Looking to make Da Nang your next temporary home? You’re in for a real gem. The cost of living in Da Nang for Digital Nomads is incredibly affordable, even compared to other parts of Southeast Asia.
The quality of life here is fantastic, with plenty of activities to enjoy and miles of pristine beaches right at your doorstep.
After living in Da Nang for almost four months, with another four likely ahead, I’ve experienced various types of accommodations, from Airbnbs to realtor rentals.
And—this has become an ongoing joke between Badr and me—we’ve had to try really hard to overspend because prices are consistently low.
I’ll share our exact spending and budget below in detail. Let me know if you have specific questions as you plan you trip and I’ll do my best to answer!
Some Benchmarks:
One Bedroom Apartment: $300
Two Bedroom Apartment: $600
Monthly Groceries: $180 per person
Eating out: $2 for a meal
Motorbike: $20-$70 per month
Gym Membership: $20 per month
Overall Cost of Living in Da Nang for a Digital Nomad is $800-$900
Why Choose Da Nang in 2024?
What started as a simple visa run has turned into an ongoing love story. Living in Da Nang as a digital nomad has been incredibly fulfilling for the past five months.
A major reason we’ve fallen for Da Nang is the perfect balance of affordability and quality of life.
The cost of living in Da Nang is the lowest I’ve encountered in two years of full-time travel. But it’s not just about the low costs—it’s the quality of life you get for so little money that continues to amaze us.
Beautiful apartments with a pool, right by the beach, for as little as $300–$500? Check. Healthy, local produce in the heart of the expat hub—80 cents for a liter of milk? Check. Clean beaches? Absolutely.
While the streets can be dirty, and locals have a mixed relationship with cleanliness and order, they’re warm and welcoming to foreigners, especially in Da Nang.
Compare the cost of living in Da Nang to that in Bali here.
Visa and Pre-Flight Preparations and Costs
Visa Cost: $25-120
If you’re planning to stay in Vietnam for more than 30 or 45 days (depending on your passport), you’ll need an e-Visa, which costs $25 for single entry and $50 for multiple entry.
The visa takes up to 5 business days to process and is valid for one to three months, so be sure to specify your preferred duration when applying.
If you’re staying in Vietnam for more than 3 months, you’ll need to consider a visa run.
Visa runs can be arranged through visa agencies, typically involving a same-day bus trip to and from Laos. Note that you’ll need an agent to arrange an expedited visa for this. The cost for this visa run is usually around $120 per person.
Alternatively, you can leave the country for a longer visa run, apply for a new e-Visa yourself, wait the five days, and return. This will again cost $25 or $50, depending on whether it’s single or multiple entry.
Da Nang has a small, efficient airport with flights from all over Southeast Asia. Visa run costs depend on the season and airline, but a roundtrip to Kuala Lumpur, for example, shouldn’t exceed $100.
Save this for later:
Best Time of Year to Visit Da Nang
The internet will tell you the best time to visit Da Nang is between April and August, during the dry season. The monsoon season kicks in around September and lasts until late March.
That said, I’m comfortably sitting in my apartment here in Da Nang in mid-September, enjoying the daily rain, cooler temperatures, and much lower humidity.
If you’re only staying a short time, I’d recommend visiting during the dry season. However, if you’re planning a longer stay and want to truly explore the local culture, the rainy season isn’t bad at all.
Just as a side note, I wouldn’t say the same about Bali—definitely avoid the island during the rainy season. It gets unbearably humid, and the streets can be dangerous. But in Da Nang, the rain is quite manageable.
Cost of Living in Da Nang for Digital Nomads
Overall, we as a digital nomad couple spend around $1600 per month, all in. Currently, that includes an AirBnB for roughly $750 a month. I suspect that the cost will go down and the quality of living will go up once we move into our next apartment, arranged for us by a realtor.
Let’s look at the breakdown of the cost of living in Da Nang for Digital Nomads:
Accommodation Cost of Living for Digital Nomads
Accommodation: $300-800
Accommodation in Da Nang offers exceptional value. In a pinch, you can find a room near the beach for under $200 a month.
If you’re looking for better amenities, you can still find a decent one-bedroom apartment near My Khe Beach for $200 to $400. We’ve discovered some real gems for $200 just outside the touristy areas, only a five-minute walk to the beach, and with a large rooftop pool.
