Where to Stay in Da Nang: The Ultimate City Side vs Beach Side Guide

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When planning a trip to Central Vietnam figuring out where to stay in Da Nang is the most crucial decision you’ll make.

Divided down the middle by the serene Han River… Da Nang operates as two distinct destinations wrapped into one.  

So, on the western bank lies the bustling local scene – an array of delicious street food and authentic Vietnamese culture, mostly untainted by tourism. To the east, across a series of architectural marvels like the Dragon Bridge… sits a sprawling expanse of golden sand, picturesque coastline, a variety of local and international cuisines and many bars.

Then, once you start to immerse yourself in these two areas… you’ll soon discover that the vibe and atmosphere shifts – not a little, but a lot. Therefore, choosing the “wrong” side can completely change the pace, experiences and memories of your Da Nang trip. 

A digital nomad seeking a scenic view or collaborative environment for creativity, needs a vastly different neighbourhood compared to… a foodie hunting for the ultimate bowl of authentic Pho… or a family wanting child-friendly activities… or a young crowd wanting a vibrant nightlife.

Therefore, you ultimately want to choose the “right” side of Da Nang, to ensure it aligns with your needs. Yet, instead of racking your brain and doing weeks of tiring research – let me help you make your travel plans a breeze. 

By the way, my first trip to Da Nang was way back in 2019. And since then, I’ve been back each year. Yet, it amazes me how much this place changes rapidly – good or bad? Well, the truth is, I’d need to write another blog about that – ha ha ha!

But for now, in this comprehensive We Drink Eat Travel guide… I’ll break down the pros, and cons from my perspective, as well as set the scene for what to expect. Plus, I’ll reveal the hidden quirks of both areas and provide practical, helpful tips… so you can lock in the perfect stay in Da Nang.

Where to Stay In Da Nang – Beach or City

Da Nang Beach Side: Sun, Surf, and Vibrant Nightlife

The eastern strip of Da Nang – primarily centered around My Khe Beach and the An Thuong expat quarter – is where most of the action is at with lots of amenities and options. It’s more modern, breezy, scenic… and thoroughly geared toward holiday-makers looking for an extremely affordable coastal escape.

  • The Energy: It sure is a mix from day through to night. Around 5:00 AM before work, you’ll see many locals swimming, walking, fishing… or ladies pumping out aerobics with the music blaring. Later in the morning and afternoon it’s laidback – with a flock of tourists hitting the beach to relax, eat and drink, or try some water activities. Then, as the sun starts its descent to night… both locals and tourists are seen sharing the beach together.
  • The Aesthetics: Lining the golden beachfront are huge palm trees along a pedestrian friendly walking path. Plus, there’s a mix of luxury resorts and ridiculously affordable beachfront hotels… as well as an abundance of upmarket restaurants or street food, craft beer bars, and more. Dotted along the beach are chairs and loungers. And, here, you can witness the breathtaking view – scenic mountains, and the pearly white of the Lady Buddha statue as the backdrop.

The Pros of Staying Near the Coast

  • Effortless Beach Access: When your hotel is beachfront along Vo Nguyen Giap street… going for a swim or walk is a stone’s throw away. You can walk out the door in your swimwear at sunrise, and head back to your room to wash off the salt water. Then, head back down for an afternoon beverage to absorb the magnificent views… and relaxed beachside dining.
  • The Expat and Foodie Culture: The grid of streets known as An Thuong is a prime area for exapts and growing number of tourists. Thus, if you want a break from Vietnamese food – you can choose from wood-fired pizzas to a vegan burger or Mexican… through to pub grub, Japanese, Korean, Indian and more. The beach side is your haven for a huge range of cuisines. Plus, if you’re after a vibrant nightlife with many western-style bars – the beach side is where it’s at. The choices are literally endless in such a compact area.
  • Amenities Within Easy Walking Distance: Staying on the beach side of Da Nang gives you easy access to an impressive variety of daily conveniences right at your doorstep. Within just a few minutes’ walk, you’ll find everything from delicious food outlets to 24/7 convenience stores, gyms, massage spas… through to lively day and night markets, scooter rentals, shops, bars, and much more.

