We Rejected 4 Apartments in Da Nang — Here's What the Listings Didn't Show

Thinking about moving to Vietnam or renting an apartment in Da Nang? Watch this before signing a lease. We inspected 4 apartments in Da Nang, Vietnam in just one day, all with a budget of under $500 USD per month. But once we arrived, the reality was completely different. In this video, i share: 💰 DA NANG RENTAL PRICES (2026 — what we found): 1-bedroom, furnished, decent area: 7–10 million VND/month ($280–$400 USD) Mid-range with pool + gym: 12–20 million VND/month ($480–$800 USD) Serviced apartments/luxury: 20 million VND+ ($800+ USD) Electricity warning: Budget an extra $80–$150 USD/month if running air con regularly (and you will — Da Nang summers hit 37°C+). ✔ Da Nang rental market snapshot 2026 — real price ranges ✔ Apartment 1 (Son Tra): the mould smell test and what it tells you about your landlord ✔ Apartment 2 (An Trung Dong): wide-angle lens photography — how listings make small spaces look big ✔ Apartment 3 (An Hai): what "fully furnished" actually means, and an occupied apartment nobody told us about ✔ Apartment 4 (Riverside): the danger of making housing decisions when you're exhausted ✔ 7 lessons for anyone apartment hunting in Da Nang right now ✔ The one thing every listing hides — and how to protect yourself 0:00 — The 4 apartments that changed how I search 0:30 — Da Nang rental market 2026: real price ranges 01:10 — The 3 issues expats complain about 02:25— Apartment 1: Son Tra — the mould smell test 02:59 — Why the smell tells you about the landlord, not just the apartment 04:20 — Apartment 2: An Trung Dong — the wide-angle lens problem 06:02 — Apartment 3: An Hai — "fully furnished",untidy and an occupied room 07:09 — Apartment 4: Riverside — making decisions when you're exhausted 08:07 — 7 lessons for apartment hunting in Da Nang 11:50 — Free resources + relocation checklist On paper/ listings, every apartment looked great. The listing photos were impressive, the prices seemed reasonable, and some even looked like incredible deals. We found mould we could smell the moment we walked in, misleading apartment listing photos, unexpected maintenance issues, noisy neighbourhoods, and even a property that still had a tenant living inside when we arrived for the inspection. This isn't a luxury apartment tour or a sponsored real estate video. It's a genuine apartment hunting experience with real footage, real prices, and the honest lessons we learned while relocating to Vietnam. If you're planning to move to Da Nang, relocate to Vietnam, or you're searching for an apartment as an expat or digital nomad, this video will help you avoid expensive mistakes before signing your rental contract. In this video you'll learn: • What $500 USD/month can actually get you in Da Nang • Why apartment listing photos don't always tell the truth • Common mistakes first-time renters make in Vietnam • What to inspect before renting an apartment • The hidden problems we found in every apartment • The 7 biggest lessons we learned from viewing four apartments in one day My goal is to document the relocation process honestly and help others make informed decisions about moving to Vietnam and, eventually, relocating throughout Asia. Every video is based on real experiences, real costs, and practical advice that I wish I'd had before making the move. You're in the right place.Subscribe for real Vietnam relocation, Asia relocation, South East Asia relocation, so you don't have to make the expensive mistakes and have a pleasant relocation journey. ❓ COMMON QUESTIONS THIS VIDEO ANSWERS: How do I find an apartment in Da Nang Vietnam? What do apartments cost in Da Nang 2026? What are the problems with renting in Da Nang? Is it safe to pay rent in advance in Vietnam? What is the electricity cost in a Da Nang apartment? How do I negotiate rent in Vietnam as a foreigner? What is the Vietnamese lease contract and is the English version binding? Do I need temporary residence registration in Vietnam? What are the best areas to live in Da Nang as an expat? Is Da Nang good for expats in 2026? If you found this video helpful, please consider subscribing. New videos every week covering apartment hunting, visas, relocation tips, the cost of living, everyday life in Vietnam, and practical advice for anyone planning a move to Southeast Asia. ABOUT ME: I'm Ella. I quit my 9-5 Australian university representative career in December 2025 and I relocated from Sydney, Australia with my husband to Da Nang, Vietnam and I help people plan their move here through real, lived experience — not recycled travel advice. 🆓 FREE RESOURCES: Vietnam Relocation Checklist (17 items to sort before you board the plane): https://payhip.com/MoveToVietnamWithElla Vietnam Relocation Quick-Start Pack ($6.99): https://payhip.com/MoveToVietnamWithElla Support me: buymeacoffee.com/movewithella 📲 FOLLOW FOR MORE: TikTok: @ellalivesabroad YouTube: @ellalivesabroad Instagram: @ellalivesabroad