s

I just wished I tried harder, you know?

An Hải, Đà Nẵng and Ba Na Hills

We've achieved so little in Đà Nẵng this might as well be just a photo dump post.

But to be fair, I see why Đà Nẵng is recognized as one of the most livable cities in Viet Nam.

We took the scenic, albeit longer route and arrived via train from Huế on our 4^th day in Vietnam.  

If you search for ‘café’ on Google Maps, Vietnam, particularly Đà Nẵng would likely rank among the places with the highest density of cafés per land area.

I saved Sound Café on Maps and was just absolutely delighted when I found out that it’s just a 2-minute walk from the AirBnb that I’ve chosen. Yes, I pretty much Googled cafes first before deciding on our accommodation.

There’s sooooo many things to do in Đà Nẵng, but we’ve decided we wanted to have a chill itinerary. And so while I listed options for things to do, they weren’t set in stone, other than having coffee at Sound Café, having coffee at other cafes, spending a day in Ba Na Hills, and stuffing our faces with lots and lots of banh mi.

It rained on the first night, and our accommodation was on the fourth floor in a building without elevator! This was not in the description of our AirBnb and it sucked because I know we would’ve gone out more to explore if it weren’t for this stairs issue. Fortunately, the rooftop had washer and dryer free to use by guests, so other than the itineraries mentioned above, we had planned on doing laundry in Đà Nẵng.

So far, my favorite parts of our Vietnam trip are those that are unplanned and also the things that made us feel like we’re blending in with the locals – being at places that are not intended for tourists, and running errands and things. We ordered Grab for dinner since it rained so hard – we didn’t get to see the Dragon Bridge, but receiving my Grab delivery in Vietnam was something I actually enjoyed experiencing.

 pabaliktad and pagkaka upload but I no longer have the energy ayusing tong sequence 

kthxbye

 

 

 

absolutely basic goals and intentions

It’s such a shame to forget things. It’s important to live and be present in the moment. But it would be equally wonderful to recall those moments.

I feel like when Ali and I talk about our childhood memories, he just has so much more to share and to be honest they’re more interesting. How boring was I???? In the present, I wanted to be more intentional about how I spend my free time and I just hate being sucked into doomscrolling and consuming trash media which happens quite a lot.

I listed absolutely basic goals and intentions for 2026, but I suck at achieving it. I would blame life and chores, but that’s just me not taking accountability for the things I set my mind on.

I guess it’s quiet tonight, and I am just remembering the things I thought about from another quiet evening.

Vietnam blog continuation…..

 

 

 

Hoi An Viet Nam 2026

I feel like we didn’t Hoi An correctly, only because we struggled to fit so many things in so little time. I knew Hoi An, just like any other “touristy” cities is more than just the beauty and charm of their main attraction - Unesco heritage site, Old Town. The surprise pockets of raw Hoi An found in the alleys away from the bustling main streets are just as charming. 

 

Arrive / Check in at Grand Signature

Late lunch at Ba Buoi Chicken Rice / Cơm Gà Bà Buội

Coffee at Barin Garden

Chill and swim at Grand Signature

Dinner by the paddy field at Roving Chillhouse 

Old Town at night - look at lanterns 

Quick gelato stop -  Boulevard Gelato

LQ along Lê Lợi

Buffet brekky + pool time

Cocol at Every Half

Quick stop at Starbucks Hoi An

Banh Mi Queen

Desserts at Chè Bà Thọ

Winmart 

Grand Signature Kid Zone

Ordered in room service / mojito night

Peek at the silk village

Every Half / Nklai + Mommy Coffeedate

Thrifting at Bee Secondhand Shop

Art Gallery at Grand Signature

Tailors of Hoi An

Parang gusto ko bigla mag shopping sa Silverworks

I would like to put in on record that we did not have coffee at Starbucks. Nagpasabuy lang si Jay ng mug

He loooovess their pool! Umahon na kami and iniwan(nagtago from him) ayaw talaga umahon

Dinner by the paddy field aka Pulilan experience lol

Separate post for Grand Signature Hotel by M Village because I looooove that place so much!!!

Thrifting in Hội An: Bee Vintage Accessories

On our very last day in Vietnam, I went to this cute secondhand shop called Bee Vintage Accessories located at 275 Cưa Đại, Hội An. It was 10-min Grab ride from our hotel and I went alone while Ali and Nklai took a nap.  

A lot of items were too y2k-ish for my liking

I’m still thinking about you!!!!! 

I was overwhelmed in an understatement

Took home all three plus 3 other rings

These cute earrings!

Pile of vintage bags that I had no time to rummage

These are the ones that I kept for myself after handing out my pasalubong to Arup friends