Danang Today recently interviewed some ex-pat residents to gain their impressions of how the city has grown over the last year.  All of them fell in love with Da Nang as soon as they set foot in the city because of the stunning landscapes and friendly residents.  We also wanted to take the opportunity to ask them about their hopes for the city next year and how they would like to see the city develop. 

Peter and his wife Angie at Christmas

Peter Frieske from Poland is now the Managing Director of Central Vietnam Realty.
“I came to Da Nang in September 2010 with my wife Angie, who is American and works at the Singapore International School.  My New Year’s resolutions are to expand my company, CVR, to provide the best service for anyone looking to buy, sell or rent a home in the city.  Da Nang really is a liveable city.  At the moment, my wife and I have no plans to leave here.  We love Da Nang!  Recent years have seen rapid changes in the city and positive results in attracting foreign investment.  The local government has created favourable conditions for foreign businesses to invest and operate in the city.  Da Nang is an attractive destination for foreign residents because they can find numerous restaurants serving local and international cuisine, along with many shops where they can buy anything they want.  In addition, local residents are very open and friendly.  My neighbours are very nice and I often try to practise my Vietnamese with them.  The city is doing very well and I am confident it will only keep getting better in the New Year.”

Caroline Jouve

Caroline Jouve from France is the General Manager of Passerelles Numeriques Vietnam. 
“I have been in Da Nang for 5 months and will stay here for 2 years.  My project, based in Da Nang, provides 2 years’ training in IT to disadvantaged students in Central Viet Nam.  I love Da Nang because of its amazing landscapes and many beautiful beaches.  Da Nang is a very Vietnamese city and it is an interesting place for foreigners to discover the Vietnamese lifestyle.  I can enjoy fresh air and sea here and make long motorbike drives to discover the city’s beauty.  Da Nang is a very nice place to relax.  In addition, local residents are open, smiling and friendly.  After the New Year, I will learn some Vietnamese language to communicate with local residents.  I hope that in the future the city will focus on developing more facilities for local residents to enjoy and practise sports, and to exercise.  I also hope that there will be more entertainment facilities for visitors, and more musical events to attract more foreigners.  For example, Hue Festival is now very famous and it is attracting a great deal of attention from foreigners.  Therefore, I think Da Nang should create its own unique event to help bring more visitors to the city.”

Roy Lyn Tyndall

Roy Lyn Tyndall from Canada is a teacher at the Da Nang branch of the Apollo English Training Centre.  He arrived in Da Nang in 2008 and he has been married to a Vietnamese lady, Nhung, for almost 5 years. 

“Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi are noisy and big, but Da Nang is a peaceful and wonderful city with beautiful mountains, river and beaches.  The past 5 years have seen remarkable changes in Da Nang with numerous high-rise buildings appearing.  The city is well-planned and the weather and food are wonderful.  Da Nang is a beautiful city and it is great to live here.  I always feel the city is like my home and I feel very comfortable here.  Local residents are friendly and so helpful.  My neighbours are very kind and wonderful people.  I admire them for their hard work to earn money to support their families.  I have tried to learn a little of the Vietnamese language but I find it difficult because I am old and encounter difficulties when listening to them.  Da Nang is very comfortable to live in and foreigners can come here to relax.  They can stay in luxury hotels and resorts like Novotel and the Furama Resort for a few weeks or even a month, and their room rates are reasonable.  The greatest things about Da Nang are its beautiful beaches and local food at reasonable prices.  I enjoy the local food and like all the Vietnamese dishes prepared by my wife.  I can also cook very well myself.  I hope that in the New Year the city will change even more to attract increased visitors.  Special attention should also be given to improving the tables and chairs at local restaurants to make foreign customers more comfortable.  The existing furniture is too small and weak for them.  In addition, focus should be on developing boats between Da Nang and Hoi An and promoting further the publicity of the city’s image to international friends.  The Da Nang International Fireworks Competition is a good way to do this.  Every effort should be made to attract international tourists to Da Nang before they go to Hoi An.”

Carole Kendal and Ian Lister

Ian Lister and Carole Kendal from the UK are the English Editors of Danang Today online.  They have lived in Da Nang for more than 6 years, and over that time have seen many exciting developments.  They hope that in 2014 the city will continue its development, finally complete many of the construction projects currently underway, and attract many more visitors. 

“Tourism is clearly a key sector for Da Nang’s future,” Ian said.  “I think that stronger efforts should be made to market Da Nang, and the central coast region as a whole, in a more effective way.  Opening new direct air routes has to go hand in hand with increasing visitor numbers to fill those aeroplanes.  My background is in travel and tourism, and I see many marketing opportunities which are not being fully utilised.  For example, combining with Hoi An and Hue to present the central coast as a complete tourist destination area in itself, rather than a brief stay on a trans-Viet Nam tour.  Also, the tourist attractions offered to visitors to Da Nang seem quite limited in range, and I feel that many more aspects of life here, such as the coffee bar culture, should be promoted as they would be of great interest to tourists.”

“We have had many visitors staying with us,” said Carole, “and all of them have been totally surprised and amazed by Da Nang.  We make sure that they experience some of the things that we love best about Da Nang and which are not included in a typical city tour.  We take them to a local seafood restaurant which is not mentioned in any guide book, but which serves the most delicious, fresh, and inexpensive dishes.  We also take them to have their nails done (males included!), to have clothes made, to buy new glasses, and even to have dental treatment!  All these things are of excellent quality, and cost a fraction of what they would be back in England.  Without exception, every one of our many guests over the last 6 years has had a wonderful time here and has recommended Da Nang to friends back home.  Our ‘returner’ record is excellent, and keeps us very busy!”    

“Choosing Da Nang for our ‘new life’ was one of the best things we have ever done.” added Ian and Carole.  “We hope to remain here for a long time, and will do so if the regulations about foreign-ownership of property and visas are made more welcoming to ex-pats who want to make Da Nang their home.  Our dream is to own our own house and retire here, but neither seem possible at the present time within the current laws.” 

Like all ex-pats who are happily living here, Ian and Carole really appreciate the hospitable nature of the local residents and wish them, and all Danang Today readers, a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2014. 

Written by Hong Loan, Ian Lister and Carole Kendal