Da Nang Neighborhoods: Best Areas to Stay

Da Nang has my heart. After moving to Vietnam and calling it home for 3 years and Da Nang specifically for 2, I can safely say it's a fantastic place to live abroad for expats and digital nomads.

Living in Da Nang means beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and a laidback lifestyle that I just adored.

You'll see when you arrive that Da Nang can have such a chill vibe to it that you might forget its a large city of over 1 million residents. While you might be tempted to flock towards the tourist area (more on that one later), there's a lot more to the city than just that.

Let's dive right into the best neighborhoods in Da Nang so you can choose where to stay, regardless if you're here on vacation or moving here.

Short on time? Here’s the cheat sheet:

💭Da Nang is a Central Vietnamese city that offers typical city amenities yet with fantastic nature, from beaches to mountains.

🏮The city is divided into 2 main parts: the beach side & the city side. In general, the beach side is where most foreigners live and tourists stay and the city side is more local.

🏠If you want to be in the heart of all the action, stay in An Thuong. If you prefer somewhere quieter, My An is a great choice.

🛏️Looking to stay in a central location? Sofiana My Khe Hotel & Spa is just a few blocks from the beach and An Thuong, the heart of the tourist area, to be able to quickly and easily walk where you want to go.

📚While it’s not mandatory to know Vietnamese to travel or live here, you might feel more comfortable at least knowing basic words and phrases. Mondly is a great app for that!

🏥Accidents happen so come prepared with nomad insurance, just in case!

Beach Side vs. City Side

The main street that runs along the beach on a quiet day

The first distinction you'll need to understand is that while the city is divided up into a ton of neighborhoods, the largest divide is between the beach side and the city side.

Da Nang is divided in 2 by the Han River. Upon looking at a map, I think you'll quickly see which side is which but just to be super clear, the beach side is the side to the east of the river that runs along the coast and the city side is that on the west that runs up towards the mountains.

In general, most expats and digital nomads live on the beach side, with the obvious allure being quick and easy access to the beach. If you look on a map, it'll look like this side of the city is only divided into 2 parts: Ngu Hanh Son district and Son Tra district. In reality though, there are more neighborhoods all with different feels to them.

The city side is far more local and feels like any real city in Vietnam, just with a lot more greenery and wider streets than many others. While the beach side has, well, beach, the city side offers quicker access to waterfalls, and the stunning natural landscape that surrounds the city.

Most of my recommendations for the best neighborhoods in Da Nang are on the beach side of the city but I do love the city side. Staying there or not, I highly recommend you spend time exploring the coffee shops, restaurants, and cute streets that litter that side of Da Nang.

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My An

Best for tranquility yet easy access to beaches & the tourist area.

My An is where we lived right when we moved to Da Nang. We ended up staying in this neighborhood for about 1.5 years and really loved it.

What's great about My An is that it's close to the beach and also to An Thuong, the tourist area, but still in a local neighborhood. Pretty much everything is well within walking distance from your home, making it a super convenient place to live.

It's quiet, more affordable, and simply a really chill area to live but not so far from the main action that you'll feel isolated.

📍Before you decide to move to this neighborhood, I suggest you book a hotel or vacation rental for at least a night or two to get a real feel for it at all hours. This will give you the best chance to see if living in My An is a good choice for you.

Budget Stay: SeaColor Beachstay: Is the beach your main priority? Stay just steps away without breaking the bank here.
Mid-Tier Stay: Daisy Boutique Hotel: Here you can enjoy tranquil rooms that look out into the interior at the swimming pool, instead of outside on the sometimes chaotic streets.
Luxury Stay: Sunset Pool Villa: This spacious villa, suitable for 9, offers a private pool, game room, and rooftop terrace.

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An Thuong Area

Expect activities and amenities at My Khe Beach

Best for international restaurants, English-speaking locals & tourists, & buzzing nightlife.

An Thuong isn't really a neighborhood but a section of streets all with the name An Thuong 1, An Thuong 2, and so on. Technically, this is part of My An but most people refer to it as its own neighborhood.

