Is Da Nang Safe? Here’s What You Need To Know

While it may not be as well known as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang is one of South-Central Vietnam’s most popular tourist destinations.

This bustling coastal city is known for its gorgeous beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning nature-rich backdrop. Da Nang also offers vibrant nightlife, unforgettable sunsets, and endless sightseeing opportunities.

But is Da Nang safe? In this article, we’ll cover all aspects of safety in Da Nang, so you know everything to be aware of during your upcoming trip.

Is Da Nang Safe For Tourists?

Dan Nang is generally a very safe place to visit. Crime rates for serious crimes are low, and felonies are rarely targeted at tourists. Still, like everywhere in the world, how safe you will be in Da Nang depends on the precautions you take.

Moreover, like in other parts of Asia, there are some things you should be aware of and extra mindful of in Da Nong. These include always keeping your belongings on you and being cautious of taxi drivers overcharging.

Is Da Nang Safe To Travel Now?

As a popular tourist destination, Da Nang has always been and remains a safe and hospitable place. Vietnam has also removed all its previous Covid-19 restrictions and is fully open to tourism again. Still, note that mask-wearing may be required in some public places.

Why Is Da Nang “Dangerous”?

As crime rates are relatively low in Da Nang, this city is not considered particularly unsafe. However, one significant danger that everyone visiting Da Nang should be aware of is traffic accidents.

Vietnam’s roads are well known for being incredibly chaotic and dangerous, and traffic accidents are the largest cause of death in the country.

So while you can rent scooters, motorbikes, and cars in Da Nang, I do not recommend it – which we’ll cover in more detail later.

The Safest Areas In Da Nang

One of the most popular and safest areas in Da Nang is MyKhe Beach. This 30 km sandy beach is lined with upscale resorts, gives incredible coastal views, and is very close to the city center.

The downtown area/city center is another safe place to stay as it is the business and administrative area. There are also much cheaper accommodation options here, and it is close to great nightlife.

Most hotels and condos in these two areas will have security guards and camera systems, so they are incredibly safe.

If you prefer to stay further away from the city center, check out Non-Nuoc Beach. This stunning shoreline is home to many luxurious five-star beach resorts with private beaches, pools, restaurants, and more.

Things To Avoid In Da Nang

Aside from driving, I suggest you avoid taking a Cyclo in Da Nang. Cyclos are three-wheeled bicycle taxis that are well known for scamming tourists.

You will see them in some parts of Da Nang, and the drivers will likely call over to you, asking if you need a ride.

However, even if you do, I recommend ignoring them and continuing to walk by.

With a Cyclo scam, the driver will convince you to let them take you on a mini-tour of the city for a “low price.” They will then take you to a shop or restaurant of someone they have affiliations with.

If you buy from that vendor, the driver will get a percentage of the money, so they will pressure you to buy something.

Aside from that, there are a few things I suggest you exercise caution with:

Taxis

Like Thailand, Vietnam is known for its “taxi mafia” problem, where drivers take advantage of tourists by charging extortionate fairs. This is most common when hailing taxis from the street, and it can happen even if the meter is on.

To avoid getting overcharged, I recommend using an app like Grab to order rides. With Grab, you know the price beforehand, so you won’t get any nasty shocks.

You can also take a taxi from your hotel when going out, as most hotels will happily call you one from a reputable taxi company.

Another thing to bear in mind when getting taxis is to ensure you have the correct change. Many taxi drivers in Da Nang will claim to have “no change” when you hand them large notes.

So try to change up your big notes into smaller ones at your hotel or in a shop before getting a taxi.

Personal Belongings

Pickpocketing is probably the most common crime in Da Nang and the one that tourists are most in danger of. This mostly happens in busy tourist areas with large crowds and at night in bars and clubs.

In addition, foreign men are sometimes targeted by local women who pretend to be interested in them. They may approach you and become very touchy-feely.

While you may think they are trying to offer you their services, they might be trying to locate and steal your phone or wallet.

