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If you’re here, I assume you’re thinking about getting the Manta Sound Sleep Mask. Here’s my personal review of it after trying it out.
Overview (TL;DR)
For those who don’t want to read the details, here is the quick summary. Elaborated details are in the article.
Bottom Line
This is now my go-to sleep mask even when I don’t use the sound function.
Pros
Pleasantly surprised by the sound quality the mask offers.
Very impressed by the battery life.
Much lighter than expected and compressible.
Easily gives me total blackout.
Cons
Can feel stuffy after a period if you put it on too tightly.
Price is high if you’re comparing it solely to regular sleep masks.
Particularly good for people who
Fall asleep while listening to music/podcasts/audiobooks.
Tend to sleep on their side or turn around while sleeping.
Want a comfy mask with audio function that’s also convenient on-the-go.
Full set that Manta Sleep Mask Sound comes in
In this review, I’ll go through some of the core features while also considering if it’s suitable for travel and at home.
Physical Dimension
Seeing that this mask needs to hold the relevant electronics, I had a certain expectation of the weight and chunkiness of it.
And when I first saw the product packaging, it sort of added on to that belief. While it was a sleek looking box, it was also twice the height of the Manta Weighted Mask’s packaging box which I also ordered.
However, I was really surprised when I held the mask itself. It is way lighter than I anticipated and most of its thickness came from soft comfy padding, which makes it very easily compressible.
The mask also comes with a charging cable, an additional overhead strap, and a convenient pouch to store it, making it good for travel.
Can be compressed easily and carried around
Total Blackout
I rarely require total blackout from sleep masks so while this is not a priority feature for me, it is a core feature for any good sleep mask.
Total blackout is achievable with all the Manta Sleep Masks. You can adjust it to fully block out any light even during day time. This makes it good for travel purposes if you want to sleep on the road and are sensitive to light.
Note that it might not fit perfectly when you first randomly strap it on. The product is delivered as a single standard, and there are billions of face and head shapes in the world. You might have to adjust it to fit your face contours.
It can be easy or might take some adjustments, depending on your face and the mask. For example, I find it way easier to achieve total blackout with the Manta Sound Mask than the Weighted Manta Mask, which I also have.
Manta Sound Mask Eye Pads vs Weighted Mask Eye Pads
Play around with the eye cup positions, the way you strap the eye mask or how tight you strap it to achieve total blackout. There’s multiple ways you can adjust it to your comfort.
Sound Function
This is the standout point of the Manta Sound Sleep Mask, it comes with an embedded Bluetooth Speaker that can be paired with your devices.
I will dive deeper into several related factors here since it’s probably also why you’re considering this mask over other regular sleep masks.
Sound Quality
Simple operations: Three buttons to control the electronics
Now, I’m not a geek or expert at audio quality, so I can only point out my personal experience. Overall, I’m very impressed by the quality of the sound.
I kind of expected something of just basic quality, seeing how they have to stuff a speaker system within the sleep mask. However, I find the quality is as good, if not better, than my earbuds.
With the eyes covered, it feels like I’m transported to a different place.
I remember the first time I heard rain sound from a sleeping soundtrack I was listening to, I actually questioned if it was raining for real at my place. So it is more than sufficient for any audio tracks I use when sleeping.
Adjusting Volume
Velcro and ear piece adjustment tags
I love the number of factors you can adjust to manage the sound volume.
You can control the volume from your connected device or on the eye mask itself.
You can also move the position of the earpiece with the two blue stripes on either side. That affects the volume depending on how close it is to your ear.
Or you can tighten or loosen the eye mask in general, which also brings the earpiece closer or further from your ear.
All those options make it super easy to get the right volume I like, or even make changes to it as I drift into slumber.
Battery Life
In the instruction manual, Manta Sleep recommends charging the device after each use.
And it’s not hard to do. The device runs on USB-C, which almost all my devices do. So it’s easy enough to plug it in.
But I decided to try and test how long the battery would last. But even after using it for 4 nights without charge, the thing is still going.
I’m not sure if my earbuds can last one full night without dying. Definitely not two, let alone four.
This is great for traveling when I might not have the socket space to charge the sleep mask since I typically prioritize charging my laptop, phone, and camera.
Manta Sleep Mask neatly packed into pouch
Masking Unpleasant Noise
I find the sound function is also good for masking out unpleasant external noises (like people snoring, chatting). I can choose a more soothing sound/music to cover that.
That said, it is not really meant for blocking out loud outside noises if you want a totally quiet sleep environment.
Your music selection still needs sufficient volume to counteract the external noise. The mask doesn’t magically erase external noise. If you are looking for silence, use earplugs for that.
Ease of Use
The mask itself is strap on, and everything is operated via velcro. So there’s nothing complicated there.
The most external portion which holds the electronics can be peeled of from the other layers (which primarily contacts your skin) so the mask can be washed.
Pairing is super easy; there are only 3 buttons to control the electronics, so I consider it rather dummy-proof.
I don’t know if the two earpieces on either side are wirelessly connected or wired, but I had no issue with them compared to my earbuds, which sometimes have a problem pairing with each other.
The two tiny handles at the side that controls the earpiece positioning are just genius. You not having to perfectly match static earpieces to the ear, while also getting the strap on right for blackout and comfort. Everything is adjustable, making it rather hassle-free.
Very easy to shift the ear pieces around with these blue tags
Comfort
A pro and one of my only cons here.
Soft And Thin
I was very impressed with how sleeping on the earpieces didn’t feel uncomfortable.
I thought there might be a weird bulge or something from the earpiece area, but the electronics are so thin I’m comfortable sleeping on my side, while resting on the earpiece area.
Definitely much more comfortable than sleeping on my earbuds.
Wraps Around Head
As much as I always thought headphones look cool, I’ve never gotten used to using them. This is because my ears get sore very quickly (like within 2 hours) from the headphones pressing on them.
Now, the Manta Sleep Mask goes around your head and over the ears, so it can feel like that if you have it strapped on super tight for an extended period.
However, it’s almost a non-issue for me because I don’t strap it on super tight. I have it hanging loosely around my head while still allowing me to twist and turn without it falling off.
Granted that might affect the total blackout depending on your head shape, but for me, the sleep mask is more than sufficient in blocking the extra light in a regular lights-off room.
I see this as an issue only if I’m looking to sleep for very long hours in a very bright environment that needs the eye mask to provide all of the blackout. A very rare case for me even when traveling.
But if that’s you and your ears tend to hurt easily due to pressure, consider the other alternatives which have straps that don’t have to go over your eye.
For example, the weighted Manta Sleep Mask has two straps, I wear it with one above my ear and another below.
Interestingly, I can also get total blackout with the Manta Sound Sleep Mask without strapping it over my ear. The eye cups are pretty well covered. But if you are not using the sound function, then it kind of doesn’t make sense to pay the premium for this mask.
Price
You can also add on accessories like Aroma dots or different eye pads
That said, let’s talk price.
Between using a separated Sleep Mask + Earbuds combo vs. the Manta Sound Sleep Mask, the Manta Sleep Mask is clearly the better option for me function-wise.
But at over US$100, this is certainly not a cheap purchase for most, which is probably one of the reasons you might be hesitating.
If you compare the price to sleep masks in general, it’s certainly expensive but also not a fair comparison, seeing it has a whole additional sound function.
But I also get it feels weird comparing it to headphones because the only place you’ll use it is in your bed.
Maybe a better train of thought is to think about how much your sleep is worth, and whether this is a reasonable price for better sleep. It is very much an investment in your sleep if you do value that audio function.
Fortunately, Manta Sleep do have a 60-day money-back guarantee on their products, so you can always order and test it out.
If the mask drastically helps your sleep, it’s almost a no brainer; after all we spend 1/3 of our life snoozing. If not, you can always send it back for a refund.
Improve Sleep
Whenever I can’t fall asleep, I would get up and wander around, going back to my phone or laptop, which kind of makes things worse.
With the Manta Sound Sleep Mask, I feel way less pressure to get up and “do something” since I can just continue lying in bed while listening to music or a podcast/audiobook. I will then gradually fall asleep with my eyes closed.
I also don’t have to worry about stopping the music/audio before I sleep, fearing my earbuds might fall off and go missing, or run out of battery for the next day.
It’s one of those things I will just slide into my travel backpack, especially if I’m spending long time on transports.
Despite spending only a few days in Hue, seeking out great food and restaurants is always a priority for me. Admittedly, I don’t think I was very lucky with it this time. Several of the restaurants I picked out didn’t turn out to be as good as I expected personally.
But here are 5 Hue restaurants to try including those I enjoyed as well as recommendations by other locals and travelers.
Madam Thu
This is a popular restaurant in the Night Walking Street that is known for serving up great Vietnamese, and specifically Hue dishes. It is very very busy at night and there’s always a waiting queue during peak dinner hours. So I recommend going early for lunch or dinner.
In my opinion, the best thing here is they have a Hue Specialty plate that consists of a single piece of 7 Hue specialties. So you get to try all of them! Perfect for solo travelers who don’t have the time or stomach to sample all the Hue dishes.
While this might seem like a sampler plate, let me tell you I was very full by then – credit to all the rice paper lol. It’s quite a carb heavy meal.
The staff will explain to you which dipping sauces are for what items and also tell you how best to enjoy each item. They even serve up a cold towel when you arrive, and some fruits for dessert.
There are two branches near each other in the night walking area. And yes, both gets crowded during dinner hours.
They take card payment with 3% fee.
Zucca Restaurant
Zucca is one of the most popular restaurants in Hue for some delicious Italian food. I preface this by saying, if you are super particular about how Italian food should taste and the details of it, this is not it. And full authentic Italian food would be a rare gem in Vietnam.
But if you enjoy higher quality Italian style food, this is definitely a must-try. I only managed to try the pasta but the table across me was raving about their pizzas. Pretty sure you can’t go wrong with either.
I had the bacon, shrimp with cream sauce, which was superb! The sauce was very creamy and the shrimp were plump. There was also a good amount of bacon pieces. The whole dish was served warm and looks visually delicious.
An odd twist but not uncommon in Hue, the restaurant also serve Vietnamese dishes, probably to attract a wider market. But I wouldn’t purposely come here for that. The place is also very busy during dinner hours, so come early or be prepared to wait for a bit.
They also offer a lot of freebies. Bruschettas are served as appetisers, you can choose a free bottle of water or glass of local beer, and they also give fruits for dessert.
Marou Chocolate Cafe
For a sweet treat after meal, or while escaping the heat during the day, Marou Chocolate cafe is great option. It is located very near the Night Walking Street area, and has a beautiful, vibrant interior, like a toy house.
This is a brand that sources cocoa beans from all around Vietnam. They do sell their own artisanal chocolates but the place is a cafe which offers up very nice chocolate drinks, milkshakes and pastries.
Prices are on the higher side, but the milkshakes are thick and flavorful. I tried the Chocolate Caramel shake as recommended by the staff and it was a perfect ending to an evening in Hue.
The staff here are better versed in English and are very proactive to greet and introduce things to you.
The cafe is also great for working; their super fast wifi is a bonus. Although there’s not as many power sockets around, partly because they don’t need portable fans. Air conditioning here is strong enough unlike many places in Hue.
They do take card payment here. For other interesting cafes in Hue, check out those I visited in that cafe guide.
Nina’s Cafe-Vietnamese Restaurant
If you are looking for no-frills traditional Vietnamese food Nina’s is a good place to check out when around the area.
They are hidden deep within an alley but the place is quite cool with souvenir paintings hanging on the walls. This is a good option if you are concerned about street food hygiene but also want to try some of those common Vietnamese dishes like Bun Bo Hue or stir fried meat with rice etc.
This place looks clean, serving up home cooked Vietnamese cuisine. The staff is friendly and prices are very reasonable.
They also do have some western style menu item since that alley way has several hotels/home stays. So I imagine tourists are a big part of their cliente.
