Where to Stay in Da Nang: The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide

Posted by

March 5, 2026

On March 5, 2026

Coming up: cafes, coffees, breakfasts, buffets, street food, Uzbek eats(!), staying both long-term and short-term, many grumpy Russians, surprisingly-good proximity to Hoi An, some of the best local markets you’ve ever seen, and the 6 best areas to stay in Da Nang.

As I write this, I’m living in Da Nang.

… so I’ve spent A LOT of time deciding where to stay here (both short-term and long-term).

Does that make me an expert? Probably. Or at least more of an expert than all the blogs giving you information from ChatGPT.

So… in this guide, me and Travelness have brought you everything you need to know. Where are the best neighborhoods in Da Nang? What can you do in each one? Where can you find the best hotels and hostels? And what if I want to stay long-term? Coming up, all that and more!

Before we get going, here’s my advice in short: stay in Mỹ An or Son Tra (from the two, Mỹ An just gets my vote). And if you’re gonna stay in Mỹ An, your two best accommodation options are Royal Charm Hotel(an unbelievably-good budget hotel), and Golden Lotus Hotel(with big comfy beds, and an INCREDIBLE buffet breakfast).

Where to Stay in Da Nang: The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide

Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Da Nang

1: Mỹ An

Best for: coworking, beachside chilling, many international restaurants, living long-term, and being frowned at by Russians.

Broadly speaking, as you’ll come to find out, you have two MAIN options for where to stay in Da Nang: the beach area, and the city center.

The city’s river separates the ‘city center’ area from the beach area—and all but one of the neighborhoods we’ve brought you fall into those 2 categories.

Anyway, if you’re staying in the beach area, you’ll probably stay in Mỹ An. The most central of the three beach neighborhoods, it’s also the busiest, most popular, and most well-known.

Here, you’ll find the busiest beaches, the most tourist infrastructure, and the majority of the best restaurants and cafes. Broadly speaking, there’s not a huge amount to ‘do’ here, but there’s also not a huge amount to ‘do’ in any part of Da Nang—mainly, people come here to chill, sit on the beach, do some occasional watersports, and hop between restaurants and cafes.

Overall, this is a great spot for tourists—and the most popular spot for anyone wanting to stay long-term. Almost all the expats I know live in Mỹ An.

Note: Mỹ An is also home to An Thuong. Although An Thuong isn’t actually a neighborhood (and instead just an area with lots of little interconnected streets), some people consider it to be one. That’s because it has a very specific vibe of its own. SUPER touristy, it sort of feels like Thailand—with lots of bars, restaurants, casual massage joints, little smoothie shacks, and many souvenir-toting local vendors.

Things to see and do in Mỹ An:

Drink excellent coffee: Da Nang is home to some great cafes, roasteries, and specialty coffee joints. Most of the best lie inside Mỹ An. For more info, head to our guide on the best cafes in Da Nang—but three of Mỹ An’s best include XLIII Specialty Coffee, Puna Coffee and Cakes, and DNG Coffee.
Head to the beach: the entire eastern end of the district is bordered by a beach (well, technically ‘beaches’). There’s no better neighborhood for easily reaching busy shores.
Watersports, like paragliding, surfing, swimming, and paddleboarding. To organize these, just head to the beach—you’ll find someone lending stuff. For something a bit more organized, head to the neighborhood’s Da Nang Outdoor Adventures Company, who offer surf lessons and equipment hire.
Locked Da Nang: for something a little different, head to this Escape Room.
Bac My An Market: an old-school Vietnamese market, head here for fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, local oddities, and super-cheap informal eats. It’s most famous for stalls selling tasty avocado ice cream.
Head to Rahat Bakery: one of Da Nang’s most unusual attractions, the little Rahat Bakery sits just outside Bac My An Market. An Uzbek bakery (who would have expected that here!), they sell samsas, pastries, pilaf, cottage cheese cakes, and other specialty Tatar foods.

