Da Nang, Vietnam

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Sep 24, 2021

Summary: People in Da Nang love the beach, drinking coffee and karaoke night. Expats, digital nomads and retirees say you'll enjoy the slower pace of living, tropical climate, beach life, Vietnamese coffee and visiting Lady Buddha and Marble Mountain. Da Nang has approximately 1.1 million residents. Insider's tip: bring sunscreen, mosquito repellent and be prepared to laugh a lot.

What do I need to know about living in Da Nang?

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When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Da Nang, they said:

"Be open minded. Be prepared for a slower pace of life. If things don't get done today, they may get done tomorrow. Bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Be ready to smile and laugh every day. There are lots of new things to look forward too..food, people, rats, construction, the beach, dogs, tiny plastic chairs and Vietnamese coffee," explained one expat living in Da Nang.

"Learn at least some basic Vietnamese so that you can interact with people. Young adults and below usually speak some English but middle age and older rarely do. Check with a resident on what you might need to bring from home that can't be found here. Most things can be bought here or on a quick trip to HCMC but there are always some things that we miss from home," said another expat in Da Nang.

How do I meet people in Da Nang?

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When we asked people living in Da Nang about club and activities where newcomers can meet others, they responded:

"DaNang Expats, any school organization, Danang Expat Jobs is VERY helpful. We love to visit the 'Lady Buddha' and Marble Mountain. We take long walks on the beach day or night. We visit the markets, we travel by bus to hoi an, we eat at local restaurants," remarked another in Da Nang.

"Taking Vietnamese classes, hanging out at expat hang outs like Bread of Life, The Waterfront (both restaurants)," explained one expat.

Will I be able to find a job in Da Nang?

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When we asked people about industries and career opportunities in Da Nang, they reponded:

"Tourism is one of the largest industries. But, Microsoft is building a large complex here and I believe Pepsi is too. There are many Professional people in the city including lots of engineers and architects because this city is expanding rapidly and there are many many hotel projects to design," remarked another expat in Da Nang.

"The port is pretty important, subsistence retail, I.T. is growing, tourism, and a lot of government jobs," explained one expat living in Da Nang.

What is life like in Da Nang?

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When we asked people living in Da Nang what life is like and how people spend their time, they said:

"Our greatest joy is meeting new people, drinking coffee or drinking beers and talking about the adventures that everyone has had in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian cities. People love the beach here. They also like to travel to nearby towns. Don't miss Tams Restaurant. It is run by a local woman who grew up here during the Vietnam War. She is living history. There are a plethora of photographs all over her walls. She is full of stories some touching, some frightening and many heartbreaking. She has photo albums too. Jimmy Buffet sent her three surfboards from japan after visiting her here," remarked another in Da Nang.

"As elsewhere in VN, family is number 1. They are also busy working a lot to make a little money. With salaries and wages so low here everyone must work many hours to make a living. Coffee shops and karaoke are where people relax, especially men," explained one expat.

Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Da Nang accepting of differences?

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"The residents of DaNang are mostly Buddhist, although there are some Catholics and there are a few beautiful churches. These are remnants of the French occupation in Vietnam. The majority of people here are Vietnamese. Although there is large tourism industry. Travelers arrive every day from all over the world. All races, all religions.... I laugh though, as I am one of only a few Jewish folks here! They follow Vietnamese holidays...ancestral days, Buddha day, Lunar new year etc. But, they also celebrate Women's day, Teachers Day and Childrens Day too," said another expat in Da Nang.

"The vast majority are Vietnamese of course but being in Central Viet Nam means we have people from the north, the south and the central region living here. I find the people very friendly and seem accepting of cultural differences. There aren't that many foreigners here so people are generally curious about us and enjoy the opportunity to ask questions once they know you," added another person living in Da Nang.