So you've fallen for Vietnam's central coast (we get it—those beaches are something else), and now you're trying to figure out: Da Nang or Hoi An?

Here's the thing: these two cities are only 30 minutes apart, but they might as well be different planets when it comes to lifestyle. One's a buzzing coastal city with all the infrastructure you could want. The other's a UNESCO heritage town where motorbikes aren't even allowed in the Old Town.

After talking to dozens of expats, digital nomads, and retirees who've made the move, here's what you actually need to know about living costs, lifestyle, and which one might be your vibe.

The Real Numbers: What Does It Actually Cost?

Let's cut through the fluff. Based on current 2025 data, here's what you're looking at:

For solo expats:

  • Da Nang: Around $770-900/month for a comfortable lifestyle
  • Hoi An: Slightly less at $600-700/month for similar comfort

For families:

  • Da Nang: $1,750-2,000/month (before international school tuition)
  • Hoi An: $990-1,400/month (again, schools not included)

But here's where it gets interesting: those baseline numbers can swing wildly depending on your lifestyle. Love Western food? Add $300-400/month. Can't live without craft beer and fancy restaurants? Double it. But if you're happy eating local food and living more like a Vietnamese person? You could easily shave 30% off these estimates.

Sarah, a Canadian freelance designer, puts it perfectly: "I spend about $1,000/month in Da Nang including my beachside apartment, and I eat out literally every meal. Back in Vancouver, my rent alone was $1,800."

Housing: From Beach Condos to Heritage Homes

Da Nang: Modern Living with Options

The rental market here is straightforward. For long-term stays (6+ months), you're looking at:

  • Studio/1BR near the beach: $300-500/month
  • Nice 2BR in a modern building: $500-800/month
  • Fancy beachfront condo with pool: $700-1,500/month

Here's the insider tip: negotiate in VND (Vietnamese Dong), pay 3-6 months upfront, and get everything in writing. You can easily knock 10-15% off the asking price if you're signing a year lease.

The My Khe Beach area is where most expats cluster—it's walkable, has tons of cafés with solid WiFi, and you're literally steps from the sand. The city center (Hai Chau) is more local, slightly cheaper, and has better access to hospitals and shopping malls.

Short-term? Expect to pay 50-100% more. A modern one-bedroom on Airbnb runs $800-1,200/month. Great for testing the waters, expensive if you're here long-term.

Hoi An: Charm Comes at a Price (Sometimes)

Hoi An's rental scene is quirkier. You'll find everything from basic Vietnamese homes for $300/month to gorgeous villas near An Bang Beach for $600-800/month.

The catch? Quality varies wildly. That $300 place might have iffy plumbing and WiFi that drops out when it rains (which is often). The sweet spot is $450-600/month for something comfortable near the beach.

Mark, a British retiree, warns: "Don't expect high-speed internet everywhere. I live 10 minutes from Old Town and my connection is fine, but some of my friends in more remote areas struggle with Zoom calls."

The Airbnb play: Short-term rentals in Hoi An can earn around $1,343/month for a one-bedroom, but occupancy drops like a rock in low season (May-September). You'll be competing with hotels during the quiet months.

Food: This is Where Vietnam Gets Ridiculously Cheap


Honestly, food costs in both cities are so low it's almost absurd if you're coming from the West.

Eating Like a Local

A huge bowl of mì quảng (the regional specialty—try it!) costs about $1.50. A bánh mì sandwich? Maybe $1. A full meal at a local restaurant with a beer? $3-5.

If you cook at home with local ingredients and eat out occasionally, budget:

  • Solo: $150-200/month
  • Couple: $300-400/month

The Western Food Tax

This is where costs creep up. That burger and imported beer at an expat café? $10-15. Suddenly you're spending $500-600/month on food if you're eating Western-style regularly.

Da Nang has more variety—Korean, Japanese, Italian, you name it. Hoi An's got the tourist restaurants in Old Town (overpriced) and some gems if you know where to look, but less overall variety.

Real talk from Lisa, an American teacher: "I spend about $250/month on food in Da Nang, but I cook breakfast, eat local for lunch, and only splurge on Western dinners twice a week. My friend who eats Western food constantly spends like $600."

Getting Around: Motorbikes, Grab, and Crossing the Street

Da Nang: Motorbike Paradise

Most expats rent a scooter for about $45-50/month (or buy one for $500-800 used). Gas is roughly $0.83/liter.

Grab (Vietnam's Uber) is everywhere and cheap—a 5km ride costs $2-3. But honestly, once you get comfortable on a motorbike, you'll rarely use Grab.

