Danang Food Festival 2026 - Opening Night!

>> Hi friends, it's Susan here in Da Nang, >> Hi friends, it's Susan here in Da Nang, Vietnam and I am up at East Sea Park, Vietnam and I am up at East Sea Park, Vietnam and I am up at East Sea Park, which is a massive plaza that is the which is a massive plaza that is the which is a massive plaza that is the host to many, many events throughout the host to many, many events throughout the host to many, many events throughout the year. They have a big stage set up, they year. They have a big stage set up, they year. They have a big stage set up, they have music, sound system and a huge food have music, sound system and a huge food have music, sound system and a huge food festival going on. So, I just arrived, festival going on. So, I just arrived, festival going on. So, I just arrived, it's about 6:20 in the evening it's about 6:20 in the evening it's about 6:20 in the evening and I'm just going to show you what I and I'm just going to show you what I and I'm just going to show you what I see and take you along. Let's go check see and take you along. Let's go check see and take you along. Let's go check it out. First of all, it out. First of all, it out. First of all, you can hear the banh bao guys behind you can hear the banh bao guys behind you can hear the banh bao guys behind me. me. me. I They're They're in most videos these I They're They're in most videos these I They're They're in most videos these days because they do circle around days because they do circle around days because they do circle around the areas where there's people, which is the areas where there's people, which is the areas where there's people, which is where I am. where I am. where I am. And if I turn this around now, And if I turn this around now, And if I turn this around now, here's where we see the entrance of the here's where we see the entrance of the here's where we see the entrance of the main road where people can pay a nominal main road where people can pay a nominal main road where people can pay a nominal fare. It's something fare. It's something fare. It's something like Oh, here we go. 5,000 Vietnamese like Oh, here we go. 5,000 Vietnamese like Oh, here we go. 5,000 Vietnamese dong, about 20 cents to go in and park dong, about 20 cents to go in and park dong, about 20 cents to go in and park their motorbike. So, entrance on the their motorbike. So, entrance on the their motorbike. So, entrance on the left and exit on the right. You can see left and exit on the right. You can see left and exit on the right. You can see all the motorbikes all the motorbikes all the motorbikes parked in in this way.

parked in in this way. parked in in this way. And this will be completely packed as And this will be completely packed as And this will be completely packed as the evening the evening the evening goes on. goes on. goes on. In here, there's some restrooms, access In here, there's some restrooms, access In here, there's some restrooms, access to the beach, to the beach, to the beach, snacks and drinks and this is where snacks and drinks and this is where snacks and drinks and this is where people are coming in from. So, this is people are coming in from. So, this is people are coming in from. So, this is the north end of the food festival and the north end of the food festival and the north end of the food festival and let's go see what's here. It got quiet for a few minutes. It got quiet for a few minutes. >> [laughter] So, here we have a silk shop. You see So, here we have a silk shop. You see the ao dais and some silk bags and the ao dais and some silk bags and the ao dais and some silk bags and scarves. I think there's more textiles and events I think there's more textiles and events first, activities, and then the food. Oh, here you can paint Oh, here you can paint a conical hat. a conical hat. a conical hat. They have paints and paintbrushes and They have paints and paintbrushes and They have paints and paintbrushes and hats. [clears throat] That's cute. That's cute. I've done that before in Hoi An.

These little palettes These little palettes with different with different with different This has beverages. This has beverages. This has beverages. Vietnamese sweet corn soup. Hello. Tofu pudding. Tofu pudding. Hello. This is a really popular dessert and I This is a really popular dessert and I don't know what it's called. I'll have don't know what it's called. I'll have don't know what it's called. I'll have to circle back. [music] to circle back. [music] to circle back. [music] Hello. Hello. Hello. Not right now, maybe after dinner. Not right now, maybe after dinner. Not right now, maybe after dinner. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Very popular. You see this a lot in Hoi >> Very popular. You see this a lot in Hoi >> Very popular. You see this a lot in Hoi An with vendors and these teeny, tiny An with vendors and these teeny, tiny An with vendors and these teeny, tiny little little little wooden stools. [music] What do we see? It looks like a What do we see? It looks like a some kind of a meat dish with potato and some kind of a meat dish with potato and some kind of a meat dish with potato and oh, hello. oh, hello. oh, hello. Lettuce, peanuts, peppers.

