A Month in Da Nang: Finding a Home, Local Cafes and Life Beyond the Tourist Areas

Back to Da Nang!

After spending two weeks volunteering in Ha Giang and making a short stop in Hanoi, it was time to head south to Da Nang.

I had actually visited this city before, so I already had a general idea of what to expect and knew some of its popular attractions. This time, however, I wasn't planning to explore Da Nang like a typical tourist.

My main goal was to settle down for a month, take a little break before my next adventure, experience everyday life in Vietnam, and continue my online activities and job search from here.

But first, I needed to find somewhere to live.

Finding an Apartment in Da Nang

My initial plan was to stay in a hotel for a few days while looking for a studio apartment that I could rent for a month. Staying in hotels every night would have been considerably more expensive, so finding a monthly rental made much more sense for my budget.

One thing I quickly noticed was how much rental prices could vary depending on the location.

Properties closer to the beach, especially around the My Khe Beach area, tended to be considerably more expensive. I started talking to a few local Vietnamese real estate agents and spent the next couple of days checking out different apartments.

Eventually, I decided to focus on areas such as Hai Chau, Thanh Khe, and Hoa Cuong.

These areas offered a better opportunity to stay close to local markets, supermarkets, and everyday Vietnamese life while keeping my accommodation expenses under control.

Another advantage was that I didn't necessarily need to live right next to the beach. From the studio I eventually chose in Hai Chau, My Khe Beach was only around a 10 minute motorbike ride away.

Coming from Istanbul, where a journey that should take 10 minutes can easily turn into an hour because of traffic, this was absolutely nothing for me. 😂

Looking back, I'm really happy with that decision.

Welcome to the Rainy Season!

There was just one small problem: the weather.

Apparently, I had arrived in Da Nang at a rather unfortunate time. The monsoon rains were making their presence felt, and it seemed like the rain simply didn't want to stop.

During my first two days, I barely managed to leave the hotel.

Eventually, I decided that waiting for perfect weather wasn't an option. I bought myself a decent raincoat and continued visiting apartment listings despite the rain. 😂

One interesting thing about the weather here is how unpredictable it can be.

Sometimes it rains heavily for hours, while on other occasions, a sudden downpour lasts only ten minutes before the sky clears again. Predicting exactly when the next storm will arrive is not easy.

You can be enjoying a perfectly sunny afternoon one moment and find yourself caught in a tropical rainstorm the next!

After visiting several apartments, I finally found a studio in Hai Chau that suited my needs. I signed the rental agreement, unpacked my things, and officially had a home in Da Nang for the next month.

It was time to slow down a little.

Coffee, Laptop and Local Life

One of the things I really enjoy about Vietnam is its coffee culture.

Vietnamese coffee is famous for a reason, and Da Nang has no shortage of local coffee shops. You'll find everything from small traditional Vietnamese cafes to modern, laptop-friendly spaces designed for people who want to work or study.

Since I spend quite a lot of time working online, looking for jobs, and exploring different digital projects, having comfortable cafes nearby is a big advantage.

I've started saving interesting places to my Google Maps lists whenever I discover a new cafe. It's becoming a small hobby of its own!

There are still plenty of places I haven't visited, so my list keeps growing.

By the way, if you're planning to stay in Vietnam for a while and need recommendations for affordable cafes or places to work with your laptop, feel free to get in touch. I'd be happy to share some of my discoveries!

Exploring Da Nang on Two Wheels

To make everyday life easier, I also rented a small motorbike for 2M VND per month.

Honestly, this was one of the most useful decisions I made after arriving.

Having your own motorbike gives you so much freedom in Vietnam. You don't have to keep ordering Grab rides whenever you want to visit somewhere, and getting around the city becomes much easier.

I can head to a local market, find a new coffee shop, visit the beach, or simply ride around different neighborhoods whenever I feel like it.

I also have plans to visit some nearby destinations, especially Hoi An and Hue. Both are on my list, and having a motorbike will make exploring the surrounding areas much more convenient.

One Month, One City, Plenty of Discoveries

For now, Da Nang will be my little base in central Vietnam.

After moving between different cities and staying in hostels, having my own apartment and a more stable daily routine feels pretty good.

I'll continue working on my online projects, looking for new professional opportunities, discovering local cafes, and exploring the surrounding areas whenever the weather allows.

There are still plenty of places on my list, including Hoi An and Hue, and I'm looking forward to sharing those experiences in upcoming posts.

Sometimes traveling isn't just about moving from one destination to another. It's also about slowing down, finding your own routine, and experiencing what everyday life feels like somewhere completely different.

Greetings from Da Nang, Vietnam!

See you in the next travel diary!