Reliving Vũ Bằng’s Nostalgic “Bún” in Da Nang

Bún, or rice noodles, described by Vũ Bằng as a delicacy no Vietnamese could resist, has long been a cultural essence of old Hanoi – evoking images of women cooking beside street-side baskets in narrow alleys. At V-Senses Cafe – Vietnamese Heritage House in Da Nang, those simple yet profound flavors are gathered once more, reviving forgotten memories in today’s fast-paced culinary world.

Old noodle vendors inspire V-Senses Cafe – Vietnamese Heritage House – Painting “The Snail Seller” by Nguyễn Phan Chánh

From memory to present: “Bún” as a timeless gift

Delicate yet resilient, Noodles have long been the silent storyteller of Vietnamese gastronomy. From just rice, water, and skillful hands, it carries the simplicity of nature, weaving into culinary refinement. Every region of Vietnam grants Noodles a unique shade of flavor, a distinctive folk identity. For this reason, V-Senses Cafe – Vietnamese Heritage House has chosen noodles as the thread to narrate Vietnam’s cultural story to its guests.

At V-Senses Cafe, Bún ốc Hà Nội (Hanoi Snail Noodle Soup) is reimagined as a culinary emblem of the ancient capital. The sourness of giấm bỗng, gentle spice, and succulent snails blend rusticity with refinement. One bowl recalls the old Hanoi scene of a vendor setting down her baskets, arranging snow-white noodles on banana leaves, and stirring the snails steeped in tangy broth once hailed by Vũ Bằng as the pinnacle of Hanoian gastronomy.

Hanoi Snail Noodle Soup recreated with authentic Northern-style sourness from giấm bỗng

Meanwhile, Thai Binh Fish Noodle Soup (Bún cá Thái Bình) reveals another culinary layer of Northern Vietnam. Following traditional recipes from Thai Binh - Hung Yen, the dish harmonizes familiar ingredients with delicate technique. Golden-fried Dalat sturgeon, firm and sweet, is paired with tangy broth from giấm bỗng. Soft Quang Nam rice noodles and fresh local water celery complete the bowl, evoking the elegant yet homely flavors of the North.

Thai Binh Fish Noodle Soup delivers Northern flavors with a rustic yet refined touch using local ingredients

What makes this restaurant special is not just the food, but the experience. With the idea of honoring the Vietnamese Noodles and its folk stories, V-Senses Cafe – Vietnamese Heritage House becomes a cultural bridge, allowing diners to savor Northern gastronomy right in the heart of Da Nang.

Cuisine is not only to be tasted, but to be lived in a cultural space

V-Senses Cafe – Vietnamese Heritage House, officially opening in August 2025, is envisioned as a miniature Hanoi within Da Nang. Its mission is to preserve and share Vietnamese cultural values through both space and culinary depth - bringing them closer to travelers.

Inside the traditional three-compartment wooden house in Da Nang

Built in the style of the ancient Northern three-compartment wooden house (nhà gỗ tam gian), V-Senses Cafe offers a space both familiar and refined. With brick-red tiled roofs, rustic timber frames, and intricate carvings, the heritage house speaks most deeply to those who cherish cultural values.

 Interior design evoking the Northern wooden houses of old

Reinterpreting woodcarving arts from the Ly to Nguyen dynasties, every beam and column at V-Senses Cafe is meticulously restored, like a symphony of time. On each wooden panel, the traditional motifs of Tùng, Cúc, Trúc, Mai (Pine, Chrysanthemum, Bamboo, Apricot) appear with graceful dignity, reminding visitors of the Four Seasons and nature’s eternal beauty. Alongside, the image of a bat holding the character Thọ (Longevity) whispers blessings of peace and long life, bearing the essence of Vietnamese folklore.

Apricot blossom motif from the traditional “Tùng, Cúc, Trúc, Mai” carvings

These motifs are not mere decoration – they are symbolic language, found throughout Vietnam’s architecture, from humble village communal halls to imperial palaces, each telling stories through intricate artistry. “The dining experience at V-Senses Cafe is not only about flavor, but also about the space and architecture – where every step, every glance, leads guests through layers of cultural memory. Here, diners are invited to pause, to observe, and to feel that every detail carries a story, every carving holds a philosophy of life, a spirit of hospitality, and a reverence for tradition.” – Nguyen Duc Quynh, CEO of Furama – Ariyana Tourism Complex Da Nang, on the project.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Quynh shares about the project (NVCC photo)

In that refinement lies the mission of V-Senses Cafe: to preserve and spread the beauty of Vietnamese heritage - not only through food but through space, architecture, interior, and service. A wooden house, a set of handcrafted furniture, a mother-of-pearl inlaid painting of birds and flowers – all are carefully curated to recreate slices of Vietnamese culture.