Donald Trung
If you wander slightly out of the Phu Hoi district, you will find Donald Trung. I had such a great dining experience with this restaurant brand in Da Nang that I would visit again in other cities if I had more time.
You can read more about it in the Da Nang foodie guide linked above, but this is a popular local haunt despite the name resembling like a certain American person. It’s a great spot for wraps, and their signature is the pork or beef set.
You get served a yummy looking plate of meat and the vegetables are free flow, self service. You make the wraps yourself to your taste, and the staff in the Da Nang branch was super helpful in teaching me the basics of enjoying the dish.
Although the main client base is locals, they still have a translated English menu.
Cafe on Thu Wheels
This is another restaurant near Nina’s that is much closer to the main road. I did actually try this place, but it isn’t an obvious recommendation for me. That said, I think it boils down to my dish selection more than the restaurant itself.
This is the first place I tried as it was near my hotel and I was just looking to spend an hour waiting to check in. It was also recommended by the hotel staff. I ordered a traditional Hue classic – the Nem Lui (Pork with peanut sauce and rice paper).
As a local specialty, the dish is worth trying but I didn’t particularly love it, having also tried Nem Lui again on Madam Thu’s sampler platter.
Similar to Thailand and Laos, the meat they use for any of these sausage like stuff, just feels a bit artificial to me. So I always like to get fresh meat in these countries rather than those molded into sausages or balls.
Nevertheless, the staff here is very proactive, greeting me every time I passed by the place. They also patiently demonstrated how to enjoy the Nem Lui.
The restaurant has quite a big menu, and is popular for both their western selections and asian dishes. So it’s good for groups and also breakfast if you’re staying nearby. Similarly, I believe tourists are their main client base.
Where To Eat In Hue
Hue is typically a 1-3 days destination for most travelers. A nice thing is that you will find many nice restaurants within the touristic zones, particularly in Phú Hội district. So if you are tired from a day of exploration, there is no real need to wander off too far for some great eats!
That is also why I personally recommend staying in Phu Hoi, especially if it’s your first trip to Hue. It’s the most convenient district in my opinion.
Vietnam has a vibrant cafe scene and you can see the same in Hue. Similar to Da Nang, Hue’s cafe culture isn’t just about finding a place to sip coffee – it’s an adventure through some cozy nooks, chill green spaces and indulgent treats.
Despite just a few days in the city, I still spent a good amount of time checking out some of the coffee places in Hue. Here are some nice ones for a relaxing coffee, work on your laptop, enjoy scenic views and even grab some photos for instagram!
Ngam Cafe
Located along the path to the night market, this is actually a pretty big coffeeshop with 3 storeys. And even mid levels between the three.
The cafe really stands out at night because of its big, flashy neon sign, and the organ glow emitting from the lights.
The first floor interior, despite not being too big, is incredibly beautiful. One table sits amidst a fireplace setting, and another surrounded by greenery and a big bookshelf.
On the second and third floor, you will find patios that give you the street view. If the weather is warm, level 2.5 has an air-conditioned sitting area. So there’s lots of options here depending on what you prefer.
Staff here are friendly and bubbly. Prices are comparable to other cafes. I tried the signature Ngam coffee, which is sort of like a Tiramisu Coffee. It makes for a good dessert-y coffee which is perfect since I came after dinner.
They take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 22/26 mbps
Marou Chocolate Cafe
If you seen my list of restaurants in Hue, you will already know this is a great spot for some post-meal chocolate indulgence.
This is a brand that sources cocoa beans from all around Vietnam. They do sell their own artisanal chocolates but the place is a cafe which offers up very nice chocolate drinks, milkshakes and pastries.
Prices are on the higher side, but the milkshakes are thick and flavorful. I tried the Chocolate Caramel shake as recommended by the staff and it was a nice ending to an evening in Hue.
The staff here are definitely much better versed in English and are very proactive to greet and introduce things to you.
The cafe itself is super bright and vibrant. There’s fun decorations everywhere and the seats here are super comfy (at least the one next to the windows on level 2).
It is great for working; their super fast wifi is a bonus. Although there’s not as many power sockets around, partly because they don’t need portable fans. Air conditioning here is strong enough unlike many places in Hue.
Do note though that parents like to bring their children here, so it can get noisy at times when kids are playing around.
They take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 135/119 mbps
Phinholic Hand-brew Cafe
There’s a couple branches of Phinholic cafe around Hue; they are actually in rather close proximity. I’ve only visited the one on Nguyễn Tri Phương road, but the other one on Bến Nghé also looks very beautiful with a balcony overlooking the street.
You are very likely to pass by that as it is on one of the street leading up to the Hue Walking Street.
However, the outlet at Nguyễn Tri Phương is abit of a nice, hidden gem. The entrance is a very small and tight alley, but gets you to this three storey cafe. The first floor is a hue specialty souvenir store. But level 2 and 3 is a quiet, cozy cafe.
Level 3 even has an outdoor space facing the backyard, so it’s quite tranquil, away from the Main Street. You will see people coming here to work because of that. Many of the tables are good height and there are power sockets around.
The cafe is of course known for their coffee. I went their signature Robusta Phin salted coffee and it’s superb. They also serve food like croissants and sandwiches. Prices here are pretty fair.
They take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 90/94 mbps
ChocoHouse Hue
This is another cafe that also seem to sell their own brand of chocolates. Admittedly I didn’t spend much time looking through the products since I was more interested in the cafe.
The storefront is at the entrance, and you will find the cafe counter at the back. They have a wide range of chocolate drinks as well as other coffee/tea/gelato options. They also have pastries and snack-ish food items like Banh Mi. Y
Pricing here is pretty standard for cafes in Hue. If you are overwhelmed with the selections, feel free to ask the staff for recommendations.
I ended up trying the Midnight Mocha and brownie cheesecake. Both were indulgent and chocolatey.
Seating is on the second floor. They have an indoor air conditioned space and two balconies on each side. Both balconies have nice view of the Francis Savier Church beside it.
This is one of the best cafes in Hue for working on your laptop that I’ve seen. Many tables here are good height, there are power sockets around the whole area. They provide bottles of drinking water and the chairs are cushy.
They take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 94/77 mbps
View Cafe
This is a very popular spot for locals as I often see it quite full. The cafe has a rustic, raw vibe that works surprisingly well both during the day and night. The dark tone make it feel cooling amidst the warm Hue weather, and
They have a nice balcony area on the second floor that is surrounded by plants, and offers a view of the busy road intersection. I went early in the morning and took up the best view seat. It’s a nice place to do some work.
Although I wouldn’t say its the best cafe for working and I doubt you will find many people of their laptops here. The first floor seats are all short stools for chilling.
Staff here have very limited English since bulk of their clients are locals, but they are very polite. I recommend the Sesame Coffee, it was aromatic, along with a salty hint like your salted coffee. Delicious.
They don’t take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 91/94 mbps
N.Cafe & Food
If you are looking for a spot with view of the Imperial city walls, N.Cafe is one of those cafes that’s just about the right distance. In addition, they serve very affordable food and drinks which makes it a great spot to chill.
The cafe have a few outdoor seats by waters of the old city moat, which are best for the morning. The sun rises from behind the shophouse, thus hitting the imperial city wall before the seating zone.
As it gets later in the afternoon, the sun sets behind the imperial wall, so the cafe pavement gets more and more sunny even though they have umbrellas.
In any case, they do have a second floor which has air conditioning. That was not open though when I visited.
They don’t take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 33/10 mbps
Tram Cafe
A cafe that’s pretty popular among the locals, I think because it’s cheap, they have a very good selection of drinks (many of which I did not see in other Hue cafes), and beautiful interior.
While they went for a bit of rustic vibe, the colourful paintings, several vintage elements, greenery and funky shaped wall holes works peculiarly well together.
The cafe has 3 levels with the top one offering views of the river and the bus parking right outside. It’s probably also another reason why the cafe is quite regularly frequented by locals.
I like their selection of tea here amidst other menu items. E.g. I have never seen hibiscus mango tea around. So that’s what I tried. The drink is on the sweeter side but refreshing, and best of all, has those bubble tea white pearls in it!
Although the place does not have air conditioning, it’s pretty cool with the fans and how they shaded the place.
The cafe also has like the faster wifi speed I’ve seen in Hue, although most of the tables on level 1 and 2 are not great height for working.
They take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 156/105 mbps
Hue’s Coffee Scene
Each cafe here tells its own story, served with a dose of strong Vietnamese coffee and unique atmosphere that is well worth exploring.
Escape the blistering heat, and spend some time checking out coffee places that paints a different picture of Hue’s cafe culture. Or hop in to one after dark, many cafes open until 10pm which is a reflection of how they play into the Vietnamese city lifestyle!
As Da Nang increases in popularity among digital nomads and remote workers, there are more and more coworking spaces opening up in the city. Unlike Hoi An where there’s not much options, Da Nang have quite a good selection on offer.
Although I personally prefer cafes over coworking spaces, I did manage to check out some of them. At the end, I also included a couple cafes with a coworking element that I like.
For additional cafes that aren’t marketed for working, but still laptop friendly, check out my article on cafes in Da Nang.
Coworking Spaces In Da Nang
Enouvo Coworking
This is a modern coworking space you find in the An Hai, Son Tra area. They have a cafe on the first floor which serves beverages at affordable prices and you can even work there if you don’t really need a big space.
The coworking space is on the second floor, with private offices taking up much of the rest. The coworking area looks vey much like your typical startup office. There’s an open zone with big tables and also 3 meeting rooms with desk inside as well.
The minimum is a day pass which gives you access to the space for the opening hours. They provide instant tea/coffee, water and some snacks. Lockers are only for monthly members.
I visited on a weekend so there wasn’t much people except for a few of us. I was actually sitting at the cafe, but the staff was kind enough to move me to the coworking space since they were having a workshop at the cafe and was afraid it might be noisy.
Hive Coworking
When I visited, Hive is still a very new coworking space in Da Nang that have just opened for about a month.
The main thing that caught my attention here is the electronic standing desks that comes with an external monitor. So if you are talking about work desk facilities, this is the best in my opinion.
Despite having 4 levels, the coworking space or room isn’t actually big. It takes just the 3rd floor and there’s like only 6 tables. The benefits of this is that it is probably very quiet, and a good place to focus.
The 2nd floor seems to be a studio of sorts, my guess is that they are going to work on organising events. And the 4th floor is nice rooftop chill zone, where they also offer ice bath packages.
And the ground floor is their cafe, so if you don’t really need a specific table or quiet zone to work, you can patronise the cafe and just work there as well. Prices are similar to the modern cafes around, maybe even slightly cheaper, and they serve both food and drinks.
The coworking space comes with free coffee/tea and detox water. They offer packages from 2-hours to monthly rates. The location is great as it’s in one of the most popular districts in Da Nang among foreigners – An Thuong.
Seaview Coworking
This is an interesting one as the coworking space is on the top (9th) floor of a hotel. It’s near the beach, so as its name suggests, you actually get nice views of the ocean and city from here.
Seaview coworking is one of the most flexible and cheapest of the lot. They have a 3 hour pass that’s just slightly higher than the price of coffee. So if you’re like me who is more spontaneous and don’t usually need a coworking space, this is a great option.
All the facilities are also available for use regardless of your package. They have lockers, monitors for rent, phone booth for calls etc. They also provide free tea/coffee, water and bananas.
Hana who manages the place is very welcoming and friendly. She also organises outings/events for the members so it’s a great launchpad to meet other nomads. It’s not your typical big commercial coworking space, so there’s a more personal touch to this one.
ACE Coworking
Photo Credit: ACE Coworking Da Nang
If you are looking for a community and bigger coworking space, ACE coworking is one of the popular ones around. They position themselves as a lifestyle coworking space with a blend of work and wellness.
The coworking space is located down South from the main An Thurong district. It has 3 levels, each with sorta its own “unofficial” vibe, from more quiet air conditioned work zones to open air areas and casual, interaction spaces.