Wow. This is just the beginning. There's Wow. This is just the beginning. There's so much here. We have some fresh spring rolls. This We have some fresh spring rolls. This looks like stuffed jackfruit. >> I believe that's a jellyfish. >> I believe that's a jellyfish. Jellyfish salad. >> A popular drink. But those are >> A popular drink. But those are really good. I've had those before in really good. I've had those before in really good. I've had those before in Hoi An from a storefront. Oh, she just got one. It's so pretty. Oh, she just got one. It's so pretty. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Can I take a photo >> Can I take a photo >> Can I take a photo of your drink? Oh, yes. Thank you. Look how pretty that Oh, yes. Thank you. Look how pretty that is. The flower. Thank you. is. The flower. Thank you. is. The flower. Thank you. She's like, "Why are you following me She's like, "Why are you following me She's like, "Why are you following me around with the camera?" around with the camera?" around with the camera?" She's trying to move out of my way.

>> And here's this some kind of a seafood. >> And here's this some kind of a seafood. I need a I need a I need a Vietnamese local to tell me what each of Vietnamese local to tell me what each of Vietnamese local to tell me what each of these dishes is. these dishes is. these dishes is. Some of them I've had and they're good. Some of them I've had and they're good. Some of them I've had and they're good. I just I don't know exactly what's in I just I don't know exactly what's in I just I don't know exactly what's in them or what they're called. Let's go over here and check out Let's go over here and check out this this this stand. Some type of kebab. We have Some type of kebab. We have grilled beef, grilled [music] squid. grilled beef, grilled [music] squid. grilled beef, grilled [music] squid. Hello. >> [music] >> [music] >> Hello. >> Hello. >> Hello. This is beef wrapped in betel leaves. This is beef wrapped in betel leaves. This is beef wrapped in betel leaves. Grilled pork, Grilled pork, Grilled pork, burgers, burgers, burgers, spring rolls, fried chicken, okay, FC-style fried fried chicken, okay, FC-style fried chicken. chicken. chicken. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> We have fried spring rolls, chicken >> We have fried spring rolls, chicken >> We have fried spring rolls, chicken nuggets, nuggets, nuggets, shrimp and [music] pork.

shrimp and [music] pork. shrimp and [music] pork. Do not what these are. Do not what these are. Do not what these are. Anybody's watching this in the comments, Anybody's watching this in the comments, Anybody's watching this in the comments, please share. please share. please share. French fries. French fries. French fries. And these I believe are potatoes that And these I believe are potatoes that And these I believe are potatoes that they coat and then deep fry. they coat and then deep fry. they coat and then deep fry. A lot of these things when you order it A lot of these things when you order it A lot of these things when you order it then they'll just dip it then they'll just dip it then they'll just dip it back in the fryer or put it on the grill back in the fryer or put it on the grill back in the fryer or put it on the grill for a few minutes to heat it up. Some kind of a meat something with a Some kind of a meat something with a coating on it. coating on it. coating on it. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Not helpful, right? Thai sauce >> Not helpful, right? Thai sauce >> Not helpful, right? Thai sauce with a chicken feet. More chicken feet. More chicken feet. >> [music] >> with the >> with the shells. We're pretty much near the end.

We're pretty much near the end. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Where it's not so crowded. So this is >> Where it's not so crowded. So this is >> Where it's not so crowded. So this is really a good opportunity. Oh. really a good opportunity. Oh. really a good opportunity. Oh. Okay. Okay. Okay. Oh, there's the sticky rice. Hello. And the beef. Hello. And the beef. Oh, and there's the sticky rice back Oh, and there's the sticky rice back Oh, and there's the sticky rice back there. Oops. Oops. Wrong button. There we go. And we'll just run down here and see And we'll just run down here and see this before we turn around. this before we turn around. this before we turn around. Are those Are those Are those fries? I think those might be fries? I think those might be fries? I think those might be like gigantic french fries. Oh my goodness, I've [music] never seen Oh my goodness, I've [music] never seen anything like that. They are potato anything like that. They are potato anything like that. They are potato chips. So, it's tomato sauce, so chips. So, it's tomato sauce, so chips. So, it's tomato sauce, so ketchup, ketchup, ketchup, mayo, honey mustard, chili sauce, mayo, honey mustard, chili sauce, mayo, honey mustard, chili sauce, hoisin, hoisin, hoisin, mix sauce, and cheese sauce.

