A TRAVEL DIARY OF VIETNAM’S UNDISCOVERED COASTAL TREASURES
editor HANNAH ATIRA
Once a luxury reserved for an annual experience that may or may not result in family drama, travel has quickly become the overworked’s favourite form of self-care. While travel for pleasure has become a way to cope with life's stressors, planning a truly memorable vacation has become a stressor in itself. A TikTok search of a location quickly populates an endless scroll of reviews referencing the same overpopulated places, while a scroll through Instagram might not capture an in-depth picture. From the stay to dining experiences, shopping, and adventures, how and where you spend your time … and let's be honest, your funds as well, is not one size fits all. The curation of a trip is not only becoming an essential part of travel but also an increasingly difficult task to undertake.
With curation on the brain, it became imperative that my initial journey east be planned intentionally. Although a frequent flyer by definition, my voyage to the coast of Vietnam was the first time I obsessively researched a skeleton itinerary for the experiences I hoped to have. While you always have to expect the unexpected while traveling, I managed to make a selective edit of shopping, dining, and experiences to suit the tastes of the niche traveler, wrapping it all up in this travel diary. From the essentials to pack, to the places to save, and experiences that are one of a kind, this travel diary is your guide to DaNang, Vietnam, through the eyes of a self-coined tastemaker.
WHAT TO EXPERIENCE
No vacation can get off the ground without proper planning, and with the idea of curation ringing in my head, I sifted through the noise to find a few gems that created impressive experiences. While Vietnam is a beautifully tropical and swimmingly humid environment, my travels took place during the off-season, leaving a cooler atmosphere. Capitalising on more sweater weather activities, spa and skincare moments became a huge must during this voyage.
images courtesy of HANNAH ATIRA and SEN SPA
Known for their wide range of attentive yet attainable treatments, Vietnam’s self-care experiences did not disappoint in either results or expense. To shake off the cramped and stressed muscles from the journey, a Vietnamese massage was the first stop on my campaign. Relief was found through a 60-minute bamboo massage at Sen Boutique Spa. The experience began with a cup of tea in front of the boutique’s entryway pool and garden, setting the intention to ground you for the practice ahead. Situated in a private room, the massage commenced with a gentle, aromatic foot bath before climbing onto the table. After careful consideration of your most triggered points, a warm bamboo stick was rolled along the limbs to comb out the trickiest of knots, leaving you in a complete state of release and relaxation. After taking care of the body, the next thing to tackle was the face, resulting in one hour of facial bliss with a combined hydrafacial and radio-frequency treatment at Havi Spa. Taking place in a softly lit room with a tranquil stream in the background, the experience decluttered my pores while I snoozed away. Complete with the Hydrafacial machine's grime-suctioning technology, RF treatment, and a massage that lifted any signs of gravity’s effects, the treatment not only left my skin notably glowing but also sculpted my face to new heights.
image courtesy of HAVI SPA
While the cooler temperatures of the off-season provided the perfect backdrop for all things relaxation-focused, Vietnam's lush landscape simply could not be ignored. To scratch the adventurous itch, a self-guided tour of Marble Mountain fit the bill. A truly breathtaking experience, the expedition consisted of stunning views of the entire city, intricately decorated temples, and every shade of marble imaginable. A true adventurer's paradise, to get the most out of the experience, I prepared for copious amounts of walking and the season's intermittent drizzle. As a part of my curated planning, I was sure to pack a few essentials, including the infamous five-finger toe shoes from Vibram and a hooded windbreaker/raincoat with fleece lining to journey in comfort and style. While the momentary rain showers meant cooler temperatures, they also meant less sun. For my Marble Mountain excursion, rather than reaching for a favorite line-up of sunnies, I opted for opticals, with an oval-shaped tortoise pair from Diesel as the star of the show.
For the adventurer whose excitement is preferential to their taste buds rather than their muscles, a private cocktail-making class at the Hyatt Regency Danang offered a dutifully curated experience at its core. A firsthand lesson in identifying the key ingredients that encapsulate Vietnamese cuisine and using bar tools to create a sophisticated spin, the class was an elegant experience. Crafting two classic cocktails from scratch: a fresh Pho-inspired drink balancing sweetness from regional cinnamon with a subtle kick depending on your level of spice, and an espresso martini, infused with fresh Vietnamese coffee, truly captured the essence of mixology.
WHERE TO DINE
Almost as important as making sure the essentials make it through TSA is that the dining experiences will frequent your mile-high dreams on the return flight. Eating internationally is truly an experience, and while marketing and promotion tactics may make some restaurants appear louder than others, the proof is literally in the pudding. From editing through a plethora of suggestions, I was able to denote a selection of dining experiences that exceeded taste expectations in both the meal and the environment.
image courtesy of FOUR SEASONS
For a world's table-type traveler, the Omakase experience at Nayuu at the Four Seasons was a delightful tour of land and sea, wrapped in a one-of-a-kind presentation. Guided through the culinary journey by Chef Alex, Nayuu curated a dining experience that truly captivated from start to finish. From a Bloody Mary, welcome Gimlet, and canopy, to a 14-course sampling of delicacies from sea urchin to carefully selected cuts of premium wagyu with complimentary sake to clear the palate, sophisticated flavor was packed into each bite. A previously unknown pairing, select courses incorporated hints of truffle as an infused note, added by Chef Alex to provide a distinguishable flavor profile in reference to the chef’s remarkable travels. Capping the culinary adventure was a dessert of seasonal fruits in conjunction with a sake-infused soufflé. Between each increasingly complex course, an opportunity to converse further with the chef and his sous-chef proved to be the most surprising treat, offering the inside scoop on local treasures to explore while in Vietnam.
images courtesy of FOUR SEASONS
Taking a Vietnamese spin on farm-to-table, Nén's dining experience offered a special selection from the Nen brand’s local farm, telling a story of culture and tradition. Detailing personal reflections on the idea of time, Chef Summer Le presented a menu that explored taste slowly, quietly, and intensely. An intentional serving building on the concept of time with each course, started with a serving of basil chicken and eel, arching to a change with a flying fish roe wrapped in Rehmania root, and looking towards the future with Nipa palm nectar. With a menu that evolves alongside the stories that Chef Summer Le creates, each encounter at Nén takes the traveler on an unexpected journey of its own.
images courtesy of NÉN
WHERE TO SHOP
Although a dutifully packed suitcase is of the utmost importance for a curated voyage, leaving enough room in the luggage for treasures to be found while exploring is of equal, if not more, importance. Known as the tailoring capital of the world, an excursion to Hoi An is an absolute must when traveling the coast of Vietnam. However, as with popular destinations, knowing the right shops to peruse is key. With a laundry list of custom pieces I sought to commission, four days of browsing styles, viewing sample fabrics, and negotiating prices created a cheat code to the best of the Hoi An tailoring shops.
image courtesy of AN BANG TAILORING
image courtesy of DE’GIFT LEATHER SHOP
For denim that will give Japanese selvage sellers a run for their money, An Bang Tailoring offers the best selection, paired with a truly unreplicable tailored fit. For linen options that shine like silk and silk offerings that are baby-soft to the touch, Golden Silk Tailoring’s range of fabrications in texture, weight, and colour simply does not disappoint. Finally, for that truly special piece that takes an inside-out look at fabrication and possibly a trip to the local manufacturer, De’Gift Leather Shop makes a shoe so exquisite that even the niftiest trend forecasters cannot replicate the craftsmanship and attention to detail.