Moving to Da Nang: Complete Checklist for Expats (2026)

Before you leave: what to sort at home

Visa

Apply for your Vietnamese e-visa online before you fly. It takes 3–5 business days, costs ~$25, and grants 90 days. Citizens of most Western countries are eligible. Go to the official Vietnam Immigration portal — avoid third-party sites charging inflated fees.

Read our full visa guide for all current options including business visas and longer-term TRC.

International Driving Permit (IDP)

If you plan to rent a motorbike — and most expats do — get an IDP with category A before you leave. It costs $10–20 in most countries through your national automobile association. Much harder and slower to sort once you're already in Vietnam.

Health insurance

Get international health insurance before arrival. Local Vietnamese health insurance is available but slow to set up. SafetyWing, Cigna and AXA are popular choices among expats in Da Nang.

Notify your bank

Tell your home bank you're moving to Vietnam so your card isn't blocked. International ATMs (Citibank, HSBC, some local banks) accept foreign cards — but fees add up. Opening a local account is a good mid-term goal.

Arrival week checklist

1. Airport → accommodation. Book an airport transfer or Grab in advance. Don't use unofficial taxis at the terminal.
2. Get a local SIM. Viettel is the most reliable network. A SIM with 4G unlimited data costs $5–10/month. Available inside the airport arrivals hall.
3. Sort short-term accommodation. Stay in a serviced apartment or hotel for the first 2–4 weeks while you look for a long-term place.
4. Download Grab. Your primary transport app before you have a motorbike. Works for bikes, cars and food delivery.
5. Explore the neighbourhoods. Walk An Thuong, My Khe, Hai Chau — get a feel for where you want to live before you commit.
6. Register with your embassy. Optional but recommended for safety notifications and emergency support.

First month priorities

Housing

View 4–6 apartments in person across different areas. Don't rush to sign — the best apartments get negotiated properly, not grabbed in desperation. A 3–6 month lease gives you flexibility; 12 months gets you the best price.

Read our apartment rental guide for prices, areas and negotiation tips.

Transport

Rent a motorbike once you've settled your area. Monthly rental from $70–100/month is the standard expat solution. See our monthly motorbike rental guide.

Banking

Opening a Vietnamese bank account (Vietcombank, Techcombank, BIDV) requires your passport and may require proof of residency. It makes paying rent, utilities and online services much easier. Read our banking guide.

Community

Join "Expats in Da Nang City" on Facebook immediately — 50,000+ members, genuinely helpful for questions, recommendations and events. Show up to a coworking space, attend a community event, say yes to the first few social invitations. Da Nang's expat scene rewards showing up.

Common moving mistakes

• Signing a 12-month lease before arriving. You need to feel the neighbourhood at night before committing. Always view first.
• Bringing too much stuff. Everything you need is available and cheap in Da Nang. Pack light.
• Not getting an IDP before leaving. The process in Vietnam is slow and bureaucratic for foreigners.
• Ignoring the rainy season timing. Moving during October–December means arriving in heavy rain — factor this into your first-week plans.
• Underestimating the first month cost. Budget 30–50% extra for the first month — short-stay accommodation, setup costs and exploration add up.
• Not getting health insurance before arrival. Vietnamese hospitals are good but you want coverage sorted before you need it.

Moving to Da Nang with a family

Da Nang is increasingly popular with families. International schools (AMES, Da Nang International School) are available and improving. Family-friendly areas include Son Tra, My Khe south and Ngu Hanh Son — more space, quieter streets, proximity to parks and the beach.

Family budgets realistically start from $2,500/month for a couple with one child, including international school fees.

Moving to Da Nang with pets

Importing pets to Vietnam requires a health certificate, rabies vaccination records and a permit from Vietnam's Department of Animal Health. The process takes time — start 2–3 months before your move date. Houses (vs apartments) are significantly more pet-friendly for larger animals.

Our team can help with housing, transport setup, airport arrival and more. Contact us before you arrive and we'll handle the logistics.