French fries like I've never seen them French fries like I've never seen them before. Hi, thank you. Across the way, we have a pottery craft Across the way, we have a pottery craft village. And it looks like down to the village. And it looks like down to the village. And it looks like down to the left, there's some left, there's some left, there's some like kid activities, maybe some games. like kid activities, maybe some games. like kid activities, maybe some games. And there's a whole strip And there's a whole strip And there's a whole strip of these kiosks behind this one that of these kiosks behind this one that of these kiosks behind this one that we're looking at right now. we're looking at right now. we're looking at right now. But, we'll just stay on this main But, we'll just stay on this main But, we'll just stay on this main strip and see what's here. strip and see what's here. strip and see what's here. So, this event will go on. It's So, this event will go on. It's So, this event will go on. It's Wednesday night right now. This event Wednesday night right now. This event Wednesday night right now. This event will go on most likely [music] through will go on most likely [music] through will go on most likely [music] through the weekend. So, it'll be very, very the weekend. So, it'll be very, very the weekend. So, it'll be very, very crowded over the weekend. crowded over the weekend. crowded over the weekend. Like shoulder-to-shoulder people. Like shoulder-to-shoulder people. Like shoulder-to-shoulder people. I'm really glad I'm getting here on I'm really glad I'm getting here on I'm really glad I'm getting here on their first night opening. their first night opening. their first night opening. So, I can get a So, I can get a So, I can get a nice view nice view nice view of some of the food. I've been here before where it's walls I've been here before where it's walls of people. of people. of people. It's exciting in and of itself, but it's It's exciting in and of itself, but it's It's exciting in and of itself, but it's really difficult to see what's on each really difficult to see what's on each really difficult to see what's on each table. Winter melon tea.

Winter melon tea. >> [music] >> I just do not know what most of these >> I just do not know what most of these things are. I believe that that's a deep things are. I believe that that's a deep things are. I believe that that's a deep fried quail egg right there. fried quail egg right there. fried quail egg right there. Those are very good. They're really good Those are very good. They're really good Those are very good. They're really good uh easy snack, too. [music] >> The tables aren't full yet, but >> The tables aren't full yet, but later tonight and definitely this later tonight and definitely this later tonight and definitely this weekend it'll be nearly impossible to weekend it'll be nearly impossible to weekend it'll be nearly impossible to find an empty chair. Some pre-packaged Some pre-packaged snacks, usually for souvenirs. So here we have the banh xeo. So here we have the banh xeo. Yes, what they do is this is a Yes, what they do is this is a Yes, what they do is this is a a rice flour and they make these they a rice flour and they make these they a rice flour and they make these they call it a pancake and [music] it's full call it a pancake and [music] it's full call it a pancake and [music] it's full of shrimp and bean sprouts. They're of shrimp and bean sprouts. They're of shrimp and bean sprouts. They're delicious.

delicious. delicious. Very popular here. It's all lemongrass, red peppers. It's all lemongrass, red peppers. Smells very good. Fresh fruit. Fresh fruit. One of the things I love about One of the things I love about One of the things I love about Asia is you go to these events and Asia is you go to these events and Asia is you go to these events and [music] there's an abundance of fresh [music] there's an abundance of fresh [music] there's an abundance of fresh fruit out. fruit out. fruit out. So you have an option to eat very So you have an option to eat very So you have an option to eat very healthy. Fresh coconuts to drink. I love it. It's Fresh coconuts to drink. I love it. It's my favorite. So there's the tray of some of the So there's the tray of some of the different meals they're offering here.

different meals they're offering here. different meals they're offering here. All the ingredients to put it together. All the ingredients to put it together. All the ingredients to put it together. They're still putting up signage. So They're still putting up signage. So They're still putting up signage. So this just opened. this just opened. this just opened. Tonight is the first night. >> If you're watching this, let me know in >> If you're watching this, let me know in the comments if you have had durian and the comments if you have had durian and the comments if you have had durian and how you like it. All right, I'm at one of the little All right, I'm at one of the little tables. tables. tables. I got some pork. The music just started. I got some pork. The music just started. I got some pork. The music just started. Sitting out here.

