QUICK SUMMARY- COST OF LIVING IN DA NANG, VIETNAM
Da Nang, Vietnam, checked all the boxes for my husband and me. After living in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) for a year, we decided to give life at the beach a go, and I'm so happy we did. I'm not a city person, but I did fall in love with the organized chaos that makes up day-to-day life in HCMC. Regardless of how I felt about that buzzing city, I took the opportunity and ran with it the moment my husband mentioned he'd be interested in moving to the coast.
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I've been living abroad since January 2013 and met my now-husband in 2016 while working in San Blas, Panama. Solo, I've spent considerable time throughout Latin America and, as a couple, we lived a year in Seoul, three in Vietnam, and are now digital nomads in Europe
Our guest, Kat, shares her cost of living report as an American expat living in Da Nang, Vietnam
The currency in Vietnam is the Dong, but in this article, I'll refer to it as VND (Vietnamese Dong). When living in Da Nang, the exchange rate was roughly 22,000 VND = $1 USD. To cut down on zeros, they use K to symbolize a thousand. For example, 22,000 VND = 22k VND.
How To Find The Cheapest Flights To Da Nang
Living In Da Nang, Vietnam An American Expat
We fell into a happy and fun groove while living in Da Nang. It's a beautiful city, surrounded by an incredible coastline with gorgeous beaches to the east, lush rolling hills to the west, the picturesque beach town, Hoi An, to the south, and the culinary capital of Hue to the north. We couldn't ask for a better location to call home.
Is Da Nang a good place to live for expats?
Everywhere we visit, we ask ourselves, "Could we live here?" The answer to that question in Da Nang wasn't complicated; it was a simple, wholehearted "yes." The quality of life we experienced living in Da Nang has raised the bar incredibly for other places around the world.
Da Nang is the 3rd largest city in Vietnam, just behind HCMC and Hanoi, but even with one million residents, it feels much, much smaller. It has a less chaotic pace of life and a small-town beach vibe, but given its size, it has the amenities of a major city. Combine that lifestyle with the low cost of living, and you have yourself a winner!
Working As An American Expat In Da Nang
One of the reasons we initially chose to move to HCMC instead of going directly to Da Nang was for work. At the time, I was looking for a job teaching English, and HCMC typically has the most opportunities at English schools.
To get legally hired as an English teacher in Vietnam, you need to:
- Be a native English speaker
- Have a Bachelor's degree in any subject
- Have a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate.
I quickly landed a good-paying job that sponsored my work visa, but given an ankle injury that led to surgery, the job didn't last more than half a year. If you're interested in teaching English in Vietnam, know that if you legally get a job at an international school, your salary should be plenty to live comfortably.
Even working full-time, expats have plenty of time to enjoy Da Nang's world-class beaches.
INSIDER TIP : Life in Danang if you don't like beaches- Check out Da Nang's riverfront promenade if sand and waves don't excite you. Strolling the riverbank is beautiful at night when all the lights pop, the bridge's colors shine, and the dragon breathes fire into the dark night sky, with the green mountains silhouetted in the background.
The promenade extends along the Han River for the entire city center. You'll find a Ferris wheel, an amusement park, and plenty of delicious food options: cheap street food vendors, restaurants specializing in Central Coast-style cuisine, traditional food markets, and Vietnamese coffee shops.
Additionally, Danang has two golf courses (BRG Danang Golf Resort and Montgomerie Links Vietnam) right across the street from each other, so if you're looking for some exercise, that's an option as well.
And finally, beer is very cheap in Danang, so it's easy to socialize with friends! There are many bia hoi's, similar to an open-air beer garden, throughout town where you can enjoy a cold drink, tasty Vietnamese food, and some good company.
Is Da Nang A Good Place For Digital Nomads?
If you're a digital nomad like me, you'll be happy to hear that Da Nang is a fantastic place for remote work. Unlike in other cities in Vietnam, where there are a lot of corporate expats and foreigners working in other industries, most people in Da Nang are teachers or work online.
Da Nang has plenty of top-notch services to offer remote workers, so you'll be able to work from comfort easily here. The internet is pretty stable, so for the most part, you can work from Wi-Fi from your apartment, a coworking space, or a nearby coffee shop.
