From bustling areas like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to serene coastal towns like Da Nang and Nha Trang , I found that a great work/life balance is particularly easy to attain in Vietnam.
Here’s a list of the 10 best places in Vietnam for digital nomads.
Best Places for Digital Nomads in Vietnam
I selected these 10 destinations based on their digital infrastructure, affordability, vibrant ex-pat communities, and diverse amenities, as well as their recreational and cultural experience offerings.
1. Ho Chi Minh City
My first port of call – Ho Chi Minh City, a great place for digital nomads in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh is Vietnam’s largest city and is home to a dynamic energy and vibrant culture.
Why Ho Chi Minh is a Top City for Digital Nomads
I loved my time working in HCMC as a digital nomad. It’s an enticing place with many coworking facilities and modern amenities, and it’s a very affordable city to choose as a home base.
This is all helped by a large ex-pat community which lends itself to a supportive and comforting familiarity in a far-off country like Vietnam.
I found that fast and reliable WiFi is readily available pretty much everywhere, from shopping malls to street cafes. Data SIMs for added internet coverage are also easily purchased for very low prices. A daily 6GB of DATA cost me less than $5/month.
Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City allowed me to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle at a fraction of the cost compared to many Western cities. The average monthly expenses for a digital nomad in HCMC can range from $700 to $1,200.
A one-bedroom apartment in the city center typically costs around $500 per month and a meal at a local restaurant will set you back less than $5. Public transport is also incredibly affordable, with a bus ride costing less than $0.50.
Coworking Spaces in Ho Chi Minh City
Coworking spaces are highly popular among digital nomads in Ho Chi Minh City. Geek Hub is a great option for anyone needing an affordable hot desk with prices under $1 for a session. WorkFlow is another excellent choice where you can book a work pod for less than $2/hour – it feels like your own little office.
How to Find Apartments in Ho Chi Minh City
Digital nomads won’t struggle to secure short or long-term accommodation through channels such as Airbnb and Booking.com . Ex-pat Facebook groups and house sitting sites like Trusted Housesitters also have regular listings for seeking digital nomads.
Pros and Cons of Living in Ho Chi Minh City
Here are a few pros and cons about life in Ho Chi Minh:
Pros
Vibrant community: A welcoming ex-pat population, provides a sense of belonging and support for newcomers.
Affordable cost of living: Compared to many Western cities, HCMC offers a relatively low cost of living.
Culture: The city’s rich history offers many cultural attractions and exciting things to do outside of work.
Vibrant social scene: Bustling streets, busy markets, and lively nightlife make Ho Chi Minh a captivating place.
Cons
Noise Pollution: The busy streets and construction projects contribute to high levels of noise pollution.
Air Pollution: Ho Chi Minh struggles with air pollution, particularly during the dry season.
Traffic Congestion: The city’s roads can be congested and chaotic.
Motorbike madness: Scooters and mopeds rule the city, and crossing a road can be a slow and dangerous endeavor.
2. Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam’s historic capital city, renowned for its cultural wonders and timeless charm.
Why Hanoi is a Top City for Digital Nomads
Hanoi is one of the best digital nomad cities in Vietnam and has a vibrant landscape that’s ideal for remote working.
There’s an array of amenities available, catering to every possible working need. Coworking spaces, cafes with reliable WiFi, and affordable accommodation options are in abundance.
Cost of Living in Hanoi
It’s easy to balance work and life in Hanoi without breaking the bank. Monthly expenses for digital nomads will typically range between $600 to $1,000.
For example, renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can cost as little as $350/month. Enjoying a meal at a local eatery will set you back around $2.50 and the rideshare app Grab offers an affordable and efficient door-to-door service.
Coworking Spaces in Hanoi
Coworking spaces are thriving in Hanoi thanks to its growing community of digital nomads. Toong offers flexible membership plans starting at around $90/month.
Similarly, UP Coworking Space provides membership options with prices starting at $80/month and daily desks are readily available for under $5/day.
How to Find Apartments in Hanoi
Airbnb and Booking.com are again two excellent platforms that offer a wide range of options, from short-term rentals to long-term leases, catering to all budgets. Additionally, vietlonghousing.com is useful for those planning a longer stay.
Pros and Cons of Living in Hanoi
A capital city is always going to have plenty of pros and cons; here are the things I think you should be most aware of:
Pros
Rich cultural experiences: Hanoi boasts a wealth of historical sites, museums, and cultural festivals.
