In a region where slow travellers bounce between the chaos of Saigon and the charm of Hanoi, the central coast of Vietnam offers a different kind of draw. Danang and Hoi An, just 30 minutes apart, are two sides of the same coin – modern and ancient, buzzing and serene. Together, they create a rare rhythm that invites you to stay a little longer, breathe a little deeper, and find your own pace.

Danang is a city on the rise, but it hasn’t lost its laid-back vibe. It’s big enough for beach side co-working spaces, international cuisine, and craft beer joints, but small enough to surf in the morning, grab a bowl of mì Quảng for lunch, and catch sunset from a mountain viewpoint – all without ever checking the time. There’s a sense of space here, of possibility. The beach stretches for miles, the roads are wide and calm, and the pace is just right for those building a life rather than ticking boxes.

Just down the coast, Hoi An slows things down even more. Lantern-lit evenings, riverside cafés, tailors at every turn – it’s the postcard version of Vietnam, but it still feels lived-in. Wake early and the ancient town is yours, mist rising off rice fields and the quiet hum of bicycles replacing the buzz of tour groups. Stay long enough and you'll find hidden cafes behind old wooden doors, morning markets where vendors know your name, and a rhythm that rewards those who move at its speed.

Together, Danang and Hoi An offer the best of both worlds. Infrastructure when you need it, stillness when you crave it. Whether you’re working remotely with an ocean view or taking time off to reset, this stretch of Vietnam makes it easy to blend routine with discovery. And with a cost of living that stretches your budget further than you'd expect, it’s no wonder more and more travellers are choosing to linger here – not just passing through, but truly settling in.