Youth "rest stops"

Da Nang is not short of modern, luxurious cafes. But amidst the hustle and bustle of life, there are still small, poetic “rest stops” where people can stop to find a peaceful corner, a bit of memory and a part of their youthful dreams. Dune 45 is such a place.

Dune 45 in Tan An has become a familiar check-in spot for Da Nang youth and tourists. Photo: HXK

From sidewalk coffee cart to "wooden house" in the heart of the city

The story of Dune 45 begins in the summer of 2021, in the midst of the severe COVID pandemic, a group of young people set up a mini blue coffee cart on Ngo Tat To street. They wanted to create something warm and meaningful, to dispel anxiety and boredom.

Tran Thi Ngoc Thao - the founder said: the name "Dune 45" comes from our memories when watching the reality show of the film crew "Back to 1988", in which there is a scene of the whole group of actors climbing the sand dune Dune 45 in Namibia - known as the place to see the most beautiful sunrise on the planet. Under the dawn, they confided their feelings about their passion and youthful dreams.

The image was so beautiful that the whole group thought that one day they would have to go there to see the sunrise. And then, when the first coffee cart was born, they decided to name it Dune 45, as a beautiful promise to the future.

From a small car on the side of the road, Dune gradually expanded its journey. The next “stop” was the green garden on Thi Sach Street, then Tan An - a poetic wooden house nestled in the middle of the city with a shady yard, or Binh Minh - green train cars lying under the yellow azalea trees. Each place has its own breath, but still retains the original spirit: a place for people to slow down, to connect.

The space in Dune is not large, but it is arranged close enough for conversation, and separate enough for contemplation. The lovely wooden tables and chairs, rows of trees, wooden roofs, green train cars... were all designed and completed by Thao and Thanh themselves over many months. Therefore, every corner with lights or lush green is a piece of memory, evoking simple yet precious things.

Dune stops are always present with the philosophy they cherish: “Open more windows when possible”. Those windows not only let in the sunlight, wind and the rhythm of city life, but also represent an open way of living, ready to see beauty anywhere.

More than just a coffee shop, Dune 45 has gradually become a small cultural space with workshops, seminars, garden cinema screenings every Thursday night, regular music “Your Show” on Wednesday nights, weekend markets or impromptu band nights. The gentle saxophone, the soulful guitar, the narrative vocals blending with the yellow lights and green trees - all create a special experience that few cafes have.

Dune's menu also has its own color, not following trends, but each season has its own dishes with Hanoi pickled apricots, Northwest pickled apricots, Hoi An mulberries, red artichokes from Thanh Chiem Village or Central Highlands' choy sum syrup. Those rustic, natural flavors make young people feel both strange and connected to a part of ancient memories.

Youth Rest Stop

Dune's journey is also closely linked to the growth journey of its founders. Ngoc Thao - after more than ten years working in communications for large corporations, she still wonders, "What kind of life do I really want to live?". Thanh - a resourceful and multi-talented polytechnic student who had days of frustration, but then found joy in groping to perfect every little detail, from building houses, making tables and chairs to making speakers.

Ha Ni - a good student from Tam Ky, due to family circumstances had to put aside her university dream to make a living... They met, and from deprivation and confusion, together they stuck together and built Dune 45 as a place to heal themselves - and then spread positive energy to others.

Although, as Thao said, Dune 45 is not dedicated to any particular group or age, but is a place for people with similar interests, cultures... But for a long time, these stops have become familiar meeting places for many young people in Da Nang. Not just a coffee shop, this is also a place to recharge after busy and stressful working days; a place to nurture small dreams and spread positive spirit in life.

For tourists, Dune 45 is a “must-visit” - a unique piece of Da Nang, completely different from the usual industrial cafes. Each stop is like a slice of a story, small, pretty but enough to hold emotions.

You can see handwritten letters on the bar counter at the rest stops or on Dune 45's fanpage, heartfelt feelings, or poetic photos of many familiar and strange customers: "Summer day, looking at the tree canopy, listening to music from the 60s - 70s, a normal day suddenly becomes perfect..."; "I accidentally saw the image of this coffee cart on the internet, I decided to stop by before leaving Da Nang, and Dune 45 did not disappoint me"...

Perhaps, Dune is not just a coffee shop, but also a place that touches the heart. From the sidewalk corner of the past to the wooden house and green train car today, Dune 45 still maintains its original spirit: creating true “rest stops”. There, people can slow down, enjoy, connect and share.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/nhung-tram-dung-chan-tuoi-tre-3304865.html