Affordable cost of living: Compared to many Western cities, Hanoi offers a relatively low cost of living.
Delicious cuisine: Hanoi is renowned for its diverse and flavorful cuisine, with street food stalls, local markets, and upscale restaurants offering an array of delicious dishes.
Vibrant street life: Hanoi’s bustling vibe adds charm and excitement to everyday living.
Cons
Traffic congestion: Hanoi’s streets can be notoriously congested, especially during peak hours.
Noise pollution: The busy streets and vibrant nightlife contribute to high levels of noise pollution in certain areas of the city.
Air pollution: Hanoi struggles with air pollution, particularly during the dry season.
Limited green spaces: Hanoi’s rapid urbanization has led to the loss of green spaces and parks, meaning fewer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation.
3. Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is a stunning Island in the south of Vietnam that offers beautiful beaches, lush countryside retreats, and a wonderful working location for digital nomads.
Why Phu Quoc is a Top City for Digital Nomads
How does working from a beautiful paradise island sound? Phu Quoc has everything a digital nomad could need amongst its natural beauty.
The island is a short flight from Ho Chi Minh but is also accessible from all major Vietnamese (and some International) airports. I found the pace of life in Phu Quoc to be a long way from HCMC where the energy is constantly pumping.
There are plenty of laptop-friendly cafes in Phu Quoc. I came across many digital nomads here opting for the beach life over the busy cities, and who could blame them?
Cost of Living in Phu Quoc
Expect to find decent accommodation for around $300/month. It’s not a huge island so getting around is fairly cost-effective too. Buses and the Grab app are both reliable and cheap.
Food and drink options aren’t expensive, whether dining out, buying in, or cooking yourself. I always found my monthly food budget to be under $200/month.
Coworking Spaces in Phu Quoc
I didn’t come across any dedicated coworking facilities, but there are tons of cafes with excellent WiFi. For example, Kin Cafe has nice views of the harbor and great coffee. Coffee Phu Quoc is another remote working option, with an open-sided front that is steps from the ocean.
How to Find Apartments in Phu Quoc
Apartments and hotels are easy to find on Booking.com and Airbnb as there’s a strong tourism industry presence, which means prices are competitive, even for Vietnam.
I managed to secure a house sit right on the beach whilst in Phu Quoc. Be sure to check out my previous article – 8 Expert Tips for Landing a House Sitting Job.
Pros and Cons of Living in Phu Quoc
Even paradise islands have pros and cons to consider:
Pros
Natural beauty: Phu Quoc is a stunning location with beautiful beaches, lush greenery, and many idyllic locations.
Affordability: Like much of Vietnam it is cheap to live in Phu Quoc.
Hot weather: Temperatures range from very warm to very hot all year.
Chilled atmosphere: Phu Quoc is a world away from the bigger vibrant Vietnamese cities
Cons
Limited coworking spaces: There are minimal dedicated coworking facilities in Phu Quoc.
Rain: Phu Quoc isn’t exempt from Vietnam’s rainy season which occurs between November and April.
Connection issues: Intermittent WiFi can be an issue in Phu Quoc’s more remote regions.
Distractions: The tropical paradise with its coral reefs and beaches can be a distraction from work.
4. Hoi An
A digital nomad in Vietnam – Me working remotely from Bonte Cafe in Hoi An
Hoi An is a wonderful ancient town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Vietnam’s Central Coast.
Why Hoi An is a Top City for Digital Nomads
Hoi An has to be one of the best places to live in Vietnam and it’s a great spot for digital nomads. The cute cobbled and lantern-lit streets, busy markets, and tourism trade create an alluring mix of the old and new.
Hoi An quickly became one of my favorite spots in Vietnam. As well as the busy riverside Old Town area, a magnificent white sandy beach is just a 15-minute cycle from the center. I loved biking through the rice paddies, dodging water buffalos to chill with a beer on the sand after finishing my work for the day.
Cost of Living in Hoi An
I booked a nice hotel that included breakfast, a pool, a gym, and bike usage for under $25/night.
I made a real effort to frequent many traditional Vietnamese restaurants and street food options while in Hoi An. A decent meal with a drink rarely cost more than $5. In the Old Town, regular happy-hour deals are available daily.
Getting around can be super cheap as it’s a much safer environment to cycle than Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Grab is always available and as cheap as anywhere else in Vietnam. A trip from the center to the beach should cost no more than $7.
