LIVING IN DA NANG AS A DIGITAL NOMAD...

is one of the best decisions we could have made for our productivity. Since settling ourselves in Da Nang, Vietnam a few months ago, we’ve reached unprecedented levels of focus and drive. We've logged a lot of teaching hours, and produced a HUGE Da Nang travel blog in the meantime.

Da Nang is awesome for long term travelers and digital nomads. There are a few coworking spaces in town, so many workable cafes, and plenty of things to do to keep you busy.

Da Nang is a rapidly changing place, the internet is good, and more expats are arriving each day. The laid back beach-city vibe is a real draw for people who aren't into the high speed life of Hanoi or Saigon and the inexpensive local foods will keep your belly full on a budget.

With the way things are headed, we're anticipating that Da Nang to become the "Chiang Mai of Vietnam" within 5 years.

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WHY DA NANG?

Central Vietnam offers the opportunity to experience a rich cultural history, new amazing foods, and new levels of culture shock.

We were surprised daily just how different Vietnam felt from other Southeast Asian countries we’ve visited.

The food options are quite healthy, the coffee is amazing, and there’s no shortage of tropical beauty to explore.

Da Nang is still a city on the rise, which is immediately evident by the wide, uncongested roads (in comparison to places like Saigon or Hanoi) and the many buildings under construction. Da Nang definitely offers a more relaxed pace of life than other Vietnamese cities.

There aren’t a ton of activities to distract you, so if you’re looking for a nice place to relax and focus on your work for a while, Da Nang is a great choice.

A SMALL BUT LIVELY EXPAT COMMUNITY

We met some lovely expats from all around the world in Da Nang. Over time they’ve built a really cool and welcoming community.

TONS OF COASTLINE TO EXPLORE BY MOTORBIKE

DaNang is famous for some of it’s amazing scenic motorbike rides close by. The SonTra peninsula is a must visit, along with the High Van Pass, best known for being featured on Top Gear.

GREAT DAY TRIPS & SIDE TRIPS CLOSE BY

The ancient city of Hoi An is just a short ride away and is a must visit. Many Digital Nomads prefer Hoi An to Da Nang. It’s just a matter of preference.

PLENTY OF GREAT CAFES TO WORK FROM

Da Nang has some of our favorite cafes in the world. There are so many options to choose from within walking distance from the beach. Vietnam is mildly obsessed with coffee and an awesome cup can be as cheap as $1. Indulge.

There are many FB groups for Da Nang Apartments, Here are a few.

Apartment for Rent in Da Nang

Room for rent- Da Nang Hoi an Expats

Da Nang Apartments and Rooms

Day 2: Visiting apartments. Put your game face on. Even if you're desperate don't let on.

Let them know you're looking at multiple apartments today and that you're just getting an idea of what's around.

Ask to see multiple units, check wifi speeds on your phone. We use an app called Speed Smart.

Day 3: Contact the apartment you liked best, and find out when you can move in. Probably today or tomorrow. Pay rent (and maybe a deposit) and move in.

We found a great little 1br apartment a 5 minute walk from the beach in My An for about $450usd/ month plus electricity.

We rented with Da Nang Beach Apartments. We've stayed for 3 months now and they've always been super kind and helpful.

AirBnB works well for shorter term stays. On our first trip to Da Nang we only had 3 weeks to spend, but we fell in love with the top floor studio apartment at Hi Da Nang Beach Hostel.

WORK & TIME ZONES IN DA NANG

Vietnam is 12 hours ahead of EST so if you’ve got video calls to NYC you’ll be starting your work day around 9pm. If your company is based anywhere in Europe, then you’ll be about 6 or 7 hours ahead. There aren’t many 24 hour coworking spaces available in Da Nang yet, so if you’re going to need to work late night be sure to have solid wifi in your apartment, or a portable wifi device that you can tether to.

COWORKING SCENE

Only a few co-working spaces have popped up so far. Da Nang is very much a city on the rise.

New high rises are being built everywhere, and each day more digital nomads are settling in to Da Nang.

Don’t be surprised to see Da Nang listed as the next Digital Nomad “hot spot”

Coworking spaces:

Enouvo Space [On the Beach Side]

The Hub Da Nang

DNC Da Nang Coworking Space

ROM CASA

CAFES IN DA NANG

As I’ve mentioned before, Vietnam is mildly obsessed with coffee.

