Over the past 18 months, I’ve spent about six months living in both Ubud and Da Nang. Here’s my verdict: While I miss Ubud deeply for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on, Da Nang is undeniably easier, more convenient, less corrupt, and overall a safer city for digital nomads.
In other words, Ubud has a unique charm that makes it worth considering for digital nomads, but if you’re focused on affordability and access to high-quality amenities, Da Nang takes the win.
Da Nang versus Ubud
Culturally, Ubud is rich in Hindu traditions. It’s not uncommon to see daily offerings, hear ceremonies, and witness local rituals throughout town. This immersion in Hindu culture is a huge draw for many digital nomads seeking a deeper connection to their surroundings.
In contrast, while Buddhism is the primary religion in Vietnam, it doesn’t feel as integrated into daily life in Da Nang as Hinduism does in Bali. Though you can visit the iconic Lady Buddha statue by the beach, Da Nang’s spiritual atmosphere is subtler compared to other Buddhist regions like Thailand.
Ultimately, choosing between Da Nang and Ubud depends on what season of life, relationships, love, and business you’re in. I’ll do my best to compare the two objectively so you can make the most aligned decision for your next digital nomad destination. Have any questions? Drop them in the comments below!
Overall Cost of Living: Da Nang versus Ubud
The overall cost of living in Da Nang is significantly cheaper than living in Ubud. Not only that, but you can get more for your buck in Da Nang than you can hope to find in Ubud.
For example, in Da Nang, you can easily find a well-furnished two-bedroom apartment in an air-conditioned building for around $550 per month—right by the beach. In Ubud, expect to pay double or even triple that for a similar setup.
Additionally, both dining out and groceries are more affordable in Da Nang. For a digital nomad couple, our monthly spending in Ubud ranged from $1,800 to $2,200, whereas in Da Nang, we lived a similar lifestyle for just $1,200 to $1,600.
For digital nomads focused on affordability, Da Nang clearly offers better value for a location-independent lifestyle.
In this guide there are the best itineraries for Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An.
Plan your visit to Ubud:
- Where to Stay in Bali: The Best Hotels and Towns
- 9 Top Reasons Why You Should Visit Bali
- Balinese Massage in Ubud: Where to Get The Best One?
- Ubud Organic Vegetarian Restaurants: the Ultimate Guide
Health Care Availability: Da Nang versus Ubud
Health care is an essential consideration for digital nomads, and I always recommend purchasing comprehensive health insurance. Comparing Da Nang and Ubud in terms of health care availability, there’s no clear winner.
Though I haven’t faced any major medical issues in either city, both Da Nang and Ubud offer a range of health care facilities that cater to English-speaking tourists.
My partner and I both had dental cleanings done in each city and were satisfied with the results. In Ubud, the cleaning cost us $30, while in Da Nang, it was $38.
For digital nomads in slightly underdeveloped countries, it’s wise to ensure your insurance covers emergency transportation to your home country or a nearby one with superior medical facilities, such as Singapore.
Overall Lifestyle for Digital Nomads in Ubud and Da Nang
The lifestyle for digital nomads varies significantly between Ubud and Da Nang, each offering its own unique experience.
Both cities boast beautiful nature, a mix of local and international cuisine, solid infrastructure for tourists and expats, and vibrant communities. However, beyond these similarities, the two cities diverge quite a bit.
Ubud is renowned for its peaceful atmosphere, yoga retreats, and lush jungle vibes, making it ideal for those looking to unwind and reconnect with nature. Many digital nomads flock to Ubud to find inner balance and embrace a slower pace of life.
Da Nang, by contrast, has a more urban feel. While many expats live near the beach, the city itself has grown into more of a concrete jungle. However, it’s quickly becoming a hotspot for digital nomads, attracting both seasoned entrepreneurs and newcomers to the location-independent lifestyle.
In both cities, expect to embrace a motorbike lifestyle and enjoy affordable meals at local restaurants, where dinner can cost as little as $1. That said, I personally find the cuisine in Vietnam to be much healthier than what’s commonly available in Ubud.
Rent: Da Nang versus Ubud
As mentioned, rent prices vary greatly between Da Nang and Ubud, with a stark difference in the type of accommodation you’ll find in each city.