The Cons of the Da Nang Beach Side

  • Disconnected from “Real” Vietnam: In comparison to back in 2019, the Da Nang beach side is highly commercialized. While you’ll still be able to find glimpses of authentic Vietnamese life on the back streets… tourism dominates. Plus, oftentimes you’ll pay inflated tourist prices from local food to motorbike rentals.
  • Logistics for Local Sightseeing: If you want to visit the famous Han Market, see the pink and blue churches, search for cheaper clothing… or watch the Dragon Bridge breathe fire on the weekend, you’ll need to commute to and/or across the river. Therefore, make sure you have the right helpful tools to make commuting effortless – more on that later. Otherwise, you could face an array of transport scams milking you of your hard earned cash, unnecessarily.
  • Be Prepared for Tourist Prices: With an increasing amount of tourists flooding Da Nang – the prices have also gone up too. Whether it’s accommodation or “local food” you’ll most likely pay more. While I haven’t experienced a lot of that in the past, you may find that nowadays, you’ll be charged the tourist price unknowingly –  moreso from street vendors.

The Da Nang City Side: Culture, Coffee, and Local Energy

If you’re looking for where to stay in Da Nang that offers an authentic slice of daily Vietnamese life – visit the western side of the Han River. In particular, the more popular area is in the Hai Chau District… where it is the city’s true cultural heart.

  • The Energy: The wide streets sees peak time traffic packed with motorbikes and cars. There are fewer tourist buses dominating the roads and taking up space. And, once that peak time traffic subsides… Da Nang city side has a more laid-back atmosphere, where tourism doesn’t dominate. Oftentimes when you visit local cafes or “Mom and Pop” restaurants – English won’t be spoken. Yet, for me, that’s all part of the fun!
  • The Aesthetics: Da Nang city side boasts a raw, authentic charm where communal living rooms double as family businesses… crowded with iconic plastic chairs, street tailors, and watch repairers at work. In contrast are also large cafes, a host of retail outlets mirroring a big city landscape – without many tourists! As evening approaches, the riverfront swells with local families – taking in the colorful reflection of neon city lights off the water of the Han River.

The Pros of Staying on Da Nang City Side

  • Cultural Awakening: Immediately immerse yourself into the diverse pulse of authentic daily local life. Early morning routines begin at bustling spots like Cồn Market… where you smell the aromas of fresh herbs, sizzling bánh xèo, and piping-hot bowls of food you’ve probably not heard of! And, families on motorbikes navigate peak time traffic, to head off to school and work… without the massive tourist buses. Sit on tiny plastic stools in alleyways to enjoy local Vietnamese delights for a fraction of the price you’d pay on the beachside. It’s the ultimate base for travelers who want to feel like a temporary resident rather than just another tourist.
  • The River Promenade: Walking along Bach Dang Street on the waterfront has a different vibe. It’s more quiet from morning to night compared to Da Nang beach. For an early morning walk, you could be one of the few… having the wide pathway almost to yourself. Then, at night the city shines with neon lights. Here, riverfront cafes and pop upp stalls are flanked with locals . There are some cocktail bars and craft beer pubs… yet without music blaring and uncouth visitors disturbing the calm environment.
  • Unbeatable Value for Money for Almost Anything: You can find almost anything you need on the city side. From hair clippers, to bike accessories, hypermarkets… through to sidewalk shoe repairs and clothing repairs on the footpaths. You’ll get easy access to amenities that may be more difficult to find on the beachside. Plus, you’ll most likely pay a fraction of the cost – allowing your travel budget to stretch significantly further.

The Cons of the City Side

  • Subdued Riverfront Views: Compared to the beach, the riverfront and city skyline just aren’t as impressive – from my perspective anyway. Walking past buildings and a river doesn’t compare to a sunrise or sunset stroll along the coast… where the ocean views are absolutely stunning.
  • Foodies Take Note: On the beach side you can get banh mi all day and night. Yet, in the heart of Hai Chau… oftentimes the banh mi stall owners and other shop vendors will have a siesta! Plus, if you’re a vego, there are still options… yet they are less common than on the beach side – or you’ll have to travel further.
  • Expect a Chiller Vibe: Don’t expect the same concentrated boisterous party energy on the city side that you find over by the beach. Now, this may be a positive for some, but for the party animals and bar hoppers… the Da Nang nightlife is much more chill on the city side.

