Where to Stay in Da Nang, Vietnam: A Detailed Guide for Families Who Want to Experience More

An Thuong District (Ngu Hanh Son North): Easy, Social, and Familiar

If you want a landing spot that feels immediately accessible, this is it.

Mỹ An and An Thượng have grown into a walkable, international pocket of Da Nang. Cafes, restaurants, and small shops line the streets, and it’s easy to settle into a routine within a day or two. Businesses in this area are often specifically considering tourists as customers, so while you can definitely still find local shops and foods, there are also lots of options for expats looking for a taste of home.

Accommodations here are plentiful and flexible. Serviced apartments and short-term rentals make it easy to find something that fits your stay, whether it’s a few nights or a few months.

This is where many travelers, remote workers, and families end up, especially on a first visit, and there’s a reason for that. It’s simple. That makes it great for visitors who don’t want to have to figure everything out at once. Everything is close. Food is predictable, when you need it to be, and it’s easy to meet other families doing something similar. And the beach is right there!

But while the biggest advantage here is convenience, this area can feel a bit “touristy”. It’s comfortable, but it’s not the best representation of local life in Da Nang. And all that convenience comes with a premium price. Apartments here tend to be way more expensive than prices further out. (Though, often still cheaper than paying rent in other parts of the world!)

That said, the higher prices don’t make An Thuong the wrong choice. It just makes it a specific one. If you’re staying for a shorter amount of time, or want to lean into the feeling of getting a luxury trip for less money, this is where you want to be!

A typical day here might include getting work done at a local coffee shop or co-working space, taking a short walk to the beach, or exploring one of the many adventures Da Nang has to offer!

Also Read…

Exciting Educational Adventures with kids in Da Nang, Vietnam

Suggested Spots to Stay in An Thuong (Click through for pictures!)

• Alacarte – via Agoda (Apartment right by the sea!)
• Nang’s Home Studio (Apartment in An Thuong)
• Dana Hotel & Apartment
• Muong Thanh 2BR Apartment

Hai Chau: Where You Start to Understand the City

If your goal is to go a little deeper than the typical beach experience, Hai Chau is a great place to begin. (Though I’m biased, as this is where my family has based out of for the last year and a half!)

This is the center of Da Nang in the truest sense. Government buildings, local businesses, coffee shops, and markets all sit side by side. It feels active without being overwhelming. And while there are definitely expat-friendly food and shopping options around, there’s much more that’s very clearly built for the people who live here! (In our neighborhood in the southern portion, I rarely see more than a handful of foreigners in any given week.)

Mornings tend to start early. You’ll see groups exercising along the river, shop owners setting up, and street food vendors already in full swing. In the evenings, families gather along the Han River, and kids run around while the bridges begin to light up.

Accommodations here lean towards the practical. Think houses, apartments, and local hotels rather than resorts. It’s comfortable, affordable, and well-connected. As a reference, my family pays around $560/month (15 million VND) for a 4-bedroom house in this area, though I have never met another expat with rent that low. (We got a great deal and seized the opportunity to take it!)

For families, this area works well if you value access and routine. Groceries are easy, medical care is nearby, and you’re surrounded by some of the best local food in the city. Plus, this is where the Da Nang Museum and the Museum of Cham Sculpture are located!

The tradeoff is simple. You’re not at the beach or in a tourism hot-spot, but you are in a place that helps you understand a lot more about where you are. (And the beach is literally just a 10-minute Grab ride away!)

Suggested Spots to Stay in Hai Chau (Click through for pictures!)

• Lavender Riverside Hotel
• Seahorse Tropical Apartment
• AHA Thang Bom (Studio with Double + Bunk Beds)

Son Tra: Slower paced with Access to Nature

Son Tra sits between the coastline and the green hills of the Son Tra peninsula to the north. It’s still part of the city, but it doesn’t always feel like it. The pace is a bit slower, the streets are a bit quieter, and the space is a bit more open.

This is the kind of place where a simple morning stroll can lead to a view of the mountains, or a quiet road that winds a little further than expected. Accommodation ranges from smaller apartments tucked into local neighborhoods to newer buildings closer to the beach. Prices are generally reasonable, especially compared to the more built-up tourist areas, but there are also fewer stores, fewer food options aimed at foreigners, and fewer things to do.

For families, Son Tra offers something that’s hard to plan for but easy to appreciate once you have it. A little more space. A little less noise. A rhythm that doesn’t feel rushed.

You’ll likely need to get around by motorbike or car, especially for restaurants or activities. But depending on what you’re looking for, that can 100% be worth it.

Suggested Spots to Stay in Son Tra (Click through for pictures!)

• Phước Mỹ Houses
• Coastal Nest (Smaller space, better for families planning to spend a lot of time out!)
• John Boutique Villa
• Sea Charm Da Nang (Small-ish room, but small-ish price, as well)

Ngu Hanh Son (South): A Bit More Space to Settle In

This region would probably be my personal second choice for my family’s needs. The southern part of the Ngu Hanh Son district is quieter and more spread out than An Thuong. There are still some beach access points and places to eat, but they’re less concentrated, and less populated, than the areas just to the north.

