Where to Live in Da Nang – Hai Chau vs An Thuong (2026)

For most newcomers, the question of where to live in Da Nang comes down to two areas: An Thuong near My Khe Beach, the city's expat hub with the most cafés, coworking spaces and English, and Hai Chau, the city centre on the west bank of the Han River, which is more local, generally cheaper and closer to everyday services. Choose An Thuong if you want an instant community and the beach on your doorstep. Choose Hai Chau if you want city convenience and a calmer routine, and don't mind taking a ride to the sea.

Hai Chau vs An Thuong at a glance

The table below sums up what expat guides published in 2026 (Base Da Nang, Shareuhack, Origin Vietnam and Ahoy Vietnam) say about the two areas.

	Hai Chau (city centre)	An Thuong / My Khe (beach side)
Feel	Everyday Vietnamese city life, more "local"	The densest expat area in central Vietnam
English	Fewer English speakers	The most English-friendly part of town
Beach	A ride away	Walking distance
Cafés and coworking	A solid handful, including a high-rise coworking space	The widest choice in the city
Noise	Varies street by street	Busy; karaoke and construction noise often mentioned
Cost	Generally cheaper	The most expensive area
Daily errands	Markets, supermarkets, hospitals, train station	Cafés, gyms and pharmacies within a short walk

An Thuong and My Khe: the expat hub

An Thuong is the grid of streets (An Thượng 1 to 30) just behind My Khe Beach. Guides describe it as the place where you can reach cafés, coworking spaces, gyms, pharmacies and the beach on foot within about 15 minutes.

It's also where much of the expat social life happens. Section 30 on An Thượng 30 is a two-storey craft beer spot with daily happy hour and live music. Aussie Bistro on Lê Quang Đạo is known for its Sunday roast. Two Michelin-listed Indian restaurants, Indian Aroma and Rang, are on this side of the river too.

The trade-offs are real, though:

• Noise. Karaoke and ongoing construction come up again and again in reviews.
• Crowds. It's the most touristy residential area.
• Price. It's consistently described as the most expensive place to rent.
• Petty theft. Guides flag bag and phone snatching from passing motorbikes in tourist areas, including the beachfront.

It's also worth knowing that October and November bring big waves and heavy rain. The beach is a dry-season pleasure more than a year-round one.

Hai Chau: the city side

Hai Chau runs along the west bank of the Han River. Long-stayers like it because it's walkable and practical: the city centre, the airport and the train station are all close, and daily life follows a local rhythm rather than a holiday one.

What you get on this side:

• The riverfront. Bạch Đằng street and the Dragon Bridge, which breathes fire and water on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 21:00 (free, about 15–20 minutes).
• Markets. Han Market (119 Trần Phú) is often called the best daily food market in the city, with tailors upstairs. Con Market is the largest, with more than 2,000 stalls and a busy street-food section from mid-afternoon.
• Food. Several 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand picks are here: Bà Vui (chicken noodles and sticky rice), Bánh Bèo – Bánh Đập (central Vietnamese rice cakes), Bún bò Huế Bà Thương (mornings only, 6:00–11:00) and Quê Xưa. Dì Hoa in Hòa Cường, known for Da Nang-style rice-paper snacks, is newly listed as Michelin Selected.
• Healthcare. Vinmec Da Nang, a JCI-accredited hospital with 24/7 emergency care and support for international patients, is in Hòa Cường.
• Rainy-day options. The Museum of Cham Sculpture and indoor pickleball courts.
• English-language services. Sunday Mass in English at 10:00 at Da Nang Cathedral (156 Trần Phú).

The honest downsides of Hai Chau

• Less English. Expats repeatedly describe Hai Chau as "more local, less English". Shop owners and drivers may not speak much English. A translation app and a few Vietnamese words go a long way.
• The beach isn't on your doorstep. You'll need a Grab or a scooter.
• Fewer expat meet-ups nearby. Most social events are on the beach side. Facebook groups (Expats in Da Nang City has around 99,000 members) and pickleball clubs are how many people find their crowd.
• Flooding is street by street. During Typhoon Bualoi in September 2025, central streets including Tôn Đức Thắng, Đống Đa, Quang Trung and Lê Duẩn were under 30–70 cm of water. Ask about a specific street before you sign.
• Construction noise exists here too. It's a citywide complaint.

Who Hai Chau suits

Hai Chau tends to work well for:

• Remote workers who want a routine. Quieter evenings, a supermarket around the corner, and a ride to the beach at weekends.
• Retirees and anyone who values healthcare nearby. A major international hospital and pharmacies within easy reach.
• People who cook. Markets and supermarkets are close, so eating at home is easy.
• Second-time visitors who already know Da Nang and want something more local.
• Anyone who'd rather not live above a bar strip.

An Thuong is usually the better pick for first-timers who want to meet people fast, for anyone who wants to swim every morning, and for people who enjoy nightlife.

Other areas worth knowing

We've focused on the two areas most people compare, but a few others come up:

• Son Tra / An Hai Bac (east bank). Between the river and the beach, a middle ground. The Da Nang International Fellowship holds an English-language service here on Sundays at 11:00, and Lighthouse Cafe on Đinh Nghệ is a popular work spot. The Son Tra peninsula and Linh Ung Pagoda are nearby for views.
• Bac My An and Bac My Phu. The streets around An Thuong host many of the city's laptop-friendly cafés, such as XLIII, Roots and Good Folk. See our guide to work-friendly cafés.
• Cam Le. Home to MM Mega Market, a go-to for imported Western groceries.

We haven't researched every district in depth, so treat this as a starting point. Visit an area at night before you commit.

Where AVE fits

AVE Apartment is a new five-unit building at 25 Hóa Sơn 10, Hòa Cường, Hải Châu, on a residential lane on the city side. It's a 1–2 minute walk from Lotte Mart, 150 m from the Han River, near Vinmec, and about 10–15 minutes by car from My Khe Beach and the airport.

In other words, it's the Hai Chau trade-off in one address: daily errands on foot, the river for evening walks, and the beach a short ride away. The owner lives on site, the building has a lift and parking, and every unit has its own washer-dryer and a work desk.

If you need more room, the 4th-floor 1-bedroom has 100 m² plus a private rooftop garden, and it's the only unit that accepts dogs.

Current units and availability:

Before signing anywhere, read how long-term renting works in Da Nang, including deposits, utility rates and red flags.

FAQ

Is Hai Chau or An Thuong better for digital nomads?

An Thuong has the most coworking spaces and the biggest nomad community. Hai Chau suits nomads who prefer a quieter, more local routine and still has good work cafés, a 24/7 workspace and a high-rise coworking space.

Is Hai Chau far from the beach?

Not far, but it's a ride rather than a walk. From AVE in Hòa Cường, My Khe Beach is about 10–15 minutes by car.

Do people speak English in Hai Chau?

Less than on the beach side. Expat guides describe Hai Chau as more local with less English, so a translation app helps. Big services such as Vinmec hospital offer English support.

Is Hai Chau cheaper than An Thuong?

Expat guides generally describe Hai Chau as cheaper and An Thuong as the most expensive area. Actual rents depend on the building and the unit, so compare specific listings.

Does Hai Chau flood in the rainy season?

Some central streets flooded badly during Typhoon Bualoi in September 2025, while others stayed dry. Flooding varies street by street, so ask about the exact address before you sign.