Sitting out here. Sitting out here. Warm and muggy, of course. Very warm and Warm and muggy, of course. Very warm and Warm and muggy, of course. Very warm and muggy. I'll show you what I got. All muggy. I'll show you what I got. All muggy. I'll show you what I got. All right, so you can hear me. right, so you can hear me. right, so you can hear me. Otherwise, it'd be impossible. pork with pork with sauce and sauce and sauce and cucumber. Oops. Oops. Wrong end. Oh my god. Oh my god. It was pre-cooked and it's just like It was pre-cooked and it's just like It was pre-cooked and it's just like room temperature, which is very common room temperature, which is very common room temperature, which is very common here to here to here to have food that's room temperature. It have food that's room temperature. It have food that's room temperature. It doesn't need to be served hot. doesn't need to be served hot. doesn't need to be served hot. So, you'll see that when people are So, you'll see that when people are So, you'll see that when people are having family over, they'll be cooking having family over, they'll be cooking having family over, they'll be cooking dishes all day. When they're done, dishes all day. When they're done, dishes all day. When they're done, they're just sitting on the table they're just sitting on the table they're just sitting on the table covered. covered. covered. And people can come and go. And people can come and go. And people can come and go. It's not that dinner needs to be eaten It's not that dinner needs to be eaten It's not that dinner needs to be eaten at a certain time cuz at a certain time cuz at a certain time cuz it just came out of the oven or it's it just came out of the oven or it's it just came out of the oven or it's it's hot. It's a very common to have um it's hot. It's a very common to have um it's hot. It's a very common to have um room temperature food. Room temperature room temperature food. Room temperature room temperature food. Room temperature meaning it's warm.

>> Before we go, let's just take one more >> Before we go, let's just take one more peek at the stage, see what's going on. peek at the stage, see what's going on. peek at the stage, see what's going on. It just got really crowded. It just got really crowded. It just got really crowded. We're going to have We're going to have We're going to have sneak through here sneak through here sneak through here and go behind the scenes. and go behind the scenes. and go behind the scenes. Oh, I see. This is where Oh, I see. This is where Oh, I see. This is where >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> a lot of the setup equipment is. Oh, they also have booths. Oh. Oh, they also have booths. Oh. Actually, okay, they set up a Mega Mart Actually, okay, they set up a Mega Mart Actually, okay, they set up a Mega Mart Supercenter. Supercenter. Supercenter. This is interesting. I've not seen this This is interesting. I've not seen this This is interesting. I've not seen this before. Mega Mart before. Mega Mart before. Mega Mart is like their version of a is like their version of a is like their version of a Walmart. Walmart. Walmart. Let's see what's here. Let's see what's here. Let's see what's here. So, it looks like they brought products So, it looks like they brought products So, it looks like they brought products in. in. in. That is. So, they're giving out samples of So, they're giving out samples of coffee. [music] [music] >> So, here they have just a little shop >> So, here they have just a little shop >> So, here they have just a little shop with merchandise. I have never seen with merchandise. I have never seen with merchandise. I have never seen something like this before.

something like this before. something like this before. They've got some stuffed sharks, hair They've got some stuffed sharks, hair They've got some stuffed sharks, hair products, drinks, products, drinks, products, drinks, shirts, shirts, shirts, luggage. luggage. luggage. >> [laughter] >> Looks like uh >> Looks like uh jackfruit dried fruit selection. jackfruit dried fruit selection. jackfruit dried fruit selection. Different coffees. Oh my goodness. And over here, look at Oh my goodness. And over here, look at all these watermelon they brought in and all these watermelon they brought in and all these watermelon they brought in and durian. This is funny cuz it's July. This is funny cuz it's July. I guess you can't start decorating for I guess you can't start decorating for I guess you can't start decorating for Christmas too early. That's 250,000 Vietnamese dong. That's 250,000 Vietnamese dong. $10 US dollars. $10 US dollars. $10 US dollars. Different types of trays. They got some Different types of trays. They got some Different types of trays. They got some bags.