First-timer tip: Take a motorbike lesson! Several shops in My Khe offer them for $20-30. Crossing Da Nang's streets on foot is genuinely terrifying until you learn "the walk"—just go slow and steady, and traffic flows around you.

Hoi An: Bikes and Walking

Hoi An's Old Town is mostly pedestrianized, so you're walking or cycling there. For everything else, rent a motorbike for the same price as Da Nang.

The drive between the two cities? About 30-40 minutes on a scooter, $10-12 on Grab, or $2-3 on the public bus (though buses are infrequent and not air-conditioned—you'll arrive drenched).

Internet: The Digital Nomad Deal-Breaker

Da Nang: Fiber Heaven

This is where Da Nang crushes Hoi An. Fiber internet is city-wide, costs about $10-15/month, and you'll get 50-100+ Mbps consistently. Coffee shops routinely hit 300+ Mbps.

Perfect for Zoom calls, video editing, whatever you need.

Hoi An: Hit or Miss

WiFi in cafés is usually fine for basic work. At home? It depends entirely on where you live. Some places get solid fiber, others struggle with DSL that cuts out.

Multiple expats mentioned this as their biggest frustration with Hoi An. If your income depends on reliable internet, test it extensively before signing a lease—or just live in Da Nang.

Healthcare: Better Than You'd Expect

Here's some good news: healthcare in both cities is shockingly good and affordable.

Da Nang: International Standard

Da Nang has two excellent international hospitals:

Vinmec International Hospital is the gold standard—think five-star hotel meets hospital. JCI-accredited, English-speaking doctors (many trained overseas), modern equipment. A routine visit costs $10-30. Even serious procedures are a fraction of Western prices.

Hoan My Hospital has an international wing specifically for foreigners, works with most insurance companies, and is slightly cheaper than Vinmec.

Tom, an Australian expat, had emergency surgery at Vinmec: "I paid $800 out of pocket for an appendectomy, including three nights in a private room. They sent someone to my hotel to collect my passport. The care was honestly better than I've had back home."

Hoi An: Go to Da Nang for Serious Stuff

Hoi An has small clinics and decent dentists, but for anything serious, everyone drives to Da Nang.

The smart play: Get international insurance ($50-100/month for solid coverage) and use Da Nang's hospitals. Many expats here carry insurance specifically for medical evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore if something catastrophic happens.

Schools: This is Where Your Budget Explodes

If you have kids, buckle up—international school tuition is the single biggest expat expense.

Da Nang Options

Cost: $8,000-12,000/year for primary, climbing to $15,000+ for secondary

Add in uniforms, books, activities, and you're easily at $10,000-15,000/year per child.

Hoi An International School

The main option is Hoi An International School (HAIS), which now runs from 215-510 million VND per year depending on grade level. That's roughly $8,500-20,000/year—significantly higher than what many older guides suggest.

Reality check from the Martins, a family of four: "We budget $2,200/month for comfortable living plus $1,800/month for both kids' tuition. So we're all-in for about $4,000/month, which is still half what we spent in Sydney."

Some families opt for online schooling or return home for high school years. Others bite the bullet because everything else in Vietnam is so cheap it still works out. Moreover, compared the costs of international schools in Singapore and Hong Kong which can easily cost north of $30k USD per year, Vietnam's international schools can seem like a bargain.

Lifestyle: City Buzz vs. Small-Town Charm

This is really where the two cities diverge.

Da Nang: Beach City Energy

Da Nang feels like a mid-sized modern city that happens to have world-class beaches. You get:

  • Actual infrastructure: Reliable power, water, internet
  • Modern amenities: Shopping malls, movie theaters, gyms, co-working spaces
  • Food variety: Everything from street food to high-end Japanese
  • Expat community: Big enough to make friends, not so big it's a bubble
  • Things happening: The annual Fireworks Festival, beach volleyball leagues, running clubs

The vibe is laid-back but not sleepy. You can grab specialty coffee, hit a co-working space, surf in the afternoon, and meet friends for craft beer at night.

Jake, a digital nomad from the US, loves it: "I need options. Some days I want to work from a beach café, other days I need the city. Da Nang gives me both without being overwhelming like Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City."

Hoi An: Slow Living in a Heritage Town

Hoi An is charming as hell, but it's quiet. Like, everything-closes-by-10pm quiet.

The Old Town is stunning—yellow colonial buildings, lanterns everywhere, the riverside at sunset. But it's also touristy. You'll dodge tour groups and trinket sellers constantly.