The place is equipped with proper office tables/chairs, as well as meeting rooms and phone booths for calls. There are activities lined up across the weeks from tea break sessions to yoga sessions and beach days.
So overall it is much better organized and managed like an established commercial workspace. If you are looking for a mid term coworking space with a community element, this is worth checking out.
Da Nang Coworking
Further down south from that, you will find Da Nang Coworking. They are one of the newer players in the market. While it’s further from the typical expat zone, one of their biggest advantage is a huge, beautiful garden area.
If you are into greenery and nature, this is likely a big plus. A well-equipped, spacious coworking space while cultivating a fun community. There are events being organised regularly so you will meet others if you’re staying for awhile.
They have 24/7 access for long term passes, and office hour access for daily passes. They do not offer shorter hourly ones, so that’s a potential downside.
Overall, I will classify ACE and Da Nang Coworking to be of similar model. If you are looking for a more dedicated desk/space with community element, try out both and see which one vibes with you more.
Cafes In Da Nang With Workspace
These are specifically cafes that also sort of market themselves as a great spot for working, or even has a coworking zone/pricing attached to them. It’s just the cafe business seems to be the major component.
Hi4 Cafe & Workspace
So this is not actually a coworking space in the sense that they don’t charge you for using the workspace. It is a cafe with seatings that are superb for working. And they open 24/7.
It’s a huge space covering 2 levels. I doubt it will ever be fully occupied. The place has a combination of standard work tables and also small japanese style huts.
There’s lots of power socket around, and the cafe serves a good selection of food and drinks at very affordable pricing.
As such, you get different types of people coming here. Most are here to work, study or sleep.
The second floor is supposed to be a quiet zone, but I don’t actually see a big difference. I also don’t think the staff enforces it strictly unless someone is really making a ruckus.
I personally don’t really mind any of those, which is also why I prefer cafes over paying extra for coworking spaces. So this is a really great spot for me.
But if you are very particular about your work environment where the surrounding matters to you, then this might not be the best option for you. I think they get a bit of unfair bad rep due to that.
Remember they aren’t charging extra for the space usage. You simply buy a drink or food and get to use it. So their operational model is actually that of a cafe. If you view it as such, this is a great spot.
But if you compare it to coworking space where you want private rooms and enforced quiet or chill zones, then it might not meet your expectations.
Gear Coffee And Souvenirs
This is one of those cafe that also has a coworking space at the 4th floor. I did not actually see that space, but from photos it looks more beautiful.
The good thing is that at Level 3, you have a seating area that is already similar to a workspace, and you can access that area just as a cafe customer. It is barely decorated but filled with proper tables and chairs suitable for working, with power sockets all lined up on the wall.
There’s also a row of window seats that gives you the street view. 2nd floor is more cafe style, with both an aircon area and a outdoor patio that also has a street view. First floor is the most well decorated in my opinion, and has a cozy atmosphere.
Drink prices are competitive so you often see locals coming here to chill, work or study. The cafe also have a lot of interesting drink options that you don’t typically see in other cafes.
If you want to work, the internet on level 3 is the strongest I believe, since it taps into the coworking space connection rather than the cafe one.
Working Remotely In Da Nang
There’s a reason why Da Nang has grown increasingly popular among digital nomads, and I can definitely see the market adapting to this trend. Apart from the coworking spaces that are popping up, many cafes are now also looking to target this group of customers.
Internet infrastructure in Da Nang is not much of a concern; you can easily find good speed. If you are looking to spend some time in the third largest city in Vietnam, be sure to check out our Da Nang Travel Guide.
When it comes to food, Da Nang has quite an international gastronomic scene. Admittedly, I found myself marking out more foreign cuisine restaurants compared to Vietnamese eateries. You really have a lot of choices for food in Da Nang.
Here are restaurants in Da Nang that I tried and enjoyed. Some of them are very popular, while others are hidden gems. Look out for those unassuming alleys, sometimes you will find good stuff there.
Donald Trung Da Nang
I know I know, the name’s a bit funny but this was recommended by a local friend and the place is actually very popular among the locals compared to tourists.
Donald Trung is the place to make your own wraps and rolls. There have a free flow supply of greens that you help yourself to. The signature here is the boiled/grilled meat (pork or beef). It goes by portion per pax. So does not matter if you are dining alone.
You will get served rice papers and meat. Then you make your own wraps and sauce with the ingredients and veggies available.
If you are like me, who often over orders, get yourself a bowl of noodles or sticky rice as well. They also have a great selection of drinks, which are cheap! This whole meal + a juice cost just over $5 during my last visit, I was bloated.
I love the staff here. They don’t speak much English, but instead of shying away, they proactively helped me when they see me doing the sauce mixture or wrappings wrongly.
You’re going to learn some knowledge about how to make/eat Vietnamese wraps if you aren’t familiar. They could really have easily ignored me amidst the crowd.
That said, it gets busy during lunch time, so you want to come before 12pm, or after 1pm. This is sort of the kind of food people like to sit and have ample time to enjoy. So by 1pm, office crowd is gone, I think because it’s “too rush” to start eating then.
The restaurant is actually quite big, but the outdoor area is usually too hot in the afternoon, so everyone goes into just the aircon area.
You can pay by card here.
Nhà Hàng Nhà Bếp Chợ Hàn
This is one of the restaurants in the city center that is very popular among Koreans. And there are a few of such places within the same vicinity.
Prices here are more expensive than eating in local places, but not ridiculous like a tourist attraction. For the more premium price, you are basically getting a beautiful and comfortable space, along with good service.
The place is big so I did not have to wait despite the busy lunch crowd. And although there are many customers, they are well staffed and service is fast.
The restaurant also provide tea and wet napkins. It is clean and has a nice atmosphere even during peak time. The place was almost full, with people going in and out, but it didn’t feel super chaotic or messy.
I tried the seafood noodles and it was a satisfying meal. The prawns and clam meat were plump. I like that the seafood were substantial both in terms of quantity and quality.
Coffee is good here and cheap as they have a cafe that operates separately. There is seating space outside for just having coffee.
This is a place that I would return with a group but unlikely to go back alone. Most of the dishes are better shared; they even have family combos. With the variety and ambience, it is best enjoyed with company.
if you are coming in a group, I recommend making a reservation in advance.
They take card payment but with 5% fee.
Burger House (햄버거)
I took note of this restaurant since it was near where I stayed and a friend recommended it too. With the raving reviews, I was expecting a good burger, but was still very pleasantly surprised at the quality.
Now the storefront doesn’t even look super appealing or western. It looked exactly like an Asian place serving burgers. But this is where you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
Oh, and when I visited, it wasn’t crowded. But all the customers coming in and out were individual westerners, who looked like they are regular expats. So that’s a very good sign.
I tried the Blue Cheese Burger and highly recommend it. The bun was warm and crispy, the patty was juicy, and the blue cheese wasn’t overpowering. It was the right amount.
I also had the avocado smoothie, which I think is on the cheaper price point, and it was thick and substantial. My friend recommends the Double Cheese Burger and he also enjoys the thick chips/fries which is served with roasted garlic and special dip (I think it’s mayo mixed with something)
Pricing wise is fair. Typical of what you would see for western food in Vietnam.
They do accept card payment.
Mlem Pudding
Hidden in a small, tight alleyway, you will find Mlem Pudding. A tiny store selling all sorts of delicious looking desserts. I think their most popular ones are the puddings and toasts. But they also have cookie bombs, cakes and drinks.
The whole place and food has a very Korean/Japanese style vibe. It is small but vibrant. The biggest bonus is the cute, fat Corgi that likes to lay around the cafe.
I had a real dilemma deciding what to get because they all looked super tasty. Not just the type of dish but also the different flavor options.
Ultimately I went with the Salted Egg toast. The bread crust was crispy but the interior was soft. The salted egg “sauce” gives the flavor but not overwhelming; I consider it to be on the lighter side of taste.
Do note that the salted egg option can be a bit of a wait (they warned me about it), which I didn’t mind. It means the dish is prepared fresh. And it’s a comfortable place to sit since it’s not too busy.
Prices here are also cheap in my opinion. Many non-local dishes usually command a higher pricing, but at Mlem’s you are paying like the price of a cup of cafe coffee. And these desserts will cost much more in many other countries.
I definitely hoped to be back to try the puddings.
They do not take card payment.
Umm Banh Mi
This is one of the popular Banh Mi cafes in Da Nang, so you are looking at a comfortable, air conditioned space while enjoying your crispy, tasty Banh Mi.
In fact they even opened up a second spot that is pretty near the first in the same district. I went to the original one at Le Quang Dao and was not disappointed.
They have quite extensive options from the traditional ones to filling like beef with cheese and even vegetarian options. I’ve heard the tofu one is good as well.
The grilled pork was delicious, as the pork is well marinated and not dry at all. Whole bread was served warm and crispy. I also got a traditional Vietnamese coffee with milk that paired nicely.
There can be a bit of wait time even if the cafe is not super crowded. So I think they are definitely making something fresh, and I’m not complaining. It’s a nice place to sit for awhile.
It is actually well suited for working on your laptop. Seats are of decent height, some even cushy and there are several power sockets around. But the place can get busy, so you want to be respectful based on the situation.
This poke place is actually in a restaurant that consists of 2 other food businesses – “Vietnom” that serves Vietnamese dishes and “A Quiet Place” that is a juice bar.
You can order anything from all 3 places at the same time. It is within the same ordering app.
The restaurant is beautifully decorated with different elements. It felt to me like a fusion of cultures and vibes.
The special thing about this establishment is that they hire the deaf. Most of the staff speak sign language, and I also observed customers who did as well.
Now, the social cause is only a bonus, it’s not why I recommend the restaurant. The food is great! I really enjoyed the Double Rainbowl Poke Bowl (Tuna & Salmon). It was very flavorful, and you can choose from three different bowl sizes.
In addition, the extensive menu covering three restaurants means you can cater to different preferences when visiting in a group. I also got the Lotus Logan Che and the Pineapple Turmeric Kombucha, both were nice.
Service here is top notch, the staff is always smiley and attentive. It is also very convenient as well, you can order and call for the staff/bill on the web app.
They accept card payment as well.
Quán Cô Hồng
This is quite a popular restaurant known for serving local food in Da Nang. The tagline on the storefront “Đặc Sản Đà Nẵng” essentially means local food of Da Nang.
Let’s start by managing expectations, because I think the service and cleanliness here can be improved. Service is not unprofessional, it’s just abit disorganised when I visited during the busy hours.
While the place has a nice, cultural vibe, cleanliness is similar to that of a typical street side restaurant. So you might see cockroaches around the back, I’m not particularly bothered by it but I know others might be.
So if the above are very important for you, then maybe this place isn’t for you. However, the food I had was tasty and flavorful. I liked that I could get different local and regional specialities here.
Wraps are always a favourite of mine, so I got the pork belly with rice paper, and for the corresponding mains, I got sort the Chao Cho (Nam O thick noodle soup) which included mashed fish. I have never heard or seen this dish before – fish isn’t something I typically associate with Vietnamese food, so I was more cautious and just went with the basic.
The pork belly was soft and tender. You make you own wrap with a basketful of veggies. The rice paper given was the hard one that you need to soak in water beforehand. It is a bit of a hassle but if you see it as a DIY experience then its all in good fun.
The mashed fish noodle dish was surprisingly tasty, and I think they cooked the broth with anchovies as I spotted bits of dried fish in it. While the fish is not bony as typical big fishes, you should still be cautious, especially if a kid is having it. Overall, looks simple but very satisfying dish.
My recommendations is if you’re doing fish for the wraps (yes, they have that and I think it’s the specialty), then get a pork noodle dish. If you’re doing pork for the warps like I do, then get a fish noodle dish.
