Da Nang wasn't on my original travel plans. I came for a week and stayed a month. Here's everything I wish someone had told me before I arrived.
Finding an Apartment
The apartment search in Da Nang is refreshingly straightforward compared to Bali or Chiang Mai.
Facebook groups like "Da Nang Expats" and "Digital Nomads Da Nang" have active listings. Most apartments are managed by agents who speak English and can communicate via WhatsApp.
I found my one-bedroom apartment in An Thuong for $350 per month. It was 500 meters from the beach, had a working desk, fast wifi, and a small kitchen. The building had a rooftop pool and gym.
Key tips for apartment hunting:
- Negotiate. Monthly rates are often 20-30% lower than listed
- Ask about electric bills. Some apartments include them, others don't
- Verify wifi speed before signing anything
- Check water pressure and hot water availability
- Get the owner's LINE or WhatsApp for easy communication
Internet and Coworking Spaces
My apartment wifi was 80 Mbps, which handled video calls without issues. I tested it multiple times during my stay.
For days when I wanted a change of scenery:
Enouvo Space is the most popular coworking option. Day passes are around 150,000 dong ($6). The space is well-designed with good facilities. It's in the city center, which requires a grab bike to reach from the beach area.
Toong Da Nang is another solid option with multiple locations. The vibe is more corporate but reliable.
For cafe working, the beach area has plenty of options. My favorite was a chain called The Da Nang Coffee House which had reliable wifi and comfortable seating.
Morning Routine by the Beach
My best discovery in Da Nang was how good mornings could be.
Wake at 5:45, walk to the beach for sunrise (around 6:15). The sun rises over the Marble Mountains, which makes the beach walk incredibly scenic. Swim in the warm South China Sea, then grab breakfast from a street vendor.
By 8:30, I was at a cafe starting work. The mornings felt complete in a way that working from an apartment never does.
Favorite Cafes in Da Nang
Da Nang's cafe scene is excellent and different from Thailand's.
Mot is a must-visit. It's designed beautifully and the coffee is outstanding. Gets busy on weekends but usually fine on weekdays.
42 Coffee Lab is my recommendation for work. Good wifi, comfortable chairs, and staff who don't mind laptop workers.
88 MP Coffee is a local favorite near My Khe. No pretension, cheap prices, and genuinely good Vietnamese coffee.
Order Vietnamese iced coffee (ca phe sua da) wherever you go. It's delicious and usually costs less than $1.50.
The Real Cost of Living
My monthly breakdown:
- Apartment: $350 (including electric)
- Food: $250 (mix of local and occasional nice restaurants)
- Cafe work: $60 (2-3 coffees per workday)
- Transportation: $30 (Grab bikes)
- Entertainment: $80 (massage, occasional activities)
- SIM data: $15
This was a comfortable month with no real budget constraints. Eating exclusively at cheap local spots could reduce this to $600.
Final Thoughts After 30 Days
Da Nang surprised me. I expected to pass through quickly and instead found a place where I could imagine staying for months.
The combination of affordable living, beautiful beaches, reliable infrastructure, and genuinely friendly locals makes it ideal for remote work. It's not as established as Chiang Mai or Bali, but that's part of its appeal.
My only frustration was the language barrier. English is less common here than in Thailand. Learning a few Vietnamese phrases helps significantly, and Google Translate became my constant companion.
Would I return? Already planning to.