There are coffee shops everywhere slinging quality coffee for around a dollar. Talk about heaven. No matter what your style, you’re certain to find a spot that fits your mood.

Hop around and try them all, or find your favorite and stick to it.

Check out this post for more information on How to order coffee like a local in Vietnam.

Tanh Tam Coffee and Bakery

A perfect cafe to work from, big laptop friendly tables, plenty of plugs, indoor/outdoor seating. Vietnamese coffee from 18K-25K. Gabby really loves their coffee with cacao.

Gozar Coffee

Our go to for all day crushing. Awesome working environment, air conditioning, lots of laptop friendly tables, plenty of plugs, and comfortable chairs. Espresso drinks starting at 25K.

Six On Six

A cafe with style. Espresso drinks start at 50K, we've heard their breakfast burrito is to die for. We haven't tried it yet. They have a few tables suitable for working, and available plugs.

Why Coffee

Another cafe that focuses on quality. The coffee is amazing. The working environment is great with high tables, a clean appearance, air conditioning and a friendly staff.

Gold Star Cafe

Chill, laid back, on a street corner where you can watch the world around you. The seating is not the most ideal for productivity. But their coffee makes up for it. French Press, Pour over, Latte, Siphon… Gold Star Coffee... Have it Your Way.

Wanderlust Coffee & Cocktail Bar

Chilled out cafe by day, and swanky cocktail bar by night, you can get your work day started and finished in one place. Ca phe Sua at 9 and gin and tonic after 5. (note: they stop serving coffee at 5pm so make sure you get your caffeine fix before your nightcap)

Brewman Coffee Concept

Across the river and down a quiet alley, is this delightful little cafe. It's beautiful open design puts a smile on our face. Oh wait... maybe that's the single origin coffee they serve, with tasting notes. Space is limited, and it's easy to spend hours there.

LET'S TALK FOOD

COM (RICE)

You’ll see this word on the outside of many restaurants. It can also used generically to mean food.

NOODLES

There are several different kinds of noodles around if you pay attention. Here are a few to be aware of:

• Bun- thin vermicelli noodles
• Pho- broader flat rice noodles
• Mi Quang- fatter flat rice noodles
• Banh Canh- fatter round rice noodles

THIT (MEAT)

When ordering your various dishes you’ll often have an option which kind of meat you want. The menu may not have english translations, so it helps to know these basics.

• Ga- Chicken
• Bo- Beef
• Thit Heo- Pork
• Thit Nuong- BBQ Pork
• Tom- Shrimp
• Ca- Fish
• Trung-egg

Banh Mi (Bread)| This can refer to the sandwich or just the bread itself. There are many different kinds of Banh Mi available. Each place has their own flair. We tend to order “Trung, Thit Noung” for bbq pork with egg.
 
Pho (Gai)| Pho is the dish the most foreigners are dreaming about when they come to vietnam, only to end up disappointed by how different it is from what they expected. Start with an open mind, and don’t settle with the first bowl of pho you eat. Try different places, and pay attention to the subtleties of the dish. Our favorite bowls of Pho were usually served on side streets or from carts. It might take some work to find the best ones.
 
Bun Cha| Tiny flavorful pork patties, crispy spring rolls, vermicelli rice noodles, vegetables, and a tangy sauce, need I say more?
 
Mi Quang| A central vietnam staple. This is the noodle dish that changed everything for me. Once I found a friendly cart that served this one well, I was hooked. It’s basically a bowl of comfort food consisting of big fat noodles topped with meat, herbs , and a small amount of broth.  It’s the hot pepper jam you’ve got to be on the lookout for. It’s a local specialty and it’s sure to add a delicious kick to any dish.

Mi Xao/Pho Xao| Xao means fried, Mi and Pho are just two kinds of noodles that are served this way. You’ve definitely got to try them.
 
Banh Xeo| Crispy Vietnamese pancakes. They look more like tacos and you eat them like a spring roll. This is a more hands on meal, and your chopstick skills will be tested. Here are the basics: Rice paper. Veggies. Pancake. Meatstick. Roll it up and dip it.
 
