In Search of a Hidden Path to Hòa Vân Village This morning, I set off with a friend to revisit a rugged trail along the southern side of the Hải Vân Pass. The plan was to explore a little-known path that, according to my gut (and a bit of Mr. Old Man intuition), might lead down to the beach near …

— A Bicycle, a Field, and a Moment in Time — A Chance Encounter Exactly ten years ago, I pedaled into Truong Dinh Hamlet and stumbled upon a group of kids playing tag on a rice field, freshly cleared after harvest. Curious Eyes and a Light Bike When they saw a stranger stop his bicycle by the roadside, their curiosity …

With a population of around 17.4 million people and a staggering 25 million bicycles, along with a world-class cycling infrastructure, the Netherlands rightfully holds the title of the number one cycling nation in the world. Amsterdam, the capital city, truly is a cycling paradise where bikes seem to dominate the streets. In Amsterdam, you’ll see cyclists enjoying absolute freedom — …

By Mr. Old Man Getting lost, but finding a bond I still remember my first time, about ten years ago, when I biked to Ngầm Đôi. On the way back, sun-drunk and disoriented, I somehow ended up all the way in Đông Giang. That “accidental” detour turned into a quiet bond. Every now and then, the memory calls me back—back …

The gate of Vân Village. A place of memories beneath Hải Vân Pass I still call Hòa Vân leprosy village – or simply Vân Village – nestled at the foot of Hải Vân Pass, “the lost village.” Today, it’s little more than a ruin: crumbling houses, moss-covered walls, and weeds reclaiming the ground. Nearly a decade ago, with support from …

By Mr. Old Man When people hear about Tà Lang– Giàn Bí Stream, they often imagine a remote and hard-to-reach place. But in truth, Tà Lang isn’t far at all. It’s a small mountain village home to the Cơ Tu ethnic community, located just 35 km west of downtown Đà Nẵng. You can cycle to Tà Lang – Giàn Bí …

By Mr. Old Man After the Covid-19 pandemic, many people turned to cycling as a way to stay fit, and bike shops became busier than ever. In the rush to get a bike, some folks walk into a shop, ask a couple of quick questions, then pay and ride off with their new wheels—only to regret it later when the …

By Mr. Old Man A Hidden Gem on the Cycling Trail As part of my journey to explore over 50 parish churches and chapels within the Diocese of Da Nang, I had the pleasure of visiting Tung Son Chapel—a hidden architectural treasure belonging to Phu Thuong Parish. Located in Tung Son Hamlet, Hoa Son Commune, Hoa Vang District, this chapel …

By Mr. Old Man On a beautiful morning ride to Ba Na Hills, I took a spontaneous turn and stopped by Hoa Ninh Parish Church—a peaceful stop that brought back a wave of emotions and memories. Located in Hoa Ninh commune, Hoa Vang district, Da Nang city, Hoa Ninh Parish Church was established in 1938. Compared to other churches in …

By Mr. Old Man Where History and Ruins Whisper Stories of Champa Buddhism Located in Dong Duong village, Binh Dinh Bac commune, Thang Binh district, Quang Nam province, Dong Duong Monastery was recognized as a Special National Heritage Site by the Prime Minister of Vietnam on December 22, 2016. This site once housed the largest Buddhist monastery of the Champa …