Living and Working Remotely in Da Nang, Vietnam
Cafes, Community, Beaches & More
Da Nang is currently Asia’s best-kept secret for digital nomads. It has not gained the popularity of other cities in Asia such as Chiang Mai or Bali, so the vibe in the city remains quite local and very affordable, but its budding nomad community offers plenty of chances to connect with others!
Overview
When to Visit
Since Da Nang is located in the center of Vietnam, the best time to visit for prime beach time is from February to August, with the summer months of June, July, and August being the hottest. In September the rainy season starts, and while it can still be enjoyable, you won’t see as many sunny days.
Sim Cards
The internet provider with the best rates and coverage across Vietnam, in my experience, is Viettel. You can easily purchase a Viettel card with rates running from 220k dong for a month of data.
Cost of Living
One of the most attractive things about Da Nang is its affordable cost of living to incredible quality of life ratio. At the time of writing, I am renting a 40 square meter apartment that is around 7 minutes walking to the main beach (includes kitchen, washing machine, couch, and bedroom with queen sized bed) for $500 USD per month. Coffee costs around $1.00-$3.00, depending on how fancy you want to get; smoothies for $0.75. My food bills average between $1.50 and $5.00 (or more if you want to eat somewhere a bit fancier).
Choosing Which Neighbourhood to Stay In
Da Nang is a relatively small city, so when you come, as long as you’re staying on the East side of the river (the side closer to the beach), you should be good! That said, the main tourist area is called My An, but Phuoc My also sees a lot of international visitors as well. In My An, you can find everything you need from the best restaurants, cafes, and massage parlours, to smoothie shops, nail salons, and proximity to the gorgeous My Khe Beach.
Sunset view from my balcony, My An
Finding Your Community
Another thing that’s great about Da Nang is the number of free meetups that are going on pretty much every day in the city. To find out about all of the events, I joined multiple WhatsApp groups for digital nomads in Da Nang. You can browse the Da Nang Digital Nomads website here and or join the WhatsApp group through this link.
My Favourite Cafes to Work From
The places on this list are my go-tos to get some solid work done in Da Nang. These cafes not only have delicious drink options (including plant milks) and good wifi, but are also laptop-friendly and provide the perfect ambience for focus and productivity.
1. DNG Coffee
This is probably my most visited cafe for work when I’m in Da Nang. It features 2 floors, with the upper floor being a quiet workspace for people to focus. Their coffee here is delicious, and their staff is super kind. While you’ll see lots of people working remotely here, I find the main floor can get quite loud and busy, so if you’re looking to focus, just head upstairs!
Lu Coffee
2. Lu Coffee
This is another great spot to focus and get some work done. It can get quite full of people on their computers during peak hours, but I have always been able to find a spot.
3. About Us Cafe
This cafe offers the choice of two floors to get your work done, with the second floor being my usual choice. Their menu features a series of many different kinds of matcha drinks, as well as strong coffee. The staff here, like most places you’ll visit in Vietnam, are so kind.
4. My Forest Coffee
Location:
This is a teeny tiny cafe in the heart of An Thuong, and I only work here when my special seat is available (the one right by the window at the front!) Even though it’s small, I come here because it;s one of my favourites coffees in the city, something about the way they make it is just so delicious, and at $30k dong or $1.14, it’s simply a must try. I get the iced Vietnamese coffee with added oat milk.
Soul and Savor
5. Soul & Savor - Coffee & Vegetarian Kitchen
This cafe gets a special shoutout because it is also entirely plant-based and offers both an extensive food menu as well as drinks.
This place can get a bit noisier because it is a popular lunch spot, so keep that in mind. My favourite thing about this place though is their 70s-style pit right in the middle of the cafe where you can sit and work.
Trove Tip: On Wednesdays, they host a community craft-making event from 16:30 to 18:30!
6. iVegan Supershop
iVegan is one of my favourite establishments in Da Nang. They have a beautiful patio as well as a quiet workspace on the second floor. I highly recommend their coconut coffee - it is truly to die for.
Homnay Cafe
Trove Tip: They also make the best smoothie bowls I have ever tried in my life, so if you go, I recommend trying one, as well as any of the desserts they have on display.
7. Solis Coffee, Brunch & Beer
This cafe in My An is simply stunning. With wooden furniture and plants all around, you can choose to sit outdoors and enjoy some fresh air, to go to the second floor and sit in the AC. Their whipped oat matcha latte is a must-try!
8. Hômnay Eatery & Cafe
This cafe is very aesthetic and they both a beautiful outdoor space, a second floor, and a main floor with a sourvenir shop. The drinks are delicious as well!
Where to Eat
Vietnam has so many delicious and affordable plant-based food options, it will truly blow your mind. Da Nang is home to numerous full vegan restaurants, as well as other spots with ample vegan options. I will be writing a full article on the best plant-based eats in Da Nang soon, so stay tuned for that!
After Work Activities
There are so many fun and cool things to do in and around Da Nang during your downtime; the challenge is often choosing which one! I’ve put a list here together to get you started:
Relax at a Beach Bar or Take a Stroll Down the Waterfront Promenade
This is one of my favourite activities in Da Nang. The waterfront promenade stretches the entire length of the city and you’ll see tons of people out for a stroll, a run, or a dance class. There are a plethora of beautiful beach bars lining the beach as well, such as Maia, where you can stop for a refreshing drink.
Visit The Lady Buddha
Standing at 67-meters tall, or the equivalent of a 30-floor building, it’s nearly impossible to miss seeing The Lady Buddha statue on the hills while in Da Nang. This is an easy 20-minute Grab taxo or motorbike away, and I highly recommend spending a morning there just walking around, exploring the temples and the garden are around the Lady Buddha
Take a Day Trip to Ban Na Hills
This is a popular day trip for tourists to take up into the nearby mountains around Da Nang. You can book your trip through a local agency, and this will include a visit to the famous Golden Bridge. While I myself haven’t yet been during the time of writing, I have heard it is quite a tourist-oriented experience, so don’t expect to be in the mountains all alone as there will be lots of infrastructure set up for mass tourism when you arrive.
Take a Day Trip to Hoi An
Hoi An is a lovely trip to take from Da Nang. You can easily order a Grab taxi or bike from wherever you are in the city, and it shouldn’t take you more than 30-45 minutes to arrive. Hoi An is famous for its tailoring shops, so if you want to have some custom clothes made, this is definitely your chance! Turn-around times can be as quick as same-day.
I also highly recommend checking out Mê Hội An Rooftop Coffee & Kitchen and having a drink there - it is in the Old Town and the view of Hoi An is just incredible.
Finally, if you have the time, I highly recommend spending the evening at the local circus at the Lune Center. You can find tickets to the incredible show here.