P.S I’ve heard that they would charge extra service fee for the wet tissue and the grilled rice paper that’s served at the start. So you can skip those if you don’t really need them. Although if you’re having the wraps, good to have tissues on hand.
They do accept card payment here.
Jeremy’s Kitchen
This is quite a well known spot among expats for comfort food. I’m talking common English/American breakfast plates and dishes, as well as pastries like cakes and donuts.
They also happen to be located in the main An Thurong zone which is popular for tourists and nomads, so it is an easy stop. However, it is also a common option for many of us to order it via food delivery apps like Grab.
Their cakes are somewhat expensive but the portion is big and the chocolate they use are of certain quality. Doesn’t just taste like cheap chocolate, which is common in this part of Asia. I tried the Devil’s cake and it certainly satisfied my sweet craving.
For savory options, the Spicy Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit is really good value. The chicken was crispy and tender even when I ordered it as delivery. The sauce that came with it was tasty and pairs well with the chicken (although I wouldn’t consider it spicy for the Asian palette).
Bánh Mì Cô Tiên
Located at the end of a long alley, this place might not be as easy to find but is getting increasingly popular. It’s a small, comfortable store serving some tasty Bahn Mi.
Their signature best sellers are the more special options of beef with cheese, and pan fried chicken. I had to give the first one a go.
While it might not look anything special visually, the beef and cheese one is stuffed with stringy cheese that is guaranteed to pull for quite a length whenever you take a bite.
There is a generous amount of beef which comes with a nice hint of peppery taste. The texture is more on the tangy side so it can be slightly difficult to break them into small bites. Nevertheless, every mouthful comes with stuffings alongside a soft yet still crispy bread.
It gets busier around lunch time but service is rather fast. There is also a second level for seating so walk in to ask even if you see the ground floor is full.
They do not take card payment.
2 Ladies Kitchen
Another delicious Bahn Mi spot to try, and it’s in the main An Thuong district that’s filled with spas, cafes and restaurants, so you will certainly visit, if not stay, in the area.
While they offer other food items as well, they are probably most known for their Banh Mi. You have the classic of grilled pork, chicken, beef, but also vegeterian options like tofu, tofu skin and even vegetable steak.
I went for the slightly more special one caramelized pork and egg. The bread is probably the crispiest I have tried out of all the Banh Mi places.
I like that the sandwich was served very warm, thus feeling really fresh. The pork pieces were more chunky ones that feels substantial, although a bit tougher compared to typical grilled pork, and the sesame seeds added an extra fragrant flavor.
The restaurant also serves up a complimentary drink to customers. I’m not talking about water or light tea that some cafes or spas provide. It’s tasty stuff that can easily be a menu option. The drink varies but I had passionfruit (maybe mixed with butterfly pea) juice.
2 Ladies Kitchen also hires people with disabilities (mute and deaf), giving them equal opportunities to work. So that’s a bonus! While they mention it might be less convenient to order, it didn’t actually felt so. You just write your order on a piece of paper instead and submit that.
For nomads, I have seen people working from here. It’s not as popular of a work spot as surrounding cafes, but this place is well suited for it. Quiet, big tables and several power sockets. So if you want to hang for a bit, that’s possible too.
Thìa Gỗ Restaurant Da Nang
For some awesome Vietnamese noodle dishes, this is a great haunt that is visited by both expats/tourists and locals. They actually serve a bunch of Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls, Banh Xeo and more, but noodles are certainly a staple here.
Although it’s “hidden” in one of those more residential streets, the place gets pretty busy during dinner hours so you might have to wait for a bit if you visiting then. So they have really built quite a reputation themselves.
Portions are big and the prices are very fair. Despite being quite full at the time, I still enjoyed the Bún thịt xào, particularly the flavor and tenderness of the beef. Tip: The salted lemon soda is great for stroking your appetite.
Easily a place that gets repeat visitors so give it shot. It’s not too far from the main An Thurong zone and is near the bustling Nguyễn Văn Thoại road.
They do take card payment with 3% fee.
Nhà Bếp Xưa Restaurant
This is a popular restaurant one street away from the beachfront. They serve traditional Vietnamese classics like Mi Quang, Bun Cha, Bun Bo Hue and more. But I personally think their special dishes are those in the claypots.
They will certainly recommend many of the Vietnamese signatures but if you have already tried those, I recommend going for the others like braised snakehead fish, pork stews etc. I had one of their bestsellers – the poached pork meat, and it was awesome.
They got everything right there, from the taste to the texture, and the sauce. The only downside is that the portion is slightly small. So if you are a midsize eater, one serving might not be sufficient.
Prices are ok for the touristic area, but if you get 2 main dishes per pax, it tilts towards the more expensive end for Vietnamese food.
The small portion wasn’t a big deal to me because I wanted to try another Banh Mi place in the area. And to my surprise, the restaurant actually gives a 10% discount voucher to that place. So here’s my recommendation or what I did – I had one serving here and then went for a Round 2 at the Banh Mi place (read below for my review of that spot).
There was a queue during weekend lunch time, I waited about 10-15 mins even being just 1 pax. So I suggest avoiding peak meal times especially if you’re are a big group.
Overall, a restaurant I would return if I want a light meal. Or a main dish + a side/soup could be good as well. They have many offerings that I would still like to try.
The restaurant do take card payment.
Nha Viet Banh Mi & Coffee
This is the Banh Mi place I mentioned in the section about Nha Bep Xua Restaurant. It’s just right around the corner from the restaurant.
The dish that caught my attention here is the Bo Ne (Sizzling Beef with Bread). I’m not sure this is a fair comparison to regular Banh Mi since the eating experience is very different. You are basically served a crispy baguette separately from a hotplate of beef steak and fried egg.
And you assemble or eat it whatever way you want. It’s special, thus why I came for it. But it was almost a bit of a mess to eat since the baguette crust kinda flies everywhere. If you ever had a Banh Mi before, you’ll know. So imagine trying to do the cutting and stuffing as well.
The beef was tender and tasty, but if I were to compare this with a Banh Mi, I would say I prefer others on this list. Nha Viet do serve regular Banh Mi options which has earned many praises as well.
What I did enjoy a lot was their orange, lemongrass, peach tea which is marked as a best seller. It’s on the sweeter side but refreshing.
The restaurant/cafe has an aircon space at the back, which is good for sitting and working as well.
They do take card payment.
PER Korean Food
This is quite a popular Korean food restaurant judging from the people I see during meal times. To be honest, the food here isn’t Korean standard but tasty enough. And it’s super value for money.
There have 2 restaurants, the one in the city center is bigger but they are expanding the one in the Son Tra district (probably done at the time of your reading).
I think the jajangmyeon set with sweet and sour pork or pork cutlet is super bang for buck, and can feed 2 pax if you’re not a big eater. When I order that alone, I skip a meal after.
The sweet & sour pork is the best seller (presumably because that’s the typical combo in Korea). But their crispy pork tastes better so I would recommend that. For reference, it comes with 2 pieces of meat.
I also tried their different tteokbokki dishes. The sauce is more towards the watery side, but they give a bowlful of it. So those dishes are good for dipping with other stuff, like dumplings or potato chips.
Overall, great place for food and value. Both branches take card payment.
Cơm Tấm Ốp Lết 1940
If you are looking to try some nice Vietnamese Com Tam (broken rice) alongside nice grilled meat, this is definitely one restaurant to check out.
It’s in a convent location in the city centre, and prices are super affordable, many locals come here to eat as well.
The restaurant is beautiful with a village vibe, makes you feel like you have traveled back in time. And it’s air conditioned, so it’s comfortable.
I was bit tempted to try the beef, but it seems pretty obvious that the pork is their signature so I had to go with that. There’s a few different “cuts” options even for pork, cutlet, curved ribs, pork belly etc. I went for the classic pork cutlet with two toppings (mea omelet and pork skin).
The cutlet was tasty and not too dry, definitely left me wanting more. Luckily, I ordered an additional plate of Char Siu pork that helped satisfy that craving. The 2 toppings I think are classic items that comes with Com Tam. They are pretty interesting to try.
The restaurant does not take card payment.
Bikini Bottom Express
This American style restaurant is a great place to satisfy any of your western food cravings. They have an extensive menu from burgers to steaks, milkshakes to brownies, so it’s an easy go-to option.
The brand started in 2018 and now have three branches, two in Da Nang and one in Hoi An. The two in Da Nang are both in very convenient spots (one in the main An Thurong zone, and the other in the city center).
I do prefer the burgers in Burger House but the smashed burgers here are also nothing to scoff at. I know people who will like them. The buns are on the soft, fluffy side with the patties are juicy although it’s smashed. I would prefer the meat to be more flavorful but this is one burger that’s very easy to devour.
The fries are double fried, which I consider a midway between your typical string cut and the rustic fries. Speaking of that, they have a range of options from truffle fries to different types of poutine. So if you are into the potato craze, there’s a real dilemma here.
I consider prices here to be slightly lower than other burger houses, so its a bonus. And the coffee here is surprisingly cheap (aka local prices). Both the coffee and smoothies I tried are thick and strong.
Also if you visit the city center branch, they have a window table and a rooftop area that give you a nice view of the pink cathedral right beside it.
Where To Eat In Da Nang
Da Nang’s food scene is pretty diverse and exciting. Whether you’re into traditional Vietnamese fare or craving a juicy burger, there are good options in the city. These were just a few of my foodie adventures, and there’s so many other places I would have liked to check out.
If you love coffee and cool cafes, Da Nang is going to win you over! During my stay, I visited many interesting coffee shops, each has its own unique charm and vibe.
Compared to cafes in Hoi An where many are suitable for both relaxing and working, I find that many Da Nang cafes that have a garden or ancient vibe offers mainly the short stools and tables. So if you are looking for laptop friendly ones, the modern cafes are usually the better option.
Regardless, here are some of the nice cafes in Da Nang to grab a cuppa! I’ve put them in broad categories for easy reference. Make sure to check out the hidden gems at the end!
Photogenic Cafes
Many of the places here are beautiful and definitely photo-worthy. As such, you will almost definitely see girls coming in pairs/groups to these ones for photos (Some people find this annoying so just a headsup, but know that this “instagrammable setting” is quite a selling point for the local market)
Chian Cafe
A modern cafe with bit of contemporary art flair. It’s white and bright decorated with colorful art pieces and furnitures.
Many people come here for photoshoots while enjoying a drink. Prices here are standard for cafes in Da Nang. I like the range of drink options here with tea and milk tea on offer. The roasted rice milk tea I had was fragrant and tasty.
What really drew me here though was their Japanese fluffy pancakes, which isn’t commonly found. For the price, I think it’s quite a steal since this dessert can be expensive in other parts of the world.
I tried the chocolate one and it’s pretty good standard. It has a right balance of bounce without collapsing, and sufficient egg taste that’s not overpowering.
From the cups to the lamps and chairs, you will see lots of funky shapes here. The cafe did build it with nomads and students in mind, so most of the tables are big and spacious with access to power sockets. They also provide self service drinking water.
Note that some of the chairs, due to their shapes, might not be comfy for long hours of sitting. So a bit of aesthetic and functional trade off there, but test out a few if you plan to hang around for long.
They do not accept card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 51/56 mbps
Xi Ne Bistro & Jazz
A beautiful cafe that attracts a lot of female customers because it is filled with plants and flowers. In fact, it has a flower shop right in it and a courtyard garden with fake lemons (but still nice nevertheless). Therefore, you will see many girls coming here for their Instagram shots.
The whole place kind of takes you back to the 80s and is charming in its own right. Prices here are slightly higher than surrounding cafes, but you are kind paying abit more for the special environment.
The cafe has some special beverages apart from just coffee, so I tried the lychee, coconut and aloe vera – one of their best sellers. It’s on the sweeter end but a welcomed change.
All that said, this is actually a good cafe for working. The tables are of good height and they have plenty of cushy sofa seats. You will find power sockets around the place. The internet speed here is also super fast.