Two-bedroom apartments range from $500 to $800. Typically, anything over $700 will include access to a pool.
Landlords in Da Nang are eager to please, and I’ve had no issues with them so far. Check out my favorite hotels and apartments for digital nomads in Da Nang.
Transportation
Cost of Transportation: $30-70 per month
If you’re planning to explore Da Nang and its surrounding cities and mountains, renting a motorbike is a smart choice. Prices vary by dealer, but the going rate is around $4 per day for a 125cc bike.
If you rent a bike for a month, you can find a basic one for as little as $30 to get around the city. A better bike, suitable for mountain trips, won’t cost more than $70 at most.
Alternatively, Grab bikes and cars are widely available. A trip from the airport to the beach costs about $3, and a Grab bike ride from Da Nang to Hoi An is around $4.
Phone and Internet
SIM card: $15 for three months
Internet is typically included with your accommodation, and it’s fast and free at most cafes.
For your SIM card, opt for a plan with Viettel. To get the best deals, look for a shop just outside the main hubs. We got our SIM cards for $15, which includes 1.5 GB per day for three months, all prepaid.
You can pay up to $36 for 3 GB per day, but I’ve rarely needed to rely on my hotspot, as the Internet here is generally very reliable.
Fitness Cost of Living in Da Nang
Monthly Gym Membership: $20
Maintaining a regular exercise routine is an important part of my self care management as a digital nomad.
Thankfully, the workout culture in Da Nang is quite diverse. You can find Pilates and yoga studios just about everywhere. There are also plenty of air-conditioned gyms, and the beach is perfect for bodyweight exercises.
My gym membership costs approximately $20 a month, and they offer good long-term deals and ‘bring-a-friend’ promotions.
There are numerous pull-up bars and bodyweight workout stations along the beach that are free to use.
You can also join one of the many groups doing early morning workouts right on the beach.
Groceries and Going Out
Groceries: $180 per person per month ~ Going Out: starting at $2 per person
Groceries are exceptionally cheap in Da Nang. Mega Mart and Moon Milk are two excellent options for shopping.
We cook at home often, so most of our eating budget goes into groceries. For $180 per person per month, we keep our fridge stocked with fresh produce and protein.
Fresh tuna steaks cost $2 each, chicken is $2.50 per kilo, beef is $10 per kilo, and a liter of milk costs $1.25 cents. Beer is also 80 cents, and 300 grams of tomatoes cost $1.20.
When dining out, you can get a great burger for $4, or eat locally for as little as $1.20. Fresh tofu is readily available and typically costs $2.40 for a large serving.
To put this in perspective, our food costs for a similar quality in Chiang Mai were $380 per person, and we spent $225 per person in Bali.
Read also: Unlocking the Digital Nomad Mindset – Thrive on the Road with a Freedom Business
Save this for later:
Activities
Cost of activities: $30
With Da Nang surrounded by nature, most activities are quite affordable, with transportation being the main cost.
Visiting Lady Buddha is free, hiking up Marble Mountains has a $2 entrance fee, and driving to Hoi An to explore the old town costs no more than $4 for a 30-minute drive.
For other attractions, visiting My Son Sanctuary costs $15, and Banh Mountain Village has a $30 entrance fee.
We spend a significant portion of our activities budget on massages. You can find great massages on nearly every corner, with prices ranging from $8 to $12 for 60 minutes.
If your apartment building doesn’t have a pool, many hotels offer day passes for external visitors. Access to these pools typically costs $4–$6 per person.
Health Care and Insurance Cost for Digital Nomads
Health Insurance: $100-300
Health care in Da Nang isn’t the most advanced, but there are competent doctors who cater to expats. I haven’t had any emergencies here, so I can’t speak to that. A dental cleaning costs around $40, and medical acupuncture is about $15 per session.
For peace of mind, it’s essential to have good international health insurance. Two options I recommend are SafetyWing and PassportCard, which cater to different needs.
SafetyWing is affordable and designed for digital nomads. It covers emergencies worldwide, so you’re protected whether you’re in Bali today or Lima tomorrow. However, it doesn’t cover routine check-ups or dental cleanings.