Coworking Spaces in Hoi An
There are a couple of excellent coworking spaces in Hoi An. My local cafe – Bonte offers a comfortable airconditioned coworking space for under $1.50/day. Hub Hoi An Coworking is an amazing facility close to the beach, perfect for digital nomads in Vietnam.
How to Find Apartments in Hoi An
I used Booking.com and found a great hotel with loads of added perks. Regular users of Booking.com will be aware of the Genius Programme. Level 3 gets you some great benefits such as free breakfasts, room upgrades, and significant discounts on stays.
HoiAnNow.com is a handy site for anyone seeking to stick around for more than a month or so.
Pros and Cons of Living in Hoi An
Let’s take a look at some of the good and bad points of Hoi An:
Pros
Historic Old Town: With a mix of historic Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese culture, Old Town is simply stunning.
Amazing beaches: I rank An Bang Beach as one of my favorite all-time beaches.
Social scene: The many tourists create a bustling and vibrant scene with many bars, cafes, and restaurants.
Night Market: The Hoi An Night Market is a great experience and ‘the’ place to go for street food, clothing, and nicknacks.
Cons
Chaotic: Old Town is a fairly confined space and can at times feel very chaotic with the number of tourists.
Limited coworking opportunities: A few good coworking spaces exist but far fewer than in Vietnam’s bigger cities.
5. Vung Tao
The stunning beaches of Vung Tao
If you fancy a quick and easy beach escape from Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tao is a great destination to consider.
Why Vung Tao is a Top City for Digital Nomads
After 6-weeks in Ho Chi Minh, I was ready for fresh sea air and some sand between my toes. Vung Tao is around 2-3 hours by ferry or bus and has plenty to offer.
Being the nearest beach town to HCMC, it’s a popular weekend retreat.
Vung Tao has all the facilities of a big city whilst being conveniently located on the beautiful coast. It’s easy to get to from HCMC and a great option for short (or long) breaks.
Cost of Living in Vung Tao
Being a popular tourist destination, my instincts told me to expect higher prices. However, accommodation, food, and drink are all very much in keeping with the rest of Vietnam.
Many of the ex-pat bars have a rewards system for beer, which bags you a free 5th or 6th bottle. I didn’t learn this until my final few days in Vung Tao! But with beer costing as little as $1 , I wasn’t too distraught.
Small local street food restaurants are everywhere and a decent meal can be picked up for under $3. A decent meal out at a nice restaurant is likely to only cost around $15pp.
Coworking Spaces in Vung Tao
V-Office is a popular and all-encompassing choice for digital nomads in Vung Tao. Hot-desking starts at around $5/day. Lip Coffee is a great laptop-friendly cafe that has a beautiful patio with excellent coffee and views of the water.
How to Find Apartments in Vung Tao
As a popular escape from the city, there’s no shortage of accommodation options through Booking.com and Airbnb. If you’re planning a lengthy stay don’t be shy about asking Airbnb hosts for a discount.
Pros and Cons of Living in Vung Tao
Here are a few things about Vung Tao to consider:
Pros
Vibrant social scene: As a busy tourist town and ex-pat hub there is always plenty going on socially.
Fresh Air: The sea air can be a wonderful escape from the smoggy city.
Cheap drinks: Happy hour deals and rewards programs are common among Vung Tao’s ex-pat bars.
Cafe culture: Many cafes mean many idyllic laptop-friendly spots for digital nomads to work.
Cons
Busy: During weekends and holidays Vung Tao sees an influx in tourist traffic.
Few coworking options: Although many cafes and hotels offer facilities to work, dedicated office space for digital nomads is fairly limited.
Healthcare: Vung Tao lacks the level of healthcare facilities of bigger cities like Hanoi or HCMC.
6. Da Nang
Da Nang is a rapidly developing city renowned for its stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and modern infrastructure.
Why Da Nang is a Top City for Digital Nomads
Around a 40-minute drive north along the eastern coastline from Hoi An is the wonderful city of Da Nang. It’s centrally located within Vietnam and also benefits from a large international airport , making onward travel straightforward and stress-free.
Da Nang has many modern coworking facilities and a familiar cafe culture. The bonus of some of the most spectacular beaches I’ve ever seen and iconic landmarks like Dragon Bridge create a perfect place to base yourself as a digital nomad.
Cost of Living in Da Nang
You’re likely to find more high-end restaurants in Da Nang that charge a premium by Vietnam standards, so a fancy meal might cost $25pp. But on average, rent for a city center apartment costs $350/month and meals can be widely purchased for under $2.
