Where to Live in Da Nang as a Digital Nomad

A grid of small streets a block back from the beach, An Thượng is Da Nang’s expat and tourist strip: Western cafes and brunch spots, craft beer bars, gyms, hostels and plenty of short-term apartments. Coworking spaces are close by in My An, and the beach is a short walk.

It is the easiest place to land and meet other foreigners, but it is the most expensive part of town and can feel like a bubble.

• Good for: first-timers, short stays, people who want Western comforts
• Work nearby: ACE Coworking, Coworking Danang
• Watch out for: bar noise at night and higher prices

North of An Thượng, the beachfront along Võ Nguyên Giáp is lined with hotel and apartment towers, and the streets behind it are local neighbourhoods with seafood restaurants, markets and cheaper apartments. You get sea views, morning swims and a more Vietnamese feel than An Thượng.

• Good for: beach lovers, sea views, people who want a mix of expat and local life
• Work nearby: Enouvo Space, The Hideout Café, cafes along the beach road
• Watch out for: busy beach road traffic, and holiday crowds in summer

Further north, between the river and the Sơn Trà peninsula, this is a local, residential area with fishing-village roots, seafood markets and cheap apartments. The peninsula’s jungle roads, monkey-filled forests and the Lady Buddha statue are on your doorstep.

• Good for: long stays on a budget, people who want local life and nature
• Work nearby: cafes in the neighbourhood; coworking a short ride south
• Watch out for: fewer Western cafes and a scooter is essential

Across the river, Hải Châu is the city centre: Hàn Market, the Dragon Bridge, riverside cafes, local restaurants, shops and offices. It is busy and lively, with lots of cheap apartments and some of the best local food in the city, and the beach is 10 minutes away by scooter.

• Good for: city life, local food, value
• Work nearby: Wonderlust, The Local Beans, riverside cafes
• Watch out for: traffic and fewer foreigners

South of My An, towards Hội An, the coast becomes long, quiet beaches with resorts, villas and new apartment developments near the Marble Mountains. It is calm and spacious, with good surf in the cooler months.

You will rely on a scooter or Grab, and the area is quiet in the evenings.

• Good for: surfers, couples, people who want space and calm
• Work nearby: working from home; coworking in My An 10 to 15 minutes away
• Watch out for: isolation and long distances to restaurants

• Furnished monthly apartments from local landlords and agents are what most nomads use. Most include internet, cleaning once a week and sometimes utilities.
• Serviced apartments with pools and gyms cost more but are easy.
• Airbnb is easy for a first week or two, then much cheaper to rent directly.
• Coliving exists above some coworking spaces and is the easiest way to start.

1. Book a week first in An Thượng or near the beach, then view apartments in person.
2. Search the Facebook groups for Da Nang housing and expats, where agents post apartments with prices every day. Agents are usually paid by the landlord.
3. Check the essentials before paying: the Wi-Fi speed, air-conditioning, hot water, the electricity price per unit (some landlords charge well above the official rate), and whether cleaning and utilities are included.
4. Ask about flooding if you will be here between September and December, especially for ground-floor apartments.

• Deposit: usually one month’s rent, sometimes two for long leases.
• Payment: monthly rentals are paid in advance, often in cash; longer leases may ask for several months up front.
• Registration: your landlord or hotel must register your stay with the local police. Make sure they do; it matters for your visa.
• Inventory: photograph everything on day one.