Ammar was coming back home for a month, and it felt like such a waste if we did not take the chance to travel together as a complete family of seven. So, abah booked last-minute tickets to Vietnam, and we chose Da Nang, thinking it would be just enough for a short two-day trip during the Merdeka public holiday. So here it is, another slightly overdue travelogue from our time in Da Nang. 

DAY 1: Ba Na Hills and Dragon Bridge 

We landed in Da Nang after a three-hour flight and headed straight to Ba Na Hills. Right from the entrance, one thing was very obvious. There were so many Korean tourists. Vietnam is clearly a favourite holiday destination for Koreans, and you can tell the country has adapted well to welcome them. 

One thing I really loved here at Ba Na Hills was how Muslim-friendly the place is. Even though Muslims are a minority in Vietnam, the facilities were surprisingly well thought out. The prayer room was clean, spacious, and especially comfortable for muslimah. There was also a halal buffet inside Ba Na Hills, which meant we could spend the whole day there without worrying about food or prayer times. Honestly, this was such a pleasant and impressive surprise. 

We took the cable car up, which once held the record as the world’s longest single-wire cable car, at over 5,700 metres. It connects visitors to the flower gardens, the famous Golden Bridge, and the French Village. The ride takes about 20 minutes, and the mountain views along the way are absolutely stunning. The record has since been beaten by the Phu Quoc cable car, which stretches around 7,000 metres.

To me, the flower gardens and the French Village are mostly photo spots, especially the gardens. They are undeniably pretty, but there is not much else to do there. Ba Na Hills does offer many games and attractions, though, and it reminded me a lot of Genting Highlands in Malaysia. But, we did not get to enjoy as many activities as we hoped. The rock-climbing attraction I was really looking forward to was closed for maintenance. I also wanted to try Journey to the Center of the Earth, a ride inspired by Jules Verne, but the queue was extremely long. The train only fits 14 people at a time, and there was only one running. With limited time, we decided to skip it and instead spent time on any available games - playing basketball, car racing, and dance machines. 


Later in the day, we planned to explore the French Village, but heavy rain started pouring. We ended up walking through the rain anyway, and my sneakers were completely soaked. To make things worse, the cable car stopped operating due to the weather, and left us stuck at the station for a while.


Once the rain finally stopped, I bought a cheap pair of local shoes that did not even fit properly. We desperately needed a hearty dinner to help lift the mood. We had steamboat at Karim Restaurant, a Muslim-friendly halal spot. Thankfully, that warm meal was at least comforting. 

The night wasn’t over yet. We went to watch the Dragon Bridge performance, where the dragon breathes water and fire while the bridge sparkles under LED lights, making the view extra spectacular. If you want to watch the water performance from the bridge, make sure to bring an umbrella or raincoat so you don’t get wet. There was also someone dressed as Sun Wukong casually strolling along the river, which was such a fun and unexpected sight. 

By the time we reached the hotel around 10 p.m., I was completely exhausted from the full schedule and went straight to sleep. Another small disappointment still remained, though. I did not get my Vietnamese coffee, even though I had been craving it since morning. 

DAY 2: Linh Ung Pagoda, Coconut Boat, and Hoi An Old Town 

The next morning, we had breakfast again at Karim Restaurant and tried the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup, pho, which was really delicious and definitely a must-try for anyone visiting Vietnam. I also ordered an iced coffee, just in case I didn’t get another chance to enjoy Vietnamese coffee later in the day, like what happened the day before. 

Our first stop was Linh Ung Pagoda, a popular photo spot with a panoramic view from the top of Chua Mountain. The drive up was beautiful, and I could not stop admiring the sea view along the way. 

On our way to Hoi An, we stopped by Han Market to pick up some Vietnamese coconut snacks for souvenirs. Coconut products are a big thing in Vietnam, so this felt like a must. The journey to Hoi An took about 45 minutes. 

Our first stop there was the Coconut Basket Boat experience. The boat here is really unique and round, and you won’t find anything like it anywhere else. We rode along the river in round basket boats while enjoying small performances along the way. Tips are expected here, so it is good to prepare some cash in advance. The coconut drink was incredibly fresh, and sipping it while listening to the performers sing Korean karaoke as we waited for our turn on the boat made the wait much less boring.
Next, we explored Hoi An Old Town. We visited old Chinese houses that have been passed down through generations and learned about the impact of the major floods in 2020. The town is full of narrow alleyways to wander through, and the Japanese Covered Bridge sits right at the centre. There were plenty of shops around, and I ended up shopping quite a lot. I honestly regretted not buying more. Linen and cotton shirts were especially tempting and much more affordable than elsewhere. I picked up a genuine leather belt, while Ammar and Nadiah bought real leather cardholders. I also brought home postcards, silk pants, and two pairs of bamboo socks. 


Finally, I got my long-craved and most beloved Vietnamese coconut coffee at Son Tra Marina. The café offers a beautiful sea view and is clearly designed as a photo spot with a Santorini-inspired vibe. The coffee itself was excellent and definitely something I am going to miss once I am back in Malaysia. 


Looking back, I really love Vietnam for how accommodating they are to tourists. I came here craving their local coffee, and now, coming back to Malaysia and writing this travelogue, I miss it even more. If you know of any cafés in Malaysia that serve authentic Vietnamese coffee, please do share them in the comments!