Practical Tips for Your Da Nang Trip

No matter which neighborhood wins your vote – use these strategic travel tips to help ensure a smooth, cost-effective trip:

1. Download the Grab App Before Arriving

Whether you stay by the waves or by the river, the Grab app is an absolute must. Rides between the city side and the beach side are incredibly cheap – typically costing between 50,000 to 90,000 VND ($2 to $4 USD). It eliminates the hassle of haggling with local taxi drivers and the potential of being caught up in a scam. And, if you want to take electric vehicles – download the Xanh SM app too.

BONUS TIP – buy the Grab Travel Pass for Vietnam. You get discounts off airport rides through to premium taxis, as well as savings off food and more. And, you get all this for only about $1.50 AUD or 1.05 USD /  EUR / CNY or 0.80 GBP.

2. Consider the “Best of Both Worlds” 

If your itinerary allows for a multiple-night stays – I recommend that you split your holiday in Da Nang. Spend your first few nights in a stylish boutique hotel in the city center, or a homestay. Then, take your time to soak up the atmosphere of the bustling markets, local street food, and bridge shows. Then, pack your bags and move to a beachfront resort for the remainder of your stay. Here, take your time to relax, swim, sunbathe… and enjoy a more vibrant nightlife and variety of cuisines.

3. Check the “No Window” Catch

When booking budget accommodations on either side of Da Nang… read the room descriptions carefully. Many highly-rated, affordable hotels offer ultra-low rates for rooms that have no windows. While it’s perfectly fine if you only plan to sleep there… it can feel incredibly claustrophobic for a long-term stay. I also like to take screen shots of my bookings and inclusions. Thus, if there are any issues I have proof!

4. Optimize for the Dragon Bridge Weekend Show

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 9:00 PM… the iconic Dragon Bridge breathes literal fire and water. If you choose the city side, you can walk to the river bank to watch it. If you stay on the beach side, make sure to book your Grab taxi by 8:15 PM… as the bridges can get completely gridlocked with traffic right before the show begins.

5. Conquering the Language Barrier in Vietnam

Regardless of if you’re on the city of beach side of Da Nang – before traveling to Vietnam, I recommend that you download a translation app. This will help reduce anxiety or frustration. Did you know that the Vietnamese language has six distinct tones? Plus, there are slight differences between the North, Central and South! Therefore, mispronunciations are common and can lead to blank stares. A great FREE app that you can use WITHOUT internet is Google Translate. 

Simply download your native language and the Vietnamese language onto your mobile device. Then, write or talk in the app to for the translation. Plus, it can instantly decipher local menus or signs, for example, by translating the text using the camera feature. So, whether you need help before navigating the sweeping roads of the Hà Giang Loop… or the chaotic alleys of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, or confirming prices – a translation app is a lifesaver.

Where to Stay: Accommodation Picks for Both Sides

To make your booking process easier, here are popular accommodations categorized by budget and location.

Where to Stay on the Da Nang Beach Side (My Khe / An Thuong)

  • Luxury: Pullman Danang Beach Resort – Absolute beachfront luxury with incredible grounds and a massive infinity pool right on the sand.
  • Mid-Range: A La Carte Da Nang Beach – Famous for its stunning rooftop infinity pool and modern apartment-style rooms just a minute’s walk from the shore.
  • Boutique/Budget: Salmalia Boutique Hotel & Resort – A stunning, oasis-style property tucked into a quieter side street in An Thuong, offering luxury aesthetics at budget-friendly rates.

Where to Stay on the Da Nang City Side (Hai Chau / Han River)

The Verdict: Where Should You Stay?

The choice of where to stay in Da Nang ultimately comes down to what you want to see when you first open your curtains in the morning.

  • Choose the Da Nang Beach Side if your idea of a perfect vacation involves slow mornings on the sand, enjoying ocean breezes, magnificent coastal views… through to trying a variety of international cuisines, and enjoying the vibrant night life.
  • Choose the Da Nang City Side if you’re a culture enthusiast who wants to dive headfirst into authentic Vietnamese daily life… maximize your budget, and stay in the heart of a laidback environment in one of Vietnam’s biggest cities.

Da Nang’s unique geography means you’re never truly trapped on one side. A quick ride across the Han River bridges connects both worlds seamlessly. Thus, making this vibrant destination one of the easiest coastal escapes to navigate two completely different environments… within minutes of each other. Wherever you go – have fun and enjoy this wonderful city in Vietnam!

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