If your WiFi isn't fast enough, you can buy a local SIM card with data to a hotspot when needed. Cell data plans are cheap in Vietnam, and you can buy a SIM card upon arriving at the airport. You can top up monthly online or at any small grocery store.
INSIDER TIP : Coworking Spaces In Da Nang- There are cafes and co-working spaces throughout Da Nang, from the city center to the beachside, where you can find a comfortable workplace. If you prefer a beach view, head to An Bang, the beach outside of nearby Hoi An, for great workspaces with a sea view.
Now that you know why and how we ended up in Da Nang let's dive into why you're here; to get a real world cost of living in Da Nang, Vietnam.
Monthly Budget In Da Nang Vietnam
How much should an expat couple budget to live in Da Nang?
Our monthly cost of living for two people ranged from $925 USD to $1250 USD. The significant range in this number is due to the price of our accommodation.
Our budget breakdown living in our first apartment:
- $600 USD in rent
- $25-50 USD in utilities
- $300 USD in groceries
- $100 USD in eating out
- $100-200 USD in fun
However, in our second and third apartments, we paid only $400 in rent, so our cost of living dropped by $200 monthly. Keep in mind this price is for a couple; you can expect your range to be less if you're single or more if you're accounting for a family.
An attractive thing about living in Da Nang is that you can make it as cheap or as luxurious as you'd like. You could easily cut back on food costs, eat more at local spots, and not spend so much cooking unique recipes. On the other hand, you could spend far more and treat yourself to a weekly spa treatment and get all of your clothes tailormade.
Regardless of how much you spend, with Da Nang's beautiful scenery, friendly Vietnamese people, and delicious cheap street food, you can expect an excellent quality of life whether you want to splurge or save.
How Does The Cost of Living In Da Nang Compare To The US?
The lower cost of living in Da Nang can save you over $37,000 a year compared to a medium-cost city in the US (Portland).
Look at the cost of living comparison below representing the Top 4 essential expenses in the US: housing, food, transportation, and healthcare. These 4 expenses make up 68% of the average living costs in a major city.
Essential Living Costs | US- Portland | VN- Da Nang |
|---|---|---|
HOUSING | $1,245 | $412 |
FOOD | $299 | $241 |
TRANSPORTATION | $828 | $97 |
HEALTHCARE | $370 | $60 |
Total Average Per Month | $2,742 | $810 |
Save 70% on Major Monthly Expenses
HOW DOES THE COST OF LIVING IN DANANG VIET NAM COMPARE TO OTHER CITIES?
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Apartment Cost In Da Nang
Housing Costs
$412
Our first apartment was a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment just 10 minutes from the beach. That 2-bedroom apartment cost us $600 USD per month. That included water and internet, but we paid around $50 USD monthly for electricity. This is an average bill, with the temperature outside directly affecting our air-con use.
Our second apartment was a cheaper option in the same building but was a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment. That 1-bedroom apartment was $400 USD/month, with slightly less for electricity.
Our third apartment was a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment on the Han River with a roof-top infinity pool. That one was brand new and should have cost more, but during the pandemic, with borders closed, we could also snag this 2-bedroom flat for $400 USD/month, as well.
All three of these apartments were nice, spacious, and had balconies. In general, they were among the upper-middle-tier apartments you could get. We easily could have lived in more luxurious places, but we also could have lived in less. However, we got far more bang for our buck than friends who opted to live in An Thuong.
Choosing where to live in Da Nang
The city itself is divided in two by the Han River. You'll hear these two halves of the town talked about as the beachside and city side. Simple enough. The city side is where most Vietnamese people live, where most businesses are based, and where the international airport is located. The beachside is far more touristic and home to the expat area, An Thuong.
The differences between the two sides of the city are palpable. They have completely different feels, things to do, and scenery. This is another thing I loved about Da Nang. While we chose to live on the beachside, I loved that just by crossing one of the many bridges over the Han River, including a Dragon Bridge that actually breathes fire at night, it felt like you were much farther than just 10 minutes away.
Regardless of where you are in Da Nang, no two points are more than 15 minutes from each other, making it easily accessible to enjoy all that Da Nang offers quickly and easily.