My interactions with the staff here was a bit awkward for some reason, probably due to a combination of the language barrier, them being shy about it, but yet also want to try and be welcoming.
Anyway, they always have people manning specific zones, so you will be well attended to.
They do take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 568/367 mbps
Normad Cafe
Another cafe rocking a minimalist contemporary, or what locals like to say, a Korean style. As you can imagine, its popular among the female population then. But many guys and families come here to chill as well.
It is a nice place that feels spacious due to the interior design. There are 2 levels both air conditioned. Several spots here are good of photos, including a room flower of flowers on level 2. Not to mention the whole colorful cluster at the entrance.
The cafe is also good for working or studying; it has a chill ambience. You can easily find power sockets around the walls. They also provide self service drinking water.
Prices are on the higher side here. They have a bunch of fancy drinks and pastry options. I tried the double sweet coffee after finding out it’s actually cheese coffee.
I like the cheese foam, and the drink didn’t actually taste extra sweet, so no idea why they named it that. Also got the grape cream croissant. The taste is nothing to rave about but it’s pretty substantial.
They take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 463/441 mbps
Popular Among Locals (Great Vibes)
These are cafes that you will see plenty of locals visiting as well, and they typically have nice garden or antique vibes.
Dreamer Cafe
Since I have enjoyed several garden cafes in Vietnam, this one easily fell within my radar.
Dreamer is set in sort of an enclosed courtyard garden within the city, making it a nice getaway.
The whole compound actually encompasses 2 cafes – the other being Mint cafe. I have not tried Mint but since Dreamer is deeper in, it is further from the bustling road. Despite the short separation, the surrounding at Dreamer’s side is more green and looks more beautiful.
I tried the salted cocoa and loved it. The salted layer is thick and creamy just the way I like it. And the cocoa was surprisingly strong and chocolatey.
My only rant is that despite being a relatively big cup, it had quite big ice cubes, so I finished it rather quickly. But taste wise, this was bomb. Definitely the best chocolate drink I’ve tried in Vietnam.
Prices are kind of between local places and modern cafes, and a lot of locals come here.
For nomads, note that this is not the best place for working. Most of the seats are short tables and stools. There’s only 2 tables indoors that’s good for working; those do have access to power sockets. And 3 garden benches of good height but leaves you pretty exposed to natural elements.
Overall a better place for chilling and definitely photos. You could still work here if you want to, provided you grab the suitable seats (which I did :p). They also provide drinking water.
They do not accept card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 78/93 mbps
Ikigai Cafe
Another chill garden cafe near the city center area. As implied by the name, there’s a bit of Japanese vibe in terms of the whole architecture but not so much on the decoration. So it’s a good blend with some corners that are good for photos.
A few leafy trees stand out by the front garden which kind of makes the place rather secluded and tranquil. Many locals like to come relax here and most of the seats are short chairs/tables.
The cafe has an air conditioned area on the second floor, and there’s a row of seats in there that are good for working on your laptop.
PS: If those are taken up, that counter drawer table at the corner in the first floor open area is actually good height as well. I just put a chair over.
They offer self service drinking water and there’s some power sockets around. But I wouldn’t say this cafe was set up for working.
Drink prices are quite cheap here, you get your regular Vietnamese coffee options at just slightly higher price that those roadside stalls. But I went for the cheese coffee which is rare to see in other cafes.
It’s essentially like your salt or egg coffee but the top layer is cheese. I see it more as a dessert as they gave a generous cheese layer with lesser coffee. Overall tasty! The cafe also have some pastries if you want a snack.
They do not accept card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 223/184 mbps
Anle Cafe
Another cafe that is super instagrammable from multiple corners. If you like the Japanese and garden vibes, this place is for you.
The small cafe entrance is sandwiched between two other cafes with bigger storefronts. However, if you walk in, you will find yourself in a spacious garden yard – greeted by a small water fountain and big anime dragon figurine.
The ordering booth is like one of those small wooden huts that is cute and cool. If you walk further in, there a whole mural of Doraemon waiting for you, in addition to a wall of plants with smoking mist. Talk about instagrammable.
Much of the area is outdoors; there is a block of indoor space with air conditioning. Regardless, there are fans outdoors that you can move around to stay cool. The cafe also has a second level patio.
This is quite a local place and prices are very reasonable. Compared to other garden cafes which only has stool seats, this one actually has several tables that are proper height – which means it’s suitable for working.
By now, I’m convinced most cafes have power sockets around because they need to power the fans. So you will find some along the walls or beams.
The staff isn’t very well versed in English since the cliente is mainly locals, but they definitely try their best to help with whatever you need.
They do not accept card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 270/157 mbps
Wind Coffee
Da Nang’s beachfront is nice, but one street in, you can also find places like this. Lush greenery, vintage vibes and a Koi pond full of fishes is why this cafe has all the right ambience as a chill spot.
It is located on a relatively quiet road, but nevertheless entering into the cafe compound makes you feel like you’re in a different oasis.
The main piece here is obviously the Koi pond with these huge fishes. You can buy pellets from the counter to feed the fishes, it’s a fun activity for the kids. Nevertheless, the overall decor of the cafe cannot be overlooked.
You will find interesting stuff like vintage cameras, radios, old school TV, typewriters and even sewing machines around the cafe. The only downside here is really the mosquitoes, so be sure to apply mozzie repellent when visiting.
Wind coffee only serves drinks, and they seem ok with people bringing food in for that reason; I saw a couple of customers eating from takeaway containers.
If you haven’t eaten though, they have smoothies and these low calorie blends that all seem pretty interesting. I tried the black sesame and lotus seed blend which feels like a light meal itself.
There’s a variety of seating, so certain tables are great for working. I’ve come to realise you should be able to find power sockets in most cafes because they have to power the fans. There’s also a small aircon space which I think is good for escaping the mozzies.
They do not accept card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 384/407 mbps
Trình Cà Phê
This is a popular cafe among locals seemingly for the relaxing garden vibes and their avocado coffee. It is quite a big space and the service is both fast and attentive here. The store stretches deep inside from the entrance and is filled with your typical short stools and small tables.
There are both indoor and outdoor seats, most of which are open air. I tried the avocado coffee – it’s thick and nice with a generous topping of delicious fried, coconut slices. Prices here are quite ok, it’s not as cheap some roadside local spots but also not as expensive as most modern coffee shops.
This is not a great spot for working due to the seating, but for some reason I saw multiple people working on their laptops placed either on the small table or on their laps. I presume they must really like the coffee here.
There are quite a lot of power sockets around since they have a whole bunch of portable fans to keep customers cool. The internet speed might be better upfront as I have a weak signal sitting at the back, but still worked fine (Note that the speed tested here is with the weak reception).
If you are sitting near the plants, I do recommend putting on some mosquito repellent. But overall a good spot to sit for a nice coffee and enjoy some Vietnamese music.
They do not take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 59/4 mbps
Nam House
If you are looking to revisit Vietnam in a past era (or as close as you can be), this is the place to be. This place just exudes an old school charm that it can easily be a museum.
Once you enter the cafe, you feel like you are in a different century. Every part of the cafe looks like it’s from the 60s. Hell, even when I was paying, the guy looks like he was doing accounting on those A4 books with hand drawn lines.
Some of the military stuff and wall paintings kind of takes you back to the communism era. There are elements from both eastern and western cultures which is what makes it interesting.
The cafe has two levels with the ground floor being cooler. But if you like fresh air more, then second storey is brighter with windows etc. This is a must-visit even if it’s just to look around, but many locals love to chill at this place.
They only serve drinks and also seem ok for people to bring their own food. I see a few tables eating their takeaway food here.
That said, this is not an ideal spot for working, although it’s not impossible. Seatings are short and leans back, more of a place to soak in the vibes.
I did not ask, but don’t think they take card payment.
Cafes Great For Working
Some of the cafes above are good for working as I mentioned in them. These one below either have specific working spaces or you commonly find many nomads on their laptops there.
But if a proper work desk is high priority, check out the coworking spaces in Da Nang, some of them have great views and/or a nice community.
Lighthouse Cafe
This is popular cafe for digital nomads near the beach front. You will almost certainly see people working on their laptops here. When I first visited, everyone on the cafe sitting zone was working LOL.
Both the cafe exterior and interior are quite unique. It reminds me of a blend between ancient European run-ins and an old school firehouse. Rather charming.
The interior layout is also quite different. There’s two zones, one for dining and one for coffee. Each zone is sorta segmented into 3 levels.
The cafe zone is usually filled people on their laptops or tablets. That said, all the seats are great for that purpose. They also provide free drinking water.
There is not a lot of power sockets around so I recommend coming with your devices charged.
Prices here are slightly higher compared to more local places, but similar to cafes within more touristic/expat zones.
I recommend sitting more towards the center area if possible. The Wifi connectivity gets a bit unstable, reconnecting periodically, when I sat next to the window on the top floor.
They do take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 96/154 mbps
Wonderlust Cafe
A beautiful cafe that’s filled with plants. The whole interior makes it feel spacious and refreshing. It is particularly photogenic when the sun is bright and shines into the cafe.
It’s a 3 storey compound that operates as a cafe, souvenir store and coworking space. There are seats on all 3 levels, but the top level is usually closed on Mon-Thu. The second level is where you commonly find laptop workers, it has the most access to power sockets.
The first level is the best for photos since it’s like a small indoor garden. The center is hollow with the levels connected by a side stair. This structure makes the place bright and airy. There’s also an outdoor patio area.
They have quite a large variety of drinks from coffee, smoothies and even various pots of teas. Spoilt for choice, I ironically ended up going with just the typical Vietnamese milk coffee which did not disappoint.
The cafe also serves cakes and pastries like pancakes for food. Prices are not expensive either, comparable to other cafes.
Staff here appear to have better command of English. It looks like the norm around this area where Koreans seem to be the main customer group for many businesses.
They do take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 90/91 mbps
Hideout Cafe
Hideout is quite well known among remote workers in Da Nang as it is a great spot to work from. And it’s not just the digital nomads, many locals come here as well.
All the tables and chairs are standard height, and there’s many power sockets around. Some are on the ground, so look down if you’re not near a wall socket. The whole place has a coworking cafe vibe.
They have two branches that are about 8 mins walk from each other, both near the touristy An Thuong area. No idea why some brands have outlets in close proximity, but it’s not the first I’ve seen. Anyways they are both very popular and can get crowded in the mornings.
Both cafes close quite late, so consider visiting later in the day for a more chill ambience. They might even run promotions then. On my last visit to the Đo Ba branch, they had 20% off drinks after 5pm.
Prices here are modern cafe range, comparable to market rate. They have some interesting options on their beverage offerings like lemonpresso, dalgona coffee and milk tea. Healthy smoothies and juices for the health conscious people as well.
They also serve pastries and brunch style food, thus why more people come during the day time.
They do take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 254/199 mbps
Gear Coffee
This is one of those cafe that also has a coworking space at the 4th floor. The good thing though is that at Level 3, you have a seating area that is already similar to a workspace, and you can access there as just a cafe customer.
The 3rd floor is barely decorated but filled with proper tables and chairs suitable for working. There’s also a row of window seats that gives you the street view. 2nd floor is more cafe style, with both an aircon area and a outdoor patio that also has a street view.
First floor is the most well decorated in my opinion, and has a cozy atmosphere.
Prices are competitive so you often see locals coming here to chill, work or study. The cafe also have a lot of interesting drink options that you don’t typically see in other cafes. I had the mango coffee since I remember people recommending it, but there are other stuff I was tempted to try.
The mango coffee is interesting, it’s almost part drink, part dessert with like a mango ice blend mixed with coffee.
The internet on level 3 is the strongest I believe, since it taps into the coworking space connection rather than the cafe one.
They take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 142/42 mbps
Roots Plant Based Cafe
In addition to being a great spot for vegetarians, this cafe has clearly also established itself as a popular place to work from. Upon entering the cafe, you are sure to see people on their laptops.
