Where to Stay in Vietnam’s Top Cities While You Scout Your Future Move

Thinking about moving to Vietnam?

Before you pack your bags and commit to a long-term apartment or a new city, the smartest thing you can do is a simple recon trip. Just a week or two in each place tells you more than hours of Googling ever will.

Vietnam’s energy changes wildly from city to city. Some places feel calm and grounding. Others buzz from sunrise to midnight. And somewhere in the middle of all of this, you’ll find the city that feels like yours.

Here’s a personal, practical breakdown of the four most popular cities people explore before choosing their final home.

Da Nang - Easy Living by the Beach

Da Nang has this gentle, spacious feeling the moment you arrive. If you’re dreaming about morning walks along the sand, quiet cafés, and a lifestyle that feels effortless, this is the place to start.

Best Areas for Your Recon Trip

My Khe Beach (An Thuong)
This is where most expats end up and it’s easy to see why. Good food, peaceful streets, cafés you can work in, and that massive beach just steps away.

Han River / City Center
A little busier and more “city-like,” but still comfortable. Lots of food options, shops, gyms, and hospitals.

Budget-Friendly Stays

• Light House Da Nang – Clean, bright, close to the beach.
  

• Christina’s Da Nang – Modern rooms and a relaxed vibe.
  

• Kon-Tiki Hostel – Simple, social, and cheap.

Why Da Nang works

You get to test two lifestyles in one trip: beach living and city comfort. Everything feels easy here, renting a scooter, viewing apartments, exploring the coastline, even watching daily life unfold.

Ho Chi Minh City - Big, Busy, and Full of Life

Saigon is loud, chaotic, addictive, and deeply alive. It takes a day or two to adjust, but once you feel the rhythm, it becomes strangely lovable. If you want career opportunities, social life, nightlife, or endless food options, this is where it all happens.

Best Areas for Your Recon Trip

District 2 (Thao Dien & An Phu)
Modern, international, and extremely livable. This is expat central, safe, green, café-packed, and easy to settle into.

District 3 / District 1 Border
A beautiful mix of old, local, and lively. Street food, small alley cafés, and a more traditional daily life.

Budget-Friendly Stays

• The Common Room Project – Stylish, social, quiet at night.

• M Village (Multiple locations) – Gorgeous co-living with great design.

• Lief Mojo Hotel – Trendy but affordable.

  
  

Why Saigon Works

You can hop between districts, explore different lifestyles, and truly feel what daily life might look like. For some people, Saigon feels overwhelming. For others? It feels like home instantly.

Nha Trang - Sea, Mountains & Soft Living

Nha Trang has a different charm. There’s a mix of locals, long-term expats, and travelers passing through, all blended into a city that’s warm, sunny, and surprisingly comfortable. This is a great option if you want beach life but still need city convenience.

Best Areas for Your Recon Trip

Tran Phu Beachfront
Lively, bright, and full of food, nightlife, and energy.

An Vien / South Nha Trang
Green, calmer, and very residential, and ideal for long-term comfort.

Budget-Friendly Stays

• Tabana Hostel – Clean, friendly, close to everything.
  

• iHome Nha Trang – Social atmosphere and budget-friendly.
  

• Shoho Hotel – Modern rooms at excellent prices.
  

Why Nha Trang Works

Two sides of the same city, energetic beachfront and peaceful local neighborhoods. Your recon trip will make it clear which version of Nha Trang is more “you.”

Hanoi - Culture, Cool Weather & Lake Life

Hanoi feels like a different world compared to the south. A bit colder, slower, and more traditional. Lakes, trees, coffee shops tucked into old houses. This is where life feels poetic.

Best Areas for Your Recon Trip

Old Quarter / Hoan Kiem
Touristy but extremely convenient if you want to walk everywhere.

Tay Ho (West Lake)
This is where most long-term expats settle. Calm, green, spacious, and peaceful.

Budget-Friendly Stays

• The Signature Inn – Comfortable and central.
  

• Lacatio – Spacious and modern.
  

• Nexy Hostel – Stylish and surprisingly quiet.
  

Why Hanoi Works

You get two experiences in one city, the busy, historic center and the peaceful, lakeside expat world.

Final Thoughts

A recon trip is honestly one of the best things you can do before choosing a base in Vietnam. When you walk through neighborhoods, sit in cafés, try food stalls, talk to locals, and explore at your own pace, something inside you responds.

One city always feels more like “home” than the others.

Take your time, trust your instinct, and enjoy the process, Vietnam has a way of surprising you in the best possible way.

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