PassportCard offers more comprehensive coverage, including routine care. Costs start at $150 a month, but it’s worth it for the benefits. I’ve used PassportCard for three years and have had excellent experiences. They provide a credit card you can activate instantly for payments, which is especially useful for larger expenses like X-rays.
With PassportCard’s premium package, I’ve received 100% reimbursement for various services, including cancer check-ups, acupuncture, medical massages, and even prescription sunglasses. They also cover pregnancy care globally, transportation for illness, and hospital sick day coverage.
For more details on fees and packages, you can inquire using this affiliate link.
Frequently Asked Questions about a One Month in Da Nang Budget
As a single person, you can live comfortably in Da Nang for $800 per month.
Is Da Nang good for digital nomads?
Thanks to the modern infrastructure, aparment complexes, the plenty co-working spaces, and the beach, Da Nang is an excellent destination for digital nomads.
What is the average rent in Da Nang?
Average rent is Da Nang is $300 for a one bedroom apartment and $600 for a two bedroom apartment.
Where do expats live in Da Nang?
Most expats live near My Khe beach.
Is Da Nang cheaper than Bali?
Yes, Da Nang is cheaper than Bali and provides a better quality of life. A couple will need a $2200 budget in Bali to afford what $1600 can get you in Da Nang. The quality of accommodation in Da Nang is unmatched.
Cost of Living in Da Nang for Digital Nomads per Month Overall
Overall, Da Nang has amazed us with its low cost of living and high quality of life. It’s hard to spend more than a couple of thousand dollars a month here.
Living comfortably in a two-bedroom apartment right by the beach, we spend between $1,600 and $1,800 monthly as digital nomads in Da Nang.
Prices here are stable and don’t rise as they do in places like Bali. Additionally, prices aren’t artificially inflated for foreigners.
Note that ATMs fees can unnecessarily increase your cost of living. Some charge 10% of the amount you withdraw. TP Bank offers the only ATMs in the city without fees. Learn how to spend like a local here.
Save, pin, and share this article:
Very interesting post. The cost of living in Da Nang is really quite cheap, compared to other places, and lots of things to do. We are in Tashkent now, and I must say we are spending much more here. Da Nang seems like a great place to keep in mind for future. Especially I like the fact that rainy season is not unbearable and not a bad time to come.
I was totally blown away with the quality of life here. What’s more is that prices don’t seem to inflate much. I was here five years ago as a backpacker and prices have literally not moved a bit since! Curious to check out Uzbekistan – honestly, I”ve never quite considered it as a nomad destination…
Very interesting post. We are not going to be digital nomads anytime soon, so is it attractive for tourists to visit? What are transport connections like to other places in Vietnam? More into hotels and nice restaurants than AirBnB.
Ground transport in the city is easy with Grab and there are luxury bus companies that connect Da Nang to other cities, as well as domestic flights. Da Nang is a cheap luxury accommodation for tourists with plenty of resorts along the coast line. Tours to attractions into the mountains or sea are also plentiful and well curated!
Hmm I was actually thinking of visiting Da Nang next year and now I’m tempted to book a one-way flight rather than a return…
Does it get crowded during the dry season or is it relatively unknown still?
One way ticket is encouraged! You don’t even need a flight out in order to enter Vietnam and visas can be renewed pretty much endlessly. The crowds during dry season were nothing compared to Bali or Da Nang, not even Ho Chi Minh. Everything felt very quaint. Though everyone can’t stop talking about Da Nang at the moment so this might change quite quickly (hoping it won’t).
Lovely post, very informative! I do have to ask, though, do they speak a lot of English?
Based on all my research, I’m considering moving to S.E Asia in 3 years when all my kids finish high school, and the budget you give is awesome. I’m planning to visit S.E Asia for the first time for my 40th birthday in December, which city do you recommend staying in Vietnam for a great experience to meet other digital nomads, nightlife and proximity to most hot spots ?
Lucia! Let’s meet up – I’ll still be here in December. I do think Da Nang has it all – lots of adventures to take the kids on, plenty of cafes to work from, GREAT co-working comunities, and, of course, the beach. Da Lat is another quaint city in the moundaints though it might be more of a backpacker’s city. Check out this article, I share a bunch of SEA cities for digital nomads in here. https://wayofthefounder.com/peaceful-digital-nomad-destinations/
And my inbox is wide open if you need more info 🙂