Moving to Da Nang in 2018 was an open-ended trip that I didn’t see lasting more than a few months. But from the time I landed and started getting settled in, I realized quickly how livable the city was. Seven years later, having split time between Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City (and Thailand, too), I’m living in Da Nang as I put together this article.
If you’re thinking of visiting Da Nang, you can see my Da Nang travel guide, which covers similar topics as this article but is geared more toward short-term travelers.
This lengthy guide covers living in Da Nang, and I’ve put it together with a long-term perspective. You’ll find information on costs, weather, visas, where to live, renting an apartment, getting around, and more. If you have any related questions, ask me in my Da Nang and Hoi An Facebook group.
Cost of Living
In short: One person can live in Da Nang for around $900 to $1,200 per month, depending on eating and drinking habits, and motorbike rental
The cost of living in Da Nang has remained relatively consistent since I first came in 2018. In fact, the one-bedroom apartment near My Khe Beach that I rented in 2019 is still going for the same price today: 7.500.000 VND (~$290 USD) per month. It’s fully furnished, includes cleaning and changing of bed sheets once per week, a private washing machine, Wi-Fi, and an elevator.
The statistics and data site Numbeo has a good high-level analysis of Da Nang’s cost of living. It shows cost ranges for a number of things, which look to be in the ballpark of my experience living here. Use the site for a rough estimate of what to expect, but know that some prices may be off.
For example, they currently list gym pricing in a range between 400.000 and 600.000 VND per month. This is on the lower end for a decent gym. For some of the nicer gyms, prices get well over 1.000.000 VND per month. If you sign for 12 months (and pay it upfront in full), you can maybe get the monthly cost of a top-tier gym down to less than 1.000.000 VND.
My monthly cost of living in Da Nang is usually around $1,200 to $1,300 USD per month, give or take. These are my ongoing monthly expenses:
- Rent + utilities (electric) = $350
- Motorbike rental, gas = $125
- Cell phone plan (Vinaphone) = $5
- Gym membership = $25
- Food delivery = a lot
- Eating out = a lot
- Weekly grocery shopping = $100
- Random purchases (electronics, knick-knacks) = ?
Personally, I order food through the Grab app or eat out at casual restaurants (here are some of my favorites) for every meal. I eat a blend of local food (from $1 to $5 USD per meal) and Western food (from $5 to $10+ USD per meal). Noodle-based dishes from street food vendors or in the local markets (like My An Market) are a very cheap and filling way to keep costs down.
Scooter rentals cost anywhere from 1.000.000 to more than 6.000.000 VND per month, depending on the newness and quality of the bike. Coffee is cheap and plentiful. Cups can be had all over the city for as low as 20.000 VND, with around 45.000 VND being a good average.
Your monthly cost of living in Da Nang will depend on your lifestyle. Eating at fancier restaurants and going to bars every night will see your monthly cost of living go up over $2,000 USD. More if you’re doing a lot of shopping.
If you forgo renting a motorbike and eat local food often, you can easily spend under $1,000 USD per month in Da Nang. I rented a motorbike for 1.000.000 VND per month for a while, still eating out or ordering food for every meal, and regularly spent around $1,000 per month.
Choosing Where to Live
In short: You can’t go wrong with living in the city or by the beach, up to your personal preference
Da Nang has two main sides, the city and the beach, and choosing where to live comes down to personal preference. Both the city and beach side of Da Nang are convenient for long-term living.
But you shouldn’t feel bound by your choice. Riding a scooter from one side to the other over the Han River is easy. So is using the Grab app to book taxis. No matter which side you choose to live on, getting around Da Nang is very easy.
Here’s a video I filmed while riding my scooter over the Dragon Bridge from the beach into the city (and trying not to crash).
The city area right across the river is Hai Chau (see here on Google Maps). This is a big area that’s largely very local. For comfortable living, specifically, you’ll want to look in this area, but north of the Dragon Bridge (or Nguyen Van Linh Street).