10 bridges, including the famed fire-breathing Dragon Bridge, cross the Han River into Da Nang City Center
Both sides of the city have great restaurants and bars, but Da Nang lacks HCMC's nightlife. As I prefer a bar to a club any day, I was happy with the lowkey scene in Da Nang, but if you're more of a party person, you might prefer living as an expat in Ho Chi Minh City more.
You can quickly grab a bottled beer for around 22k or a bia hoi, locally brewed beer served in pitchers, for closer to 10k. While more common in the north, this local beer is a standard menu item in seafood restaurants throughout Da Nang. It most likely won't be an option at a bar. A cocktail will run you closer to 100k.
What Is The Best Neighborhood For Expats To Live In Da Nang?
As I mentioned, most expats choose to live on the beachside of the city, with an overwhelming amount residing in the small area of An Thuong. An Thuong is a cluster of streets just a few blocks from the beach full of international restaurants, organic food cafes, expat-owned bars, and grocery stores where you're more likely to get a taste of home.
However, there are many great neighborhoods in Da Nang to choose from, depending on your lifestyle and interests. Hai Chau is an excellent option if you're looking for a bustling district with plenty of activities and major attractions nearby. The Da Nang Gothic Cathedral and Han Market are located close by, as well as lots of other places worth checking out.
Hoa Cuong Bac is a perfect neighborhood for expats with kids. This area is as family-friendly as it gets, with roller coasters, rides, and the giant Ferris wheel of the Sun World Da Nang Wonders theme park, and the Helio Center offers kids space to roam with games and play areas.
An Thuong, Da Nang's expat neighborhood, is a 15-minute walk to the Top Rated My Khe Beach.
INSIDER TIP : Local vs. Expat Neighborhoods- Personally, I never choose to live in expat neighborhoods when picking accommodation abroad. I've moved to the country on purpose, for more than just a lower cost of living, so I would prefer to live among locals. It's also a strategic advantage for those wanting to save a bit more money. In general, expat areas will cost more than local areas of Vietnamese cities.
How to find cheap housing in Da Nang?
With some prep and research, finding an affordable place to stay in Da Nang is easy. First, rent an Airbnb for a week when you first move to Da Nang. Next, check out the different expat and local neighborhoods. Starting with Airbnb gives you the flexibility to move when your ideal location.
Here are a few tips on how to find the best accommodation for you:
INSIDER TIP : Apartment Hunting In Da Nang- We lived in three different apartments during our 2 years in Da Nang. Two times we moved, we got help with the search from local real estate agents we found on Facebook. This service is free for you and will instead be paid by the landlord when you sign a lease.
Other Tips When Renting An Apartment In Da Nang
- Make sure you're renting a property that covers all of your needs like utilities and internet; otherwise, getting the utilities and internet service installed in your name can be a hassle. It's easier to look for move-in-ready places.
- It's common for apartment rental prices to cover all utilities except electricity. Landlords exclude electricity and charge the cost of power to the renter to avoid abuse of air conditioning.
- When signing up for your accommodation, ask for a contract and receipt, so there's no confusion or misunderstanding at check-in time. Also, take pictures or a video of your accommodation before moving in to avoid any issues getting your full deposit back.
INSIDER TIP :
New Housing Construction In Da Nang- For the digital nomad crowd, expats teaching English online, or anyone needing quiet space, know there is heavy construction currently in Da Nang. Especially areas around the beach are heavily affected by the construction noise. Additionally, if you view a potential apartment after regular working hours, be aware that many landlords are remodeling flats in existing buildings. You may not realize you are moving next door to a noisy renovation.
EXPATS NEED TO BE ON ALERT FOR POTENTIAL NOISE WHEN LOOKING FOR ACCOMMODATION. Do your research and ask lots of questions before signing a long-term contract or agreement.
Food Prices In Da Nang
Food Costs
$241
My husband and I both enjoy cooking. We shopped for fresh fruits and veggies at the local markets and went to big grocery stores for everything else. A good hack to get lower prices at the local markets is to find a vendor or two you like and go back to them week after week. They'll quickly differentiate between you and tourists and realize you're in for the long haul, rather than just in town for a few days. We limited shopping at international markets to only things we couldn't find elsewhere to make a recipe.