Bag snatching is also standard, so always hold your bag close – I opt for a crossbody bag rather than a handbag.

Driving In Da Nang

As we mentioned earlier, road accidents are the most significant danger in Da Nong. This remains the case whether you drive a scooter or a car.

Traffic conditions are incredibly crazy in the city centers, but this is only one reason why it is dangerous.

As tourists unfamiliar with the city, driving in Da Nang is complicated and stressful. As you try to navigate the roads, it’s far too easy to miss a bike pulling out in front of you or a car braking ahead.

Moreover, although rental companies will let you rent a bike or car, foreign driver’s licenses are not valid in Vietnam, even if you have an international driving permit.

Thus, if you choose to drive here and get in an accident, it’s doubtful your insurance will pay out.

So to ensure you stay safe and avoid going bankrupt, use a transport app like Grab to get around, ask your hotel to call you taxis, or book transfers wherever possible.

Da Nang For Solo Travelers

If you’re planning a trip to Da Nang but feeling apprehensive because you are going alone, don’t worry. Da Nang is incredibly safe for solo travelers, and walking the streets alone is fine.

However, exercise extra caution at night and avoid walking home alone – like anywhere else. If you are heading to Da Nang to enjoy the nightlife, stay in a social hostel where you can meet others to party with.

Of course, as a solo traveler, always be aware of what is happening around you and avoid getting too drunk or putting yourself in vulnerable situations. Don’t rely on the people you have just met to take care of you!

Da Nang For Female Travelers

Like solo travelers, Da Nang is entirely safe (and enjoyable) for women. You won’t experience any additional threats by being a woman in Da Nang, and in general, the local men are very respectable and reserved towards foreign women.

If you were to be catcalled, it would most likely be from a western man, but even this is not much of a problem here as they are more interested in the local women!

Da Nang For Digital Nomads And Expats

Da Nang is a beautiful place to live short or even long-term. Most expats live in the beachside neighborhood of An Thuong, which has a chic vibe and many international restaurants and western-style cafes.

There is plenty of cheap accommodation in Da Nang, such as condos, which are very easy to rent on a casual month-by-month basis.

There are a few coworking spaces in the city, but you’ll also find many comfortable coffee shops set up well for remote work.

Extra Safety Tips

Here are some final tips and advice for visiting Da Nang (and the rest of Vietnam).

• Use mosquito repellent – Like elsewhere in Southeast Asia, mosquitoes are a massive problem in Da Nang. While in most cases, they are just annoying, many carry a deadly disease called Dengue fever that can make you severely sick. Thus, always spray yourself with repellent before going out in the morning and around sunset.
• Be cautious with street food – Street food in Da Nang may be delicious, but far too often, it can result in a dodgy stomach. While I’m not saying avoid street food altogether (because it’s part of the Vietnamese experience), choose vendors carefully.
• Rainy season – August to December is the wet season in Da Nang, and flash floods are common during this time. While it’s not usually a safety risk, flooding can interrupt your travel plans and prevent you from doing many fun activities. Thus, I recommend you avoid visiting during this time.

Da Nang Travel Insurance

While Da Nang is a safe city, it is still vital to have travel insurance, regardless of the duration of your trip. This will offer peace of mind should you get sick and need medical treatment and cover things like lost luggage or flight cancellations.

We recommend choosing SafetyWing for your Da Nang trip as they offer the most comprehensive and straightforward coverage. Read our SafetyWing review to learn more.

SafetyWing is excellent for backpackers, tourists, and digital nomads alike, as you can take out a policy anywhere in the world and tailor it to meet your needs.

Final Thoughts On Safety In Da Nang

So let’s recap, is Da Nang safe? This Vietnamese city has no significant dangers, and the crime rates are relatively low.

However, there are certain things you can do to ensure you stay safe during your trip, such as avoiding the temptation to rent a scooter and using Grab instead of Cyclos or street taxis.

With these precautions and common sense, you’ll have a fabulous time in Da Nang!

Visiting Vietnam soon? Read one of the following guides:

• Vietnam SIM card
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