It’s not particularly surprising seeing that the veg/vegan movement is a trend among nomads, and the cafe is right in the expat/tourist district of Da Nang. And I would say that’s the cliente for them.
The cafe has a nice, cozy vibe with the orange and green hue. There’s two floors with both indoor and outdoor areas. Most of the tables are great for working and there are power sockets available throughout the place.
The cafe offers a great selection of breakfast bowls, smoothie bowls and, what caught my attention the most, raw cakes. I tried the snickers and also the mezze platter, which tasted great; but I was very tempted to order 3 cakes. Prices here are also very affordable for a vegetarian restaurant.
They do take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 406/306 mbps
Kite Coffee
Kite Coffee is a very popular spot for laptop workers (locals and foreigners) and students.
I’ve passed by multiple times and you will see people working there anytime from morning till their closing time at night. That’s probably their main cliente which is kinda funny because I’m not sure they marketed themselves that way.
The cafe doesn’t look anything like your super modern ones, but nevertheless very tastefully decorated with colorful paintings and porcelain waves as the main highlights.
Regardless, I think they settled into that “workspace” role nicely. Now they even have power extension chords that you can use. But most tables by the walls have access to power sockets. The tables are big and spacious which is just superb for working.
They have a big range of coffee options here and even segment it by Arabica and Robusta, so you can see they sorta take it more seriously than your regular cafes. Prices here are very reasonable which I think is another reason that people come.
The drinks are also presented very nicely. I tried the Cold Brew Pomelo (which is a mix of pomelo and peach) one evening and loved it. It’s light enough for the night, almost like peach tea but has a hint of coffee taste.
This is a small point, but they use these huge mugs for self serve water/tea which I don’t think I’ve seen any cafe offer. Plus the staff even comes around to top up your water.
Kinda insane that I’ve never actually seen the cafe fully packed. There’s always people but there’s also always seats available.
They do take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 86/93 mbps
Tie Tag Cafe
If you want something special apart from the typical coffee options, Tie Tag is a great place to check out. They have many interesting beverages on offer from Durian smoothie to purple yam and roasted almond lattes.
Best of all, prices are similar to other cafes so you aren’t paying premium for them. I tried the black sesame latte and it was a welcomed change after having 2 cups of Vietnamese coffee already. The taste was aromatic with a balanced amount of sesame.
While the cafe interior is nothing super fancy, it is simple and nice. The place is brightly lit and actually quite big. Don’t be fooled by just the immediate storefront, there are more outdoor seats in the back and also on the second floor.
Many of the seats are pretty good for working with access to power socket. The wifi here is fast and they also provide drinking water. The cafe is open till quite late. It seems many Korean travelers like to store their luggage here, so I guess they provide that service too.
They do take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 277/273 mbps
Paris Levain Bakery & Cafe
If you are looking for a cafe with more pastries than anything else, then this is your place. As you can guess from the name, they run on a french boulangerie theme and pastries are a well known pride of french bakeries.
Are the pastries as divine as those in France? Honestly no, but they are still pretty good. From the quality to selection, this is one of the best around since most cafes in Da Nang really focus on just the coffee.
Prices here are expectedly higher, but nothing crazy. The wide range of goodies on offer also means there’s several price points that cater to different budget. When I visited, there’s stuff right under $1 as well.
The second floor is a nice place to work from and I saw several people on their laptops. There are a bunch of tables with access to power sockets.
They do take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 330/299 mbps
Hidden Gems In Da Nang
Most of these cafes I’m surprised there weren’t more people in them. If I stay in Da Nang long term, I’ll probably gate keep them for myself :p
Poly Bakery
This is one of the hidden gems when I visited as they are still pretty new. Poly Bakery seem to serve more of the local cliente. The drinks menu are mainly in Vietnamese without English annotations, and the prices are great value here!
That said, the place looks amazing. They tried to put a European spin to it, along with some cute elements like their bear coffee cups.
The salted coffee is tasty with, what I think is, a strong dark roast. Definitely rivals that of other cafes, and is the cheapest I have seen in a modern Da Nang cafe.
I also tried the garlic butter bread. While I would prefer the bread to be crispier (this one is more on the soft, fluffy end), they did not skimp on the butter or garlic – so it’s flavorful.
They have 2 levels, the second storey has two separate spaces. One of them even has a fragrant smell, like they put an aroma diffuser. This is also the best decorated room, with sunlight shining in through a big European style door that leads to a balcony.
Both area have tables that are great for working. There are also sufficient power sockets around. The upload speed here isn’t the best, but should be fine for most work.
Although the staff don’t speak great English, don’t miss out on it. Just use google translate on anything you need, they are very polite.
They do not accept card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 40/12 mbps
Noi – The Cabin
The Noi brand has several locations, but two of the most special are probably the one in the city center with its vintage vibe and the one by the fishing port.
The Cabin is the one by the fishing area, and while it’s out of the way, people who knows it come here for the special setting. The whole place feels like an antique junkyard by the docks, kinda more raw than cultural compared to the city center one.
It’s very charming, and they have a rooftop top that overlooks the docks for fishing boats. So it’s beautiful in during the day. And you can supposedly catch the sunset here as well (I didn’t as it got rainy).
That said, I also did not get the fishy smell which you might experience depending on the time and weather during which you visit. So be warned if that affects you.
Prices here are actually ok, especially if you are used to prices in the city center or An Thurong zone. They are comparable, but most locals will find it expensive for this secluded area.
The cafe is also ok for working. Several tables are of suitable height, or you can stack up some of them like I did on the rooftop :p There are power extension chords around that are used to power the fans, so you might find a few available ones.
They do not take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 116/249 mbps
Brewman Concept Coffee
This is a quaint Da Nang cafe located at the end of a residential alleyway, so it is quiet and chill since it is unlikely for anyone to just stumble upon it without knowing. Judging from the interactions between the staff and customers, many locals seem like regulars here.
The place is not too big but has a really nice, cozy ambience that I really enjoy. They also provide self-service drinking water.
The cafe only serve drinks, no food. Beverage prices here are slightly cheaper than standard cafes. They offer the typical Vietnamese coffee options, but also specialty stuff like drip, Chemex, V60 etc, so you can assume they take their coffee seriously here.
Also, the coconut coffee comes ice blended, if that’s your jam. I continued my addiction with salted coffee, and this definitely satisfied my craving.
Internet is very fast here. The ground floor is the best area for working with big tables and power sockets. However, the chairs aren’t great for sitting for extended hours, so maybe a couple of hours is good.
Personally, I like the elevated platform (which is sorta a second floor) as you can oversee the cafe area. It only has a few seats and one free socket, so come early if you want it. They also have outdoor seats at the entrance where you can admire some Koi fishes.
They do not take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 310/93 mbps
Joy Cafe
This cafe is right smack in the busy touristic district, and opposite the popular Han market. So why is it a hidden gem? From just the storefront, this looks like a spa + cafe. Bright and beautiful but kinda small.
However, the whole building is actually a combination of spa + cafe + hostel. And the cafe has seats on the 2nd and 5th floor as well. The 5th floor is a beauty with a great view of the Han River. The place is nice and quiet.
There are not many seats here but when I visited it was pretty empty. Indoors has about 4 small tables and 1 long one that can be shared. There’s a patio as well but can get warm during the day.
It’s a good spot to sit and get some work done with an awesome scenery. The only hassle is that the lift is a bit slow and you have to order on the first floor counter. However, they do bring it up for you after you placed an order.
Prices here are ok, maybe slightly higher for the coffee but overall nothing too expensive. The staff are pretty friendly and I felt they have a better command of English since the establishment is also a spa and hostel (so everything tourism related).
They do take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 85/87 mbps (5th floor hostel wifi)
Nice Coffee
This is still one of the newer cafes in Da Nang when I visited but I expect more people to discover it due to the location.
The place has a beautiful and bright interior, and since the seating area on the ground floor is deeper in, its pretty chill and quiet despite being on the main street.
There’s a second floor which is non-air conditioned, and lets you see the street/road if you prefer more bustle. This is a smoking area though.
They have quite a big menu for drinks, and also have some Vietnamese + Korean food on offer. I tried the Oolong milk tea with pearls, good taste and I liked the texture of the peals.
Both floors have limited seats but most of them are great for working. And there’s many power sockets around. They put up another wifi connection on the second floor, but if you are sitting there, continue to connect to the ground floor wifi, it’s much faster.
They take card payment with 3% fee
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 189/53 mbps
Farmhouse Cafe
A cozy cafe in the Son Tra district that has a warm European vibe. Even though it’s right by a bustling road, it feels tranquil and peaceful with soft, melo music playing inside.
I like the ambience here; it’s great for a chill afternoon to sit with your books or laptop. Although it’s small, it’s not usually crowded. There are power sockets at some of the seats and they also provide drinking water.
It’s mainly foreigners coming here, but prices are comparable to other cafes, particularly the drinks.
The cafe serve some great brunch style food like toasts and breakfast plates which popular. I went for the beef bulgogi udon which stood out from the other options. It makes for a satisfying lunch although I could definitely eat more.
Drinks here are good as well, having tried the avocado milk tea and Saigon coffee. But they have quite a large selection including juices and fancy cocktail-like mixtures.
They take card payment with 3% fee
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 232/262 mbps
Giang Pomeranian House
The secret of secrets! Giang Pomeranian House is literally a house, where the owner stays in. This is not a dog cafe. It’s a cafe with dogs – very very cute Pomeranians that belongs to the owner.
She opened the living room of her place as a cafe where you get to enjoy a drink and play with the doggies. You don’t pay for time with the dogs like many dog/cat cafes; just buy a drink and you can sit around at the company of these furry babies.
The Pomeranians are just crazy adorable, and most of them are super active as well. They will certainly come jump you when you just arrive. There’s a couple who are more chill and would sleep next to you or on your lap.
They only open from late morning and it’s not a big place, I was so tempted to keep this a secret. But if you are around the area, go for it. It’s along of those residential streets in the touristic zone, so you might not catch it if you’re not looking.
Clearly, this is not a place for working. But it’s a great spot to stop by in between work sessions from surrounding cafes.
Cash payment only
Did not ask for internet here, because why would you need it.
J Cafe
I have to give this cafe a shoutout, because it’s here I found the cheapest salt coffee served in the biggest cup. And it tasted great, so we are not talking a big cup of shit coffee.
This was a lucky find as the weather was insanely hot after I finished a superb lunch (remember to check out my Da Nang restaurants writeup). I had other cafes in mind but due to the weather, I decided to just hide in a random, modern looking cafe right around the corner.
Temperature wise, it wasn’t a good idea; so I gotta warn you first that the aircon here is kinda shit. But that clearly did not prevent people from coming to work or study here. The indoors only has 4 tables, and they were all full when I was there.
Coffee prices here are cheap! At my time of visit, the salt coffee was 25K when you typically see them priced at 35K or above in regular cafes. I’ve never seen salt coffee at 25K, at least not in seated cafes. You might find them at those roadside stalls,
Then it came in like a kitchen mug. I was stunned when I saw the guy bring it. That’s twice the size of what is typically served.
Whilst sitting there, I saw them packing delivery orders and just visually I don’t think the takeaway cups are as big. So I recommend “dining in” if you are looking for a big dose of caffeine.
Enjoying Some Vietnamese Coffee In Da Nang
Exploring cafes in Da Nang is an absolute blast! Each cafe offers something special, from cozy garden vibes to trendy workspaces. And there’s always new ones popping up in the different popular districts.
I can totally see how this city is developing into a digital nomad hub. Hope you get a chance to visit these awesome spots and enjoy your coffee adventures just as much as I did!
Here’s my TLDR (summary) having been to Hoi An’s famous coconut boats through the Bay Mau Coconut Forest:
I think it’s worth going if you have time. But if your itinerary is already bombarded with stuff and you are struggling to fit it in, it is ok to give it a miss.