INSIDER TIP : Bargaining Food Prices In Da Nang- Locals love to bargain, especially at My An Market and Han Market. Be prepared before going shopping for food in Da Nang. Get preliminary knowledge of how much Vietnamese food typically costs before hitting the markets.
However, in my experience, the "foreigner tax" isn't too high in Da Nang. I don't bargain too hard here. Most locals don't earn much here; me paying an additional $0.50 cents for my mangos means much more to them than me. Following Kat's advice above and consistently visiting the same market stand is a better food hack than low-balling a hard-working local vendor.
Grocery Shopping In Da Nang
On average, we cooked 75% of our meals and spent about $300 USD on groceries each month. We made our grocery lists based on recipes and meal prepped but still cooked unique things and didn't eat plain noodles or rice each meal.
Street Food In Da Nang
When eating out, we primarily ate cheap street food instead of dining at restaurants. That was less of a budget hack and more because we absolutely love the street food in Vietnam. So while it helped us cut down on our cost of living, we enjoyed every scrumptious minute.
For breakfast, we'd typically eat a banh mi op la, or a fried egg sandwich, with a juice or coffee. Depending on which street vendor we sought out that day, that meal would cost around 30k each.
How much does it cost to eat out in Da Nang?
Basic Meal $1.50- There were a variety of meals we enjoyed, but my absolute favorite is mi quang, a thick noodle soup with a protein topping (my favorite is fish). A big bowl of mi quang is about 30k, too.
Mid-Range Restaurant $2.50- While we ate more at home or at little stands on the sidewalk, the restaurants in Da Nang were cheap, delicious, and plentiful. Unless you went to one of the really high-end places, you could get away with a filling 3-course set lunch for $4.25 / 100,000 with a fresh spring roll appetizer, main chicken dish, and a sticky rice and mango dessert. Not that hungry? The lemongrass chicken and kafir lime leaf grilled chicken you see below is only $2.50.
Expensive Restaurant $25- As in most expat cities, the sky is the limit on how much you can spend on a high-end meal. However, Da Nang has many affordable splurge-worthy restaurants, including all-you-can-eat seafood buffets that don't break the bank. That was especially true if you ate at a Vietnamese restaurant. An international restaurant might cost you more, especially if you add drinks to your order.
Mi Quang $1.50- Hand-cut noodles with chicken in a bit of turmeric broth
Mid-Range Restaurant $2.50- Grilled Lemongrass Chicken
Splurge Meal $25- All-You-Can-Eat Seafood Buffet
Entertainment Budget In Da nang
Entertainment and Sports
$88
After work, we'd head to the beach for sunset or spend our night at a local bar to meet up with friends. The beach is free entertainment, while a drink at a bar could cost as little as $1 USD a beer.
While it was easy to treat ourselves at a swanky bar in the cityside from time to time, most bars were so cheap you didn't have to try to save money unless you're a picky drinker.
Most bars jammed live music, so you'd be getting some tunes along with your drinks.
While living in Da Nang, we enjoyed a variety of other fun things to do. From surfing during the wet season to boxing year-round, there are plenty of sports and exercise options in Da Nang.
INSIDER TIP : Coffee drinkers rejoice - Vietnam is a dream destination! This country loves cafes more than anywhere I've ever been. Here, you'll be rewarded with coffee that bleeds caffeine directly into your veins. I mean it; baristas here make it stronger than anywhere else. They also have a wide variety of coffee-based drinks to keep you fueled, from ones with condensed milk as the most mundane to avocado, egg, or coconut coffee on the other end of the spectrum.
INSIDER TIP : Motorbike Roadtrips- Another of my favorite activities was hopping on my motorbike and going for a drive. My friends and I loved searching for waterfalls up in the hills. With so many to choose from, there are plenty of great swimming spots just a drive and a hike away. The mountain water is also chilly, which helps to beat the Vietnamese heat.
Transportation Cost In Da Nang
Transportation
$97
Like anywhere in Vietnam, you have two main options when getting around Da Nang: driving yourself or getting a taxi.
