Buzz
'I used to be convinced that Da Lat was the place that surprised me the most with the creativity of its homestays and hostels until I visited Da Nang and stumbled upon The Vietnam Hostel.'
I arrived in Da Nang in early December. Then, one not-so-fresh morning, a long-lost friend dragged me to the hostel she was staying at for a chat and brunch. From where I crossed Hùng Vương Street in Hai Chau District, not far away, finding the hostel was quite easy - it truly is a strange architecture, blending harmoniously between yellow, gray, and white colors, peacefully located on the facade. Especially the faintly Hoi An yellow wall, yet glowing with Da Nang style, it looked surprisingly harmonious with the bustling atmosphere at the Han River Market across the street. And that imagery was the 'trick' that The Vietnam Hostel used to brighten up my day a bit.
In front of the hostel, there is a courtyard that the owner has cleverly turned into a parking and garden area, creating an additional 'early morning coffee, street-watching space' for guests - a highlight that I rarely see in other hostels.
@sunflowergirl
My friend welcomed me inside. The next thing that greeted me was a bright smile as radiant as the March sun from the receptionists. They asked my friend if she had breakfast yet, if any friends came to visit,… As if we've known each other for ages, it's really endearing. Another layer of warmth emerged within me.
It can be said that within a few minutes of 'meeting,' The Vietnam Hostel utilized the space quite cleverly. The reception desk is placed on one side, the entire remaining space is used as a restaurant – a cafe, serving both hostel guests and regular customers, my friend said. The materials are mostly wood, the floor surface is not tiled, creating a homely feeling from the very first steps.
But then, that homely feeling quickly transformed into a modern touch that left a lasting impression on me – a glass elevator, 100% 'a glimpse of IT' commonly seen in Hollywood movies. The elevator even has mirrors, and I secretly thought, the photos taken from this elevator will surely stir up Instagram for a while!
My friend (accompanied by a few relatives) stayed in the top-floor apartment, but she insisted I check out the dorm area on floors 2-3, saying it's really nice. So, the charming elevator journey took me straight to the dorm area, where amidst the dorm beds sits a shining yellow sofa under the natural sunlight pouring in from the skylight, surrounded by a cozy array of greenery.
Although this common area garden is somewhat modest, somehow the softness and gentleness of the plants make the dormitory space, with its many rigid lines, feel more intimate. Later, upon learning more about The Vietnam Hostel, I was even more surprised to find out that they advocate for using environmentally friendly materials like unfired bricks and refrain from plastering walls to reduce the amount of cement used. It's even more endearing here, as at its core, The Vietnam Hostel embodies such a familiar and peaceful meaning.
Returning to the dorm area, I glimpsed behind the slightly open dorm doors, international friends chatting and laughing amidst discreet gray curtains covering the entrances to the beds, each bed made of golden wood, looking soft and neat. My friend said her colleague had used the dorms at The Vietnam Hostel before and found them very safe and clean; each dorm area has its own entrance rather than being open like some other places.
The dorms here are also divided into 2 areas, one floor exclusively for females and the remaining floor for mixed gender. Each dorm area has 12 beds, which, from what I gathered, is quite accommodating. My mischievous friend really liked the dorms at The Vietnam Hostel because, according to her, 'staying with young people is so fun, in the evening, invite them up to the shared balcony on the 4th floor to enjoy the view of the Han River market, and maybe even sing along – that's the real travel experience!'
'If you're into solo backpacking like you, then you should definitely book a dorm at The Vietnam Hostel, full of young and cute Western backpackers!' – She mischievously winked, and the stories continued lively in this small garden on the 2nd floor. Occasionally, a European guy would rush out to smoke, also laughing with us, then quietly stand and gaze at the streets of Da Nang through the glass doors.
Glass is used a lot here, creating a light and airy effect, while also making the most of natural light, and guests can easily enjoy the bustling scene of Han Market.
It seems like everything at The Vietnam Hostel is so well-balanced, isn't it? The modern and robust presence of a 4.0 building intertwines with the rustic, friendly atmosphere typical of hostels, everyone's friend. Makes sense, when they have both dorm rooms and private rooms (even both types of apartments), catering not only to adventurous solo travelers but also families or couples, all finding suitable and incredibly well-maintained spaces at The Vietnam Hostel.
A moment later, the elevator of the future took me and my guide-cum-friend to the apartment she booked. She said the name of her booked apartment is Hoi An Apartment, and the other one is Da Nang Apartment – sounds poetic, doesn't it?
As the apartment door swung open, a radiant beam of light flooded into my heart, accompanied by the gleaming golden silhouette of the Dragon Bridge from afar. She admitted that this breathtaking view was her favorite. The apartment is fully equipped (kitchen, dining set, 2 Queen beds, bathroom,... meeting standard requirements for an apartment) deliberately arranged to allow ample space for light to flood the 60m2 area while maintaining a minimalist style, with the most prominent highlight (again) being the yellow butter sofa.
Here, I realized that the minimalist style permeates throughout the space at The Vietnam Hostel. My friend's chosen apartment, no exception, looks comfortable and gentle with white-gray tones and brick walls without cement plaster, which inadvertently creates a cozier atmosphere, reminiscent of Christmas fireplace mantels.
I must say, at The Vietnam Hostel, there are quite a few contrasting emotions, styles, images,... that magically harmonize with each other, leaving me in awe compared to the general level of hostels and homestays in Da Nang. Standing at the apartment door frame, I couldn't help but think, if given the chance to own this apartment for a few days in Da Nang, I'm sure I would be able to do many exciting things because this scenery is so inspiring! Even the most fastidious person would surely soften in front of this sparkling panoramic view of Da Nang along the Han River...
On the way down to the ground floor to have brunch with my friend, I noticed that The Vietnam Hostel decorates its gray walls almost entirely with illustrations by Mr. Dat Phan – a figure that graphic designers are likely familiar with. They arrange the paintings well, in very eye-catching and easily noticeable corners, yet very charming, not ostentatious. These little details are enough to prove and speak for me that The Vietnam Hostel is one of the most tasteful and sophisticated hostels I've ever known. Indeed.
As the glass door of that hostel closed behind us, somewhere in the background echoed the wishes of the staff for a pleasant meal, and for some reason, throughout that meal, I kept thinking about the golden wall in front of The Vietnam Hostel and the unforgettable space there – I felt a bit whimsical, but I had to liken that space to a harmonious encounter between the modern and vibrant vibe of Da Nang city and the understated simplicity and gentleness of Quang region. That's how it truly fits in, my friends. Or sometimes, perhaps I'm just not capable enough to fully describe it...
In conclusion, this newly unveiled hostel is definitely worth experiencing, or should I say, it's a must-experience in your trip to Da Nang. Perhaps you're like me, how could one bear to overlook a Da Nang hostel that truly surpasses the familiar limits of a small accommodation, yet still traditional and intimate enough to feel nostalgic upon returning? So, The Vietnam Hostel – wait for me!
Details:
– Address: 22-24-26 Hung Vuong, District Hai Chau, Da Nang
– Contact: +84 2367 109228
Performed by: Man Quynh
Image source: Son Doan, The Vietnam Hostel
Posted by: Nguyen Dieu
Keywords: Da Nang unveils its unparalleled masterpiece hostel boasting guaranteed views of the Dragon Bridge