Ubud draws in its international visitors with charming villas, outdoor kitchens, and lush private pools. In contrast, Da Nang offers modern concrete apartments right by the beach, often with rooftop pools and ocean views.
Finding affordable accommodation in Ubud can be tricky. Since 2022, rent prices across Bali have seen constant inflation, while the value of the accommodations has declined. In 2024, it’s common to pay around $600 for a basic room with a bathroom and outdoor kitchen—double the price compared to just two years ago. While you can negotiate prices, landlords in Bali are well aware of the high demand from tourists and digital nomads, making significant reductions unlikely.
In Da Nang, however, the rental market is much more favorable for digital nomads. The city is full of well-maintained, vacant apartments, and it’s easy to find a great deal. After a quick post in a few Facebook groups, you can easily book up to 10 viewings. Apartments in Da Nang often come equipped with desks, stocked kitchens, private bathrooms, and amenities like a balcony or pool.
I’ve been coming to Vietnam since 2019, and rental prices have remained steady over the last five years. You can find a one-bedroom apartment for as little as $300, while our current two-bedroom apartment with a balcony and ocean view costs $550 a month. If you’re willing to spend upwards of $1,000 in Da Nang, you’ll be living like royalty.
Affordability of Food and Groceries
When it comes to groceries and eating out, Da Nang is the clear winner for affordability. Though Ubud has some incredible cafés—many of which double as co-working spaces—nothing quite matches the prices you’ll find in Da Nang.
The main grocery stores in Da Nang are Mega Mart and Moonmilk, both of which are well-stocked with international and local goods at very affordable prices. For example, a beer costs about 80 cents, fresh tuna steaks are $2 each, beef is $10 per kilo, and chicken is $2.50 per kilo.
For just $180 per person per month, we’re able to stock our fridge to the brim with quality items. We dine out frequently—about every other day—and spend only around $120 per person monthly.
Dining options in Da Nang are diverse, with even Western restaurants charging as little as $4 for a delicious burger. Local spots, like pho restaurants, offer meals for just $1–$2.
In Ubud, the cost dynamics are quite different. Surprisingly, eating out is often cheaper than buying groceries, but it’s not always the healthiest or most hygienic option. The key to saving money on groceries in Ubud is to avoid large supermarket chains and instead shop at local markets for fresh produce.
Imported goods, like cheese and alcohol, are heavily taxed and come at a steep price. For example, a pint of Haagen-Dazs ice cream once cost me $20 (the ladies will get my monthly cravings). Alcohol is taxed three times higher than in Europe, making it particularly expensive.
Local warungs (small, family-run restaurants) offer meals like nasi goreng (fried rice) for as little as $1. While dining out can be affordable, it’s not always the healthiest option, which is why our grocery bill in Ubud averaged $220 per person, alongside a $180 budget per person for eating out.
Overall, Da Nang not only offers a more affordable lifestyle when it comes to food, it’s also healthier and more diverse, than what Ubud has to offer.
Co-Working Spaces and Cafes: Where to Work?
When it comes to co-working spaces and cafés, both Da Nang and Ubud have plenty to offer, each with its own distinct atmosphere.
Da Nang is home to a variety of air-conditioned cafés and well-equipped co-working spaces that cater to digital nomads looking for a productive, modern environment. In contrast, Ubud offers more open-space restaurants and cafés that blend with nature, often cooled only by ceiling fans, creating a relaxed vibe.
There’s no clear winner in the Da Nang versus Ubud comparison for co-working spaces—it really depends on the atmosphere you’re after.
Personally, I find myself incredibly productive in Da Nang’s cafés but more reflective and inspired in Ubud’s nature-infused spaces.
Both cities provide plenty of opportunities for digital nomads to connect and collaborate over the shared “laptop lifestyle.”
Internet Connection: How Reliable is the Wifi?
In comparing Da Nang versus Ubud for Digital Nomads, both cities offer decent Internet connectivity. Typical internet speeds range from 10 to 50 Mbps in most cafés and co-working spaces, providing enough bandwidth for most remote work needs.
That said, Ubud’s internet can become unreliable during the rainy season, with frequent outages affecting connectivity. In Da Nang, however, even during the rainy season, I’ve never experienced internet issues due to weather.