Cons of Mỹ An:

It’s VERY expat-heavy: this is the most expat-heavy area I’ve ever seen in Vietnam. That’s not necessarily bad, but it can make Mỹ An feel a bit like Benidorm or Mallorca or whatever. If you want to feel like you’re experiencing the ‘real’ Vietnam, you probably won’t like Mỹ An.
Grumpy Russians: I have Russian friends, and not all Russians are grumpy. But, for whatever reason, most of Da Nang’s Russians are. If you enjoy being around people who love frowning and staring, you’ll love Mỹ An.
The gym culture here is all bravado. I love gyms, and I love gym culture. Usually, gyms are welcoming and supportive. But here, the gyms are full of immature roided-up muscleheads who like to think they’re intimidating.
For staying long-term, rent here has become very expensive, allegedly doubling(!) over the last 12 months. Right now, a long-term apartment in Mỹ An will typically cost the equivalent of $300USD to $600USD. If you’re NOT staying long-term, it’s good news: the hotel prices here are pretty similar to the hotel prices throughout the rest of Da Nang.

Pros of Mỹ An:

It’s the most central beach district, with easy access to lots of sun loungers, swim spots, and watersports.
It’s very foreigner-friendly: with many hotels and accommodations, a bunch of tour agencies, and lots of English menus.
It’s excellent for cafes and restaurants: here, you’ll find hundreds of cafes and restaurants. Expect local food, international fayre, specialty coffee shops, high-end nightlife, dive bars, and any type of food and drink (and atmosphere!) you could possibly want.
It’s a digital nomad’s dream: although I’ve been a digital nomad for 7+ years, I’m a cynical digital nomad. So: I’m not really a fan of those cafes that are filled with nothing but laptop-toting remote workers. That said, Mỹ An has dozens and dozens of them, so it’s a VERY easy place to work remotely.
It’s the city’s most central district (in terms of literal location): from here, it’s easy to head north and south to the other beach districts, and you can easily reach Da Nang’s official city center by just hopping over a bridge.

Recommended accommodations in Mỹ An:

The best budget pick is Royal Charm Hotel. Here, you can get a room for less than you’d pay for a meal in the US or the UK. More luxurious than you’d expect, you get comfy beds, and clean rooms, and you’re a 3-minute walk from the beach. The breakfast isn’t great, and the rooms are a little cramped. But it’s excellent for the price.
The best mid-range pick is Golden Lotus Hotel Da Nang. It serves up hyper-friendly staff, a rooftop pool, big comfy beds, free airport transfers, and one of the best buffet breakfasts I’ve ever had.
The best family pick is Richico Apartments And Hotel. This place offers the perks of a hotel (like a pool and a buffet breakfast) along with the perks of apartments (like 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom accommodations for families). A good choice between relatively luxurious and relatively affordable.
The best luxury pick is Risemount Premier Resort. Looking more like something from Santorini, it has a pretty white-and-blue aesthetic, along with fancy rooms, a spa center, top-class customer service, and pretty balconies.

2: Son Tra

Best for: staying close to the beaches and the action… but without being surrounded by so many non-Vietnamese people

Directly bordering Mỹ An to the north, Son Tra is another beachside district, running all the way north until the neighborhood’s hilly little peninsula (known as ‘Monkey Mountain) juts out into the sea.

The southern part of Son Tra is pretty similar to Mỹ An—but as you head further north, it gets less and less touristy (and less expat-heavy).

In general, if you want to be close to all the fun of Mỹ An, but enjoy a more local vibe (while still staying close to the beach), Son Tra is the neighborhood for you.