This is by far the most popular neighborhood for tourists and foreigners in general. Here you'll find the most bars, international restaurants, and activities catered towards foreigners.

An Thuong runs up to the famous My Khe Beach, which is one of the best beaches if you're looking for chair and umbrella rentals and vendors selling fresh coconuts and beers.

Because of all of these amenities, An Thuong tends to be the most chaotic area on the beach side.

For me, I enjoyed going out to bars here and getting my fix of international food but wouldn't have wanted to live here as I prefer my peace and quiet when I'm at home. For those looking though that prefer to have plenty of entertainment right outside your door, you'll like living in An Thuong best.

Budget Stay: Sofiana My Khe Hotel & Spa: Like any good hotel in Da Nang, you’ll get a rooftop view and a trendy room just 2 blocks from My Khe Beach.
Mid-Tier Stay: Golden Lotus Grand: Right in the heart of An Thuong, enjoy a room with a view, hotel bar and restaurant, and a rooftop swimming pool.
Luxury Stay: Trống Đồng Villa: Moving with your family or traveling with your friends? This huge villa can accommodate up to 10 people.

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Son Tra

Best for nature lovers & those that want ocean view apartments.

Most might have already heard about the Son Tra Peninsula, also called Monkey Mountain, and the shining Lady Buddha Statue that rests on it but the neighborhood of Son Tra is much bigger than just that area.

We looked at a lot of apartments in Son Tra when we first arrived in Da Nang because on paper I thought I would like that area of the city most. Something about it didn't quite click with me in reality.

There are some really great apartment complexes and the views from the northern part of the city are seriously incredible but, day-to-day, I felt it was too far away from our friends and the nightlife. Plus, the beach area in Son Tra is more like a fishing village, somewhere I didn't feel too comfortable going out in my bikini to relax by myself.

Don't get me wrong, Da Nang is safe but as a woman I feel more comfortable lounging in my swimsuit around others doing the same, which happens around An Thuong and My An, instead of the local fisherman that tend to swarm the best beaches in Son Tra.

Budget Stay: The Glomad: Want to rub elbows with other digital nomads? This hotel features plenty of work spaces, lounge areas, and a free breakfast buffet.
Mid-Range Option: Stella Maris Beach Danang: Located a bit more north but still on the beach, Stella still offers the view and the pool but in a more modern environment outside of the heart of the tourist area.
Luxury Option: Sala Danang Beach Hotel: Situated near Stella Maris, this hotel also offers a swimming pool and stunning views but the standards continue to rise here.

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Khue My

Best for those that want a local neighborhood & plenty of green space.

The last apartment we lived in was in Khue My. This neighborhood had never caught my attention until we hopped back on the apartment hunt. I loved living in this neighborhood and wish we had had more time living there.

Khue My is just across the highway from My An and what makes it special is the proximity to the Han River.

All along the river are nice green spaces and walkways, which became our favorite place to take our dog, Bandido, out for walks. Plus, if you live in a tall enough building, you'll get the sunrise over the ocean and the sunset over the river, making for epic views all day and into the night as the bridges light up.

To get to the beach, you'll want to have a bike or motorbike. Public transport isn't great in Da Nang, with the exception of Grab (the equivalent to Uber in Southeast Asia).

Khue My itself is a super local neighborhood and not many foreigners choose to live here. But, for families or those with dogs that would love a nice grassy area, it's a great place to live.

Budget Stay: Luxury Hotel And Suite: Remember when I said the Han River views are incredible too? At this hotel you'll get to experience that and more.
Mid-Tier Stay: Chau An Villa: This large villa can accommodate up to 10 people at a really affordable price.
Luxury Stay: Song Cat Villa: Looking for something a little more swanky? Get luxury vibes at your own large villa here.

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Hai Chau

Best for those that prefer city amenities more so than the beach in their backyard.

