Someone recently asked me, “Do you prefer to travel alone or with company?”
Honestly, I don’t think I can give a simple, quick answer.
What I love about solo travel—besides the obvious perks like complete freedom—is that you’re fully faced with yourself. If you fall into a hole (metaphorically or literally), you have to dig yourself out. And trust me, travel presents plenty of holes. Not all of them are equal—some are small, like getting pickpocketed, while others are bigger, like missing a flight, booking a nightmare accommodation, running out of battery, or even running out of money. Of course, none of those things have happened to me (sigh).
But beyond the logistics, let’s talk about something harder—loneliness. (Why would we? Well…) Loneliness is the tax you pay to the universe before you can experience true solitude. Learning to sit with it, rather than fight it, can turn being alone from something empty into something enriching.
The Moment It Shifted
It was in Da Nang that this shift happened for me. Running along the coastline at My Khe Beach, I realized: I had been completely alone for a week, and I was okay with it. I even spent my birthday alone—and I was fine. I had calls with friends and family, but besides that, I was by myself. It was Tet Holiday (Lunar New Year)—right on my birthday. Auspicious? I’d say so. So I watched the fireworks, ate cake, and embraced the moment. I called my grandma, and she told me, “You are not alone; you are with yourself.”
It always takes me a few days to acclimate to a new place. As Murakami wrote in A Wild Sheep Chase:
“I feel like something’s out of place,” she said.
“That’s what it’s like, coming to a new city. Your body can’t quite get used to it.”
“But after a while, you do get used to it, don’t you?”
“After two or three days, you’ll be fine,” I said.
At first, my body resists the change, but after a few days, I ease into it and start noticing the beauty around me. There is beauty everywhere. Once I settle into a routine, I’m good again. You just have to make sure you have all your basics covered.
Solo Travel vs. Traveling with Company
So, if I had to answer the question—solo or group travel?—I’d say it’s all about balance.
Company is great for sharing memories and making things more fun. But solo travel builds resilience. You get to know yourself on a deeper level.
Both are great—but they’re not the same.
As digital nomads, we often crave connection. That’s why we flock to tours, co-working spaces, and social events—just to get that “people fix.” So, that’s what I did.
Exploring Da Nang: Lady Buddha & Marble Mountains
I joined a tour of Lady Buddha and Marble Mountains, where I met another digital nomad who’s been doing this for years. Her advice? Stay longer in one place. Not short stints like I’ve been doing (oops).
Da Nang is a major hub for digital nomads. It’s packed with cafés, co-working spaces, and affordable accommodations. Some even call it Chiang Mai’s twin.
Beyond the growing digital nomad scene, Da Nang is also booming in real estate, tourism, and tech. The skyline is filled with high-rises, many still under construction. A friend joked that if you squint, it almost looks like Copacabana. Maybe in a few years, it actually will.
A Day in Hoi An
Da Nang’s proximity to Hoi An makes it the perfect base to explore central Vietnam. When I visited Hoi An, I wandered through narrow streets, stumbling upon hidden cafés tucked inside old courtyards. The yellow facades were soothing, making me feel like I had stepped back in time—just for a few hours.
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