Da Nang Review as a Digital Nomad

Nestled on Vietnam’s central coast, Da Nang has become one of the hottest destinations for digital nomads in Southeast Asia. Known for its long sandy beaches, laid-back lifestyle, and fast-growing expat community, the city offers a rare mix of seaside living and urban convenience.

Coworking spaces are popping up alongside trendy cafés, while reliable internet and affordable housing make it easy to set up a temporary home.

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Add in the vibrant food scene, year-round sunshine, and proximity to cultural hubs like Hội An and Huế, and it’s no surprise that Da Nang is emerging as a top choice for remote workers looking to balance productivity with quality of life.

How Da Nang compares to a city like Hanoi?

Hanoi feels like a vast megalopolis, overflowing with neighborhoods and activities to discover, while Da Nang has the charm of a city built on a human scale. You can get familiar with most of it in just a few months, whereas Hanoi could take a lifetime to fully explore.

One of the first things we noticed in Da Nang is how quiet the streets are, even on weekends. It almost feels like Hanoi at 4 a.m. To put it in perspective, even suburban districts of Hanoi, like Long Bien, seem more bustling. Perhaps this will be different during the high season.

How Da Nang compares to Hoi An?

Da Nang and Hoi An may share the same coastline and sit just 35 minutes apart, yet they feel worlds apart. If you’ve ever been to San Diego, the contrast is similar to that between downtown and Ocean Beach—same city vibe, completely different atmosphere.

Da Nang carries a modern vibe with a touch of energy, especially around Hai Chau, while Hoi An is all about calm and relaxation. Between the two, Hoi An is certainly the most charming with rice fields, buffalos, unesco old town, but when it comes to beaches, My Khe stands out as the most stunning—though An Bang has its own appeal as well.

Da Nang amenities and districts

The Amenities

Da Nang is a tourist hotspot that’s quickly evolving into a digital nomad hub. Most of the beachside amenities are designed to cater to foreigners—particularly Koreans around Son Tra, and a more international crowd in My An.

This means anything right on the beachfront comes with premium prices. If, like us, you enjoy authentic local food and culture, you’ll need to venture outside this area to find regular Vietnamese businesses.

For expats craving Western-style food, these areas won’t disappoint. From vegan options to cozy cafés, everything is designed to cater to the tastes of tourists. You can still find some authentic local restaurants in the area, but being in the tourist zone, they likely charge higher prices than similar spots in neighborhoods like Hai Chau.

The Districts

My An : My An serves as the hub of the My Khe tourist area. If Võ Nguyên Giáp Street is like the Las Vegas Strip or Miami’s Ocean Drive, then My An is where you’d find the Bellagio.
Son Tra : Son Tra is noticeably quieter than My An and primarily attracts Korean travelers. The beaches here are just as beautiful but far less crowded.
Khue My : Khue My belongs to the Ngu Hanh Sơn District which is less busy and located near the large resorts in the south. It’s an excellent spot to stay if you want proximity to My Khe while avoiding the typical tourist-heavy areas.
Hai Chau : Hai Chau, Da Nang’s downtown across the bridges, has the feel of a traditional bustling Vietnamese city. Wide streets like Le Duan evoke the atmosphere of Pho Hue in Hanoi.
Thanh Khe : Thanh Khe feels like Da Nang’s local seaside district. It seems ideal for those who want to experience life the authentic Vietnamese way.
Liên Chiêu, Cẩm Lệ, Hòa Vang : These districts feel similar to Long Bien, with newer infrastructure and a strong local culture. Unfortunately, they are somewhat far from the main beach, which may be less convenient for expats.

How’s the food?

The cuisine in central Vietnam tends to be quite spicy, so if you’re ordering for kids, it’s always best to ask for “Không Cay” (not spicy).

While my wife and I have gotten used to the local heat, we still prefer having the option to adjust the spice level to our taste.

The food is flavorful and unique, different from both northern and southern Vietnamese cuisine. Specialties like Nem Nướng Nha Trang or Bún Nướng are particularly outstanding here. Naturally, the Bánh Mì near Hoi An is excellent as well.

As a tourist-friendly city, Da Nang offers plenty of great options for Western cuisine, from burgers and kebabs to other popular favorites.

How easy is it to drive?

Firstly, traffic isn’t as intense as in larger cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, and there are fewer roads with fast-moving trucks.

Overall, it’s a very manageable city to drive in. Renting a motorbike is straightforward and typically costs around 100,000 VND per day.

While places like Hoi An and Phu Quoc might be slightly easier for beginners, Da Nang is still a good city to learn to drive.

To be honest, the best way to describe driving in Vietnam is like flowing inside a shoal of fish or dragons to be more precise.

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How hard is it to get a place to rent?

If you’re used to living in Hanoi or another large city, finding a rental in Da Nang can be challenging—especially if you have particular preferences.

In short, the market is largely driven by foreigners, which pushes prices even higher than in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Even areas like Tay Ho in Hanoi offer a better size-to-price ratio and quality.

You can expect to pay around 10–25 million VND for a house, and 8–16 million VND for a two-bedroom apartment. Studios remain the most readily available option, particularly around My An.

Higher-end properties can easily reach prices comparable to those in Europe.

Living in districts like Thanh Khe, Cam Le, or Linh Chieu offers more affordable rental options.

Verdict

8.5 out of 10.

Da Nang is a stunning coastal city in Vietnam, home to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches.

Its proximity to destinations like Hoi An, Hue, and Nha Trang makes it an ideal stopover or base for international travelers, especially with an airport just 15 minutes from the city center.

What makes Da Nang special is its unique combination of hills, coastline, and urban life. While it may not boast beaches as pristine as Phu Quoc or streets as bustling as Ho Chi Minh City, it strikes a perfect balance—offering both natural beauty and excellent amenities for expats and tourists alike.