Conical hats. Conical hats. That's so funny they have laundry That's so funny they have laundry That's so funny they have laundry detergent. I wonder how they decided what to bring. I wonder how they decided what to bring. There's luggage. There's luggage. There's luggage. So price-wise, these large pieces of So price-wise, these large pieces of So price-wise, these large pieces of luggage [music] luggage [music] luggage [music] 600,000, [laughter] that's about 20 600,000, [laughter] that's about 20 600,000, [laughter] that's about 20 $4, $23. $4, $23. $4, $23. >> [music] And if I were to Whoops. And if I were to Whoops. If I were to buy one of these, then If I were to buy one of these, then If I were to buy one of these, then I would call a Grab I would call a Grab I would call a Grab motorbike motorbike motorbike and he would just put it on the front of and he would just put it on the front of and he would just put it on the front of his bike [music] right between his bike [music] right between his bike [music] right between his legs and we drive home. But I do not need luggage. But I do not need luggage. So we'll continue on. Watermelons, Watermelons, durian.

>> [music] >> [music] >> Let's go check out the stage show before >> Let's go check out the stage show before >> Let's go check out the stage show before I head back to my neighborhood. I head back to my neighborhood. I head back to my neighborhood. >> [music] [music] [music] >> I'm betting they're going to do a dance >> I'm betting they're going to do a dance >> I'm betting they're going to do a dance performance. They're probably practicing performance. They're probably practicing performance. They're probably practicing for a different night. for a different night. for a different night. Oh, what's happening over here? >> [singing] >> [singing] [music] [music] [music] [singing] >> I'm not sure what this is. I'm a little >> I'm not sure what this is. I'm a little late to the game.

I imagine there will be a different I imagine there will be a different performance performance performance or many performances every night. So, or many performances every night. So, or many performances every night. So, I'll have to come back. So, dinner's over. So, dinner's over. I just had that pork and cucumber. It I just had that pork and cucumber. It I just had that pork and cucumber. It was very good. was very good. was very good. There's a few more games. The music that There's a few more games. The music that There's a few more games. The music that direction is getting direction is getting direction is getting very loud. And actually, very loud. And actually, very loud. And actually, all the games here for kids are super all the games here for kids are super all the games here for kids are super loud, too. loud, too. loud, too. The last event here I was at was The last event here I was at was The last event here I was at was wall-to-wall people, and with the music wall-to-wall people, and with the music wall-to-wall people, and with the music and the talking, and the talking, and the talking, you couldn't hear a thing. you couldn't hear a thing. you couldn't hear a thing. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> It's a great place for >> It's a great place for >> It's a great place for families and kids. families and kids. families and kids. Kids can run around and Kids can run around and Kids can run around and play whatnot. Um play whatnot. Um play whatnot. Um I'll look at a little bit more food and I'll look at a little bit more food and I'll look at a little bit more food and then I'm heading out. I'm going to go to then I'm heading out. I'm going to go to then I'm heading out. I'm going to go to something tonight called Story Slam something tonight called Story Slam something tonight called Story Slam [music] [music] [music] where people can get up on stage and where people can get up on stage and where people can get up on stage and tell a story 7 to 10 minutes long and tell a story 7 to 10 minutes long and tell a story 7 to 10 minutes long and practice their public speaking. It's practice their public speaking. It's practice their public speaking. It's very supportive, good group, friends very supportive, good group, friends very supportive, good group, friends [music] of mine will be there. [music] of mine will be there. [music] of mine will be there. And I've been meaning to go and get on And I've been meaning to go and get on And I've been meaning to go and get on stage and tell a story just for stage and tell a story just for stage and tell a story just for practice. [music] So, I think tonight's practice. [music] So, I think tonight's practice. [music] So, I think tonight's the night.

the night. the night. Thanks for joining here at the food Thanks for joining here at the food Thanks for joining here at the food festival.