Things to see and do in Son Tra:

The Dragon Bridge: one of Vietnam’s most famous bridges, Dragon Bridge is… well… built in the shape of a dragon. It’s cool to see the bridge any time of day—but on Saturday and Sunday evenings at 9pm, the dragon’s head breathes both fire and water in a 15-minute show. Weird!
Wonder Park Wyndham: a wacky collection of miniature replicas of famous landmarks (like The Eiffel Tower, The Great Wall of China, The Egyptian Pyramids, L’Arc de Triomphe, and a bunch of Greek gods), this place is is super kitsch and kooky.
Art in Paradise 3D Museum: this place is packed with optical illusions, and a bunch of photo opportunities. Ever wanted to pretend you’re inside a handbag? Or a prison? Or some temples? Now you can. Perfect for people with kids.
Monkey Mountain: a hilly but accessible green peninsula with viewpoints, hidden beaches, and lots of monkeys, this place is accessible but adventurous. Its tallest point is Ban Co Peak, which lies at around 600 meters (1,970 feet). Even better, the drive up here is great, packed with twists, turns, and photogenic stop-offs.
Lady Buddha: actually part of a bigger temple complex, the big tall bright-white Lady Buddha stands at the foot of Monkey Mountain. Looming over the seas and shores here, she’s visible from the beaches of Son Tra and Mỹ An.
Head to more beaches: if you like quiet beaches, head north, somewhere close to Monkey Mountain. If not, head south, to the beaches of Mỹ An.

Cons of Son Tra:

You’re slightly north of the tourist epicenter of the city, but that’s no big deal. That’s about the only con here.

Pros of Son Tra:

You’re close to the beach: and the eastern side of the district directly borders the seaside.
There are way fewer tourists here than in Mỹ An: great for escaping crowds, and getting more local vibes.
You’re very close to all the touristy parts of Mỹ An, but without staying there.

Recommended accommodations in Son Tra:

The best budget pick is Bantique Hotel. Though it’s a 15-minute walk from the beach, it’s outrageously affordable. The beds are comfortable, the rooms are big, the staff are friendly—and because you’re away from the beach, you get a good slice of real local life.
The best mid-range pick is Chaca Beach. These small apartments are cute and cozy, with lots of wood and natural light, and a small outdoor pool. They’re much more kooky and characterful than most Da Nang accommodations.
The best family pick is Radisson Hotel Danang. Featuring excellent family rooms, it’s surprisingly affordable, has a rooftop pool, and serves up tasty buffet breakfasts.
The best luxury pick is Hilton Garden Inn. One of the city’s tallest high-rises, the Hilton Garden Inn lies right beside a quiet part of the beach. Other perks include big beds, an incredible buffet breakfast, a rooftop infinity pool, and great balcony views (make sure you get a high-floor ocean-facing room).

3: Khuê Mỹ

Best for: being by the beach, but without so many tourists

Khuê Mỹ is our last beach neighborhood, but way less touristy than both Son Tra and Mỹ An.

… and as you head more south here, it gets more and more local.

That said, some of the stretches of beach here are private, connected to the resorts bordering them. So although you’re close to the coast, you can’t explore some sections of it.

Also, the road here veers slightly west, so it doesn’t run right beside the beach like it does in both Son Tra and Mỹ An (which means you have to travel further to reach the sands).

Things to see and do in Khuê Mỹ:

Head to the beach: as we’ve already covered!
Ao Dai Show: the cultural stage shows here include local song and dance, and performers are dressed in the traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai (basically a long pretty dress).

Cons of Khuê Mỹ:

There’s not a huge amount to do here, and way fewer restaurants than you’ll find in both Son Tra and Mỹ An.
Again, beach access here is restricted: some shores are inaccessible, and none of them lie right beside the road.

Pros of Khuê Mỹ:

If you like resorts, you’ll love the place: here, there are lots of upmarket hotels running along the shoreline, with spas, spacious rooms, big swimming pools, friendly staff, and (sometimes) surprisingly-low prices. The hotels here are more expensive than the hotels in other parts of Da Nang… but compared to high-end resort-style hotels across most of the planet’s beach cities, they’re outrageously affordable.
Because the beaches here aren’t so easy to access, they’re way less busy. Great if you like quiet shores and sands.
Here, you’re quite close to Hoi An. If you want to spend half your Da Nang time exploring Hoi An, this is Da Nang’s best location by a very long way.

