reporter added.

EXPERIENCE AND DISCOVER

A major port city, Da Nang is home to tree-lined coastal boulevards and the famous My Khe Beach – perfect for relaxing, dining and sightseeing. Like many other destinations, wandering the maze of small streets and watching everyday life go by is an experience not to be missed.

"Dragon Bridge is a must-see symbol, especially at night when it is brightly lit. Nearby is Son Tra night market - a place selling street food and interesting souvenirs" - Chris affirmed.

According to the British reporter, another equally famous bridge is the Golden Bridge - 500 meters long, as if supported by giant stone hands.

Located in the west of Da Nang, the bridge is located in the Ba Na Hills entertainment area - home to the world's longest cable car and many other exciting activities.

Hoi An Ancient Town is also one of the destinations that Chris affirmed as "not to be missed when visiting Da Nang". With alleys full of lanterns, canals, pagodas, ancient French houses and a 17th century Japanese bridge, this is an indispensable symbol of Central Vietnam.

SHOPPING

"Hoi An is a shopping paradise, especially famous for its dozens of tailor shops that offer ready-made or made-to-order clothing that can be completed in less than 24 hours," Chris describes.

There are also art galleries in all price ranges and styles. Lanterns are a popular item, and for foodies, a jar of Hoi An sticky chilli sauce is a must-have gift – especially paired with cao lau, a dish of char siu pork, herbs, bean sprouts and special noodles, he adds.

LUXURY CUISINE

"The pinnacle of culinary in Vietnam cannot be mentioned without Maison 1888, the only Michelin-starred restaurant at the InterContinental Danang Sun resort. Currently, the restaurant is supervised by legendary chef Christian le Squer (Le Cinq, Paris - 3 Michelin stars), and the menu is prepared by chef Florian Stein and his team" - Chris affirmed.

Other upscale options include traditional French cuisine at Cabanon Palace, Cantonese at The Golden Dragon and Italian cuisine with Vietnamese flavors at Si Dining.

For those who love Japanese cuisine, Tingara – the new restaurant by chef Junichi Yoshida – offers a romantic oceanfront setting, serving excellent teppanyaki and omakase sushi, accompanied by an impressive sake collection.