There’s plenty of mixed information about whether Da Nang is the new “Digital Nomad Paradise” or not. Well, I spent a few months living in Da Nang, and here’s the thing: it’s definitely not Bali. But depending on who you are, that could either be fantastic or disappointing.
My name is Danitza, a “slowmad” who has been slow-traveling for over three years now. Welcome to my travel blog! Here, you’ll find valuable info about the places I have visited and stories about my journey towards finding work-life balance while maintaining a nomadic-travel lifestyle.
Let’s dive into the nuances of life in Da Nang as a Digital Nomad. As I always do, this article is illustrated with photos I took during the trip. Although in this occasion, I was too laid-back to bring my camera around so we’ll have mostly phone-taken images, oops!
Da Nang for Digital Nomads
Is Da Nang really that cheap?
I want to start by addressing the elephant in the room. If you’re considering traveling to Da Nang as a Digital Nomad, you probably have heard of the “live in Da Nang under $1000 a month” claims.
Youtubers and bloggers all over the internet continue to ensure that this is the case… but is it true? As of today, yes, it is true. Although, my prediction is that it won’t be for too long.
While I was in Da Nang I talked to some ex-pats that have been there for 5-8 years, and everyone said the same: the prices have been going up for quite a while now.
Early 2024 prices I paid in Da Nang:
- ~$450 monthly for a small but good-looking apartment with a kitchen and a pool including cleaning once a week
- ~$12 monthly for a gym
- ~$10-$12 per meal on average when eating out at “tourist-priced” restaurants
- ~$2-$4 per meal on average when eating out at “local-priced” restaurants
- ~$45 per week on groceries for two
- ~$45 monthly for a motorbike
So to answer the question “Is Da Nang cheap?” If you make dollars or euros, yes, you’ll most likely find Da Nang very cheap. Unfortunately, the “tourist prices” in Da Nang, although cheap for 1st worlders, may not be so cheap at all for local people. Expect most of the “hip” coffee shops and restaurants around the “nomad” area to be crowded with foreigners. I’ll talk more about this below.
If you want to check out more specific price-related info look at this guide.
Where to stay in Da Nang for Digital Nomads?
Odds are that if you end up traveling to Da Nang you’ll stay near My Khe beach. There are few neighborhoods where the majority of ex-pats and nomads reside.
The #1 neighborhood to stay in Da Nang today as a digital nomad is Mỹ An, or surroundings.
Filled with little restaurants, cute cafes, a few workshops, within walking distance to the beach, some nightlife, and a picturesque atmosphere; My An is the best neighborhood for nomads IF you don’t mind some noise.
Even though My An was my 1st option when looking for accommodation, I actually didn’t end up booking there. Instead, I was at the periphery, right at the edge of Khuê Mỹ. This was a much quieter area within walking distance or an extremely short bike ride of My An. Other option to consider may be Hai Chau for a more local vibe.
What’s the Digital Nomad vibe like in Da Nang?
Settling in Da Nang:
It was extremely easy and fast to find all the stuff we needed right away. A decent gym around the corner, an okay-sorted supermarket, my favorite coffee shop to work from, the best Vietnamese food, a motorbike in good condition, and even a dentist.
I must confess we did arrive with insider’s information since my boyfriend’s cousin had lived in Da Nang for about three years. She gave us all the details we needed for an easy settling.
What makes Da Nang special, ¿or not?
Something I love about Da Nang, in comparison with other Digital Nomad spots, is that you get a bit of it all: an affordable city with a beautiful beach in a country with an interesting culture and delicious food.
In contrast with other Vietnamese cities like Hanoi and Saigon, Da Nang is not as intense (in the good and bad connotations of the word). There is less traffic, the pollution is not as bad, and it feels safer. But it also lacks some of that colorful and lively Vietnamese energy.
At least around the coastal area, you’ll find fewer little benches with crowds of local people eating Bahn Mi or drinking coffee and a lot more ex-pats and backpackers in heavily decorated touristy restaurants or bars playing a “sweet caroline” Vietnamese cover or equivalent.
Is Da Nang worth visiting as a Digital Nomad?
The opinion I hear the most about Da Nang is: “I really enjoyed my time there, but it was not as memorable as other places I’ve visited as a Digital Nomad, including other Vietnamese cities”.
Don’t get me wrong I personally loved it. Da Nang has a slow-paced, not much-to-do vibe and that’s exactly what I was looking for at the time.
- Da Nang may be right for you if you want to:
- Meet other travelers or nomads
- Save some money while still eating out almost every day
- Spend your mornings chilling at the beach and your evenings working from cute cafes
- Da Nang may not be for you if you want to:
- Experience cultural immersion
- Connect with locals
- Visit museums and learn about the country
- Explore a city with lots to do (Consider Hanoi or Saigon instead).
What to do in Da Nang?
Assuming that you’ve decided that Da Nang is the spot for you, here’s some valuable information to help you find your way around the city.
Activities and adventures in or near Da Nang
Lady Buddha
The Lady Buddha is a 67-meter-tall statue of the Goddess of Mercy. This is the tallest Buddha statue in Vietnam surrounded by stunning views of Da Nang city and its coastline. Visit in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and don’t forget to dress “modestly” out of respect since this site is considered sacred.
Marble Mountain
Caves, tunnels and pagodas where you can explore ancient Buddhist sanctuaries and climb to breathtaking views located right in the city of Da Nang. Wear comfortable shoes!
“Little Greece” (Son Tra Peninsula)
An insta spot nicknamed “Little Greece” due to its resemblance with Santorini. White architecture with blue accents, a cute coffee shop and a scenic coastal backdrop. If you’re around it’s nice to stop for a Vietnamese coffee, take some photos and keep going.
Secret Beach
A secluded and less-touristy beach on the Son Tra Peninsula. It’s already hard to run into a beach crowd in Da Nang considering the coast is very wide, so if you find the Secret Beach you’ll most likely have it for yourself.
Hoi An
Hoi An’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s about 30km away from Da Nang (About a 40 min motorbike ride) Its well-preserved trading port, lantern streets and historic architecture are the perfect combination for a magical experience. Walk through its charming yellow streets and visit at night to see the lanterns on.
Dragon Bridge
A spectacular 666-meter-long bridge shaped like a dragon. It symbolizes prosperity and power and spans the Han River. Visit on weekends and holidays at 8PM to experience the dragon breathing fire –yes you read that right.
I hope this information helps, if you’re planning to visit Ninh Binh, check out my article about the different routes to take the boat rides and other recommendations. If you have any travel-related questions, feel free to contact me on Instagram.