This area of Hai Chau is mostly very walkable, with a lot of cafes and food choices. There is a good selection of gyms in the immediate area, too. You’ll be near the popular Tran Phu and Bach Dang streets, and also the Han River promenade. On a side note, this is a nice area to walk along the river.
If you live in Da Nang long-term, you’ll find yourself venturing into the city more and more. The city side of Da Nang has big supermarkets and home goods stores, furniture stores, electronic stores, and a good selection of gyms. I live near the beach but spend most of my time in the city.
The My An area (see here on Google Maps) near the beach is a popular place for first-time visitors or new expats. There are a lot of hotels and serviced apartments for rent. There are coffee shops and eateries all over, and most of this area is very walkable. My Khe Beach is only a few minutes away.
For me, personally, this area developed very quickly after I arrived in 2018. For a while, it was leaning toward becoming touristy, but it still had a lot of local experiences and places to eat. Now, most of the entire My An area (and the An Thuong streets inside it) is geared towards travelers and expats.
The beach side has smaller supermarkets, smaller electronic stores, and a decent selection of gyms. You can find everything you need to live, but some of the stores lack the depth if you need something specific.
I moved further north along the beach into an area called Son Tra (see here on Google Maps). This area is still near the beach, but the further north you go on the beach side, the less touristy it gets. I chose to move north for a better blend of daily life, still with easy beach access, but without the in-your-face tourism.
Renting an Apartment
In short: Finding an apartment will require patience, expect costs between 5.000.000 and 10.000.000 VND/month for a decent studio or one-bedroom
You have options with lease term length. I’ve rented places for one month, three to six months, and others for a year.
Rental costs. You can expect to pay between 5.000.000 and 10.000.000 VND for a decent studio or one-bedroom. For nicer one-bedrooms, prices can go up to 12.000.000 to 15.000.000+ VND per month. I’ve also found decent two-bedrooms for 10.000.000 VND per month. A rental deposit of one month’s rent is the most common, though some owners do ask for two months.
The best place to start looking for an apartment is on Facebook. You want to join the groups dedicated to rentals in Da Nang. There are several, and you can browse the units being advertised or create your own wanted ad. Here’s a popular Da Nang rental group. Here’s another.
Alternatively (or simultaneously), you can contact an agency like Central Vietnam Realty (CVR). This is free (they get rental commission), so it’s good to have them help with looking, too. I’ve used an agent while also looking through Facebook on my own.
You’ll need to be patient and persistent when apartment hunting in Da Nang or anywhere else in Vietnam.
There is no loyalty with agents or landlords. If you schedule a time to view an apartment in the afternoon, even directly with the owner, they will lease it to someone else who shows up in the morning with a deposit. So if you find a place you like, you need to be careful with “thinking about it for a few days.”
Most apartments for rent are “serviced apartments.” This means they’re furnished, include cleaning X times per week, and have Wi-Fi, among other things, all included in the rental price. The only extra you’ll pay is electricity (and sometimes a small charge for water usage). These are almost always smaller buildings with a handful of total apartments.
There are apartments in large condominiums for rent, too (like the Monarchy or Hiyori complexes). Units here usually aren’t serviced. You’ll have to decide if you want a serviced apartment or not.
Serviced apartments will likely have a bed, refrigerator, TV, and an air conditioner. There are usually other pieces of furniture, but they vary from apartment to apartment. Having a separate desk or a big couch is rare.
There are some good furniture stores in Da Nang (with new and second-hand items) if you want to supplement. This furniture store in the city has a lot of tables, desks, chairs, and other pieces of furniture.
Final note. Vietnam is noisy, and new construction is happening all over Da Nang. You may find a great place, only to notice construction nearby. You may rent a great place, then construction starts nearby a month later. This happens, and can be very disruptive if you work from home or are a light sleeper. The workers will work very early or late into the night, even on weekends.
Paying for Things: Cash, Cards, ATMs
In short: Cards are widely accepted, carry a bit of cash
There’s a good mixture of places accepting both cash and credit cards. From time to time, you’ll encounter a situation where the store accepts cards, but they’re card machine is broken that day. So it’s good to always have a bit of cash or know where the ATMs are. There are a lot of ATMs all over Da Nang.