Best way to get there is by ordering a GRAB (ride hailing app) but beware of the common “scam” (Read below)
My Experience In Bay Mau Coconut Forest
The Cam Thanh Coconut Village or easier known as the Hoi An Coconut Village (because not many of us remembers all the Vietnamese names) is a popular ecotourism spot with these beautiful dense coconut groves.
That natural landscape in the Bay Mau Coconut Forest is my main reason for visiting. It’s a pretty special scene even within Asian. Not one of those things you see everywhere.
Tourism In Hoi An’s Coconut Village
First thing to know is that this is a very touristic spot. There is almost no other attractions around the area. So if you are coming here, you are coming for this.
Despite this being a traditional village with actual inhabitants, this is not the place to see tranquil, quiet local life in my experience. You have might have better luck in the rice fields if that’s what you are looking for.
Tourism has developed drastically here and it’s a touristic spot with big tour groups coming in and out. There is nothing wrong with that – just have the right expectations.
How To Get To Cam Thanh Coconut Village
If you are not taking any package tour that includes transportation from your accommodation, then calling a Grab Taxi or Grab Bike will be the most logical option.
It isn’t exactly too far from the old town area. A grab bike takes around 20 minutes max and cost me around USD$1+ one-way. That’s the most convenient and cost-effective way to get there.
IMPORTANT! TAKE NOTE!
The most important thing to note if you are taking GRAB – know that many of the coconut boat operators work with drivers to bring them customers.
So it is likely (which happened to me as well) that the Grab driver will try to take you to a specific operator whom they work with, even if you have marked a different destination on the app.
As I said, there is almost no other highlight attractions in the area apart from the coconut village. So they know you are visiting for this specific purpose. And the boat ride in Bay Mau Coconut Forest is the main highlight here.
As such, if you have a booking beforehand, mention that to the driver so he knows he cannot “sell you off” to another operator LOL.
Make sure you DOUBLE CHECK the location on Google Maps when they are dropping you off. Don’t just get off.
I thought things felt wrong when my driver started to call out to one of the staff where he’s stopping. I quickly checked Maps (without getting off the bike) and told him this is not the right place and I already have a booking. He then sheepishly apologized and drove me to the right spot.
The Coconut Boat Ride Experience
Which Operator To Go With
This is a main reason why I prebooked through Klook.
There’s a lot of reviews and comments about tourists getting ripped off in terms of pricing. The one on Klook has a good review, plus the price is cheap or in a reasonable range compared to others I’ve heard getting scammed.
If you don’t want to have to hunt around and negotiate prices under the intense heat, then I recommend just booking through Klook. The system do need a min. of 2 pax if you are buying just the boat ride.
So if you are alone like me, just get the boat + coconut option which allows a 1 pax booking; still cheap in my opinion.
At the entrance of the village, there’s an entry ticket booth and they might ask you to pay an entry fee. I didn’t get asked, but if you have a Klook booking, just show them that and you don’t have to pay it.
The Basket Boat Experience
The “check-in” was pretty seamless. I dropped off at Hahn Coconut (the operator they work with) which has a Klook sign outside. They just checked and took a photo of the booking on my app, and we’re ready to go.
The experience you get essentially depends on your “boat captain”. Overall, I feel mine was pretty good, covering all the aspects I expected. The only big downside was that he smoked a couple times while rowing the boat, which I did not enjoy but appreciated that it was hard work after trying it myself.
The three main performances that you will see are:
Boat Spinning: They will take you to a spot where there are people performing “acrobatics” with the coconut boat, basically spinning it round and round.
Karaoke: Appealing to all the Asian tour groups, this is a loud karaoke singing session.
Net Casting: You will get to see a fisherman setting up a fishing net and flinging it out like they traditionally would for fishing.
Some optional things that you might/might not experience:
The boat captain will take you to photo spots and help you take photos.
They show you how to row the boat and let you attempt it. (Spoiler: It’s very difficult, for me at least)
They might do the acrobatic spinning a few times to let you experience the thrill.
What I liked about mine was that he did not stick with big groups. I did not feel like we were constantly jostling for spots like some others experienced. My boat really only joined groups when watching the performances.
He also did not ask for tips, nor did I get asked to tip the performers, which I know many travelers have complained about on their rides.
Personally, apart from the boat spinning, I didn’t really care for the other performances. My main objective was to admire the landscape which I certainly did.
I would love to have heard more insights about the place and tradition. That said, I also expected that this wasn’t a tour for that.
Most of the boat rowers only speak basic English, and honestly, most tourists probably aren’t here for factual information. A lot of the big tour groups really enjoy the merry making, photo taking and music. It’s all part of the fun for them.
So that is what the operators are used to providing, and thus what you should expect when doing this by yourself.
I also don’t think the ride was a full hour, but I thought the time frame was just nice. I probably wouldn’t want to spend a full hour on the boat anyway.
Coconut juice at the end was a good conclusion (included if you booked the boat + coconut option)
When To Visit?
For the coconut boat ride, I recommend doing it early in the morning. I got there around 8+am and was probably one of the first boats out. As I was ending my ride, it got increasingly crowded with big tour groups.
It is going to be hot, so the earlier the cooler. You definitely don’t want to visit right in mid day if you can help it. Expect to be exposed under direct sunlight for most of the ride.
You should be given one of those Vietnamese style hat to wear during the ride, but definitely still apply sunblock. And I recommend bringing a bottle of water. Sunglasses is a good accessory to have as well, although I didn’t end up using mine.
Then I went for a satisfying breakfast at one of my favorite restaurants in Hoi An on my way back to town.
Things To Do In Cam Thanh Coconut Village
Basket Boat Ride In Bay Mau Coconut Forest
As mentioned, this is the main activity here, and what most tourists are here for. If you are already here in the village, then it is a no-brainer to at least try it. For the price I paid, I think it’s cheap for a boat ride on a uniquely shaped boat through a rather special landscape.
Vietnamese Cooking Classes
The other popular thing to do in Hoi An coconut village is taking a cooking class. You will find many tours combining both activities, including on Klook. However, there are places offering culinary classes in town as well, so it’s not the only spot to do it.
Visit Or Not?
I think it’s a pretty nice experience to go for. The landscape is stunning and worth seeing from the waters. Great photo opportunities for sure. But it is also not such a must-do that you go out of the way for if you are limited on time.
When you visit Hoi An, you will find there are countless cafes around. Most of them in the old town are really beautiful and charming, and I will cover some of my favourites.
That said, many of them are also filled with tourists. So before that, I want to share a few Hoi An cafes that have less-touristy pricing and are still pretty great. I see more locals in them vs tourists.
Underrated Cafes Near Old Town
For reference, you can find coconut coffee at 35K at some of these cafes when others are charging 50-60K in the old town (Prices will increase but you can see the approx difference). And they are in pretty central locations with nice spaces.
Nang Coffee Hoi An
This is a spacious cafe that covers a whole garden with a refreshing pool in the centre that you can even take a dip in (until 4pm). It’s like an oasis within the town.
The whole environment is beautifully decorated from the natural greenery to the simple wooden furnishings and huts. All the seats come shaded with umbrellas so don’t worry about the Hoi An sun. Even then, there are indoors areas with air conditioning, so you can take your pick on what you like.
Or you can do it like me, and visit in the evening. I reckon it is less crowded at night, and they also open till 10pm.
While it is primarily a cafe, they also do serve food. Despite the unique environment, prices here are fair and standard. I did not try the food since I visited after a super satisfying dinner at one of the popular Hoi An restaurants.
But I ordered the salt coffee and it’s just the perfect conclusion with a thick, creamy top layer. This will perhaps be my pick for favorite salt coffee because of the cream’s texture.
The cafe is also a good option if you want to work on your laptop. The wifi here is super fast.
If you have been around Vietnam, you know short stools and tables are a mainstay in local cafe culture. Many of the outdoor seats here are similar height which is not great for laptops.
But the indoor seatings are a different story, and you will find power sockets around as well. Some of the outdoor tables by the fence are also proper seating.
They do not take card payment, but TP Bank is right round the corner.
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 169/143 mbps
Hi Phim Cafe
Located near the old town, don’t be deceived by the appearance of this plain looking Hoi An cafe. It might not seem super enticing from out front but this is a quiet, spacious place, credit to the high ceiling.
The internet is super fast here. Several tables are great for working with power sockets next to them. Most of the space is open air, but there are also air-conditioned rooms. The interior is simple but still aesthetically nice.
The coffee here is good, and much cheaper than your old town cafes. I see locals coming here to take a coffee break from work before heading out again. They don’t serve food, only drinks.
A great option whether you want to come and do some work, or chill for a bit. This is the type of place I will come repeatedly if I’m staying long term in Hoi An, and looking to work from a cafe.
They do not take card payment here
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 283/265 mbps
An’s Coffee & Milk Tea
This is a homestay and cafe that’s right on one of the bustling streets near old town.
Food option is more limited here to breakfast stuff, so I recommend coming mainly for the drinks. They have a lot of drink options, ranging from classic coffee options to different variations of milk teas.
You can even mix and match toppings. I went with a custom order of Bubble Milk Tea with Egg Cream, which admittedly was very sinful :p The bubbles (tapioca balls) here are soft and tangy.
It is rather spacious place with plenty of seats. You have the short lounge chairs and tables by the road which locals love, or you can go indoors with great tables for working. And further in, you have an air conditioned space.
There are many power sockets around the area. I also like the the chairs indoors are cushy, thus comfortable to sit for hours. Also, at 400+ mbps, the wifi is the fastest I have seen in Hoi An.
Easily a place I will come back to work as it’s cheap and well facilitated.
You can even book their homestay. I haven’t stayed here before, so I can’t comment on the rooms, but the location is super convenient.
They accept card payment here
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 424/320 mbps
Cafes Focused On Coffee
No disrespect to all the other cafes with the header, but these are two places where I imagine a big part of the business is selling coffee beans rather than just operating as a cafe.
Hoa Champa
If I have to pick a favorite for coffee, Hoa Champa will be it with their strong and flavorful coffee. They are not just a cafe but also sells coffee beans, brewing accessories and different tea leaves/flowers. The whole place has rustic and old school vibe that is just charming.
The outside area is a nice spot to just relax and people watch, particularly in the evening when motorised vehicles are not allowed in old town. The cafe is located on what I consider the first street of Old Town. So it is always bustling with people.
The in-store coffee prices here are slightly cheaper than what you will find in most of old town cafes.
If you are into different types of coffee beans, this should be an interesting place to visit. They even have weasel coffee.
The Vietnam Luxury beans smelt really nice (this is the beans for the salted coffee), but I got some Robusta for my parents who just likes super strong taste. They also have decaf beans.
When buying the beans, you can ask them to help you grind them into powder. Just let them know how you are going to brew them. They will grind it to the suitable “size”.
This is not the best place to work at compared to other cafes on the list, but you could still sit and do some work for a short period.
They take card payment here with a 2% fee.
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 77/76 mbps
XLIII Coffee
If you are on the specialty end of the spectrum, then XLIII Coffee is the place to be. I believe it is the only specialty coffee store in Hoi An when I visited.
The space has a modern minimalist vibe and the staff are very happy to explain and chat with you about specialty coffee since it is still such a niche community in Vietnam.
Of course, you can purchase beans here. For in-store consumption, they serve two formats: Shots (but not espresso) and pour over. The beans they offer might change depending on season and their sources.
They did have decaf beans when I visited, which was a welcomed option after indulging in too many cups of Vietnamese coffees while cafe hopping in Hoi An.
Although the specialty coffee wave is developing, it is still quite small, so the cafe is quiet and chill. It’s quite spacious with huge tables, resembling a coworking space.
There are also power sockets everywhere. So this is a great place to work from if you are looking for somewhere comfortable and quiet.
As you can expect, specialty coffee is a tier more expensive than your typical Vietnamese coffee. But compared to prices globally, it is pretty reasonable.