If you’re someone who prefers working from cafés, Da Nang will offer you more consistent and faster internet options than Ubud. In Ubud, Alchemy Café is the only spot where I’ve found reliable Wi-Fi; in most other places, I often had to switch to my mobile hotspot.
Plan your trip to Vietnam:
- Where to go in Vietnam: Must-See Places for a Vietnam Itinerary
- Vietnamese Food: 5 Dishes You Must Try on Your Next Trip
- How to get from Hanoi to Halong Bay, Vietnam
- Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City: Best Hotels and Neighborhoods
- Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City: Popular and Lesser-Known Experiences
- Things to Do and Best Hotels in Hue, Vietnam
- My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam: Tips on How to Visit It
Transportation: Getting Around
Getting around in both Da Nang and Ubud comes with its risks due to the lack of proper driving etiquette. With countless tourists and digital nomads mounting motorbikes for the first time, accidents are common, so caution is key.
In both cities, motorbikes are the main mode of transport. In Ubud, you can rent a decent bike for about $100 per month, while in Da Nang, rentals are cheaper, around $80 per month.
The roads in Da Nang are wider and better maintained, but driving often feels like a constant “Me first!” competition among locals. In contrast, Ubud’s roads are rougher, and it’s not uncommon to see locals transporting everything imaginable on their small bikes.
For a safer option, I recommend using Grab cars, which is widely available in both cities. Whether in Da Nang or Ubud, a ride across town won’t cost more than a couple of dollars.
Visa Situation: Ease of Staying Long-Term
Plain and simple: when it comes to comparing Da Nang versus Ubud for visa ease, Vietnam is the clear winner. While Bali’s visa process can be complicated and expensive, Vietnam’s is straightforward and affordable.
For a short stay, Vietnam allows visitors up to 45 days, while Bali permits 30 days.
If you plan to stay longer, you’ll need a tourist visa. Vietnam makes it incredibly easy for long-term digital nomads with a tourist visa that can be extended with a quick visa run every three months. Services like Lynn Visa Agency handle the entire process, and the initial visa costs $25. The visa run, including transportation, costs $120 per person. As long as you don’t overstay your current visas and take regular visa runs, you can pretty much stay indefinitely…yes, as a tourist (aka, you tax liability).
On the other hand, Indonesia is constantly updating its visa policies, making it difficult to navigate. You can potentially stay for up to 6 months on a tourist visa, but it requires using an agency while you’re offshore. In 2024, the cost remains around $600, much like in 2022. Unfortunately, Bali’s constant push to squeeze extra fees from tourists makes the visa process more frustrating.
Attractions: What to Do Outside of Work?
Both Da Nang and Ubud offer plenty of options for adventuring beyond. Ubud is surrounded by stunning waterfalls, ancient temples, and is filled with yoga studios, meditation retreats, and serene getaways. You can take cooking classes, join meditation workshops, go on scenic hikes, or simply relax at one of the many cafes with a pool.
Da Nang, on the other hand, provides a different kind of natural beauty. Surrounded by mountains, cultural sanctuaries, and, of course, the beach, it offers endless activities. The beach comes alive with energy, from volleyball games to Chi Gong sessions, starting as early as 5 a.m. and lasting until late at night. Whether you’re seeking an active lifestyle or just relaxing by the sea, Da Nang has something for everyone.
Is Da Nang or Ubud Better for Digital Nomads?
When deciding between Da Nang versus Ubud, the choice really comes down to your personal needs and preferences.
Over the past five years, Da Nang has become an increasingly attractive destination for digital nomads, offering convenience, affordability, and a straightforward immigration process. With great-value accommodations and a laid-back beach lifestyle, Da Nang is one of the top choices in the region for nomads seeking a stress-free, beachside life.
On the other hand, Ubud is a haven for those looking for a spiritual experience. It’s one of the most popular digital nomad destinations in Southeast Asia, known for its unique mix of wellness, nature, and culture. While costs are higher and local landlords can be more opportunistic, the chance to dive into deep meditation, connect with nature, and live in charming villas may make it worth the extra expense.
Ultimately, whether you choose Da Nang or Ubud, I hope this comparison helps you decide which destination aligns best with your digital nomad goals!