Apartments are larger, houses are an option, and prices tend to be a bit lower than in the busier areas. Plus, because the neighborhoods here are more off the beaten path, there’s way less through traffic, and walking around with kids feels easier.

You’re also closer to Hoi An, which makes an outing to Old Town less expensive and more convenient! (Think $10 taxi ride, one-way instead of $20 one-way.)

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The tradeoff here is convenience. You won’t be able to walk everywhere. There are fewer cafes and street food options. And daily errands, like grocery shopping, can take a bit more planning. But for families who want a little more room, and a quieter base to return to, that tradeoff can feel very worthwhile.

Suggested Spots to Stay in Ngu Hanh Son (Click through for pictures!)

• Your Home Villa Pick Up Airport
• Oceans Villa 2BR Apartment
• Mina Home 2BR House (Lovely, but getting pretty far out. Expect to have to drive to do anything)

Thanh Khe: Everyday Life, Up Close

Thanh Khe sits just west of the city center and doesn’t try to present itself as anything other than what it is. It’s busy, local, and built around daily routines rather than foreign visitors. The markets are active, streets are full, and English isn’t always part of the equation. (Though, Google Translate can still work wonders.)

Accommodations here are basic and budget-friendly. You’ll find local apartments and small hotels, often at lower prices than more tourist-focused areas. Just be aware that you’ll be paying more in Grab fares every time you want to head to the beach or tourist areas. I often prefer to pay a bit more in rent to get a nicer house and not need to spend the extra time and money in transportation every time I want to leave!

For families, this area works best if you’re comfortable stepping into a more local rhythm. It’s close enough to the airport and city center to stay practical, but it won’t offer the same visual appeal as the beach or riverfront. Plus, it’s closer to the Da Nang Bay beaches, which are under-rated for families! The bay has much smaller waves and is typically less crowded than the beaches in more popular areas, which is great for families with smaller kids.

Lien Chieu: Stretching the Budget

Even further north, Lien Chieu shifts farther from tourism and more towards local, everyday living. This is a student and residential area, with a mix of housing and industry. It is one of the most affordable parts of Da Nang, but that shows in both the pricing and the overall feel of the area.

Accommodations are basic and geared toward longer stays rather than short visits. You’ll find simple apartments and shared housing more often than anything else. Short term housing, like hotels, are rarer, but still present.

The area isn’t particularly close to any major attractions, and getting around takes a lot more time. But if your priority is living low-cost for a while, it can be a practical option. So long as you aren’t spending the time and money to get to An Thuong every day!

If I’m being honest, I would not recommend this for most people. Unless you speak Vietnamese and have experience living like a local, community is going to be hard to come by, since the vast majority of expats will be closer to the more touristy areas.

Cam Le: Quiet and Residential

Cam Le is one of the newest areas in Da Nang and consists mostly of newer residential areas and industry, rather than beach town vibes and street food. It’s quieter, more spread out, and centered on local families and daily routines. Houses are more common here, and there’s a sense of space that’s harder to find closer to the coast.

For families planning a longer stay, this can be an excellent fit! There’s room to settle into a rhythm, and prices are generally lower than in the more central areas. However, there aren’t a ton of things to do in the area, and while there are some cafes and co-working areas, the selection is much more limited than in the more popular areas like An Thuong and Hai Chau, or even quieter areas like Son Tra.

Basically, if you want to get out of the house to go do something, you’ll need to arrange transportation. That said, Cam Le is much closer to the action than either Thanh Khe or Lien Chieu, and it will really only take 15 minutes to get into the thick of things!

If your goal is a calm, consistent base, that’s also close enough to the action for you to stay connected, Cam Le could definitely fit the bill.

Suggested Spots to Stay in An Thuong (Click through for pictures!)

• LAM Apartment & Hotel (pretty close to actually being in Hai Chau)
• Santorini House & Coffee (This is one of the least expensive options in town, for families)

What Staying in Vietnam Actually Feels Like

Before you settle on booking in a specific neighborhood, it also helps to understand one thing: Accommodations in Vietnam almost never match up with your expectations. There are going to be some things that work and feel different. That’s not necessarily a negative. It just means there will probably be a short adjustment period.

Apartments tend to use space efficiently. Kitchens are often simple, and storage can be limited. Vietnamese house layouts tend towards longer, taller buildings, making living spaces feel narrower even when there’s the same amount of space. Bathrooms are sometimes designed as a single wet room, without a door or curtain between the shower space and the toilet.

The bigger factor is location. A smaller place in a walkable area will feel way easier than a larger apartment that’s too far away. Being close to food vendors, parks, or even just an easy place to walk can shape your day far more than the extra space.

Choose a place in Da Nang that fits for your family

There isn’t a single right answer here. Some families will appreciate the ease of An Thuong, where everything is within walking distance and the transition into daily life is smooth. Others will prefer Son Tra, where things feel quieter and the space invites you to slow down. And some, like my own family, will prefer the balance of Hai Chau!

There are plenty of great choices in Da Nang. But to find the best option for you, there’s a question you have to answer.

Do you want something easy, something peaceful, or perhaps a bit of both? Once you have that answer, the neighborhood tends to choose itself.