If every great eatery were a stamp, then Da Nang would be a vibrant, living passport—bursting with color and flavor—those who love to explore and are passionate about cuisine. No visa required, no meticulously planned itinerary needed—any traveler can embark on a journey of taste with nothing more than a compact Danang Food Tour – Culinary Passport in hand. Each roadside stop, each bite of the city’s signature flavors, becomes a memory stamped onto their taste journey—a delicious keepsake in the flavorful voyage called Da Nang.

Miss International 2024 Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy takes a photo checking in her tourist passport. Photo: V.A

A culinary experience

For Ms. Vu Thi Thanh Vi, a visitor from Ho Chi Minh City, her Culinary Passport to Da Nang began on an early morning with a fragrant bowl of Quang noodles with shrimp and pork at a humble eatery on Tran Hung Dao Street.

The venue was recently honored on the Michelin Selected 2024 list for Da Nang. As she tasted the subtly sweet broth—just enough to coat the gleaming golden noodles slicked with annatto oil— Ms. Vi couldn’t help but exclaim with delight: “This flavor is so unique!”

As a devoted food enthusiast who had wandered across Ho Chi Minh City in search of an authentic bowl of Quang noodles, Vi knew all too well how rare it was to encounter the “real deal” in the southern metropolis.

Every little detail mattered—the perfect chewiness of the noodles, the delicate balance of salty and sweet in the flavored broth, just enough to gently coat the noodles without submerging them like in bun or hu tieu. Even the presence of a fresh green chili and the thoughtful presentation spoke volumes. It all came together to convey the unmistakable “soul” of the dish—something that couldn’t be imitated.

Still basking in the lingering richness of Quang noodles she had just enjoyed, Ms. Vi was pleasantly surprised when the restaurant owner gently stamped a small red seal onto the “Stamp Collection” page of her Culinary Passport—an initiative by the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center.

The bright red circular stamp, emblazoned with the words “Danang Food Tour” and the stylized name of the eatery, served as a symbolic entry visa into the city’s flavorful world. Flipping through the pages of her passport, Ms. Vi delighted in discovering a curated list of over 50 culinary spots—ranging from famous restaurants to humble street-side eateries tucked away in quiet corners. The guide showcased everything from traditional dishes to creative reinterpretations, each bearing the unique touch of Da Nang’s local chefs.

“With this passport in hand, I feel like I’m truly embarking on a culinary journey—one that comes with a proper map!” Ms. Vi exclaimed with excitement. “It’s fun, convenient, and makes me become more eager to visit every spot and collect all the stamps.”

Da Nang’s Culinary Passport has also sparked a wave of enthusiasm among food lovers and digital content creators. Nguyen Duc Huy, a food content creator from Ho Chi Minh City, was among the first to track down this special passport. His introductory video on TikTok has garnered over 334,400 views, 9,319 likes, and a flood of positive comments from viewers eager to join the experience.

To collect over 25 stamps from the restaurants and eateries featured in the program, Huy had to return to Da Nang multiple times—each visit dedicated to continuing his flavorful journey and completing his fascinating culinary collection. He had previously encountered location passports in places like Hà Giang or seen some versions of “travel passports” in other provinces, but this was the first time he had come across a passport devoted entirely to food—complete with real stamps from each dining spot. “This idea is so fresh, so creative—it’s quintessentially Da Nang!” Huy remarked, clearly impressed by the city’s innovative take on culinary tourism.

It’s not just Huy—this small but colorful Culinary Passport is being eagerly sought after by both local and international travelers. Visitors come to Da Nang not only enjoy the scenery or relax on the beach, but also to enthusiastically “track down” each recommended spot in the passport. With every delicious dish savored and every unique stamp collected, they document a flavorful journey—one marked not only by taste, but also by emotion and personal memory.

"I hope there will be a new edition each year, updating the list with more unique eateries—and perhaps even adding picturesque check-in spots to offer visitors a more complete experience," Huy suggested. "It would be even more exciting if each restaurant had its own custom stamp featuring a symbol or signature dish of the venue. This is an incredibly promising idea. Not only does it leave a memorable impression on travellers, but it also helps promote Da Nang’s culinary culture in a way that’s both approachable and creatively engaging."

The excitement shared by both travelers and the content creation community not only demonstrates the unique appeal of the Culinary Passport but also affirms Da Nang’s innovative and culturally rich approach to tourism. Following the success of the 2024 edition, the passport has been updated to mark the 50th anniversary of Da Nang’s liberation, introducing a curated selection of reputable and high-quality dining spots, divided into three categories: local cuisine, regional cuisine, and international cuisine.

Each page is a sensory suggestion, and each stamp marks a milestone in the delightful journey of discovery. Notably, from March 28 to June 28, visitors who collect a certain number of stamps will have the opportunity to receive exciting rewards. This is like a small gift for those who have truly "tasted" and "fallen in love" with Da Nang using all their senses and emotions.

According to Da Nang’s Department of Tourism, the "Da Nang Food Tour" campaign was launched with the slogan "Enjoy Da Nang’s Cuisine - More Than Just Delicious", featuring two main products: the digital food map and the culinary passport. With each receipt from one of the 50 carefully selected locations, ranging from traditional eateries and long-standing restaurants to modern dining spaces, visitors will receive a unique stamp with the distinct logo of that establishment.

These small stamps not only certify a visit but also become charming keepsakes that mark a complete journey through taste, emotions, and connections. But the story doesn’t stop there. In 2025, the campaign will be further expanded with themed passport versions such as Street Food and Fine Dining, along with the "Da Nang Street Food Map", which will feature 80 selected street food locations. This will help Da Nang reinforce its position as a destination rich in cultural identity on both the domestic and international culinary maps.

Reporting by VIET AN - Translating by HONG VAN