If you choose not to drive, you'll still be able to get around the city freely, but you will find it harder to get to more remote places like the heart of Son Tra Peninsula, Monkey Mountain, or random waterfalls. If that doesn't interest you as it does me, other transportation options will be perfect for you.
Da Nang Public transport system consists of 11 bus routes.
International Flights
Da Nang International Airport (DAD) is Vietnam's 3rd largest airport. There are 24 international flights servicing 9 countries.
You'll find cheap flights to Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia for as low as $40 using low-cost carriers Viet Jet and Air Asia.
Airport Pick Up- Avoid the stress and hassle of finding a taxi in a strange country. Get a safe airport pickup with no hidden costs.
Other Costs When Moving To Da Nang
How Much Does Health Care cost In Da Nang?
Healthcare
$60
When I worked at the school, I was provided health insurance as part of my job package. After that, I purchased travel insurance.
However, Out of Pocket health care costs in Vietnam are much more affordable than in the US. For example, an at-home doctor visit (yes, they make house calls) costs $15, and a general teeth cleaning can cost less than $8.
How is the healthcare in Da Nang for expats?
Expats can find quality, affordable healthcare in Da Nang, though most expats recommend traveling to private hospitals in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City for severe medical conditions. There are two highly regarded medical facilities used by expats living in Da Nang for anything not life-threatening.
- Da Nang Family Medical Practice is a well-known clinic with branches in Hanoi and Saigon.
- Vinmec International Hospital is a high-quality private hospital with emergency services and in-patient care.
Both facilities hire foreign doctors from Korea, France, and the United States and have Vietnamese doctors who have trained internationally.
American expats needing medical care while living in Da Nang prefer either of these international private hospitals as options over Da Nang's public hospitals, as the language barrier is less of an issue.
East Meets West Dental Center, IDC, and Serenity International Dental also provide international-quality dental care at a fraction of the cost in the US.
Will My Home Country Health Insurance Cover Me?
Most likely no. Most health insurance will not cover you for any injuries sustained outside your home country. To get protection while living abroad, there are two options:
- Travel Health Insurance- This will cover you for unexpected medical issues while overseas. However, the coverage requires you to maintain insurance in the United States or your respective home country. I pay roughly $50 per month for complete coverage with no deductible.
- Expat Medical Insurance- If you retire abroad, expat health insurance is a more complete option. Expat Medical Insurance is the "normal" insurance you are familiar with from home. Coverage is built for people who live in a country versus traveling. While more expensive than Travel Medical Insurance, premiums are still cheaper than in the US.
Will Living In Da Nang Make Me A Tax Resident?
If you answer "Yes" to one of the following criteria, you may be liable for Vietnam income tax:
- Living in Vietnam for more than 183 days in the calendar year or 12 consecutive months from the date of arrival.
- Having a permanent address or registered residence in Vietnam
- Renting a house or apartment with a lease term of more than 183 days in a tax year
- If you are unable to prove tax residence in another country.
If you don't meet any of the above conditions, you are likely considered tax non-residents in Vietnam.
Will I Have To Pay US Taxes Living In Vietnam?
The United States and Vietnam have a double taxation agreement. Taxes paid to Vietnam by US citizens may be deducted from US tax returns. Check with a tax professional for more information.
What Are The Visa Requirements For Vietnam?
Work Visa Options For Expats
We had already fallen in love with living in Vietnam and had no intentions of leaving. My Colombian husband, who has been working remotely since the day we met, had already figured out how to navigate the visa process without a job, so we decided I'd switch to working remotely, too. At that time, he was doing visa runs every 3 months to renew his tourist visa. I had it more manageable as an American citizen, and thanks to the connection with my old job, I received a year visa, even unemployed.
Do note that these visa requirements are from a time before COVID. The pandemic changed a lot in Vietnam, and they're still finding their stride again in the post-pandemic world.
INSIDER TIP : Vietnam Tourist Visa Updates As Of July 2022- Only three tourist visas are available:
- Americans and citizens of 80 other countries qualify for e-visas. E-Visas are only valid for a maximum stay of 30-days. Additionally, these visas are only available on the OFFICIAL Vietnam Immigration website.
