After traveling around Europe, I stayed in Da Nang, Vietnam for about a month and a half.
In fact, I had already spent about one month there in 2023, so in total, I’ve stayed in Da Nang for around two and a half months.
Da Nang is an extremely livable city for digital nomads.
My Khe Beach, located in Da Nang, is well known for being selected by Forbes (U.S.) in 2005 as one of the “Six Most Attractive Beaches in the World.”
The beach stretches for about 7 kilometers, featuring white sand and clear blue water.
What makes Da Nang special is how resort vibes and urban convenience coexist perfectly.
This time, I decided to return because I wanted to revisit the places I went to when I first started my nomad life and reconnect with how I felt back then.
In this article, I’ll share the places I genuinely enjoyed and my recommended restaurants based on my two-and-a-half-month stay.
Where I Stayed
Both times I stayed in Da Nang, I lived near My Khe Beach.
Whenever I come to Vietnam, I want to go to the beach as much as possible on sunny days, so this area was an easy choice for me.
Da Nang International Airport is very close to the city.
By using Grab, you can reach the city center or beach areas in about 10–15 minutes.
In other words, no matter where you stay, as long as you use Grab, you can get anywhere in the city quickly and stress-free—this is one of Da Nang’s biggest advantages.
I booked long-term stays on Airbnb both times, and I was able to rent a private room for about $330 USD per month, keeping living costs very low.
This is a huge plus for long-term nomads.
Understanding Da Nang’s Areas
Da Nang can roughly be divided into the following areas:
- Red Zone
The city center of Da Nang.
Major attractions like Han Market and Dragon Bridge are concentrated here. - Blue Zone (My Khe Beach Area)
Perfect for people who want to go to the beach every day.
Many resort hotels and condominiums are located here, making it ideal for nomad stays. - Purple Zone
An area packed with restaurants and bars.
It gets especially lively at night and is great for bar hopping.
Recommended Restaurants
Bun cha Quyen’s House
You can get a bun cha set with beer for just 100,000 VND.
I loved this place so much that I went at least once every week.
They serve it with plenty of minced garlic, so be careful if you have plans where bad breath might be an issue.
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HOOK Food & Beer (230 Hồ Nghinh)
This is my go-to spot when I’m craving Thai food.
They’re open late, and beer costs around 20,000 VND per can, which is very cheap.
A reliable place when you want to grab a casual drink with friends late at night.
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Pizza and Burger by Herbal Pizza
A hidden gem where you can enjoy pizza and burgers while looking at the ocean.
One of my personal favorites.
On a sunny day:
Beach walk → pizza lunch → back home to work
This routine seriously boosts your quality of life.
There’s also a Starbucks nearby, so grabbing a takeaway coffee on the way back is a nice touch.
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Naruto Ramen
If you’re craving ramen in Da Nang, this is the place.
Simple, delicious, and perfect as a post-drinking meal.
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Around Corner Pub
This area is full of bars, making it perfect for hopping between places depending on your mood.
Nearby is Chitan Ramen Da Nang, which is lighter than Naruto Ramen.
I switched between the two depending on how I felt that day.
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Bánh Xèo Bà Dưỡng
A very local-style restaurant specializing in banh xeo.
If it’s your first time trying banh xeo, this is the safest and best choice.
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Chè Liên
If you want to try traditional Vietnamese dessert “chè,” this is the place.
Prices are extremely cheap—around 25,000 VND at most.
Perfect as dessert after eating banh xeo.
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Cộng Cà Phê (Cong Caphe)
Highlands Coffee is more famous, but Cong Caphe is also a very popular chain.
Their signature drink is hot coconut coffee.
Sweet and rich—great for taking a break during work.
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Pizza 4P’s
A high-quality pizza restaurant that originated in Vietnam and is especially popular among Japanese customers.
There’s also a location in Da Nang, and the pizza quality is consistently excellent.
Their cheese-based pizzas are particularly famous—true “4P’s quality.”
Perfect for days when you want something a bit more proper during a nomad stay.
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⚠️ Important Note
Reservations are basically required.
You can book online, but it’s best to reserve a few days in advance, as same-day or next-day reservations are often unavailable.
City Sightseeing: Around Dragon Bridge
The main sightseeing area in the city is around Dragon Bridge.
- Red area: Market (seafood available)
- Blue area: Restaurants and cafes
- There are also cruise-ship-style restaurants
Every Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 PM, there’s a show where fire and water shoot out of the dragon’s mouth.
⚠️ If you get too close, you’ll definitely get soaked
Recommended Day Trips
Bà Nà Hills
A large theme park located on a mountain outside Da Nang.
It’s famous for the Golden Bridge (the “Hands of God”).
Since arranging everything myself felt like a hassle, I booked a day tour via GetYourGuide for about $65 USD.
However, it gets very cold at the top, and I regretted not bringing a jacket—definitely bring one.
The fog was thick, so the views weren’t very photogenic lol, but there are plenty of indoor attractions, buffets, and even wine, so it’s still enjoyable.
That said, there were some downsides:
- Limited free time due to group tours
- A forced stop at a jewelry store on the way back
Conclusion:
Buying tickets yourself and going by Grab is the best option.
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Hoi An
Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage town located very close to Da Nang.
Quán Cao Lầu Thanh
You can try the local specialty cao lầu here.
It’s a mixed-noodle style dish, very filling, and absolutely delicious.
This is a must-try.
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Mót Hội An – Nước Thảo Mộc Sả Chanh
A must-stop spot in Hoi An, famous for its lemongrass herbal tea.
There’s always a long line, and when I went, there were bees (maybe?) flying around, which honestly made me pretty nervous.
The drink is lightly sweet and perfect during a hot walk around town.
It costs around 20,000 VND, so it’s easy to try.
It’s incredibly refreshing when you’re tired from sightseeing.
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Sightseeing in Hoi An
Hoi An once thrived as a major hub for Red Seal Ship trade.
The Japanese Covered Bridge (Lai Vien Kieu) even appears on the back of the 20,000 VND bill.
To visit the main attractions, you need to buy an entrance ticket in advance.
One ticket allows entry to five sites.
The most memorable spots for me were:
- Japanese Covered Bridge
- Tan Ky Old House
- Museum of Trade Ceramics
At Tan Ky House, you can see marks on the pillars showing how high floodwaters reached—quite shocking.
At night, the night market opens, offering activities like lantern floating and river boat rides.
⚠️ It might feel a bit lonely if you’re traveling alone
At the night market, you’ll also find street food like frog skewers and rice paper pizza, perfect for fans of B-grade local food.
Conclusion: Da Nang Is the “Just Right” Nomad City
Da Nang offers:
- Low living costs
- Easy access between beach and city
- Stress-free transportation with Grab
- Delicious and affordable food
- Day-trip-friendly tourist spots
Because of this balance, Da Nang is a city I can confidently recommend to both nomad beginners and long-term stayers.
It’s not flashy, but it excels at being comfortable and livable.
Someday, when I need to reset my work-life rhythm,
I feel like I’ll naturally find myself coming back here again.
That’s what Da Nang is like for me.
