Danang is located in the middle of Vietnam's surprisingly huge coastline. It lies roughly halfway between the political capital Ha Noi and the bustling financial hub of Ho Chi Minh City. These cities house most of the countries urban population but are not ideal for everyone. Danang is not just a great place to visit but is considered by many as the most liveable city in Vietnam.
Getting around
First of all, getting around Danang is a breeze compared to the other major cities. There is less traffic so no peak-hour madness, excessive fumes and motorbikes to dodge. In saying that, it's still a little crazy and you still need to be on your wits.
Danang is just about the right size for a city. (source:Buocchankhongmoi/Shutterstock)
The city isn't what you'd consider small, however, it is flat a great place to cycle around.
Additionally, as the city's most recent developments have been for tourism it is also very walker-friendly. The streets are wider and the pavements relatively clear.
When finding your way in Danang it's hard to get lost, particularly at night. The unique design of the bridges and theme parks make them useful for landmarks. At night the city is lit up by amazing LED displays and the Dragon Bridge even breathes fire!
Danang's Beaches
The benefits of living in Danang becomes clearer when the weather warms up. Luckily this is most days of the year. Two sides of this city are bordered by the open ocean and white sandy beaches. Depending on the seasons Danang can even get waves that are big enough to surf.
My Khe Beach
Because there is so much sand there is always a spot or beach chair available to rent. My Khe one of Vietnam's most picturesque beaches. Not far from the city centre, it is the northern end of the coastal beach strip that heads down the coast for miles. It's dotted with some grand resorts and great spots to indulge in seafood.
Sandy beaches, clear waters and green mountains make for a great city (source: lonelyplanet.com)
Thanh Binh Beach
Thanh Binh is the closest beach to Da Nang and is the go-to spot in the evening and on weekends for locals. This beach offers a more local vibe with regular food and beer prices. This is a particularly popular place windsurfing, swimming, and yachting.
Son Tra Peninsula
If you want to find a quiet beach and avoid the crowds, head to Son Tra Peninsula. This green slice of paradise jutting out into the East Sea has many hidden places and beaches. A quick spin on the winding roads will reveal dozens of small resorts and cafes where the hours are easily lost.
Surrounded by Nature
What makes Danang such a good place to live is not just what's on the inside. Just outside the city limits are some great places to explore and escape to when the need arises.
Hai Van Pass
Hai Van Pass, for example, is one of Vietnam's greatest mountain passes. It rises to about 500m above sea level while traversing the most eastern part of the Annamite Range. The road's curves force you to dance with the clouds and offers glimpses of the ocean and the train line below.
The views from Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam's best coastal roads. (source: theblondetravels.com)
Lang Co Lagoon/Bac Ma
Just beyond the end of Hai Van Pass is the stunningly beautiful Lang Co Lagoon. This area can be accessed via a tunnel under the mountain that bypasses the winding pass.It's a great place to escape on the weekend to explore and visit a 'floating restaurant' for dinner. The view across the lagoon exposes the fringes of Bac Ma National Park. It's one of the most highly regarded nature reserves in the country.
Ba Na Hills
Nestled high above Danang is Ba Na Hills, a popular theme park with tourists. This replica Parisian village is a great place to visit with lots of activities and attractions. It's not exactly what many would consider when nature is mentioned, however, the views and gardens are gorgeous. How lucky is everyone in Danang to have all this at their backdoor!
Travelling Further Afield
Danang has many reasons it has become one of the most popular cities for expats living in Vietnam. While there the city has some great spots, it's ideally located to take advantage of sights a little further afield.
Transportation Connections
Danang has excellent transport connections. Intercity bus services and train services easily link the city with surrounding regions. If you're on two wheels, the surrounding provinces have some of the best roads and highway connections in Vietnam. If you need to fly anywhere the airport has regular services from all types of airlines to connect Danang domestically and a growing number of international cities.
Hoi An
A short trip south from Danang city is the UNESCO Heritage Listed town of Hoi An. This ancient port town operated as a busy south-east Asian sea hub from the 15th to 19th centuries. It still retains its Japanese, Chinese and European influenced charm.
It's safe to say there is no other place like Hoi An. Most of the old town is closed to traffic and for pedestrians only. There are many sites of interest such as bridges, pagoda and surviving wooden buildings. Unsurprisingly, it attracts a lot of tourists but this doesn't detract from its inherent beauty.
Hoi An is an amazing town and only a hop, skip and oh-so-close to Danang (source: xiquinhosilva / Flickr)
Hue
A four-hour trip by road north of Danang is the former royal capital of Hue. The showpiece of this ancient city is the massive 19th-century citadel. The encompassing moat, thick stone walls and large open areas inside can be easily seen and accessed.
Many residents still do business and live their lives within the confines of the citadel. The core of the complex, the Imperial city, is under constant renovation. It's open for visitors to the city and regularly hosts cultural events and festivals.
Working in Danang
Despite all the benefits of living in Danang, finding work is another story. This is where Danang also differs from Hanoi and HCMC. There are fewer jobs for expats, and locals alike, which is why many move to the larger cities. Of course, there is also the option of starting or buying a business in Danang...
Teaching English
For many expats in Vietnam, teaching English is the best choice. Even experienced teachers are surprised after they move to Danang just how little work they can find. There are fewer language centres and less international schools than bigger cities. This means that there are fewer jobs and the larger pool of English teachers reflects that.
This is an office I'm sure many folks could get used to (source:holidaybeachdanang.com)
Hospitality and Technology
Danang is a fast-developing city. The resort industry is booming, even by Asian standards, and it may be possible to find a hotel job in Danang. The city is also actively promoting itself as a technology and software hub for the region. Danang has seen an increase in IT, web development and start-ups relocating here from the bigger cities. If these are your fields then this city could have something to offer.
Working remotely
However in saying all this, if you work remotely you're in luck. Vietnam is known for its super-fast internet speeds and Danang is no exception. In fact, the entire city is covered by free wi-fi but don't expect this to meet your demands. Luckily there are plenty of good coffee shops and several co-working spaces.
Cost of Living
Like elsewhere in Vietnam, the living costs in Danang are cheap when compared to other countries in the region. The cost of living is a huge factor, if not the biggest, in what makes a city livable.
Rent in Danang, depending on the type of accommodation you need. You can get a room in a share-house or a hotel that offers long term stays for between 5-8 million Vietnamese Dong a month. A house or more luxurious apartment will set you back over 10 million. Like any other tourist town, the closer you are to the beach, the more you will pay.
Living in Danang, like elsewhere in Vietnam, can be cheap. (source: videogun/shutterstock)
The food is great and for the most part, if eating locally, is cheap. Restaurants geared towards tourists are going to charge higher prices, assumingly for higher standards. Supermarkets are well stocked and local markets are a great source of fresh produce.
Healthcare costs may vary depending on what kind of insurance you have (if any). Either way, Danang is well served by several large public hospitals. Vietnam's most reputable private hospitals have franchises here too.
Asia's most liveable?
All these reasons listed make Danang Vietnam's most liveable city. Whether or not it can take the claim as Asia's most liveable city though is another story. It's not a perfect place to live, but for most who move to Danang, it's primarily a lifestyle choice. Pull up a sun lounge, a coconut and enjoy the elements.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
