Best areas to stay in Da Nang
1. My Khe Beach and the coastal strip
This is the long beachfront running south from the city towards Hoi An, and it is where the vast majority of visitors end up. The northern end, closer to the city, is built up with high-rise hotels set back from the ocean; the further south you go, the more spacious and resort-like the properties become. It suits beach-focused travellers, couples and anyone who wants to walk out of their accommodation onto the sand.
The trade-off is access. The north end keeps you close to the city and its eating options, while the southern stretches put you near the beach but make getting anywhere else a lengthy cab ride. My Khe Beach itself sits just across the beach road from a cluster of low-rise places, and the beach is walkable from the surrounding streets.
2. The city centre, west of the Hàn River
The central city is bisected by the Hàn River, and the west bank is the everyday urban core. Pham Phu Thu is a good street with many budget hotels, and the area around the centre holds city hotels and business-oriented places. It suits first-time visitors who want to be in the middle of things, and budget travellers who would rather spend on food and transport than on a sea view.
Staying here puts you within easy reach of the markets, streets and transport connections, and it is a short ride across the river to the beach side. If you want the beach every day, this is a base you travel from rather than stay on.
3. East of the river, along Tran Hung Dao
The east side of the river has many small hotels, some as cheap as 90,000 dong for a double room, typically with Wi-Fi, hot water, air-con, TV and fridge. It suits budget travellers and longer-staying visitors who want a low-cost base with the city within reach.
This side of the river sits between the centre and the coast, so you can walk or take a short ride to either. It is a practical compromise if you cannot decide between the city and the beach.
4. Sơn Trà, near the beach at Phước Mỹ
The Sơn Trà side covers the streets behind the northern beach, including the Phước Mỹ area. Here you find basic hotels, hostels and homestays on quiet streets a short walk from the beach, with cafes, taxis and street food nearby. It suits budget and mid-range travellers who want beach access without resort prices.
A taxi into the city can be found one street over from these beachside streets and costs very little, so you are not cut off from the centre. The area is also the starting point for the road that runs up the mountain to the north-east.
5. Hòa Hải and the southern resort zone
Further south, in the Ngu Hanh Son and Hòa Hải area, the accommodation becomes resort-style, with ocean-view rooms and villas set along Truong Sa Street. This suits travellers on a splurge budget, families wanting space and facilities, and anyone content to spend their days on site.
These properties are a short drive from the airport but well away from the city centre, so plan on taxis for anything beyond the resort. The beach here is the same long stretch that runs north towards My Khe.
6. Liên Chiểu, on the northern bay
The northern coastal area around Nguyễn Tát Thành Street holds resort and spa accommodation facing the bay, away from the main tourist strip. It suits travellers who want quiet, sea views and a base on the city's northern edge.
This area is further from the central sights and the main beach strip, so it works best if you have your own transport or are happy to rely on taxis.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Small hotels, guesthouses, motels, homestays and hostels, often on the east side of the river along Tran Hung Dao or on Pham Phu Thu in the centre. Expect simple rooms with Wi-Fi, hot water, air-con, TV and fridge, dorm beds in hostels, and some family-run places with shared kitchen space.
- Mid-range: City hotels, low-rise beachfront hotels and comfortable independent places, including options in the Hai Chau district and along Truong Sa Street near My Khe Beach. Rooms typically come with air-con, private bath or shower, refrigerator and breakfast.
- Splurge: High-rise beach hotels and full resorts along the coastal strip and in the southern resort zone, with pools, spas, restaurants, bars and, in some cases, private beaches and villas. Western brands charge a premium for predictable dependability.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself on the My Khe Beach coastal strip. It puts you on the beach while keeping you close enough to the city centre and its eating options, and it is where most visitors to Da Nang stay. Choose the northern end if you want to walk to the city, or further south if you would rather have space and resort facilities.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay on the beach or in the city centre?
The beach strip suits travellers who want sand and sea on the doorstep, but the northern end is the only part with easy access to the city. The centre, west of the Hàn River, suits those who want to be among the streets, markets and transport links, with the beach a short ride away.
Where do budget travellers tend to stay?
Small hotels along the east side of the river on Tran Hung Dao Street are among the cheapest options, and Pham Phu Thu on the west side of the river is a good street with many budget hotels in the centre. The Sơn Trà side near the beach also has basic hotels, hostels and homestays within walking distance of the sand.
How does the location affect getting around?
On the coastal strip, the further south you go, the more spacious the accommodation becomes, but getting anywhere at all will require a lengthy cab ride. In the north of the strip and in the city centre, you can walk to restaurants and reach the rest of the city quickly.
When is the best time of year to book a stay?
Da Nang has a wet and typhoon season from September to December and a dry season from January to August. Rainfall is heaviest between September and November, so plan around those months if you intend to spend your time on the beach.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.