Best Places in Vietnam for Digital Nomads
Vietnam has quietly become one of the best places in the world for digital nomads, and it’s not hard to see why. The cost of living is insanely low, the food is unreal, and you’ve got a mix of buzzing cities, chill beach towns, and stunning cultural hubs to choose from. Whether you're grinding away in a hip café in Saigon, taking work calls from a riverside spot in Hoi An, or wrapping up your day with a sunset swim in Da Nang, Vietnam offers a ridiculously good work-life balance. And did we mention the WiFi is solid?
The best part is that Vietnam has something for every type of nomad. If you love city life, you’ve got places with non-stop energy, coworking spaces, and networking opportunities. If you’re more about peace and quiet, there are plenty of scenic spots where you can work with a view. So whether you're here for a month or planning to stay way longer than expected (which happens a lot), these are the best places to live and work as a digital nomad in Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – The Hustler’s Playground
If you thrive in fast-paced energy, Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon, as many still call it) is where you want to be. The city is a chaotic symphony of motorbikes, street food stalls, and neon-lit cafés, all buzzing with entrepreneurial energy. With world-class coworking spaces like The Hive and Dreamplex, you’ll find no shortage of like-minded creatives, startup founders, and remote workers grinding away on their next big idea. The nightlife is legendary, the food is cheap and incredible (pho for breakfast, bánh mì for lunch, repeat), and you can grab a craft coffee at any hour of the night to keep the workflow going.
The downsides? The traffic is pure madness, and unless you enjoy playing Frogger in real life, crossing the street takes guts. The heat can also be intense, but the trade-off is a dynamic, opportunity-filled city where you can network, hustle, and have a blast doing it. If you want a place that pushes you forward while keeping things exciting, Saigon is it.
Hanoi – The Culture-Fueled Capital
Hanoi is where old meets new, with ancient temples and narrow alleys blending seamlessly into trendy coworking cafés and bustling markets. Compared to Saigon, Hanoi has a more traditional, artsy vibe, perfect for nomads who love history, culture, and a little bit of chaos. The Old Quarter is an absolute maze of street food stalls, cool little bars, and hidden coffee shops, making it easy to get lost in the best way possible. If you need a more structured work environment, spaces like Toong and UPGen provide a solid remote work setup with great coffee and even better views.
The weather in Hanoi brings actual seasons—something rare in Southeast Asia—which means chilly winters and humid summers. While the pace of life here is slightly slower than in Saigon, the trade-off is a city filled with character, ridiculously good egg coffee, and stunning lakes where you can unwind after a long work session. If you love a place with soul, Hanoi is where you want to be.
Da Nang – The Laid-Back Beach City
For nomads who want city conveniences without the chaos, Da Nang is the perfect middle ground. This coastal city has a growing remote work scene, excellent coworking spaces, and some of the best beaches in Vietnam—all without the overwhelming traffic and noise of Saigon or Hanoi. You can start your morning with a beach run, grab a Vietnamese iced coffee, and be at your coworking spot within minutes. Places like Enouvo Space and DNC provide solid setups for getting things done, and when the workday ends, you’re minutes away from mountains, beaches, or a night market food crawl.
Da Nang’s expat and digital nomad community is growing, but it’s still quieter than major cities, meaning it’s easier to focus and enjoy a better work-life balance. The cost of living is super reasonable, and if you want a weekend getaway, the ancient town of Hoi An is just a short ride away. If work-life balance is a priority and you want a city that feels like a permanent vacation, Da Nang is a solid pick.
Hoi An – The Chill, Aesthetic Dream
Imagine working in a place where every street looks straight out of a postcard—that’s Hoi An. This UNESCO-listed ancient town is famous for its lantern-lit streets, riverside cafés, and impossibly aesthetic yellow buildings. It’s perfect for nomads who want a peaceful, picturesque setting without the big-city distractions. WiFi is surprisingly solid, and spots like Hub Hoi An cater specifically to remote workers. Plus, the cost of living is low, so you can treat yourself to tailor-made clothes and endless Vietnamese drip coffee without breaking the bank.
The downside? Hoi An is small and can feel a little too slow if you thrive on a big-city buzz. The town also gets packed with tourists during peak seasons, which can make finding a quiet café tricky. But if you want a work-life setup where you can bike through rice fields, work by the river, and wind down with a beachside sunset, Hoi An is about as dreamy as it gets.
Nha Trang – Beach Life with a Buzz
If you like the idea of working with an ocean view, Nha Trang is a top pick. This coastal city is famous for its long stretch of sandy beaches, making it a great spot for digital nomads who want to balance work with serious relaxation. Unlike the chill vibes of Da Nang, Nha Trang has a livelier nightlife scene, tons of seafood spots, and a solid infrastructure for remote work. The city has a growing coworking scene, but many nomads opt for beachfront cafés or hotel lobbies with killer views.
Nha Trang does lean touristy, and depending on where you stay, it can feel more like a resort town than a digital nomad hub. However, if your ideal day involves working in the morning, hitting the beach in the afternoon, and ending the night with fresh seafood and a few drinks, Nha Trang delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Vietnam a good place for digital nomads?
Yes, Vietnam is one of the best destinations for digital nomads due to its low cost of living, fast WiFi, great food, and diverse locations. Whether you prefer the energy of a major city like Ho Chi Minh City, the cultural charm of Hanoi, or the relaxed beach life in Da Nang, Vietnam has something for everyone. Coworking spaces are widely available, and the country has a growing expat and digital nomad community. Living costs can be as low as $700 per month while still enjoying a good quality of life.
2. Do I need a visa to be a digital nomad in Vietnam?
Most travelers will need a visa to stay in Vietnam for an extended period. The country offers e-visas, typically valid for 30 to 90 days, depending on your nationality. Some nomads do "visa runs" to nearby countries like Thailand or Cambodia to reset their stay, but policies change often, so it's best to check updated visa rules. If you plan to stay long-term, some expats obtain a business visa or use visa agencies to assist with extensions.
3. How fast is the WiFi in Vietnam?
Vietnam has fast and reliable internet, especially in major cities and coworking spaces. In Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, WiFi speeds typically range from 50 to 200 Mbps, making it easy to stream, work, and make video calls. However, some areas experience occasional internet restrictions or blocked websites, so many digital nomads use a VPN to access everything without issues. If you're working remotely, having a local SIM card with 4G data (Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone) is a good backup.
4. What is the cost of living for digital nomads in Vietnam?
Vietnam is one of the most affordable places for digital nomads, with living expenses ranging from $700 to $1,500 per month, depending on your lifestyle. Rent for a modern apartment in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi can be $300–$600 per month, while smaller cities like Da Nang or Hoi An offer even lower prices. Eating out is incredibly cheap, with local meals costing $2–$5, and coworking spaces charge around $50–$150 per month. Vietnam offers a high quality of life at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries.
5. What’s the best time of year to be a digital nomad in Vietnam?
The best time to stay in Vietnam is between November and April, when the weather is cooler, with less humidity and rain. Cities like Hanoi can get chilly in the winter, while southern cities like Ho Chi Minh City stay warm year-round. From May to October, the country experiences the rainy season, with heavy but short-lived downpours in most regions. Central Vietnam, including Da Nang and Hoi An, sometimes gets hit by typhoons between September and November, so it's something to keep in mind when planning your stay.
Cover credit: Tron Le
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The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. While I strive for accuracy, I cannot guarantee that all details are up-to-date. Travel regulations, visa policies, and local conditions change frequently. Please verify all travel details with official sources before making decisions.