Pham Hong Thai in Da Nang’s Hai Chau District runs from its T-junction with Yen Bai in the east to Phan Chau Trinh in the west.

The street was named after Vietnamese revolutionary activist Pham Hong Thai who was born on 14 May 1895 in Nghe An Province’s Hung Nguyen District.  In 1924, he tried to assassinate the then French Governor-General Martial Merlin when he was visiting Guangzhou in China.  The assassination attempt failed, but it helped to promote the development of the Vietnamese liberation movement.  Thai became a wanted man and he eventually threw himself into the Pearl River in southern China on 19 June 1924.

In the past, the street was quite narrow and it was home to the Chinese community in Da Nang.  Later, it was widened and it attracted a large number of food and drink providers who offered various kinds of delicious dishes.

Pham Hong Thai by night

Today, the street is a great venue for local gourmets and visitors to the city.  A variety of popular dishes are sold along the street, including ‘com ga’ (chicken rice), ‘my quang’ (Quang noodles), ‘pho’ (Vietnamese noodle soup), ‘bun mam’ (rice vermicelli with anchovy fish sauce), ‘mit tron’ (Vietnamese young jackfruit salad), ‘goi bo kho’ (beef jerky salad with green papaya), fruit smoothies, and Thai-style sweet soup.

Most of the eateries are quite small, and their tables and chairs spread out onto the pavement.  The street attracts many customers, both locals and visitors, and it is always crowded after 7.00pm.

In April last year, a night area dedicated to delectable dishes was officially opened along the street and the local authorities have created favourable conditions for eateries to operate more effectively.  The focus has been on improving the existing infrastructure and facilitating food and drink service providers to access bank loans in order to upgrade their shops.  In addition, greater efforts have been made to raise the traders’ awareness of the importance of food safety and hygiene, environmental sanitation, and improving the quality of their food.

Unlike many other local streets, Pham Hong Thai is not lined by shady trees but it is always bustling with food lovers drinking and eating.  The street is a perfect place for people who want to enjoy tasty dishes with their friends or family after a hard day of study or work.