About 25 kilometers west of downtown Da Nang lies Hoa Trung Lake, a man-made reservoir constructed after the reunification of Vietnam in 1975. It serves as an irrigation source for the agricultural lands of Hoa Lien and Hoa Son communes. During the summer months, typically from July to September, the lake’s water recedes, revealing shimmering islets and vast stretches of …

A Journey That Didn’t Quite Go as Planned The Call of an Old Folk Song “Gazing up at Hon Kem Da Dung, Missing my father, longing for my mother, dear darling. If you miss your parents, go home, But if it’s just longing for trees and the old hometown, best stay away.” The old folk song echoed in my mind …

Tracing Memories at An Ngai Parish Church Hoa Son – A Quiet Land Where Faith Runs Deep There are journeys you plan, and then there are journeys that find you. That morning, with no map and no real destination, I set off on my bike, following the call of the open road. It led me to Hoa Son — a …

Lately, a bunch of cycling newbies have been pulling me aside asking the classic question: “Should I buy a Road Bike or a Mountain Bike (MTB)?” To give a proper answer, I usually fire back with a few simple — but critical — questions: Where do you live? What’s your purpose for cycling? (fitness, exploration, speed?) How much are you …

By Mr. Old Man It’s been just over a month, and yet I’ve found myself back in Gò Nổi for the third time — each visit with a few good friends and a fresh sense of curiosity. This time, the plan was to head straight out to the “cow prairie” in Điện Quang, but the weather had its own ideas. …

By Mr. Old Man Just 25 km west of Đà Nẵng lies Hòa Bắc — a tranquil slice of countryside so beautiful, it looks like it was brushed into existence by an artist’s hand. From the hillside road, you can look down and see the small villages of Trường Định, An Định, Nam Yên, and Phò Nam nestling together in …

This morning, I took on the climb up Sơn Trà to test my mountain biking legs — part of my plan to requalify for my long-expired Class FE cycling license (*). Along the way, I made a nostalgic stop at the old Tiên Sa Lighthouse, still standing proud above the sea. I also dropped by the legendary Cây Đa Ngàn …

There’s a place above Hai Van Pass — higher than the Hai Van Gate by a full 194 meters, perched at an altitude of 690 meters above sea level — that few cyclists in Da Nang have ever seen with their own eyes, let alone set foot (or tire) on. We call it the “Peak of the Peak” of Hai …

In recent years, the cycling scene in Da Nang has exploded—both in numbers and in style. These days, if you step out early in the morning or late in the afternoon, chances are you’ll see people pedaling away—some on sleek road bikes built for speed and smooth tarmac, others bouncing along on sturdy mountain bikes, tackling dirt trails, forest paths, …

By Mr. Old Man Why does cycling make us happy? Are you hooked on it too? Do you live to ride, or ride to live? Of course, you can live and cycle if you like—but research says, if you want to live longer, then you’d better get on that saddle more often. I have a confession to make. I’m addicted. …