Although there are loads more neighborhoods in the city side, Hai Chau District was by far my favorite. This is really the heart of Da Nang and has so much to see and do. To center yourself, the Pink Church is right in Hai Chau, connected to the beach side by the famous Dragon Bridge.

It's home to a wide variety of great restaurants, coffee shops, clothing stores, and markets. The cost of living is cheaper here as you can embrace a more local way of living.

Here is really where you'll feel that Da Nang is in fact a big city, something that tends to get lost across the river.

If you'd rather live where locals live, this area is a great choice. You'll get to fully embrace the local way of life but still have plenty right at your fingertips.

Budget Stay: Dora Homestay: Choose between a variety of accommodation options, all with views of the city below.
Mid-Tier Stay: Seahorse Apartment: Enjoy a chic interior with small kitchen and shared hangout spaces so your room will feel much bigger than it is.
Luxury Stay: Flexi Hotel & Apartment: This 1-bedroom loft apartment is pet-friendly and a great option for remote workers with a large table and well-lit space.

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Hoi An

Best for those that are looking for a tranquil, picturesque surrounding.

Ok, Ok, Hoi An is not part of Da Nang but many people ask me which is a better place to live or to stay for vacation so I wanted to add it in as an alternative.

Hoi An is just a 20-30 minute drive from Da Nang, passing the Marble Mountains, plenty of beach clubs, and An Bang Beach.

We had a lot of friends that moved to Hoi An from Da Nang or vice-versa during our few years living in the city. While we were happy living in Da Nang since it offers more variety, I can totally understand the charm of Hoi An.

Most tourists only see the Old Quarter of Hoi An, which is seriously special yet also can feel like it's full of tourist traps. How you view Hoi An will really be based on when you visit and the activities you enjoy. If you only go into the Old Quarter at 6pm, right around the main bridge, you'll feel overwhelmed by the tourists. Mornings on the other hand are perfection.

There's a lot more Hoi An than the beautiful yellow alleyways adorned with lanterns. If you decide to move to Hoi An, I'd suggest living closer to An Bang Beach or in the quiet surrounding area where your daily view would be of the rice fields.

Compared to Da Nang, living in Hoi An is best for those that prefer small towns over cities.

Budget Option: Square Villa Hoi An: If you want to enjoy early quiet mornings in Hoi An, this location will allow you to quickly get to Old Town on foot to beat the crowds.
Mid-Tier Option: Little Gem: Stay a little farther from Old Town to soak up more of the quiet side of Hoi An at this eco-friendly boutique hotel and spa.
Luxury Option: La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa: Enjoy a pool, spa, and breakfast buffet when you book your stay to this luxury hotel right in the heart of Hoi An.

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Is Da Nang a Good Place to Live?

The famous Dragon Bridge (it breathes fire at night!)

Da Nang (and Hoi An) are 2 of the best places to live in Vietnam. For those that truly want a city vibe, you might prefer living in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi instead but beach lovers will absolutely love living in Da Nang.

Although the beach is picture-perfect, you'll also have plenty of things to do in Da Nang, including searching for monkeys on Son Tra Peninsula, going on motorcycle adventures on the Hai Van Pass, and singing your heart out at one of the many open mic nights in An Thuong.

Beautiful landscapes, a low cost of living, a plethora of cool day trip ideas, and fantastic Vietnamese food all combine for a pretty wonderful mix for the right person.

Plus, with popularity growing among the digital nomad community, making friends is easier than in smaller cities and there's a plethora of super cute coffee shops to visit, whether you work remotely or not.

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Which Da Nang Neighborhood Will You Choose?

English teachers, digital nomads, and Korean tourists flock to Da Nang and the surrounding area. But, for good reason!

Da Nang is a wonderful place to call home and lucky for you, regardless of which neighborhood in Da Nang you choose, you'll never be too far away from something else in the city. Just 15-minutes by motorbike and you can get from one corner to the other.

While the most accommodation options might seem to be in An Thuong for those who prefer a quieter area, I'm certain you'll be able to find a fantastic place to stay in the neighborhood of your choosing.