I work as a corporate trainer, and university business lecturer in Da Nang, Vietnam. My days are typically spent giving seminars and lectures and producing content for my YouTube channel, which covers a broad range of subjects from business and culture to geopolitics and the automobile industry. Nevertheless, I've always been able to find time for my interests, which include yoga, fitness, and discovering Da Nang's intriguing corners, even with my hectic schedule.
One of my favorite things about living in Da Nang is its breathtaking coastline, which hides intriguing tales that are just waiting to be discovered in addition to providing lovely scenery and a place to unwind. I want to take you on a journey today to learn about the lesser-known legends surrounding Da Nang, Vietnam's beaches.
Nan O Beach. There's a surfer's paradise located exactly at the practically exact base of the Hai Van Pass. This beach, which is mostly known to local surfers, has stayed comparatively undiscovered by tourists. When the local surfers told me about this secret gem, my curiosity took over and I started doing more in-depth research on the area.
I learned far more about this beach than I had imagined. It turns out that on March 8, 1965, at 8:15 a.m., this location commemorated an important historical event. That was the exact location of the arrival of the first Marines in Vietnam for combat. There was almost nothing here in those days, but for a tiny fishing village. One of those Marines once said, "How beautiful Vietnam was to look at – endless acres of jade green rice paddies, lovely villages nestled inside groves of bamboo and palm trees." This remark, which I came onto, beautifully captures the contradiction of Vietnam during the war.
The peace and beauty that can be found in the middle of a war-torn area serves as a moving reminder of the contradictions that life frequently throws at us. Though it's difficult to imagine, I can picture it. When you travel to places like this, you discover moments that speak to your spirit and reveal untold tales by pursuing your hobbies and passions.
The history of the beach made me think about the intricacies of life, but I also couldn't help but see that it had the potential to be a surf break. When the swell strikes just right, the waves here have ideal conditions, rolling down the peninsula in a way that makes it a surfer's paradise.
The well-known Marble Mountains, which are a popular tourist destination in and of themselves, are directly adjacent to this beach, Non Nuoc. It's amazing to observe how this region has grown into a resort while keeping some abandoned buildings that serve as reminders of its history. During one of my visits, I had the opportunity to have a conversation with Hoa, who has been managing the original guesthouse for almost thirty years.
Hao's accounts from the 1960s and 1970s gave readers a clear picture of life on these beaches in bygone years. His stories were much different from the peaceful sight I was seeing; he even mentioned that he had shot a.50 caliber rifle at the age of nine. He related stories of bold rescues and the friendships that characterized those days.
It occurred to me that Hoa's tales serve as a witness to the reality that people come together, band together, and extend a helping hand when someone is in need, regardless of who they are. It's a timeless reality that cuts beyond boundaries and time.
Hoa handed me a scrapbook while he carried on entertaining me with stories from the past. I was encouraged to open any page. Inside, I discovered a veritable gold mine of recollections that bears witness to this beach's timeless allure. Photographs and remarks from people who have visited throughout the years covered page after page.
The scrapbook documented the travels of innumerable people who had encountered this undiscovered treasure. Some had visited this place decades ago, while others had only lately been enchanted with it. Every page offered a window into their personal lives and the lasting effects this beach had on them.
I was drawn to a certain page that told the tale of Sarah and Clyde, who had come for the first time in 1997 and came back twenty years later with their child. It's amazing to think that this beach has shared in their life journey, having seen many of their significant events and moments.
The beaches of Da Nang, Vietnam, are living time capsules that contain the tales of people who have found their hidden treasures. They are more than just gorgeous settings for leisure and surfing. These beaches have captured people's hearts and minds for a long time.
Investigating such untold tales is proof of the strength of enthusiasm and curiosity. It serves as a reminder that there are experiences that can widen our perspectives, moments that resonate with our emotions, and stories waiting to be discovered—even in the most unlikely locations.
Therefore, the next time you're at a beach or any other seemingly regular site, stop and look a little closer. You might find some hidden histories that speak to your own experiences and leave a lasting impression on your heart.