Everything you need to do before and after arriving in Da Nang — from finding a flat and opening a bank account to getting a driving licence and setting up utilities.
Check whether your nationality qualifies for Vietnam's 45-day visa-free exemption or apply for a 90-day e-visa at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. See our full visa guide for details. E-visa applications take approximately 3 business days.
Get international health insurance before you arrive. Local care is affordable, but serious illness may require evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore. Policies from providers like Cigna, Aetna, or AXA start from around USD 100–200/month for a healthy adult under 45. Check whether your policy covers Vietnam.
Book a serviced apartment or Airbnb for 2–4 weeks. This gives you time to explore neighbourhoods, visit apartments in person, and negotiate a long-term lease without pressure. Do not sign a 12-month lease before you have spent time in the area.
Cards like Wise (TransferWise), Revolut, or Charles Schwab (US residents) allow ATM withdrawals in VND with minimal fees. Vietnam is still largely cash-based, and having a low-fee ATM card is essential. Take 2 cards from different networks (Visa + Mastercard) in case one is not accepted.
Buy a SIM from Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone at the airport or any convenience store. Bring your passport. A SIM with unlimited 4G data costs approximately 150,000–300,000 VND ($6–12) per month. Viettel has the widest coverage outside city centres.
Spend at least a few days walking each area you are considering. Visit at different times of day — some streets near My Khe Beach are quiet in the morning and noisy with live music until midnight. Check walking distance to supermarkets, cafes, and your typical destinations.
Grab is Vietnam's dominant ride-hailing app (like Uber) covering both motorbike taxis (GrabBike) and cars (GrabCar). It uses maps and fixed pricing — safer and more transparent than flagging down a xe ôm (traditional motorbike taxi). Link a card or use cash.
Foreigners can open a Vietnamese bank account with a valid passport and visa. The most expat-friendly banks in Da Nang are:
You will need: passport, current visa, proof of address (your rental contract), and typically a minimum deposit of 500,000–1,000,000 VND to open the account.
Sign up for a fibre internet contract with VNPT or Viettel. Both offer 100 Mbps for approximately 240,000–320,000 VND/month ($9–13). Your landlord may already have a contract — ask them. Installation takes 1–3 days. Use your Vietnamese mobile number and address for registration.
Your landlord is legally required to register your residence with the local ward police (công an phường) within 24 hours of your arrival at the apartment. Ask them to confirm this has been done. You may need to accompany the landlord to the police station on your first night. This registration (temporary residence registration — đăng ký tạm trú) protects both you and the landlord legally.
Owning or renting a motorbike is the most practical way to get around Da Nang. Options:
Driving licence: To legally ride a motorbike in Vietnam, you need a Vietnamese driving licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP) with a Vietnamese translation. The Vietnamese motorcycle licence test is straightforward — most local driving schools offer packages for foreigners including test preparation.
Register with a private clinic for general care. Family Medical Practice Da Nang (119 Nguyen Van Linh) has English-speaking GPs and is popular with expats. For serious conditions, Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital is the highest-standard facility in the city.
Da Nang's international school options are more limited than Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City but growing:
Many families in Da Nang homeschool or use online schooling platforms (Khan Academy, Connexus, etc.) combined with local activities. This is increasingly common among nomadic families.
Da Nang Children's Hospital (Bệnh viện Phụ Sản – Nhi Đà Nẵng) is the main paediatric facility. For non-emergency care, Vinmec Da Nang and Family Medical Practice handle children's GP services.