Most expats actually live near An Bang or Cua Dai beaches, not in Old Town. Life there revolves around:

  • Beach time: Seriously, the beaches are gorgeous
  • Slow mornings: Long coffees, reading, swimming
  • Cooking classes and craft beer: There's a surprising craft beer scene
  • Day trips: Hoi An is your base for exploring the region

By night? You're mostly hanging at someone's house or the occasional expat bar. There's no real nightlife scene.

Emma, a writer from the UK, chose Hoi An specifically for this: "I spent 10 years in London chaos. Now I ride my bike through rice fields to get coffee. It's exactly the reset I needed. But yeah, if you need constant stimulation, you'll be bored in a month."

Investment & Rental Income: The Numbers Game

Thinking about buying property? Here's what's actually happening in the market.

Da Nang: Steady Returns

The condo market here is active. Current data shows:

  • Airbnb properties: Average $9,000/year income ($755/month)
  • Occupancy rate: Around 61%
  • Average nightly rate: $42-45

Rental yields: 4.2-4.5% annually for traditional rentals, potentially higher for well-managed short-term rentals.

The market is strong but not oversaturated—with around 4,800 active Airbnb listings, there's room to compete if you do it right.

The play: Buy a modern one or two-bedroom near My Khe Beach, furnish it well, get professional photos, and manage it actively (or hire a local property manager for 15-20%). Peak season is February-May and September-November.

Hoi An: High Risk, High Reward

Hoi An's rental market is seasonal. Like, violently seasonal.

  • Good properties: Can earn $10,000-12,000/year
  • Occupancy rate: Only 48% (ouch)
  • The problem: May-October is basically dead

If you buy a villa near An Bang Beach, you can charge premium rates during peak season. But you'll also have 4-5 months of near-zero bookings.

The alternative: Long-term rentals to expats or Vietnamese tenants. Lower income (maybe 3-4% yield) but stable and easier to manage.

Foreign Ownership Rules

Here's what foreigners can actually buy in Vietnam:

  • Condos: 50-year leasehold (renewable)
  • Villas/Houses: Land lease arrangements, legally complex
  • The catch: You need proper legal help—this isn't DIY territory

Michael, a Singaporean investor, warns: "I spent $2,000 on legal fees to buy my Da Nang condo properly. My friend tried to save money and got scammed out of his deposit. Do not cheap out on legal advice."

The Hybrid Life: Why Not Both?

Here's what tons of expats actually do: live in Da Nang, escape to Hoi An.

Rent in Da Nang for the infrastructure, work, schools, and hospitals. Then head to Hoi An for long weekends, rent a beachfront villa for a week, or just ride over for dinner in Old Town.

Best of both worlds, and it only costs you 40 minutes and a few bucks in gas.

So Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Da Nang if you:

  • Need rock-solid internet for remote work
  • Have kids who need international schools nearby
  • Want more restaurant, entertainment, and social options
  • Value convenience and modern infrastructure
  • Plan to invest in rental property for steady income
  • Like having a "real city" but still want beach access

Choose Hoi An if you:

  • Crave a slower pace and don't mind small-town life
  • Can handle spotty internet (or work offline)
  • Don't have school-age kids (or they're in online school)
  • Want to truly escape the expat bubble
  • Love the idea of biking through rice fields
  • Are retired or semi-retired and don't need constant stimulation

Choose BOTH if you:

  • Want flexibility
  • Can afford two rentals (easier than you think)
  • Work remotely and want Da Nang's infrastructure but Hoi An's weekends
  • Are testing out where to eventually settle long-term

Final Insider Tips

  1. Come visit first. Spend at least 2-3 weeks in each place before committing. What looks perfect on Instagram might drive you crazy in real life.
  2. Start with a short-term rental. Yes, it costs more, but signing a year lease in a neighborhood you end up hating is worse.
  3. Learn basic Vietnamese. Even just greetings and numbers will save you money and frustration. Vendors charge different prices for foreigners, full stop.
  4. Budget for visa runs. You'll need to leave Vietnam every 1-3 months depending on your visa type. Laos border runs cost about $120, Thailand trips cost more. Factor this in.
  5. Get a local SIM card immediately. Mobile data costs $5-10/month for unlimited, and you'll need it for Grab, Google Maps, and staying connected.
  6. Understand the healthcare reality. It's good, but it's not Western. If you have a chronic condition requiring specific medication or treatment, verify availability before moving.
  7. The weather is intense. Hot and humid year-round, with a brutal monsoon season (October-December). Air conditioning isn't optional—it's survival.