Most ATMs will allow a one-time withdrawal of around 2 to 3 million VND. The largest I’ve found is HSBC, which allows a withdrawal of 10 million VND.
As a rule of thumb, I always keep my ATM card locked (you can do this inside your bank’s mobile app), then unlock and re-lock it when I’m taking out cash. This prevents new transactions but still allows recurring ones through.
Get in the habit of doing this, as having fraud is a headache for anyone, but especially so if you’re an expat or traveler.
Because of the cost-effectiveness of Vietnam, you don’t need to walk around with more than 1 or 2 million VND. If you’re just hanging around, doing normal day-to-day activities, having coffee, getting lunch — then 1 million VND is more than enough cash to have on hand.
Getting Around
In short: Rent a scooter, use the Grab app, ride a bike, or walk
The best way to get around Da Nang is by scooter because it’s the most convenient. The second-best way is by using the Grab app to book moto-taxis (GrabBike). If you aren’t comfortable driving or being on the back of a scooter, you’ll have to rely on regular taxis, riding a bicycle, or walking.
Since the city is very spread out, walking isn’t an ideal way to get around unless you’re doing it locally around your rental. Most of the good areas to live and hang out in are walkable themselves. You could 100% live near the beach, walk everywhere, and live perfectly fine.
But, there are a lot of good restaurants, cafes, and things to do that will require you to venture away from your local area (only if you want). Lady Buddha and the Marble Mountains are good activities within the city limits. The My Son Sanctuary is a nice half-day trip. Hoi An is only 40 minutes away.
So at the very least, you’ll have to take a regular taxi (again, use Grab) from time to time.
SIM Cards and Internet
In short: Viettel, Vinaphone, or Mobifone for SIM cards, data is cheap
Compared to living in the USA, the cost of SIM cards, data, and internet is very cheap in Vietnam. Most cafes and restaurants in Da Nang have free Wi-Fi readily available if you need it. Here’s my guide to getting SIM cards.
Vietnam’s three main cell service providers are Viettel, MobiFone, and Vinaphone. I’ve personally used Vinaphone since 2018 without any issues. A lot of people recommend Viettel, but I’ve never had any reason to switch away from Vinaphone.
A couple of years ago, I paid 270.000 VND for both the physical SIM card and the first month of my service plan. Each month after costs 120.000 VND (around $5 USD). My plan is 5 GB of data every day that resets at midnight — far more than enough, especially if you’re occasionally on Wi-Fi too.
There is no contract, and I get a text message a few days before the next month’s cycle, reminding me to top up (add money to my account). This can be done at convenience stores and cell phone stores. There are also scratch cards available (pictured above). These reveal a code to enter into your phone to add money to your balance.
There are cell phone provider stores all over Da Nang. You need to be careful where you buy your SIM card. There are a lot of dishonest vendors selling recycled SIM cards or fraudulently setting up cheaper plans than what you’re paying for.
I would go to one of the bigger electronic store chains, like Thế Giới Di Động or CellphoneS. I got my Vinaphone plan at Thế Giới Di Động. They have several locations in Da Nang (here’s one near the beach). Also, you can go directly to a provider location, like this Viettel store.
You’ll need to bring your passport to sign up for one of these longer-term plans.
If you rent an apartment, it’ll likely be serviced (more on that below), which, in my experience, always includes Wi-Fi.
Visas and Visa Runs
In short: If you don’t have a work permit or TRC, you’ll need to do border runs to stay in Da Nang long-term
Vietnam currently offers visa-exempt entry to 30 countries for 14 to 90 days. I list the visa-exempt countries and give more detailed information in my Vietnam visa guide here.
Countries not included, like the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, will need to apply for a tourist visa (e-visa) before entering Vietnam. These allow stays of up to 90 days.
The visa-exempt entry and the tourist visa cannot be extended from within the country. In both cases, you’ll need to leave Vietnam and then re-enter. These are known as border runs (or visa runs). In Da Nang, most people either join an agent’s visa run to Lao Bao (Vietnam-Laos border) or fly to a nearby place like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, then return. There is currently no limit on doing these back to back.
