Da Nang

Da Nang city skyline as seen from the Han River.

I spent the middle part of my trip through Vietnam in the Da Nang region. The medium sized city is at about the half way point in a country that runs from north to south along the sea and has the shape of a backward California.

Da Nang’s growth since the end of the American war is emblematic of the new emerging economy of Vietnam. From a distance (this distance) it looks shiny, new and thriving. Architecturally western. But when you walk the city streets you see the continued clash between modernity and the old ways of living.

Men and women still sell their wares on the streets, pushing carts, sometimes carrying their merchandize on yokes over their shoulders. Young people hang out at Starbucks and Highlands Coffee chatting over latte’s and cell phones. Outside those modern looking venues at least half the population of the city - if not more - makes a living selling food, goods and services. From the looks of it, making just enough to survive and not much more.