Hai Chau is Da Nang's city centre on the west bank of the Han river: Han market, the Bach Dang promenade, offices, banks, old streets and new towers along the water. Vietnamese people live here rather than tourists. Market medians in the new river towers are $1,060-1,140. Our catalogue has 4 homes here, from $846 to $1,154 a month as of 09.10.2026.

On the name: since 1 July 2025 the old Hai Chau district is two wards, Hai Chau (the historic core around the market and the promenade) and Hoa Cuong (the southern half around Lotte Mart and the Tien Son bridge). This page covers both, because for a renter they are one centre. Details in our guide to the new ward names.

Who it suits

People who work in the centre or want to live in a real city rather than a resort zone: a café on every corner, markets, street food, the promenade and the lit-up bridges at night. People who count money: the budget for a one-bedroom on the beach side gets a two-bedroom here. Families with a car: the beach is ten minutes across a bridge, the airport about the same.

Who it does not suit: anyone who wants to walk out to the sea in the morning, and anyone who needs an English-speaking environment outside the door. In Hai Chau a foreigner is noticed, English is rare in shops and among neighbours, and the international schools are on the other bank.

Rent prices

Our apartments in Hai Chau as of 09.10.2026: 2 apartments from $846 to $885 a month, furnished. Townhouses: 2 houses from $962 to $1,154. The cards are in the list on this page.

Market medians from public listings: old blocks LaPaz $300, HAGL Lakeview $420, Da Nang Plaza $460; the middle tier FHome $460, SAM Towers $680, Indochina Riverside $680; the new river towers Blooming Tower $1,060, The Filmore $1,060, The Vista Residence $1,140. Asking prices, not signed ones; twelve-month leases land lower.

Compared with the beach side by listing medians: new river towers here are $1,060-1,140, river towers in Son Tra $720-800. People choose the centre for the city, not for the price.

Buildings in the area

The main buildings in the area and what we have in them now:

  • The Filmore: a tower on the promenade with river and Dragon Bridge views; found on request.
  • The Vista Residence: a small building of 112 apartments inside the area; we have 2 apartments here from $846.
  • Townhouses: 2 houses of ours from $962.

On request we find apartments in FHome, Indochina Riverside and the cheaper old blocks; at Blooming Tower the fire police suspended operation in May 2025 pending fire-safety acceptance, with no news of it being lifted; river-view apartments on both banks are collected on the Han river view page, and three- and four-floor townhouses on the villas and houses page.

What is nearby

  • Han market and Con market: fresh food and coffee cheaper than anywhere on the beach side.
  • The Bach Dang promenade and three bridges across the river, Han, Dragon and Tran Thi Ly; Son Tra is five to ten minutes by scooter.
  • Lotte Mart in the south of the area, GO! on Hung Vuong, a supermarket on every street.
  • Clinics working in English: Family Medical Practice on Nguyen Van Linh, Vinmec on 30 Thang 4 street, Hoan My hospital just past the area's edge.
  • The airport is ten minutes by car; the railway station is on Hai Phong street.
  • My Khe beach: across a bridge, ten to fifteen minutes by scooter.

The downsides

  • No sea under the window. That is the main trade-off, and the reason for the prices.
  • Noise and traffic at rush hour on Nguyen Van Linh, Hung Vuong and around the bridges; a building in a side street is quieter than one on an avenue.
  • Old buildings in the centre age fast: lifts, corridors, parking. Look at the common areas, not only the apartment.
  • Rainy season: the low streets around the lakes and in the south around Hoa Cuong stand in water in October to December, and underground car parks suffer. What to check is in the rainy season guide.

To compare with the beach side, see Son Tra and Ngu Hanh Son; the whole picture is in the guide to the best areas to live.