Vietnam has a Temporary Residence Card (TRC), which legally allows a foreigner to reside in Vietnam for a set period, between two and five years, depending on the reason for the TRC. The two main ways to get a TRC are with a work permit or by marrying a Vietnamese local.
If you’re moving to Da Nang for a job, like teaching English, you’ll likely get a work permit and (hopefully) a TRC.
Vietnam doesn’t have a retirement visa, a digital nomad visa, or any kind of “Elite Visa” (like Thailand).
If you’re in Da Nang and need visa help, I recommend Lynn from Lynn Visa. I’ve been using her services since 2018. Here is her website, and this is her Facebook Page.
Weather
In short: Da Nang’s weather is warm/hot with little rain for about eight months of the year
There’s only one clear-cut bad weather month in Da Nang: October. It rains nearly every day, and there are long periods of constantly gray skies. This is similar in November, though less so, and it doesn’t really start getting better until December.
The rainy season usually peeks its head out sometime in September and lasts through December, though the exact start/finish varies yearly.
The dry season lasts from January to August (again, varying), so we usually get about eight good months of rainless weather. This site has some good weather charts to help visualize Da Nang’s seasons.
The hottest months are May, June, July, and August, with temperatures at lows of 78°F (25.5°C) and highs of 93°F (34°C). The coldest months are December, January, and February, with temperatures at lows of 67°F (19.5°C) and highs of 78°F (25.5°C). March, April, and May are great weather months in Da Nang.
You can see more detailed weather information in my guide to the best time to visit Da Nang.
Supermarkets and Local Markets
In short: The best supermarkets are in the city, though several smaller grocery stores are near the beach
There are about four or five big supermarkets where you can do all of your long-term grocery shopping. They also have a nice selection of home goods and other items for around the house. The best are Mega Market, Lotte Mart, and GO!. Here’s my guide to Da Nang’s supermarkets.
There are, however, plenty of smaller grocery stores that have a good amount of items if you need a quick restock. One of them is MOONMILK, which has a handful of locations on the beach side. Here’s a MOONMILK on Nguyen Van Thoai near My Khe Beach.
Local markets (like My An Market and An Hai Dong Market) will offer the lowest prices on fresh food and other items, but they’re not geared toward foreigners at all. Without speaking Vietnamese, you’ll need to use a combination of pointing, hand gestures, and the Google Translate app to buy things.
Still, if you want fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, and fish at the best prices, I would give it a go and check out these markets. It’s a great, authentic experience. Welcome to Vietnam!
Gyms and Fitness Centers
In short: Plenty of choices for gyms in both Da Nang’s city side and near the beach
There are a lot of gyms in Da Nang, so finding a place to train won’t be a problem. There are a few good gyms on the city’s beach side, and a lot more choices inside the city itself. Here’s my Da Nang gym guide.
The issue with gyms in Da Nang (and elsewhere in Vietnam) is that they aren’t the biggest or most equipped. Your goal should be to find a gym that’s “good enough” for your particular use. There’s nothing like the big gym chains we have in the USA, where there are tons of machines, several options for different body parts, plenty of cardio equipment, etc.
Also, most locals train barefoot, and cleanliness is an issue at some gyms. Not all gyms have water fountains (some do), so you’ll need to buy or bring your own water bottle.
Day passes to gyms cost anywhere from 40.000 to 150.000 VND. These are good if you want to try out a gym before committing to several months. If you pay for three, six, or 12 months upfront, you usually get the best deal.
For long-term memberships, expect to pay as little as 400.000 VND/month to upwards of 1.000.000 VND/month for nicer gyms.
Language Barriers
In short: English is rare, download and use Google Translate
In my daily life in Da Nang, it’s uncommon to encounter a local who speaks enough English to hold a conversation. I explore all over the city, and 90% of my encounters are with locals who don’t know a single word in English. Actually, some seem to know “hello” and “bye-bye.” These are my bread and butter.
There are casual restaurants, frequented by tourists, where the staff don’t speak a word of English. Then, you may find some restaurants in the touristy areas where the staff know some English or can even carry on a conversation.