Banh Canh| Made with Cassava or Rice noodles, a gravy-like broth, some pork and sausage, and hopefully a long fried donut to dip into it.  
 
Hai San (Seafood)| Da Nang is famous for freshly caught seafood. There are tons of seafood shops along the beach selling fresh catch. You can also get some great seafood for cheap in the local markets. Go for the seafood hot pot cornucopia, of perhaps you’d prefer some tamarind crab?
 
Lao (Hot Pot)| Hot pot restaurants are very popular, and you’ll find all sorts of different ingredients.
 

Some Veggie Dishes We LOVE:

Battered Deep Fried Mushrooms

Deep Fried Tofu

Sauteed Jackfruit with Sesame

Veggie Banh Beo

Banh Cuon (fresh Spring rolls)

Bun Cha Gio Chay

(rice noodles with deep fried spring rolls)

Some Places to Get You Started:

AN'S VEGETARIAN

NHA HANG CHAY LIEN HOA

THUC DUONG BAO AN - BAO AN MACROBIOTIC

GETTING AROUND DA NANG

Uber/Grab |  The recent purchase of Uber Southeast Asia by GRAB has left no question about the top car service in the region. In Da Nang, Grab is everywhere and it's easy to hail a car or motorbike to wherever you've got to go. It also has the added option of paying cash which makes splitting the cost of a ride among friends much easier.

Motorbike |  Call us crazy, but we love riding our motorbike in Da Nang. Prepare to achieve new levels of focus, previously thought impossible. Motorbikes are certainly the primary mode of transportation around Da Nang. In preparation for future tourism, the roads are wide and relatively uncrowded. Pay close attention to the habits of Vietnamese drivers and learn the ways of the road. Traffic rarely stops at any intersection. Don’t stop in the middle of the street and don’t hit any other bikes. If you can follow these 2 rules you’ll be fine. Don’t forget to use your horn to let people know you’re there.

Taxi |  Taxis are relatively cheap and widely available. Just be sure to have them use the meter, as always.

Walking | There is plenty of walking to do around Da Nang. The city is pretty spread out especially on the beach side, where the blocks are really long. And walking along the beach can feel like being in Vegas, the buildings are further than they appear. However, if you set yourself up in a little neighborhood, you should have almost everything you need nearby.

SEASONS

Da Nang generally has a very mild climate, with relatively warm temperatures all year round. Which makes it a perfect vacation spot for many surrounding countries. The summer months (starting at the end of April) see the heaviest tourist traffic. The rainy season runs from September to February with low temperatures in the 50 to 60 range The driest month is March which is the perfect time to escape the burning season in Chiang Mai.

DA NANG WEATHER 

RELIGION

Although Vietnam's traditional folk religion inherits it's teachings from the Chinese Taoism and Confucianism, there is also a heavy Buddhist influence.

In Da Nang there is a large Lady Buddha that sits out on Son Tra peninsula. It is visible from Da Nang's coast line.

You'll find small shrines in most businesses and homes. Be respectful and try not to point your feet towards them.  

A Christian influence does exist here as well. Check out the famous Pink Cathedral in Da Nang City.

BANKS

Some ATMs will allow you to take out more cash than others. You may have to shop around a bit for which ATM’s will give you 100,000dong notes, or ones that will let you take out more than 2 million dong. We did find an HSBC ATM in town at the Vincom Center.

Largest Vietnamese Banks:

VietinBank

Agribank

Vietcombank

BIDV

Eximbank

MONEY EXCHANGE

If you come to Vietnam with international currency, you'll want to track down a Phu Loc, or gold shop, they will exchange most currencies for you with a decent exchange rate.

*You can do a google search for basic things like banks and post offices.

HEALTH CONCERNS

We are not Doctors, do not make judgements solely based on our experience and information.

Malaria |  Yes, you can get Malaria in Vietnam, however, (just as we were told when moving to Thailand) It’s not common enough in the cities, that you need to be taking Malaria medication.

If you plan on going off grid into the Vietnamese wilderness for a period of time, then you should definitely consider taking it.

Dengue Fever | This Mosquito Transmitted Disease is mostly a concern during rainy season. There is no vaccine or medication to take so carry bug spray, use it often.

