Over 70 shoulder-pole vendors parade along Da Nang beach for food festival opening

As part of the festival, the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism organized the culinary parade along My Khe Beach and nearby coastal tourist streets.

Designed to recreate the atmosphere of traditional street vendors and local food culture in one of Da Nang’s busiest tourism areas, the parade became one of the festival’s highlights.

At sunset on My Khe Beach, more than 70 vendors with shoulder poles moved across the sand among crowds of visitors. 

The vendors called out familiar street-vendor chants, reviving everyday images deeply connected to the memories of generations in central Vietnam.

The event stood out for its combination of artistic performances and interactive outdoor food experiences, a format still relatively new at tourism and culinary festivals in Vietnam.

Festival organizers said the space was intended not only for enjoying food but also for experiencing the rhythms, sounds, and culture of Da Nang’s coastal life.

The parade featured themed groups of food vendors showcasing dishes such as mi Quang (Quang-style noodles), cao lau (a regional noodle specialty from nearby Hoi An), banh xeo (Vietnamese sizzling cake), seafood specialties, and mountain delicacies, alongside international cuisines including Japanese sushi, Mexican tacos, and Italian pizza.

Each vendor’s shoulder pole represented a distinct culinary identity, creating a journey that blended local cuisine and international flavors.

In addition to the beach activities, a cyclo parade traveled along Da Nang’s coastal tourist streets. The cyclos were decorated with food shoulder poles and accompanied by traditional vendor calls, creating a striking visual display.

Truong Thi Hong Hanh, director of the Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that after a merger with Quang Nam Province in July last year, Da Nang now possesses a much larger tourism landscape.

She said the city’s tourism sector is promoting regional culinary heritage through hands-on cultural experiences aimed at attracting more visitors.

The Da Nang Food Tour Festival 2026 runs from May 20 to 24 at Bien Dong Park, Tam Thanh beach square, and several other locations across Da Nang.

The festival includes a series of cultural, culinary, and tourism activities featuring interactive experiences, with organizers hoping it will create another distinctive attraction for the city’s tourism industry.