Recommended accommodations in Khuê Mỹ:

The best budget pick is Tehana Beach Hotel. Sitting at the very northern end of Khuê Mỹ, this is an ideal location for exploring both Mỹ An and Khuê Mỹ. It’s a little dated, but it’s welcoming and affordable.
The best mid-range pick is Melia Danang Beach Resort. As you’ll soon find out, most hotels in Khuê Mỹ are pretty fancy. So this is more upmarket than most mid-range places. Featuring lots of glass, marble, and natural light, other perks include an excellent on-site restaurant, and a fancy but affordable spa.
The best luxury pick is TIA Wellness Resort. Featuring a complimentary spa (you can have up to two treatments per day!), the bungalows here are both charmingly rustic and hyper-modern. The food is incredible, the rooms are super luxurious, and they offer events—like yoga, breathwork classes, and art workshops.
The best family pick is Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa. Most high-end hotels aren’t usually this child-friendly. Featuring a kids’ club and lots of family activities, other perks include family-inclusive menus, 3 restaurants, 5 swimming pools, and marble bathrooms.

Aerial View of Non Nuoc Beach in Da Nang, Vietnam

4: Hải Châu North

Best for: easy access to the airport, and endless local cafes and restaurants

Lying over the river from all the other districts we’ve brought you so far, Hải Châu is NOT a beachside district.

Instead, it lies between the city’s river, and the city’s airport (the airport technically also lies inside the neighborhood, but I doubt you want to sleep in that overnight).

Although Hải Châu isn’t officially split into two districts, it’s around 5 miles (8km) north to south—and its northern and southern ends have slightly different vibes:

The northern part of Hải Châu is slightly more touristy, but it has some great local-life sights (like markets, religious buildings, and slices of Vietnamese art).

If you’re not particularly bothered about constant beach-hopping, this is a great place to stay.

Things to see and do in Hải Châu North:

Da Nang Cathedral: also known as ‘The Pink Church,’ this French-style cathedral was built in 1923, and is all pink pretty pastel. Surprisingly, around 10% of Vietnam’s population is Christian—and this place still offers daily mass.
Con Market and Han Market: a pair of old-school authentic Vietnamese markets, these two sit a 10-minute walk from one another. They’re a great way to see how Vietnamese people actually shop, away from the touristy beachside parts of the city. Broadly, Han Market is a little more touristy; with more souvenirs, tourist tat, and gimmicky stuff. Con Market is more local; with fewer gimmicks, and more food.
Danang Fine Arts Museum: most Vietnamese art galleries aren’t great, but this one is excellent. It features paintings, sculptures, a charming minimalist aesthetic, and a big focus on local artists.
Chùa Pháp Lâm: this big temple features statues, gardens, a laid-back vibe, and endless depictions of Buddha. Not the most touristy place in the world, it’s more of a local spot—it’s tough to find the temple from the street, and there’s no English-language information inside.
Bạch Đằng Street: this long street borders Da Nang’s river, but most of the busy action is on the street’s northern end. Here, you’ll find lots of bars… including Gypsy Rooftop Restaurant & Bar (a super-swanky place ideal for a date), Tê Bar (offering some of the city’s best cocktails), and Da Nang Rooftop Craft Beer (you won’t need much help working out what that place is famous for).

Cons of Hải Châu North:

You’re not close to the beach: you probably came to Da Nang to sit on the beach. Well, from here, you’ll need to travel at least 2 miles (3.2 km) to do that.
If you stay very close to the airport, you might be kept awake by flights. Flights operate from 6am until 11pm.
There are way fewer foreigners here: so if you’re coming to Da Nang long-term, you’ll find it a little tougher to make friends.

Pros of Hải Châu North:

It feels very local: if you want a slice of a ‘real’ Vietnamese city, away from the coast, Hải Châu North is ideal.
You’re only a 5-minute drive from the airport here: ideal if you have an early flight, or if you’re only in Da Nang for a day or two.
There are a HUGE number of old-school Vietnamese cafes here, with little chairs and tables, tiny prices, no menus, and friendly locals. If you’re the type of person who likes to explore genuine local hangouts, you’ll find hundreds of loveable cafes here.

