The Expat Parent's Guide to Da Nang & Hoi An — Part 1: Choosing Where to Live

Whether you're arriving from London, Seoul, Singapore — or relocating from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi — moving to the Da Nang and Hoi An region with children is one of those decisions that sounds exciting in theory, and turns out to be even better in practice.

But like any move, it comes with a learning curve. This is the first in a series of guides written for expat parents navigating life in Central Vietnam — covering the things families actually want to know before and after they arrive.

We're starting with the question almost every family asks first: Da Nang or Hoi An?

Da Nang vs Hoi An: Which Is Right for Your Family?

The two cities are only 30 kilometres apart, but they feel like different worlds — and the right choice depends almost entirely on your lifestyle.

Bustling Da Nang

Da Nang is a real city — Vietnam's third largest — with the infrastructure to match. International hospitals, major supermarkets, modern apartments, a growing expat community, and one of the most accessible airports in the country. If you're coming from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, it'll feel familiar while being noticeably more relaxed and far less congested. The beach is right there. The traffic is manageable. Life moves at a pace that most families find genuinely refreshing.

Laid Back Hoi An

Hoi An is smaller, slower, and genuinely beautiful. The Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site — lantern-lit streets, centuries-old merchant houses, riverside cafes. The sense of community here is tight-knit and the quality of life is high. Families who prioritise charm, pace, and a village-like feel often arrive in Hoi An and never want to leave.

The trade-off is practicality. Hoi An has fewer hospitals, fewer international shops, and fewer services than Da Nang. For many families based in Hoi An, Da Nang becomes a regular day trip for anything medical, logistical, or large-scale.

The good news: you don't have to fully choose one. Many expat families live in Hoi An and use Da Nang for everything else — and the commute between them is easy. Odyssey International School sits between both in Sentosa City, Da Nang, with a dedicated bus service covering pickup points across the entire Da Nang–Hoi An corridor.

Housing: What to Expect

The rental market has grown significantly in recent years, with good options for international families at a range of budgets.

My Khe Beach, Da Nang

In Da Nang, modern apartments near My Khe Beach and the city centre are popular, as are gated villa communities around the Ngu Hanh Son and Sentosa City areas — which are practical for school runs and tend to attract other international families. Budget roughly $800–2,000 USD per month depending on size and location.

Sentosa City, Ngu Hanh Son

In Hoi An, detached houses and villas with gardens are more common and often more affordable for the space you get. The An Bang and Cua Dai beach areas are particularly popular with expat families who want outdoor space for young children.

A few practical tips before you sign anything: use a reputable local agent, inspect the property in person, and make sure utilities, internet, and maintenance responsibilities are clearly written into your lease in both English and Vietnamese.

Up Next: Healthcare and Getting Around

In Part 2, we'll cover healthcare, getting around, and daily life — including what expat parents new to Vietnam need to know, and what surprises families arriving from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City don't always expect.