Most importantly, if you get it, keep calm and Listen to our podcast about getting Dengue Fever in Bali

Air Quality | They air in Da Nang is cleaner than DN Hotspot Chiang Mai, Thailand. But be aware of burn piles and motorbike exhaust while driving around town. Luckily respiratory face masks are easy to find around town. They’re commonly worn so you don’t have to feel like a weirdo.

Drinking Water |  The locals don’t drink the tap water and neither should you.There are large water jugs (DAQUA) available for purchase for your apartment (just ask your rental office about them. They should cost around 20,000 VND.

Food Poisoning | Occasionally you might eat something that wasn’t cooked thoroughly or is a little questionable. We’ve had very few instances of this, but when we do, we just don’t eat there again and we always have charcoal pills to help with the after effects.

Dogs | Pet culture in Vietnam may be very different from what you’re used to. Most neighborhood dogs are cared for by someone or other, but they do have the freedom to roam the streets. While we’re always looking to make new doggo friends, we always make sure that the dog is friendly first. The last thing you want is to be bit by a dog, or worse case scenario, get rabies. Just be smart.

MEDICAL

For any sickness, injury, and medical concerns.

Hoan My Da Nang Hospital – Private Hospital

Family Medical Practice – Private Clinic

VINMEC DA NANG INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL

DENTAL

We took the time during our three months in Da Nang to get some dental work done. While many people travel to Thailand for Medical tourism and for dentistry specifically. We had a great experience here in Da Nang. We went into East Meets West Dental for a cleaning and to have a couple cavities filled. We hear great things about IDC Dental as well.

East Meets West Dental

IDC Dental

LIFESTYLE

CULTURE

HOLIDAYS & EVENTS

Tet - Lunar New Year (February)

Hung King’s Temple Festival (April 25)

Reunification Day (Apr 30)

International Fireworks Festival Various Dates from May-June

Dragon Boat Festival (June)

CULTURAL CUES & TRADITIONS

WARNING CULTURE SHOCK MAY OCCUR:

When traveling to a new country, it is a good idea to research the common customs.

If you’re ever feeling disrespected, confused or, angry there’s a good chance that there’s some cultural misunderstanding going on. Be aware that you are a foreigner here and that your customs and perspectives may be confusing for locals. Try not to take it personally.

HANDS & FEET

When giving someone money or an object use both hands to give and receive, or use our right hand while placing your left hand on the inside of your elbow/forearm. Try not to pass with your left hand.

Pointing or summoning someone with your finger is considered disrespectful. Use your whole hand to gesture towards something or someone, and use your whole hand pointed down to call someone over (as in a taxi)

Flipping the bird (giving someone the middle finger) translates to nothing.

But

Crossing your fingers is a derogatory gesture referring to a vagina.

Similar to traditions in Thai Buddhism it is considered disrespectful to point to something with your feet.

EATING & SHOPPING

Don’t be surprised when you’re out to dinner when you large groups of Vietnamese frequently exclaiming Mot! Hai! Ba! Do! (One! Two! Three! Drink!) If you’re asked to join the group, be prepared to cheers on almost every swig of beer.

Small table side trash cans at restaurants are for your napkins and bones, and any most other trash items. If there's no trash you'll soon realize the floor is another option.

Dual Pricing| It is common as a foreigner to be charged a higher price for something than a local. Be aware of this difference, but don’t make a big deal of it. If you are not comfortable paying the price, you can either negotiate it lower or not buy it. The cost of living in Vietnam as a foreigner is still very low.

Culture tip: For Vietnamese shop owners, the first customer of the day is believed to set the tone for the whole day of business. Try to avoid arriving at shops first thing in the morning, if you are unsure what you will purchase.

Some further reading about Vietnamese customs and etiquette

VIETNAMESE LANGUAGE

Vietnamese is a difficult language to learn, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Luckily, unlike Thai, Chinese, Japanese and many others...it uses roman letters, which means that you can learn to recognize words and phrases more easily, even if you can’t read or pronounce them properly. This makes hunting down your favorite foods a lot easier!