Recommended accommodations in Hải Châu North:

The best budget pick is IKIGAI Dorm Hostel. There’s more than one IKIGAI, but this is the best of them. It’s clean, tidy, and affordable; they have both dorms and private rooms, and it doesn’t attract late-night party animals.
The best mid-range pick is Banana Flower Homestay. Ideal if you want a bit more privacy than a standard hotel, this place is homely and friendly—it’s like staying in an apartment, but with the perks of having super-responsive staff.
The best family pick is Nhat Linh Hotel & Suites. They have big family rooms, affordable prices, and an in-house restaurant with kid-friendly eats.
The best luxury pick is HAIAN Riverfront Hotel. It’s very clean, modern, and spacious, the buffet breakfast is excellent, they have an indoor pool and sauna, and many of the rooms have beautiful river-and-city views.

5: Hải Châu South

Best for: even more local vibes

Broadly speaking, Hải Châu South and Hải Châu North are pretty similar to one another:

They’re both equally far from the beach, they’re both much more local than the seaside districts, and they’re both largely residential.

… but, as we’ve sort of mentioned, Hải Châu South is a little better for access to the beaches of Mỹ An—while Hải Châu North is a little more touristy, and a little better for bars and cafes.

Things to see and do in Hải Châu South:

Ho Chi Minh Museum: devoted to the life of the legendary politician and revolutionary, who ultimately united Vietnam during and after the Vietnam War. It tracks his life from birth until death, and has huge sections on the Vietnam War.
Da Nang Downtown theme park: featuring rides, arcades, a Ferris wheel, and lots of kid-friendly fun, this is great for families. It’s very affordable, and you rarely have to wait in line for the attractions.
Bạch Đằng Street: although this part of Bạch Đằng Street is less busy than the northern end of Bạch Đằng Street, there’s still plenty to do here. You’ll find lounge bars, karaoke joints, riverside hangouts, and some great filled-with-locals cafes.

Cons of Hải Châu South:

You’re not close to the beach: again, you’ll need to travel at least 2 miles (3.2 km) to reach the beach from here.
Again, try not to stay very close to the airport. Flights operate from 6am until 11pm, and they can be noisy.
If you’ve come to Da Nang long-term, this isn’t the best place to make friends.
There aren’t a huge number of hotels here, so you don’t get much accommodation choice.

Pros of Hải Châu South:

You’re close to the airport: great for catching early flights, or if you’re not in the city for too long.
It has a largely-local residential vibe: ideal if you want to see ‘real’ sides of Da Nang. Of all the neighborhoods we’ve brought you, this is the most authentic option.
The cafes and restaurants here are a little more affordable than those nearer the beach: but because Da Nang is generally so affordable, that’s not really a big gamechanger.

Recommended accommodations in Hải Châu South:

The best budget pick is Homestay Halley. One of the most affordable high-quality accommodations I’ve ever seen, it’s pretty basic, but very clean and welcoming. It’s quite close to the airport, but there are no reports of it being noisy.
The best mid-range pick is MTR Apartment & Hotel. This place is very kooky and quirky, with lots of brick, bright colors, and flowers. The apartment rooms are clean and well-equipped, with lots of natural light.
The best family pick is Thanh Homestay. A massive villa with four big bedrooms, this is affordable, clean, and spacious. Ideal if you want your own big family home for a few days.
You won’t find any luxury hotels in this area. So: if you’re looking for luxury, head slightly north to HAIAN Riverfront Hotel (which we already mentioned above).

6: Hoi An (a surprise pick)

I’ll keep this one short, cos it’s a leftfield choice.

But, fun fact: the iconic UNESCO-listed small city of Hoi An lies only around 15 miles (25 km) south of Da Nang.

