From Fish Shop to Brewing Company: A 5-Year Friendship and Entrepreneurial Journey in An Bang Beach

There's something special about witnessing a friend's dreams take shape and flourish over time. For the past five years, I've had the privilege of watching my friend Dai transform from a beach club manager to a successful entrepreneur with multiple businesses in An Bang Beach, Hoi An. His journey has been remarkable, and our friendship has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time in Vietnam.

First Meetings and Coffee Conversations

Our story begins at the Shore Club in An Bang Beach, where Dai was working as a manager. There was something immediately approachable about him—a genuine warmth and entrepreneurial spark that stood out. What started as casual conversations at the club eventually led to coffee meetings where we discussed everything from local culture to business aspirations.

I remember those early conversations vividly. Dai would share his vision of owning his own place someday, speaking with such clarity and determination that it was impossible not to believe he would make it happen. There's something universally connecting about sitting across from someone with a dream and feeling the contagious nature of their passion.

From Family Fish Shop to First Bar

When Dai found an opportunity to transform his family's modest fish shop into a bar, I was eager to help. The space had been in his family for years—a simple structure where his relatives had sold the day's catch to locals and the occasional tourist. Seeing the potential for something new, Dai decided to take a risk.

Dom House : https://maps.app.goo.gl/FVf4Ted4NE8LagJa7

Armed with paint brushes, construction materials, and a shared vision, we spent countless hours transforming the space. I still remember the sweltering heat as we painted walls, the laughter as we figured out solutions to unexpected problems, and the satisfying exhaustion at the end of each day. What had once been a utilitarian fish shop slowly evolved into a welcoming bar with character and charm.

The opening night was a beautiful chaos of local friends, expats, and curious tourists. Watching Dai welcome guests into his new establishment, I felt a sense of pride that comes from seeing someone you care about achieve a significant milestone. This wasn't just a business opening—it was the beginning of a dream realized.

Expanding Horizons: Dom's Hostel

Success breeds ambition, and before long, Dai was ready for his next venture. Recognizing the growing number of backpackers and budget travelers coming to Hoi An, he identified an opportunity to create a hostel experience that would combine Vietnamese hospitality with the social atmosphere that travelers crave.

Dom's Hostel and bar : https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xv25AxVVW8E85Nnx6

Dom's Hostel emerged as his second business venture, offering affordable accommodations just steps from An Bang Beach. Named after his son, the hostel quickly became known for its familial atmosphere—a place where guests arrived as customers but left as friends. Dai would often invite hostel guests to his bar, creating a micro-community of travelers and locals that enriched the An Bang Beach experience for everyone involved.

I watched as he navigated the challenges of managing multiple businesses, learning valuable lessons about delegation, time management, and maintaining quality across different ventures. Through it all, his entrepreneurial spirit never wavered, and neither did his genuine connection with people—both locals and visitors alike.

Hoi An Brewing: Crafting New Traditions

Perhaps the most ambitious of Dai's ventures has been Hoi An Brewing Company. When he first mentioned his interest in craft beer, I was excited to contribute in whatever way I could. Having some experience with design, I helped create the logo that would become the visual identity for his brewing company.

Logo design : https://www.behance.net/gallery/203607335/Hoi-An-Brewing-Co-Brand-Identity-Packaging-Design

The logo design process was a perfect metaphor for our friendship—a collaborative effort that combined his vision with my skills, resulting in something neither of us could have created alone. Seeing that logo on bottles, glasses, and signage has been a continual reminder of how meaningful it is to be part of someone else's journey.

Hoi An Brewing Company has since become a favorite among both expats and tourists looking for something beyond the ubiquitous Bia Hoi found throughout Vietnam. Dai's approach to brewing incorporates local ingredients and flavors while respecting craft beer traditions—another example of his talent for bridging different worlds.

The Strength of Local Connections

One of the most beautiful aspects of my friendship with Dai has been the extension of that connection to his family. His mother now greets me with the warmth typically reserved for family members. There's something profoundly moving about being recognized and welcomed by someone's parent in a country and culture different from your own.

These connections remind me that at its heart, travel isn't just about places—it's about people. While stunning beaches and historic architecture might initially draw visitors to places like Hoi An, it's the human connections that create the most lasting impressions and meaningful experiences.

Celebrating Five Years of Growth

Last week marked the five-year anniversary of Dai's first bar, and the celebration was a powerful reminder of how far he's come. The anniversary party brought together a diverse crowd—longtime expats, recent travelers, and local Vietnamese friends—all united in celebrating not just a business milestone but the journey of someone many of us have come to admire and respect.

Looking around the party, I could see the tangible results of Dai's vision and hard work: three successful businesses, a loyal customer base, and a reputation for quality and hospitality that extends far beyond An Bang Beach. More importantly, I could see the intangible impacts: the opportunities he's created for local employees, the cultural exchange facilitated between travelers and locals, and the sense of community he's helped foster in An Bang.

The Joy of Witnessing Growth

There's a unique kind of happiness that comes from watching someone you care about grow and succeed. It's different from personal achievement—it's a vicarious joy that somehow feels even more authentic because it's not about you. Seeing Dai's evolution from beach club manager to successful entrepreneur has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time in Vietnam.

His success story is also a testament to the potential that exists in places like Hoi An for determined entrepreneurs with vision and perseverance. While Vietnam's major cities often get attention for business development, the growth of ventures like Dai's demonstrates that opportunity exists throughout this dynamic country.

Lessons in Friendship and Entrepreneurship

My friendship with Dai has taught me valuable lessons about both cross-cultural connection and entrepreneurship:

1. Authentic relationships transcend cultural and language differences
2. Showing up to help (even with simple tasks like painting) strengthens bonds in ways that words alone cannot
3. Successful entrepreneurs adapt and evolve while staying true to their core values
4. Growth takes time and rarely follows a straight line
5. The most meaningful businesses create community, not just profit

These lessons have influenced my own approach to relationships and projects, reminding me that patience, authenticity, and consistent effort yield results that quick transactions never could.

Looking Forward

As Dai continues to grow his businesses and I continue my own journey, I'm grateful for the intersection of our paths and the ongoing connection we share. In a world where travel can sometimes feel transient and superficial, deep friendships like ours serve as anchors—reminders that meaningful human connection is possible anywhere if we're open to it.

For travelers coming to Hoi An and An Bang Beach, I highly recommend visiting any of Dai's establishments. Beyond the quality food, drinks, and accommodations, you'll experience something increasingly rare in tourist areas: an authentic connection to local entrepreneurship and the real story of a place and its people.

And if you do visit, tell Dai his friend from The Roaming Sparrow sent you. Something tells me you might get an extra warm welcome—and perhaps a story or two about our adventures over the years.

Have you formed meaningful friendships during your travels? How have these connections changed your experience of a place? Share your stories in the comments below!