Over recent years, specialised eating and drinking areas have been established on some of Da Nang’s streets, including Huynh Thuc Khang, Pham Hong Thai and Le Thanh Nghi. 

Jyun Yi and Wilson Law (1st and 2nd, left) learning how to wrap ‘banh xeo’ during their food tour

However, the number of food eateries along such areas is still modest, and a few venues offering local specialities can be found there.  Hence, these areas are not attractive to foreign visitors who love experiencing specialities made by locals.

Taking advantage of this fact, Mr David Li from Canada, have joined efforts with Mr Nguyen Minh Loi from the city’s branch of Inbound Asia Company to develop their food tours for international tourists.

David Li said “I met with Loi during my first visit to Da Nang one year ago.  Loi took me to many local eateries, especially those located in small streets and alleys, to enjoy local delicious dishes.  Included were ‘my Quang’ (Quang noodles), ‘bun mam’ (rice vermicelli with anchovy fish sauce), ‘banh xeo’ (steamed rice flour pancakes), ‘banh beo’ (round-cakes), ‘banh nam’ (rice dumpling wrapped in banana leaf) and ‘banh loc’ (steamed clear tapioca cakes in banana leaves)”.

David Li also remarked that his tours would help foreigners fully experience the delicious tastes of local specialities.

Meanwhile, Loi noted “My tours aim to help foreigners explore the city's culture and daily lives of local residents.  Therefore, participating visitors will be introduced to the origin of the dishes they have tried during the tours”.

In addition, visitors will be taken to enjoy tasty dishes through their walking trips along such major streets as Bach Dang, Tran Phu, Hoang Van Thu, Tran Binh Trong and Pham Hong Thai.

To date, food tours jointly operated by David Li and Loi, have been very attractive to young foreign visitors.  In particular, an average of up to 30 foreigners register to take part in such tours per month.

27-year-old Jyun Yi from Taiwan and 21-year-old Wilson Law from Hongkong, who have spent a 6-day stay in the city, are typical examples.

Mr Jyun Yi showed his keen interest in enjoying local food, especially ‘my Quang’ due to its simple ingredients and unique blend of incredible flavours.

Meanwhile, Mr Wilson Law was deeply impressed with special features of cuisines in Da Nang, and Viet Nam as a whole.  He said “Vegetables are served with many different types of food, whilst dipping sauce is indispensable to ensure the moreish flavour of dishes”.

Deputy Director of municipal Tourism Department Tran Chi Cuong highlighted the significance of food tours in assisting foreigners to fully immerse themselves into the daily lives of local inhabitants.

Deputy Director Cuong said “Local businesses are now encouraged to open even more special tours, including food, shopping and spiritual ones, in order to diversify our city’s tourism products”.