All too soon, we came to the end of our brief stay at the school in Hoi An, and we participated once more in the little greeting ritual the students indulged in every morning. When they first enter the classroom, they select their choice of greetings to exchange with the teacher. It could be a high five, a hug, a fist bump, or one of several other gestures, one of which resulted in a bear hug for Dennis. Such a simple little thing, but so effective in getting the students in the right frame of mind, perking them up, and offering them a measure of autonomy at the same time.

Once we had our backpacks all packed up and were ready to go, we brought them down to say goodbye to everyone. Some of the kids couldn’t resist the opportunity to try out the backpacks for themselves. Finally we took our leave and hopped into a hired vehicle to take us back to Da Nang.

Hostel Life in The Secret Garden, Da Nang

As in our previous visit to Da Nang, we stayed in a hostel; but this was a different one, because we wanted to be in another neighborhood. And although this one certainly was not the worst place we’d ever stayed, it didn’t rate a lot of stars with us. The “secret” about the Secret Garden was a balcony crowded with plants, though there was no room to sit and enjoy the greenery.

The bunks were in crammed little plywood cubicles where we hardly had enough room to have a second thought. At least the property was air conditioned, but they had it cranked up so high that it was almost at refrigerator level; yet still the mosquitoes managed to find their way inside. The kitchen facilities were limited to a microwave, but that’s actually more than many hostels have available.

As is always the custom in Asia, shoes were not worn on the inside. That’s fine with us; it’s our custom too. But we did have flip-flops and water shoes that we normally wore inside, and which we’d never worn anywhere else. But the housekeeper, who spoke no English, would have none of it. Evidently not understanding when we explained, she insisted that we remove all footwear and place it in the cubbyholes for that purpose. At one point she even came over and, cheerfully but sternly, actually removed Dennis’ shoes from his feet.

Anyway, we really didn’t spend much time in the hostel, because we were out re-living the intriguing city of Da Nang. We’d chosen to stay in this particular neighborhood because it was close to the quasi-legendary Dragon Bridge, which we wanted to check out during both daytime and nighttime.

On our way to the bridge during the day, we encountered a bit of unexpected drama: a fellow on a motorbike running away from the police. They were giving chase on foot and on motos of their own, and he was cutting through parks and taking other zigzags. We have no idea why they were after him, but it was an uncommon sight; during our time in Southeast Asia, we’ve heard of virtually no crime beyond an occasional rumor of petty theft.

Dragon Bridge

The Dragon Bridge, which is 666 meters long (about 2100 feet), was completed in 2013 and opened on the anniversary of the seizure of Da Nang by North Vietnamese forces (an event the Vietnamese call The Liberation of Da Nang) during the Vietnam War (which the Vietnamese call The American War). It was designed by an American firm, and is quite an imposing sight from a distance as well as up close.

Walking across the bridge, we saw a group of ladies practicing a traditional Vietnamese dance, presumably for some upcoming event. We’d love to witness them present the actual performance, decked out in traditional attire.

Exploring the neighborhood, we came to a major department store that apparently caters to Western visitors. It was decorated for Christmas, and Christmas songs were playing. Back in the States, it’s not unusual for this kind of thing in mid-November (or even mid-October), but it appears Vietnam is not immune either.

Especially since preparing meals at the hostel was such a hassle, we decided to eat dinner out. And we stumbled upon the ideal restaurant to give us a great sampling of Vietnamese cuisine. The decor and atmosphere were enticing– including a walkway through a little garden at the entrance. But the food was even better: imaginative, colorful, and absolutely delicious. And the price was extremely reasonable. Our only objection was that the portions were rather meager; so we solved that problem by just ordering more. And we also returned the next night to try other items on the menu.

Fire Breathing Dragon Bridge

On certain nights, the Dragon Bridge comes to life by breathing both fire and water (not at the same time) and putting on a dazzling light show. And we happened to be in town for one of those nights, so we went to pay our respects to the dragon.

It was difficult to get close enough for good photos, because would you believe, everybody else wanted to see it too. Still, being able to witness the dragon strutting his stuff in person was a spectacle that, in itself, would have been worth coming to Da Nang for.

Tips for Seeing the Dragon Bridge in Person

• Timing is Everything: The Dragon Bridge’s light show and fire-breathing displays happen on specific nights. Check local schedules or tourist information centers for exact times.
• Arrive Early: To get a good view, arrive at least 30 minutes before the show starts. Popular attractions can get crowded quickly.
• Consider a River Cruise: For a unique perspective, consider taking a river cruise that passes the Dragon Bridge during the show.
• Take Photos from Different Angles: Experiment with different angles and distances to capture the best shots.
• Respect Local Customs: Be mindful of local customs and avoid disturbing the locals or blocking their views.
• Stay Safe: Follow safety guidelines and avoid crossing the bridge during the show.
• Enjoy the Atmosphere: Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and enjoy the spectacle.

Nov 18-19, 2022