It’s very hit or miss, so settling in long-term can be difficult. This lack of English spreads across all industries, too: hotels, gyms, supermarkets, stores, etc.
As I discuss in another section (useful apps), you’ll want to download and make good use of the Google Translate app.
Friends and Social Life
In short: Will take effort, getting “out there,” and joining clubs (pickleball)
Because of the lack of English, making local friends is not easy. You’ll need to make an effort to “get out there” and look for social groups, communities, meet-ups, or sports activities. There are groups on Facebook dedicated to “expats in Da Nang” that are a good starting point to meet people.
If you hang out in the coffee shops or frequent the bars in the touristy areas, you’ll have a high chance of meeting other expats. But as with most cities in Southeast Asia, the type of expats you’ll encounter varies wildly.
With the explosion in popularity of pickleball in Vietnam, this is actually a great way to meet locals and other active expats.
There are two good apps to find local pickleball clubs in Da Nang (and elsewhere in Vietnam): Reclub and Alobo. The Reclub app is easier to use, so I’d start there. You can browse nearby clubs, join the communities, arrange times to play, and more.
Useful Apps
In short: Download the Grab app, Google Translate, Zalo, Shopee and Lazada
There are a handful of local and regional apps that make living in Da Nang easier. I have a separate guide on apps for traveling in Vietnam, most of which are applicable to living in Da Nang, too.
The number one app to use is the Grab app. I use this app every day, and you can use it to order taxis and food delivery. You can download it here.
Another frequent app I use is Google Translate. With English-speaking locals being uncommon, you’ll want this app handy for restaurants, gyms, hotels, or any stores.
Another app to get is Zalo. This is a popular chat app that’s free to use. If you’re living in Da Nang, you’ll encounter businesses, friends, and locals who want to connect on the app. Sometimes, they’ll want to connect on WhatsApp, which is another chat app to download and have ready.
If you can’t find an item in any stores or want the convenience of home delivery, you’ll use the Shopee or Lazada apps. I personally use Shoppe more often, and use Lazada as a backup.
Safety, Hospitals, Pharmacies
In short: Da Nang is one of the safest cities in Southeast Asia, has plenty of pharmacies, but questionable healthcare (unfortunately)
Safety in Da Nang. In all my years living in Da Nang, I don’t know of anyone who’s been the victim of a violent crime. The most common crimes are theft and burglary. Unfortunately, scams are also common, but can be avoided once you learn what to look out for and pay attention. I have a separate guide on safety in Vietnam for tourists, which touches on scams.
What you need to pay attention to is crossing the street, driving on scooters, and pickpocketing in crowded areas, like Han Market or other touristy places.
According to the statistics site Numbeo, Da Nang has very high and high ratings for safety walking alone during the day and at night, respectively. Da Nang has nearly equal crime and safety ratings as Chiang Mai, which both have much better ratings than Bali.
Here’s a crime and safety comparison of Da Nang vs. Bangkok, where Da Nang clearly scores as safer, with lower crime. This one compares Da Nang vs. Singapore. The safety and crime stats are nearly identical. Bottom line: Da Nang is one of the safest cities in Southeast Asia.
Hospitals. Navigating healthcare in Vietnam is challenging. The knowledge of doctors and the efficiency and cleanliness of the hospitals drastically vary. There is also usually a language barrier.
I would say that, in general, the quality is decent to good for most routine procedures. There are plenty of places to get bloodwork done. If you need major surgery or have a serious illness, I would probably look into flying to Thailand or Singapore. If you do want to see a doctor in Da Nang, look into 199 Hospital or Vinmec (I’ve had good routine experiences at both), though experiences vary from person to person.
Pharmacies. There’s no shortage of pharmacies if you’re already taking medication. Many prescription-only medications in the USA, UK, Australia, and elsewhere are over-the-counter in Vietnam. They’re also super cheap. There are a few chain pharmacies with many locations, like Pharmacity and FPT Pharma. There are also tons of mom-and-pop pharmacies all over.