- UK citizens and passport holders of 25 other countries have visa-on-arrival privileges.
- (NOT RECOMMENDED) Citizens from countries not on either list above can apply for a visa ONLY if purchasing a planned group tour using an expensive authorized tour agent. You are not allowed to travel outside of your tour group.
Tourist visas are not extendable and are non-renewable. Visa runs are required to stay longer than your initial visa dates.
Outside of the evisa, visa-on-arrival, and tour group visa, your only visa options as a foreigner are marriage to a Vietnamese national or a formal documented Vietnamese employment contract.
Is Da Nang A Good Place To Retire?
No, I don't recommend retirement in Da Nang under the current Vietnam visa rules. Without a long-term visa option, expat retirees must leave the country every 30-days. These monthly visa runs make living in Da Nang long-term too much hassle for retirement.
I've been testing out retirement life in Hoi An since April 2022. With three visa runs in three months, I have lots of experience dealing with this hassle. I cannot recommend retirement in Vietnam under current conditions.
The lack of a proper Vietnam retirement visa is unfortunate, as expat life in Vietnam is a cheaper option than in nearby Thailand or the Philippines.
Vietnam ticks all the boxes of an ideal host country for retirement. Expat retirees can stretch their social security and pension income easily here. But it isn't just cheap prices that are appealing. The low cost of living plays a part, but Vietnam also offers a high quality of life, delicious food, low violent crime, and beautiful scenery.
When the Vietnam government decides to reinstate the one-year visa for Americans or introduce a proper retirement visa or even a digital nomad visa, in that case, I'll be back for a long-term stay.
Compare Cost Of Living In DA NANG, VIETNAM
Still researching the best cities for retirement? Check out our extensive Cost of Living collection for the best expat destinations. Get insider information and real examples of expat life from people who have spent years living abroad. I've compiled all the information you need: cost breakdowns, insider tips to save money, and detailed examples of the quality of lifestyle you can enjoy.
Final Thoughts: Expat Life in Da Nang
We lived a relatively simple life in Da Nang, but that doesn't mean we lacked anything. Given the low cost of living, we could treat ourselves to affordable luxuries I would never have imagined, like getting a foot massage on a whim or getting my bathing suits all tailormade.
FAQs: Expat Cost of Living In Da Nang
An Thuong is the hub of expat life in Da Nang, with dozens of restaurants, shops, and other businesses catering to a mostly foreign clientele. If you prefer life on the beach, My An is ideal for younger expats and digital nomads with international bistros and cafes in the heart of My Khe beach.
And if you need any shopping done, the Vincom Center Mall is only a 5-minute motorbike away from restaurants, a movie theater, ice-skating rink, and shopping for everything you could possibly want.
Da Nang's entire beach is open to the public but remarkably uncrowded. In most SE Asian countries, skin tone denotes social status. Most Vietnamese obsessively avoid getting a tan. This means nearby beaches here are remarkably uncrowded for most of the day.
Some locals will cool off in the water late in the afternoon, but not till the sun's intensity dips. You'll also get more people later in the evening checking out the assortment of seafood restaurants that stretch along the beach.
While Hanoi and Saigon get most of the expats and tourists, the cost of living in Da Nang is much cheaper than in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Expats will save significantly on rental expenses, where rents in Da Nang are 15% lower than in Hanoi and up to 40% cheaper than HCMC.
EXPAT INSIGHTS
I have traveled to over 45 countries to give you the best ways to save, invest, and live overseas for less cost than in the US. After five years of traveling, my list of places to live keeps getting longer. I partner with experts from the expat community to give you more information on the best places to live abroad.
You want insider information from people with feet in the street? I only work with expats with real-life experience living in countries you want to know about. Together, you get updated info on the best neighborhoods, detailed Cost of Living examples, money-saving advice, and recommendations on the local places to eat, drink, and see.
Are you a travel blogger with information you can share on living in another country? Contact me, and let's talk about collaborating on a guest post.
EXPAT CONTRIBUTION BY: Kat Smit
Kat is the founder of A Way Abroad and is sometimes a nomad, sometimes an expat who has lived around the world since 2013. She’s currently working online from Montenegro, but who knows where she’ll end up next.