I’ve found that gym prices are comparatively high throughout Vietnam so, if, like me, you’re a keen gym user, expect to pay around $30/month at a decent gym.
Coworking Spaces in Da Nang
Ace Coworking is a wonderful facility a few streets back from the beach with everything you could need for under $1/hour. I also heard great things about Beans Workspace and at $3.50 a day, you can’t go wrong!
How to Find Apartments in Da Nang
As a popular tourist destination, Da Nang has many hotels and apartments listed on Booking.com and Airbnb.
If you’re planning to stay longer than a few days, booking an Airbnb for a month can often save you some cash.
Pros and Cons of Living in Da Nang
Here are things to consider for digital nomads considering Da Nang:
Pros
Beaches: The beaches in Da Nang are extensive and beautiful.
Access: Da Nang is in a great central location within Vietnam with an international airport.
Coworking spaces: There are a ton of dedicated coworking spaces to choose from.
Great social scene: Many ex-pats and digital nomads call Da Nang home , creating a friendly, social, and vibrant atmosphere.
Cons
Weather: The rainy season heavily impacts Da Nang and typhoons are an occasional concern.
Pollution: With rapid development comes noise and air pollution, especially in central areas.
Language: Although many ex-pats live in Da Nang, many locals do not speak English.
7. Nha Trang
Located on Vietnam’s south-central coast, Nha Trang is home to some stunning beaches, numerous popular attractions, and a great restaurant and dining scene.
Why Nha Trang is a Top City for Digital Nomads
Trang is an excellent option for anyone seeking a taste of big city life with the vibe of a smaller beach town.
Nha Trang’s atmosphere and stunning coast make it a great place for post-work relaxation. You can walk on the pristine beaches, indulge in spa treatment, or explore nearby islands after closing the laptop for the day.
Cost of Living in Nha Trang
It’s a pretty cheap place to locate as a digital nomad in Vietnam. An apartment will cost around $350/month, whilst dining out, even at some of the fancier restaurants, won’t break the bank at $15pp.
I found street food to be slightly more expensive here, but only by a couple of dollars. However, a decent meal from the street food vendors is still usually around $4.
Coworking Spaces in Nha Trang
Stockholm Coworking is a great option for digital nomads in Nha Trang. It doubles up as an excellent Bistro and for $6/day you’ll get a comfortable space and a free coffee.
Smart Space is another top choice. Desks can be booked by the hour for as little as $1, or $6 for the day.
How to Find Apartments in Nha Trang
Nha Trang has a few dedicated websites for finding accommodation, especially if you’re planning a longer-term stay. Expat.com , nhatrangrenting.com , and nhatrang4rent.com are three sites worth exploring.
Get signed up on Trusted Housesitters and set alerts for Nha Trang sits – I’ve seen more than a few lengthy stays come up here.
Pros and Cons of Living in Nha Trang
Here are some Nha Trang pros and cons to be aware of:
Pros
Stunning beaches: Nha Trang boasts some of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches.
Affordable cost of living: The low cost of living makes it a budget-friendly option for digital nomads.
Outdoor activities: With its warm climate and scenic landscapes, Nha Trang is perfect for activities such as snorkeling, diving, and hiking.
Vibrant ex-pat community: Nha Trang has a growing expatriate population.
Cons
Seasonal weather: Nha Trang experiences tropical weather patterns , including heavy rainfall and storms during the wet season.
Limited cultural amenities: It lacks cultural amenities such as museums, theaters, and art galleries.
Traffic congestion: Like many Vietnamese cities, Nha Trang experiences some seriously heavy traffic congestion.
8. Hue
Hue is a captivating city for digital nomads in Vietnam to consider, with plenty of rich history, cultural heritage, and stunning landscapes.
Why Hue is a Top City for Digital Nomads
Situated along the banks of the Perfume River in central Vietnam, Hue served as the imperial capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty and is adorned with majestic palaces, ornate pagodas, and ancient citadels.
Hue’s Imperial City , a UNESCO World Heritage Site , stands as a testament to its former glory, with imposing walls, grand gates, and intricate royal residences preserving the legacy of its former rulers.
Hue has beautiful serene landscapes, including expansive countryside, tranquil rivers, and scenic mountain ranges.
Cost of Living in Hue
Living in Hue is very cheap, even by Vietnam standards. The average cost of a 1 bedroom central apartment is around