Here are a couple words to get you started:

xin chào (hello) sounds like: Sin-Chow

cảm ơn - Sounds like Com ung

Có - Yes

không - no

For long term visitors, we always recommend learning a bit of the language to make your life easier and to help you connect with the locals. We recommend you look at this post for some basic vietnamese travel phrases, or listen to a vietnamese language podcast!

Learn Vietnamese With Annie

Vietnamese Pod 101

North Vietnamese Survival Phrases

DON'T FORGET TO PACK

(aka things that you need or are hard to find)

Sunscreen

Bathing Suit

Sarong

Deodorant

Floss

Plug Adapter

Unlocked Smart Phone

Nail Polish Remover

RESPONSIBLE NOMADS

Practice Leave No Trace when visiting beaches and ancient sites.

Shop Local, supporting local businesses is great for boosting the economy.

Be sure to dress accordingly when visiting any spiritual sites or government offices.

NIGHTLIFE

Da Nang definitely isn’t the most poppin city in Southeast Asia (that’s part of why we like it)... but there are plenty of bars, clubs, rooftops, tapas bars, late night burger joints, and lounges to keep you entertained. A quick look at Da Nang’s SnapMap or local Instagram story will show you exactly what we mean…

A FEW CHILL SPOTS WE'VE ENJOYED

The Village | The village is an awesome beach bar where expats and locals can mingle. Enjoy a craft beer, or a tiger draft while listening to some live music, shooting pool, or bullshitting with the other locals.

Don Vi Toi AKA Minsk Bar | Make love not war. A super chill reggae bar to hang out at day or night. The staff are friendly local people and can help you find the vibe you're looking for. They have live music at least once a week. This place has a unique environment that's exactly our style. If you're lucky you might even get your ass whipped by a 7 year old at the foosball table.

Crazy Cat | This place is a gem. The day time vibe is super chill, great for meeting other expats or making friends with some of the local characters who hang out there. At night you'll find a friendly crowd and great music. You'll find whatever you need here most days. Visit the upstairs for smoking supplies or even get a tattoo!

My Casa | A bit of a walk from the My An neighborhood, it’s definitely worth it for the 2-for-1 Happy Hour. The atmosphere is laid back, the smells coming from the kitchen are divine and you really can feel like you’re hanging out in your friend’s backyard.

N Pub | Right in the Neighborhood. Npub has got the divey atmosphere we like with local art covering the walls. It’s also the home of the weekly pub quiz we’ve been attending. Check their facebook for events.

MORE THINGS TO DO IN DA NANG

Cong Ca Phe

Pink Cathedral

Board Game Cafe

Upside Down World

Han River Riverfront

Fresco Painting Village

Tea Time at Avatar Hotel

Drink & Draw at The Workshop

Lady Buddha at Son Tra Temple

Art in Paradise| Trick Eye Museum

PRICE BREAKDOWN

lo |  A 30 day visa will cost you about $25 for the stamping fee and depending on the website you go through, you'll also be charged a service fee.
3 month, 6 month, and 1 year visas are also available.

Accommodation | There is accommodation for every price range in Da Nang. You'll find 1 bedroom apartments with everything you might need for as little as $18-20 USD per night, and of course if you're looking for something a little more luxurious you'll find things in the $30-70 USD per night range.

Coworking Space |  Coworking spaces in Da Nang are a steal! 1 month Hot Desk membership at Enouvo Space will run you $80 USD. We find it more enjoyable to work with a cup of coffee (around $1-2) at the numerous cafes around the area.

Transportation | Motorbike rentals are about $3-6 per day. Ask your accommodation to set you up with a rental, they usually have a rental shop that they work with. You can probably get An even better deal if you rent weekly or monthly.

Grab or taxi's won't cost you much either, just make sure they use the meter.

ABOUT LOCAL NOMADS

We're Gabby and Adam. Welcome to Local Nomads!

We started Local Nomads for the radical, free spirited, adventure seeking individuals who desire a life outside of traditional norms.
Our mission is to prove that anyone (even you) can live a rewarding life of long term travel.

We offer strategies and tips to get you started, and help you out no matter what kind of journey you’re on.

Whether you’re looking into your first Seasonal Job in Alaska...

or deciding which international city to remotely work from next.

THE MORE YOU KNOW...