Bottom Line

Both Da Nang and Hoi An offer incredible value and quality of life compared to most Western countries. You can live well, eat amazing food, enjoy gorgeous beaches, and still have money left over.

Da Nang is for people who want modern convenience with beach access. Hoi An is for people who want to opt out of the rat race and don't mind sacrificing some creature comforts.

Either way, you're living in one of Vietnam's most beautiful regions for a fraction of what you'd spend back home.

Just remember: the "right" choice depends entirely on your lifestyle, work needs, and what makes you happy. There's no wrong answer here—just different flavors of awesome.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it cheaper to live in Da Nang or Hoi An?

Hoi An is slightly cheaper for basic living—about $600-700/month for a solo person versus $770-900/month in Da Nang. However, the difference isn't huge, and Da Nang often offers better value when you factor in the superior infrastructure, internet reliability, and healthcare access. If you're working remotely or have kids in school, Da Nang's convenience often justifies the small extra cost. For retirees on a tight budget who don't need fast internet, Hoi An edges ahead.

Which is better for digital nomads—Da Nang or Hoi An?

Da Nang wins for digital nomads, hands down. The city has fiber internet city-wide (50-300+ Mbps), tons of coworking spaces, reliable power, and a growing nomad community. Coffee shops routinely have excellent WiFi. Hoi An's internet is hit-or-miss—some areas are fine, others struggle with Zoom calls. If your income depends on being online, Da Nang is the safer bet. That said, some nomads love Hoi An's quiet vibe for deep work and make day trips to Da Nang when they need reliable connectivity.

How far apart are Da Nang and Hoi An, and how do I travel between them?

They're only about 30km (18 miles) apart—roughly 30-40 minutes by motorbike or Grab (ride-hailing app). A Grab ride costs $10-12, the public bus is $2-3 (but infrequent and not air-conditioned), and many people simply rent scooters for $45-50/month and drive between cities regularly. This short distance is why many expats live in one city and visit the other for day trips or weekends.

Do I need a visa to live in Da Nang or Hoi An?

Most visitors need a visa, but Vietnam has generous visa exemptions for 45 days for citizens of many countries (including US, UK, Canada, Australia, most EU nations). For longer stays, you can apply for an e-visa (up to 90 days, single or multiple entry) through the official government website. If you're staying 3+ months, you'll need to either extend your visa (tourist visas can sometimes be extended once) or do a "visa run"—exit Vietnam and re-enter with a new visa. Many Da Nang and Hoi An expats do visa runs to Laos via Lao Bao border (about $120 total) or fly to Thailand for a few days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay.

Which city is safer—Da Nang or Hoi An?

Both cities are very safe by international standards. Violent crime is rare, and you can walk around day or night without worry. Hoi An is particularly peaceful, with attentive police presence in Old Town. Da Nang, being larger, has slightly more petty theft in crowded tourist areas, but it's still safer than most Western cities. The biggest safety issue in both places? Traffic. Crossing streets takes practice, and motorbike accidents do happen. Always wear a helmet, drive defensively, and consider taking a lesson if you've never ridden a scooter before.

Can foreigners buy property in Da Nang or Hoi An?

Yes, but with restrictions. Foreigners can buy condos on a 50-year leasehold (renewable), but you're limited to 30% of units in any building. Buying houses or villas is more complicated—you're technically leasing the land, not owning it outright. The process requires proper legal help; don't try to DIY it. Many expats who bought property without qualified lawyers ended up losing money. Budget $2,000-3,000 for legal fees to do it properly. Vietnamese law also requires that foreigners have a valid visa to purchase property, so this is generally for long-term residents or investors, not tourists.

What about healthcare for expats in Da Nang vs Hoi An?

Da Nang has excellent international-standard hospitals (Vinmec and Hoan My) with English-speaking doctors, modern equipment, and affordable prices—a doctor visit costs $10-30, and even major procedures are a fraction of Western prices. Hoi An only has small clinics; for anything serious, everyone drives 30 minutes to Da Nang. Most expats carry international health insurance ($50-100/month) that covers Da Nang hospitals and provides evacuation coverage to Bangkok or Singapore for catastrophic issues. If healthcare access is important to you (especially if you have kids or chronic conditions), living in Da Nang makes more sense.


Have questions about living in Da Nang or Hoi An? Drop us a line—we love talking about Vietnam's central coast! If you do decide to take the plunge and want to some transparent and solid guidance, you can also check our Rumavi's boutique advisory service for residency and property acquisition support.