… and if you’re gonna visit one, you should definitely visit the other.

Getting between them both is very easy. A taxi takes 30-40 minutes. A bus takes around an hour. You can cycle it in 2 hours. So it’s easy to explore them both from one another.

Cafe Setting Against Hoi an S Signature Yellow Walls

And they’re surprisingly VERY different.

While Da Nang is a pretty typical beachside city with lots of expats and digital nomads, Hoi An doesn’t lie too close to the beach—and most of the foreigners here are visitors (not expats or remote workers). And while Da Nang is very modern and sleek, Hoi An is a charming time capsule of old-school buildings, visitable former homes, and lots of museums.

So: you can still enjoy the beaches of Da Nang while overnighting in the more-alluring Hoi An.

If that’s your plan, here are your best accommodation options (and, trust me, there are MANY bad ones):

The best budget pick is Windy River Homestay. Sitting just a 10-minute walk from Hoi An’s old town, but in a surprisingly-rural spot, Windy River Homestay is basic but welcoming. Quiet and cozy, it’s a nice option for getting away from the heavy tourist sprawl of the city.
The best mid-range pick is Green Garden House. Exceptionally welcoming, this family homestay is central, but doesn’t at all feel touristy. It offers a homemade breakfast, help with booking trips and tours, and a cozy atmosphere.
The best family pick is Crony Villa. Featuring big family rooms, a good-for-playing pool, kid-friendly food, and a children’s playground, this is great for people with kids. They also offer bicycle hire, a set-amongst-greenery forest vibe, and very modern bedrooms.
The best luxury pick is Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa. A classy and cozy 5-star resort, this place offers massages, spa treatments, volleyball, an on-site garden, and an outdoor pool. It’s right beside the beach—which is a rarity in Da Nang.

Alternatively, you can take a day tour to Hoi An from Da Nang. On this tour, you see the best of the city, and hear lots of historical insights and information, but without having to overnight in Hoi An. Ideal for people short on time!

Oh, and there’s more on Hoi An in our guide to the top 23 things to do in Vietnam.

Tours in Da Nang

As you might have noticed, there’s not a huge amount to ‘do’ in Da Nang.

… but the city serves up some top-class tours.

So, if you’re feeling a bit bored, we recommend joining one of these 4:

This tour takes you to the strange and surreal Ba Na Hills, the most famous attraction close to Da Nang. Sort of a theme park, sort of a living museum, it’s well-known for being home to a big golden bridge cradled in a pair of weird rusty hands.
In my opinion, this food tour is unmissable. Vietnamese food is incredible—and central Vietnamese food is the best of it all. But it can be VERY tough to know what to eat and where to find it, especially given the best food is always served in hidden-away humble food stalls. But: this tour takes you to all the best spots, with lots of local vendors and local specialities.
On this tour, you head to Hue, the once-capital of the nation. One of the most historical places in Vietnam, it’s home to imperial relics, a moated citadel, and lots of ancient artefacts. You reach Hue over the Hai Van Pass, one of the nation’s most famous stretches of road.
Though it’s not strictly a tour, this cooking class is incredible. You spend 2.5 hours making (and eating) 4 different dishes, all in a local’s house. You learn about the flavors and history of what you’re making, and the guide is super friendly and helpful.

Final Thoughts

And that’s us done—they’re the 6 best neighborhoods to stay in Da Nang!

Overall, for pretty much everyone, I recommend staying in the central beachside neighborhood of Mỹ An.

… but if you want something a little more local, either head south to the beachside Khuê Mỹ; or stay over the river in some part of Hải Châu.

If you are gonna stay in Mỹ An, your two best accommodation options are:

For more on Da Nang, head to our guides on:

Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Travelness, and we’ll see you again soon. Enjoy Da Nang!

IMPORTANT: Feel free to explore our other travel guides while you’re here – you might discover some delightful surprises! Click on our links above, every visit helps support our small business. We truly appreciate it.

Where to Stay in Da Nang: The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide