What Living in Da Nang for One Year Taught Me About Slow Travel
By the time we arrived in Vietnam, we had already travelled extensively. Even so, Hội An became one of those places we kept returning to whenever we had the chance.
Living in Da Nang gave us the opportunity to explore without rushing. There was no pressure to fit everything into a few days, which meant we could revisit places simply because we enjoyed being there.
Hội An quickly became one of those places.
The drive from Da Nang wasn’t particularly long, but arriving always felt like stepping into a different environment. The city had its own energy and rhythm, while Hội An encouraged a slower pace without trying too hard.
Some visits were planned. Others happened on a whim. We would wake up, look at the weather, and decide to spend the day wandering through the old town, walking beside the river, or stopping wherever curiosity took us.
That’s probably what I remember most.
Not a single attraction.
Not a carefully planned itinerary.
Just the feeling of being there.
Living in Da Nang and Escaping Into Smaller Moments
Living in Da Nang gave us something many visitors never experience: time.
Without a countdown clock hanging over every trip, there was room to explore naturally. Some days were spent at the beach, others wandering through neighbourhoods we hadn’t visited before.
That freedom changed the way we explored Vietnam.
Rather than chasing highlights, we paid more attention to the details that often get overlooked. Local markets, street vendors, family-run restaurants, and ordinary conversations became just as interesting as any attraction.
Hội An fitted perfectly into that way of travelling.
Each visit revealed something different, which is probably why we never grew tired of returning.
The First Thing I Loved About Hội An
The first thing that stood out wasn’t a famous landmark or one of the town’s well-known attractions.
It was the atmosphere along the streets and riverfront.
Bach Dang Street became one of the places we returned to most often. Running alongside the Thu Bồn River, it offered a glimpse into both the tourist side of Hội An and the everyday routines that continued around it.
During the day, vendors arranged their goods, restaurant staff prepared for the evening, and boats moved steadily along the river.
Later, as the sun began to set, the character of the town shifted. Lanterns appeared, visitors filled the streets, and reflections danced across the water.
It was lively without feeling chaotic.
Even after multiple visits, there was always something different to notice.
Bach Dang Street and Everyday Life
Whenever we visited Hội An, we eventually found ourselves back on Bach Dang Street.
It wasn’t because there was one particular thing to see there. The street simply captured the spirit of the town.
There was always movement.
Cyclists passing by.
Boat operators waiting for customers.
Locals chatting outside their businesses.
Visitors stopping to admire the river.
The street felt less like an attraction and more like a place where daily life happened to unfold in front of you.
Many of our photographs from Hội An were taken there, but photographs never quite captured what made it enjoyable.
The experience came from spending time there rather than rushing through it.
The Moment I Tried Carrying the Pole
One afternoon, while walking near Bach Dang Street, I noticed a fruit vendor carrying a traditional bamboo pole balanced across her shoulders.
Like most visitors, I had seen many vendors carrying them before.
What I hadn’t done was think about how heavy they might be.
The vendor noticed my curiosity, smiled, and offered me the chance to try carrying it myself.
Naturally, I said yes.
The moment the weight settled onto my shoulders, I realised I had completely underestimated it.
What looked manageable from a distance suddenly felt surprisingly heavy.
I remember laughing immediately.
The vendor laughed too.
For her, it was just another day at work.
For me, that small moment stayed with me long after.
That brief exchange gave me a new appreciation for the people who carried those poles through the streets every day.
Sometimes the smallest interactions leave the strongest impressions.
Food, Markets and Why We Kept Coming Back
Food was another reason Hội An remained a regular destination.
Over time, we discovered restaurants we enjoyed, dishes worth returning for, and corners of the town that seemed to have their own personality.
Cao Lầu quickly became a favourite local dish, while White Rose dumplings were something we looked forward to whenever we visited.
Beyond the restaurants, the markets added another layer to the experience.
Fresh produce, seafood, spices, and prepared food filled the stalls with colour and activity.
The market wasn’t just a place to shop.
It was part of the rhythm of the town.
Markets and Slowing Down
One thing I appreciated about Hội An was that it never demanded a schedule.
Some of the most enjoyable days began with no plan at all.
A walk through the market could lead to lunch by the river.
A short stroll through the old town could turn into an entire afternoon.
There was always something happening, but rarely any pressure to hurry.
After years of travelling, places that allow you to settle into the moment become increasingly valuable.
Hội An was one of those places.
Why Hội An Stayed With Me
When people think about Hội An, they usually picture lanterns.
And they’re not wrong.
The town becomes especially beautiful after sunset when the lights reflect across the Thu Bồn River.
But when I think about Hội An today, that’s not the first image that comes to mind.
I remember Bach Dang Street.
I remember wandering through the markets.
I remember sitting beside the river watching boats drift past.
And I remember a smiling fruit vendor handing me a bamboo pole that turned out to be far heavier than expected.
Those are the memories that stayed with me.
Not because they were extraordinary, but because they felt genuine.
That’s what kept drawing us back to Hội An throughout our year in Da Nang.
What Moments Stay With You?
When I think about Hội An today, I don’t immediately picture lanterns or tourist attractions. I picture a smiling fruit vendor, a surprisingly heavy bamboo pole, and another evening beside the Thu Bồn River.
Have you visited Hội An or lived abroad somewhere that left a lasting impression on you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.