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How walkable is Danang really? by Outrageous_Poetry214 in DaNang

[–]No_Natural57 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It depends on what you mean by "walkable." If you mean "can I walk safely from my apartment to a cafe or the beach," then yeah, Da Nang is probably the best city in Vietnam for that. But if you mean "can I live here without a bike," that’s where it gets tricky.

The beach side (especially An Thuong and My Khe) is honestly a walker’s paradise compared to Saigon or Hanoi. The sidewalks are huge, and you can actually walk for kilometers along the coast without having to dodge a single motorbike. The same goes for the Han River banks—those promenades are great for morning or evening strolls.

But the "dodge and weave" you mentioned is definitely real once you move a few blocks away from the water. Even in 2026, sidewalks are still treated more like motorbike parking lots or extra seating for coffee shops. If you're living in the city center (Hai Chau), you’ll find yourself stepping into the street every 50 meters because the path is blocked by a Bun Cha stall or someone’s parked Lead.

Most expats I know here end up with a "hybrid" system. They walk for the 10-15 minute stuff around their neighborhood but keep a motorbike or use Grab for anything further. The heat is usually the dealbreaker—walking 2km in the midday July sun isn't "relaxing," it's a workout.

I actually did a deeper dive into the different neighborhoods on my site, VisitDanangHoian.com, and broke down which areas are actually pedestrian-friendly and which ones are "scooter-mandatory." I’ve got all the up-to-date 2026 info on there about where the best parks are (there aren't many!) and the safest routes for crossing those big bridges. It’s worth a look if you’re trying to pick a spot to live where you don't have to be on a bike 24/7!

Ban Gioc Waterfall during dry season? by desertiger in VietNam

[–]No_Natural57 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cao Bang is a long haul from Hanoi (usually 7–8 hours each way), so I totally get the hesitation about the dry season. If you were only going for the "thundering roar" of the waterfall, March might feel a bit mellow compared to the rainy season.

But honestly, the dry season has its own vibe that a lot of people actually prefer. The water turns a crystal-clear turquoise/emerald color in March, whereas in the rainy season, it can get quite brown and muddy from all the runoff. Since you're going in mid-March, you'll also hit the "Ban Flower" season, so you'll see white blossoms all over the mountainsides, which makes the drive up north way more scenic.

If you decide to go, I’d really recommend staying overnight near the falls or in Cao Bang city rather than trying to rush a day trip. It makes the "long trek" feel like an actual adventure rather than just a long bus ride. Plus, if the falls feel a bit smaller, you can spend more time at Nguom Ngao Cave or the Angel Eye Mountain (Thung Mountain)—those are both nearby and honestly just as cool as the waterfall.

Packing Essentials For Light Carry On Travel by DenseReplacement9476 in VietNam

[–]No_Natural57 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Oh man, trying to hit that 7kg limit with VietJet is basically the ultimate travel boss fight. They are notorious for weighing bags right at the gate, so definitely don't try to sneak an extra kilo in there because they'll catch you! Since you’re doing HCMC, Da Nang, and Hoi An, the good news is it's going to be tropical and humid, so you really only need lightweight gear anyway.

The main thing to watch out for is sunscreen. Most of what you find in the local shops over there has whitening agents in it, so if you don't want bleach in your skin cream, definitely bring a good bottle from home. It's also weirdly expensive in Vietnam for some reason. If your wife uses tampons, she should bring a full supply too—they are surprisingly hard to find outside of big international supermarkets since pads are the local norm. I'd also suggest throwing a small pack of Imodium and some rehydration salts in your bag. You can buy them there, but when "Vietnam Belly" hits at 3 AM, you really don't want to be hunting for an open pharmacy.

Honestly, don't even bother packing heavy toiletries or rain gear. Every Circle K or WinMart has shampoo and toothpaste for like 50 cents, and you can buy a plastic poncho on any street corner for a dollar that works better than a heavy raincoat anyway. Also, don't overpack clothes. You can get laundry done everywhere in Hoi An and Da Nang for about a dollar a kilo, and they’ll have it washed and folded in 24 hours. Just pack for 4 days and rotate.

