An Thuong, Hai Chau, and Son Tra account for the majority of foreign renters seeking long-term accommodation in Da Nang. Although all are seaside neighborhoods, each has a distinct character — from daily rhythm and types of amenities to the level of peace and quiet at night. Choosing the wrong district is a major risk for newcomers: those who sign year-long leases without adapting often want to move within a few months.

This article compares the three districts using three criteria that renters most commonly care about: rental prices, daily living environment, and which district suits whom. If you plan to stay long-term or buy an apartment to rent out, the most important thing is to first determine what audience you want to serve, or how you yourself want to live.

An Thuong: beachfront, expensive, noisy at night

An Thuong is the westernmost ward of Son Tra, situated right next to My Khe beach. From apartments here, it takes only 300–600 meters on foot to reach the beach. This district developed from an old "backpacker quarter," so its service infrastructure is dense and grew organically from the actual needs of residents, rather than being imposed from above.

Those working remotely or wanting a lifestyle centered around dining and socializing will love An Thuong. There are numerous European restaurants, private gyms, laundry services, and wifi-enabled cafes for working — most stay open late. You don't need to plan ahead or make reservations; just walk a few minutes and you'll find fresh food, services, or company recommendations from friends.

An Thuong rental prices

  • 1-bedroom, 45–55 m²: 8–12 million VND/month

  • 2-bedroom, 70–96 m²: 14–22 million VND/month

These are the highest prices among the three districts. Renters pay for beachfront location, dense amenities, and an active lifestyle. However, fierce competition among landlords and project managers means service quality must be good — otherwise tenants will move elsewhere.

An Thuong's biggest drawback is noise. Many bars play music until midnight, and during high season (April through September), streets are crowded with tourists in the evenings. If you prefer quiet or need silence for focused work in the evenings, this district is not suitable.

An Thuong is best suited for young people, remote workers who don't need evening quiet, and anyone planning to stay short-term from 6–12 months. If you invest for rental income, high season brings easy occupancy (around 85% occupancy rate), but landlords compete fiercely, so prices don't rise easily.

Hai Chau: central, peaceful, aging infrastructure

Hai Chau is Da Nang's administrative center, located 3–4 kilometers from the beach. It is the "heart" of the city: home to Da Nang Hospital (the largest medical facility), Han Market (for fresh produce shopping), good international schools, and concentrated office spaces for companies across industries.

Rental prices in Hai Chau are 15–25% cheaper than An Thuong for comparable floor area. A 2-bedroom apartment here rents for around 11–16 million VND/month, compared to 14–22 million in An Thuong. This savings is significant for long-term residents — over a year, you can save from 12 to 60 million VND.

The living environment in Hai Chau is quieter than An Thuong, with convenient transportation and everything within reach. You can grab breakfast, drop your child at school in 5 minutes by car, then head to work. There's no salty sea breeze, but in exchange you get peace and quiet and efficiency.

The main limitation of Hai Chau is interior condition. Most apartment buildings here were built before 2018, so furnishings and systems are dated. You'll find old walls, aging air conditioning systems, and living details that need maintenance. If you have high standards for room condition, inspect the space in person before renting.

Hai Chau suits families with school-age children, office workers who need to be near their workplace, and those wanting to live economically without losing basic amenities. Especially, couples doing remote work + school drop-off typically prefer Hai Chau most. For landlords investing for rental income, Hai Chau is stable year-round with around 75% occupancy rate among long-term renters, so revenue is predictable.

Son Tra: quiet, distant from amenities, expensive per square meter

Son Tra consists of two parts: Phuoc My ward (closer to center) and the Son Tra peninsula edge (more remote). This is the quietest of the three districts, with low building density, many villas and apartments with mountain or sea views. The air is clean, and early mornings you can jog up the peninsula with little traffic.

Rental prices in Son Tra are as follows: 2-bedroom apartments from 13–20 million VND/month, 3–4 bedroom villas from 35–60 million VND/month. Per square meter, Son Tra is the most expensive of the three districts, because spaciousness, tranquility, and natural views are values tenants are willing to pay premium rates for.

The main drawback is distance to center. Shopping, dining out, or accessing quick services requires 15–20 minutes by car, rather than walking as in An Thuong. Additionally, some mountain-edge roads in Son Tra lack street lighting, making evening driving inconvenient and risky. If you don't have a car, life will be limited, as taxis are scarce here.

Son Tra is the choice for families wanting quiet (or not wanting children around bars and restaurants), retirees, or foreign renters planning to stay over 1 year. If you invest for rental income, occupancy rates in Son Tra are lower, around 65%, but your typical tenants (families, retirees) often rent long-term and cause fewer problems, so annual revenue is still stable.

Advice: try renting before you commit

Choosing the wrong district is one of the biggest risks for newcomers to Da Nang. Unlike choosing a specific apartment (which can be changed with a different landlord or upgraded finishings), choosing the wrong district means you'll grow tired of your daily life, and moving house will cost extra money, time, and effort.

The most general advice: rent for a trial period of 1–3 months in your chosen district before signing a long-term lease or putting down money to buy. The cost of trial renting is far less than buying, living a few months, then discovering it's not right, or renting long-term and getting bored after a few months. During this period, you can:

  • Live day-to-day to experience the noise in the evenings, rush hour traffic, and natural atmosphere of the district

  • Explore the restaurants, supermarkets, gyms, and services you use daily — see if they're nearby or require traveling far

  • Meet local residents or fellow tenants to ask for honest opinions about the district long-term (not from salespeople trying to sell you property)

  • Test commuting from home to places you'll frequent regularly — your workplace, children's school, supermarket — during peak hours

After 1–3 months, you'll know which district truly suits you, and deciding to sign a long-term lease or find another district will be without regret.