No longer just a beach town, Vietnam’s Da Nang gaining reputation as a ‘startup hub by the sea’

[HO CHI MINH CITY] Known more for its sandy beaches and luxury resorts, the Vietnamese coastal city of Da Nang has long been a favourite for tourists seeking an idyllic getaway.

These days, however, it is fast becoming a hot spot for startups and tech talent from Vietnam and elsewhere. They are drawn by the city’s lower cost of living compared to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and the promise of a more relaxed environment to work in.

Aaron Everhart, a US entrepreneur and investor who first came to Vietnam in 2005, relocated to Da Nang two years ago at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.