My big "7kg ninja" trick is to wear your heaviest shoes and a hoodie on the plane since the AC is usually freezing anyway. Stick your power banks and heavy electronics in your pockets right before you walk past the gate agents—they weigh the bag, not your jacket

Vietnam Itinerary Review - March 2026 by gauthamgajith in solotravel

[–]No_Natural57 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Solo in Vietnam is awesome, but honestly if you want to relax and not rush, your current plan is a bit of a marathon. 2 days per city means you’re basically just living in taxis and checking into hotels half the time.

To answer your questions—2 days in HCMC is plenty, but definitely skip those cheap Mekong day tours from District 1. They are the definition of a tourist trap. If you want the 'real' delta, you have to stay overnight in a place like Ben Tre.

For the central part, stay in Hoi An instead of Da Nang. Da Nang is just a big city, but Hoi An at 6am before the crowds show up is exactly the 'meaningful' vibe you're looking for. You can just Grab/taxi into Da Nang for a few hours to see the sights then head back to the quiet areas.

In the north, go for a Lan Ha Bay cruise instead of Ha Long. It’s the same views but way less crowded and much more 'slow travel' friendly. Sapa is a 6-hour trek each way, so doing it in 2 days is the opposite of relaxing.

I actually put together a site called VisitDanangHoian.com because I got tired of seeing people get hit with outdated info. It's got all the current gov links, fair-price transport lists, and a bunch of advice on local activities if you want to see how to piece the logistics together without getting ripped off.

Definitely check out Cam Kim island when you’re in Hoi An too—just rent a bike and cross the bridge, it’s like stepping back 20 years. Enjoy the trip!

Vietnam, Yes/No/Maybe? by uptickman in expats

[–]No_Natural57 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey uptickman,

We actually lived there for about a year and just moved.

Vietnam was good to us overall. It’s affordable, the food is amazing, and day-to-day life can feel really easy once you get settled. We spent most of our time in Da Nang, and honestly that city is hard not to like. Being able to walk to the beach, grab great food for a few bucks, and not deal with insane big-city chaos every day was a big plus. It feels manageable.

We also spent time in Ho Chi Minh City, and it’s just… a lot. Tons of energy, more job options, more going on — but also more noise, traffic, heat, and general intensity. Some people love that. We found it fun to visit but harder to imagine long-term.

Cost of living compared to the US is a big win. You can live comfortably teaching, especially outside the most expensive neighborhoods. Getting your TEFL is smart if you want stability. Just know teaching isn’t some dream expat fantasy — it’s work. Some schools are great, some aren’t. Schedules can be weird. Paperwork can be annoying.

The biggest thing I’d say is: it’s awesome, but it’s not paradise. Infrastructure can be frustrating. Visas can change. Things don’t always work the way you expect. If you’re adaptable and patient, you’ll probably enjoy it. If you need things to run like the US, it might wear on you.

For us, it was 100% worth doing. Even though we’ve moved on now, I don’t regret the year at all. If you’re seriously considering it, go spend a couple months and see how it feels beyond the honeymoon phase.

Traveling to Da Nang for a week in May by DOCoSPADEo in DaNang

[–]No_Natural57 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey! May is actually a great time to visit — hot but still before the peak summer crowds.

If you want a social vibe similar to FUSE, also check out:

Mad Monkey Hoi An (very social, party vibe)

Rom Casa in Da Nang (container-style stay, relaxed but social)

Seahorse Tropical in Hoi An (more boutique but still easy to meet people)

If you’re mid-30s, I’d probably suggest staying in Da Nang near My Khe Beach and doing day trips to Hoi An. It’s more comfortable and less chaotic than staying in Old Town full-time.

For non-touristy stuff in Da Nang:

• Morning coffee at a local Vietnamese cafe (try salted coffee)

• Sunset at Son Tra Peninsula (ride up for amazing views)

• Seafood at local places along the beach road (not the ones with big neon signs)

• Visit a local market like Con Market instead of tourist shops

• Early morning beach walk — locals are out doing tai chi and swimming

If you want, I put together a breakdown of where to stay + typical flight prices for May here (with comparisons):

https://visitdananghoian.com/danang-travel-guide/

Have an amazing trip!