Spending three months in Da Nang gave us the kind of perspective you only get by slowing down—settling into local routines, finding favorite food spots, and realizing how quickly a place can start to feel like home. Interestingly, we arrived in early September, technically the start of the rainy season, but the first six weeks surprised us with blue skies, calm seas, and perfect beach days. By the end, it no longer felt like travel—it felt like living.
Table of Contents
- Where We Stayed
- Daily Life & Costs
- Morning Routine & Local Life
- Weather Reality: Rainy Season
- Transportation & Getting Around
- Internet & Connectivity
- Our Local Favorites
- Grocery Shopping
- Short Getaway to Hanoi
- Hoi An Before the Floods
- Ba Na Hills & Local Landmarks
- Healthcare (What We Learned, Not Used)
- Visa & Arrival
- Accommodation Costs
- Tips for First-Timers
- Final Thoughts
(The links will automatically jump to the sections if you use the corresponding headings below.)
Where We Stayed
We based ourselves in the Son Tra area in an Airbnb—quiet, local, and far removed from the busier, more touristy An Thuong zone. This setup was perfect for a longer stay, with a washer and dryer and everything we needed within walking distance.
The neighborhood is very walkable, with about four mini-marts within a 7-minute radius and a store selling Western-branded groceries and candy. Most importantly, we never felt unsafe—not in Son Tra or anywhere else in the city.
Daily Life & Costs
Everything in Da Nang is incredibly affordable.
- Meals for two: typically $10–$20 including drinks
- Small meals: wonton soup, fried rice, chicken + bottled water = $4.17 total
- Grab rides: consistently cheap
- Groceries & prescriptions: surprisingly low
- Prescription glasses: excellent quality at a fraction of Western prices
On top of that, we experienced no construction noise or late-night karaoke—none of the annoyances we had been warned about.
Morning Routine & Local Life
Most mornings started early:
- Down at the beach by 6am, where locals were already walking and exercising
- A neighborhood walk afterward
- Breakfast of pho, banh mi, or an iced coconut coffee
Our go-to coffee spots included:
- Woods Coffee (Son Tra)
- Phin Cu Coffee (Son Tra)
- Út Tịch Café (city side)
A favorite local find was Banh Mi Chao, where 2 banh mi + 3 iced coffees cost 136,000 VND (~$5.15 USD).
The beach we visited daily was Bãi tắm Phạm Văn Đồng, just a 10-minute walk north of My Khe. It was quieter and more local than the famous strip—exactly our pace.
Weather Reality: Rainy Season
Following two typhoons that passed close to Da Nang, the weather shifted and rainy season fully kicked in. While rain sometimes lasted multiple days and limited beach time, it didn’t disrupt our daily life. Some of those days became productive work sessions for YouTube and website updates, while others we simply put on plastic raincoats and carried on.
Transportation & Getting Around
Grab rides were incredibly easy to book—so fast that we’d only request a ride once outside; otherwise, the driver would likely arrive before we were even out of the elevator.
Crossing the street, however, takes practice. Crosswalks are more of a suggestion, and vehicles flow around you rather than stop for you. It sounds intimidating at first, but you get better with time.
Some pavements are uneven in certain areas, so watching your step prevents rolled ankles.
Internet & Connectivity
We never had internet issues:
- Fast Wi-Fi in the apartment
- Strong mobile data throughout the city
We used Airalo’s Asia Regional eSIM: $13 for 3GB or $20 for 5GB (30 days). It was reliable everywhere we went.
Google Translate helped occasionally, though many locals spoke English.
Our Local Favorites
Son Tra quickly became our comfort zone:
- Nhà An – our most-visited spot for Vietnamese + vegan dishes
- GUPGO BBQ HOUSE – honorable mention
- Bếp Cuốn Đà Nẵng (My Khe) – another standout
A uniquely Vietnamese memory: the bánh bao motorbike vendors calling out:
“Bánh bao đây! Bánh bao nóng đây!”
Fresh steamed buns for 10,000–15,000 VND (~$0.40–$0.60 USD)—Vietnam’s version of an ice-cream truck.
Grocery Shopping
We mixed it up:
- Lotte Supermarket for essentials
- Con Market, Han Market, and night markets for local finds
- Motorbike fruit vendors for convenience
Overall, everything was nearby, fresh, and affordable.
Short Getaway to Hanoi
We flew economy on Vietnam Airlines and stayed at the InterContinental Landmark 72 using IHG points.
For $35 extra per night, we upgraded to a Junior Suite with Lounge access, which was well worth it.
A few notes:
- Hotel is 30 minutes from the Old Quarter, which may not suit everyone
- Plenty of Old Quarter hotel options exist for those who prioritize location over views
Before leaving early due to an approaching typhoon, we visited:
- Hidden Gem Café – quirky and fun
- B52 Victory Museum – sobering and memorable
- Train Street – easily the highlight
We had an extra day planned, but the weather forced a change of plans.
Hoi An Before the Floods
We spent four beautiful days in Hoi An celebrating our wedding anniversary—just before devastating floods hit.
Highlights:
- Morning Glory Restaurant
- Endless coffee and bánh mì options
- Slow, magical evenings without rushing
Ba Na Hills & Local Landmarks
We spent a day at Ba Na Hills—touristy but fun for a first visit.
And if you’re in Da Nang, Linh Ứng Pagoda (Lady Buddha) is a must-see.
Healthcare (What We Learned, Not Used)
We didn’t need medical services, but locals and expats spoke highly of:
- Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital
- Hoan My Da Nang Hospital
Feedback from those who used them was consistently positive.
Visa & Arrival
You’ll need to apply for a visa before arriving in Vietnam:
- Apply about two weeks in advance
- Processing typically takes 4–5 business days
Immigration was straightforward for us.
Accommodation Costs
Long-term rentals vary widely:
- $250/month → $2,000+, depending on neighborhood, timing, and amenities
Son Tra offers excellent value without feeling isolated.
Tips for First-Timers
- Comfortable sneakers
- Plastic raincoat
- Mosquito repellent
- Sun hat
- Debit card with no foreign transaction fees (e.g., Charles Schwab)
- VPN on phone and laptop
- Google Translate
- Crosswalks are optional
- Don’t worry about internet—Da Nang is solid
We kept saying we’d try Grab scooters—never did. Next time!
Final Thoughts
Three months flew by faster than expected. Da Nang became familiar—faces at cafés, the rhythm of the beach at sunrise, and the daily soundtrack of bánh bao vendors.
We miss the people, the landscape, and the easy pace of life, and we’re already planning to return—for longer next time.
We’ve also shared our experience in two YouTube videos on Da Nang, plus one each for Hoi An and Hanoi, for anyone who wants a closer look.