XLIII Coffee has (at least) three branches across Vietnam, in Da Nang, Saigon and Hoi An.
They accept card payment here
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 58/58 mbps
Popular Cafes In Hoi An Old Town
There are so many charming and beautiful cafes in old town that I did not even managed to visit all those I marked out. Coffee here is typically more expensive than other districts because of both the popularity and high rental.
Phin Coffee Restaurant
Tucked at the end of a small alleyway, this is one cafe that might be hard to just stumble upon. But they have built quite a reputation and I saw a guide bringing her group here. It is very popular among tourists.
What’s nice here is the ambience and environment which is kind of an enclosed garden surrounded by plants. The staff is very attentive and thoughtful.
Some of the favorites here are the coconut iced coffee, peanut butter coffee and egg coffee. But I went for the dark and strong option of Phim drip coffee for a morning perk-me-up.
You get to choose between 2 mid-roast beans or a mix blend. The drip coffee doesn’t come with an iced option but they offered to bring me ice – good service.
I also tried their signature smoked duck noodles. Taste wise, it wasn’t a super standout for me, but it is quite a substantial bowl, and they did not skimp on the meat.
The cafe also offers a 2-hr specialty coffee tasting session which is a good option if you want to know more about coffee in Vietnam and the specialty coffee trend that is building up. They also have a coconut egg coffee making class.
Most of the seats are outdoors and can be warm, but they strategically move fans around depending on where people are sitting so it’s not a big issue. There’s an elevated patio of sort on the “second” storey, but that area is typically hotter in the day.
If you are not fixated on air-conditioning, this is not a bad space to sit and do some work with the natural air. The internet is very fast. I sat here for an hour or so, and did see people on their laptops.
There’s a few power sockets around but they might be needed to power the fans as they shift them around, so I recommend coming with your devices charged.
They do take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 314/127 mbps
Dudu Cafe Hoi An
At the edge of Hoi An’s old town, you will find Dudu Cafe. The storefront has lots of lanterns and, in the interior, shelves of craftworks for sale. It rocks a sorta Asian bohemian vibe – for a lack of better description.
The second floor has an air-conditioned space which is popular during the day time due to the heat. You can also access a small outdoor balcony that overlooks the street. At night, the colorful lanterns light up and people like to sit outdoors to observe the scene.
Similar to many cafes, they serve food from western options like smoothie bowls and toasts to asian dishes like Baos. Prices here are comparable to other cafes in Hoi An. I tried the iced egg coffee and the creamy top layer is just delicious.
There’s lots of power sockets here which is good for working. They have these big tables on the second floor and the internet speed is decent.
Having been spoilt by the enthusiastic staff of many places in Hoi An, the service here admittedly isn’t as proactive but totally fine to get what you need. I only saw 2 staff managing both levels, so it can be quite a task for them.
If you sat on the second floor, I recommend bringing your utensils down when leaving if it’s not too much trouble. Spread some good karma.
They do take card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 31/88 mbps
Memories Brunch & Cafe
A three-storey cafe with different spaces and seatings for your selection. They also open very early and close late, so quite a versatile spot.
You will find a cafe on the first floor with a courtyard at the back, an air conditioned room on the second floor, and a rooftop space on the third.
During the day, you can see the antique rooftops of the surrounding building as this is one of the (slightly) taller buildings around. But it can be quite warm depending on the season.
At night, the lanterns on the rooftop light up so it is kind of chill and romantic.
Despite being in the main part of old town, it is situated on a less bustling street in the night, so if you don’t want all the noise, this is not a bad area for a peaceful evening.
Prices here are typical old town prices. I visited late at night after dinner, so was not getting any food. But the pastries looked good.
Their beverage recommendation is the memories egg coffee. Since it is best consumed hot and I wanted a cold drink, I went for the iced coconut coffee instead. The coffee is not super strong so it’s great for the evening.
There’s a mix of seating but you will find some proper tables for working. And there are some power sockets around including the rooftop area.
They take card payment here.
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 55/66 mbps
Ubebe Cafe
As the name suggests, this Hoi An cafe specialises in Ube or Purple Yam as most of us know it. If you have had enough of the coconut, egg or salted coffees, this is an opportunity to try something different.
I had the iced Ube coffee and it was just yummy. The blend mixed kinda well, you still feel a strong flavor to it overall. Prices here are higher than other cafes so I wouldn’t recommend getting anything other than their specialities.
They are known to also have pretty good Banh Mi. However at the price point, it was just hard to bring myself to try it. There’s simply too many good Bahn Mi stalls in Hoi An at much cheaper prices (and I haven’t even been able to try them all).
I did get a taste of their cookie tart that came complimentary with the coffee, the filing was tasty and not too sweet.
Regardless, the place is comfy and nice. On second level, you have both air conditioning and a couple of balcony seats to observe the street below. The tables are great for working and there are many power sockets around.
The third floor has a rooftop view which can be a great spot if it’s not raining or too hot.
This is a great spot if you want to try some of the purple yam stuff. There are many interesting dishes on their menu like peanut noodles, bingsu etc that are not as commonly found in other cafes/restaurants.
They do take card payment here.
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 216/32 mbps
Hoi An Roastery Espresso
This is a brand that has multiple branches in the old town area. In fact, I know of 2 right in Old town, on the same street; and one just outside of old town.
The thing about Hoi An Roastery is tat they are all beautifully decorated, giving a strong Vietnamese culture vibes. One of them has a balcony (with a long counter table) that gives you a nice view of the street below.
The branch outside old town has 3 stories with huge windows so you can see the bustling main street. That one has a bit of an amazonian vibe, and is fully air-conditioned.
Prices not too different from old town cafes, maybe slightly more expensive. The branch I visited even gave me a cold towel to refresh myself upon sitting down.
Since most of them are beautiful and big, it’s a good standard choice for photos, chilling, or working. There’s usually a variety of seating and power sockets around.
P.S. The outlet at <89 Trần Phú, Phường Minh An> is a pretty good sunset spot.
Most branches should accept card payment
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 216/264 mbps (Old Town House II)
Scenic Cafes In An My (Rice Fields)
An My is what I considered the village and agriculture region of Hoi An. Well, because that’s the highlight scenery. Cafes here can offer you beautiful views of the nature and agriculture scene, but this also means it can change across seasons.
The cafes here are my favourite for ambience.
Nghe Rice Paddy Café
If you are looking for a quick escape from the city into the vast rice field, Nigh Rice Paddy Cafe is a great one. It’s just a 10mins GRAB Bike ride from the old town or you can even cycle/bike there yourself. My trip there was all on proper pavement so you don’t need to be riding in mud roads.
This is an open cafe where you can sit and watch the wind blow across the rice fields, creating these beautiful ripples. Mellow, chill music plays in the background like a happy morning place.
While there’s no air conditioning, the place is well shaded, and they will place portable fans near you so you won’t feel hot.
Prices here are comparable to other cafes. I tried the cocoa with ice cream and I like that the cream is salted so kinda like your salted coffee albeit not as thick and its cocoa. The blueberry pancakes weren’t particularly special but it came with a good serving of fruits; you can almost never go wrong with fruits in Vietnam.
The internet there is fast and at the outdoor long “counter” tables, which I think are the best seats for views, there are power sockets hidden underneath, just peak below.
Service here is friendly and attentive. The staff are always smiling when approaching you. And I was pleasantly surprised when they served up a generous plate of complimentary coconut crackers to me, which were delicious.
An exceptionally tranquil spot particularly in the morning since you don’t get the hordes of tourists seeking breakfast in the city cafes. Overall great spot to relax or get some work done with an amazing scenery.
Side note: I have sat at many countryside cafes and typically I will say to put on insect repellent, sometimes without much impact. For some reason, I did not experience any flies or mosquitoes here. Just ants which came for the empty pancake honey jar.
They do not take card payment.
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 122/37 mbps
Miss H.A Cafe
Another beauty surrounded by stunning natural scenery is Miss H.A Cafe. There was more people here than Nghe Cafe when I visited, probably because it is bigger and more prominent on one of the main farmlands roads.
It is a house of 3 stories, each nicely decorated. There’s a whole summer and maybe beach vibe here. The furnishings are primarily wooden with a light, airy feel to the whole place.
Not losing out to other cafes in Hoi An old town, this whole place is super instagrammable. Bright, energetic music plays in the background.
Also with that elevated position, you not only see rice fields but swamp lands and fisheries. The top/third floor is a low ceiling area where you take off your shoes and sit on cushions.
Beverage prices here are comparable, but food is slightly more expensive. There’s not a lot of food options here. They primarily serve panini and fruit bowls – your typical cafe breakfast food options. Nothing caught my fancy so I just got the salted coffee which is good.
The wifi here is incredibly fast and there are power sockets around the building on each level. You can also help yourself to drinking water.
There’s a happy hour every day from 5-7pm (subject to change), and this is a good spot for sunset as well.
They do not take card payment.
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 272/172 mbps
Chill Cafes In An Bang (Beach Views)
Technically, the district is called Cam An, but most of us will probably know it as An Bang because the most famous landmark here is An Bang Beach.
This is the coastal area of Hoi An. And of course, here we’re talking beach views!
Silence of Sound Coffee Hoi An
Now the beach is a popular area to chill. You will find many restaurants and cafes suitable for that. However, if you want to spend some time on your laptop while admiring the beach view then not every place is suitable. (You certainly don’t want your laptop right ON the beach with all the sand)
Near An Bang beach, I like the Silence of Sound cafe. They have a beautiful elevated porch/garden right above the deck chairs. It is actually part of the guesthouse/homestay on the premise. You can use any of the seats and deck chair as long as you are spending at the cafe.
The porch area is pretty spacious and have different seatings with umbrellas. You can move according to where and when the sun hits. So regardless if you wanna get a tan or shade your laptop from direct sunlight, there are options.
The wifi reception is good since they have a few access points. Plus there are even power sockets around some of these areas so you can charge your devices.
And if you really want somewhere fully shaded and cool, there’s indoor seats right at the front of the cafe. Overall, a great place to chill and watch the ocean, or even take a dip. The beach here is also less busy than the main An Bang area.
If you are at the beach/garden area, you can call or WhatsApp them to add on any orders, and they will bring it over. Good service all round.
The place can get busy though, so you want to come early.
Prices here are also not expensive, comparable to cafes in the city. I had the salted coffee which has a nice, thick salted layer and the club sandwich served with fries.
They don’t take card payment here
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 87/88 mbps
Rua Beach Coffee & Bar
For great prices, check out Rua Coffee Bar. They are still one of the newer places in the area when I visited.
The primary seating area is all outdoors by the beach front and open air. They do have umbrellas that are opened up during the day So this isn’t exactly the best place for working (although I did while waiting for a friend).
The wifi reception also isn’t great by the sitting area, since the router is in the reception shed at the entrance. So this is really a place to relax and watch the ocean.
Similarly, you can use their deck chairs on the beach if you are spending here.
Staff here are super nice, and prices here are the cheapest I have seen around the beach area. Rua Cafe Is located near one edge of An Bang beach so it’s not too crowded.
If you read my other articles on An Bang beach, you’ll know to avoid the center area. I don’t know why people like to gather there. It’s crowded, chaotic with more touting. Go to the edges. Better yet, go towards Tan Thanh Beach area where the Silence of Sound cafe is at. Waaay more peaceful.
They don’t take card payment here
Internet Speed (Download/Upload): 10/2 mbps (from the beach area)
A Growing Hoi An Cafe Scene
Vietnamese coffee is pretty well-known and it is not surprising that the cafe scene in the country is developing rapidly, especially in cities like Hoi An where tourism is huge.
While there are highlight activities around Hoi An, one of the signature things to do here is to simply enjoy a slow and chill day. Spend some time just cafe hopping around town and you are bound to find many interesting spots… and beautiful photos for memories!
