Danang Downtown and Cosplay Competition (Vietnam Diary #6)

I headed to Danang Downtown as there was some kind of costume festival on the Tet calendar. I just had no idea what time or type. Turns out it was a sort of cosplay competition! These youths must have spent the entire day prepping and some of the outfits were truly awesome!

Danang Downtown is a large fairground area, with all sorts of rides and games, from spinning teacups to vomit comets. My entrance ticket included a ride on the big wheel which I boarded just before sunset and got an awesome aerial view of Danang.

There were also some interesting fairground games, such as whack-the-duck and throw-very-bouncy-ball-into-bucket, to win a fluffy toy bigger than a child. I could see the stage where the cosplay competition was likely to take place, but I had already wandered around Danang Downtown for a few hours. I was running on fumes, but did a final loop as it got dark and the lanterns lit up. Vietnam can look very different after dark.

The night before, I heard loud but horrific karaoke noise outside my hotel room and decided to investigate. A large group of well-lubricated men were screeching into microphones within an echoey garage. I stood watching with a smile until getting handed a beer and urged to sing something. I waded through a sea of empty beer cans on the floor and they fired up the tried-and-tested “Save Tonight” by Eagle Eye Cherry on my request. They seemed rather pleased with the performance.

I stumbled across the local market the next morning, but nearly vomited when I walked past the meat section… I needed to breathe in some ocean air, so headed to the beach and opted-in for a massage. This tiny woman climbed on top of my back and nearly broke me with her knees! I’ve had a sore shoulder since, that no reoccurring massage has yet helped to heal.

I needed a haircut after four months of travel, so entered the “Army Boys” barber shop. The follicle shearers were all wearing Vietnamese military uniforms, but I got told that they weren’t allowed to include the official Vietnamese badge. I chuckled at a sign that said: “3 month warranty for incorrect haircut!” So if your hair doesn’t grow back to how you want it within three months, you get your money back? My head wobbled about as I laughed. I could have lost a piece of ear while my army boy was busy snipping away.

There is a big, white statue that can be seen from just about anywhere along the Danangian coast. She’s called Lady Buddha. Legend has it that she was fully erect by 2010, after a hectic hurricane a few years before. She faces the ocean with a “you shall not pass” gesture and no hurricane has hit since! The whole pagoda area around her is awesome and was free to visit during Tet. There were a group of Buddhists showing their gratitude under her dress. You could also rub Mr Buddha’s belly for good luck.

Next: Hue Days in Central Vietnam

Previously: Tet in Danang, Pimps & The Bunker

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