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Digital Nomad FAQ’s
Is Vietnam a good country for digital nomads?
How is the internet connectivity and speed in Vietnam?
Quite fast, hardly had any issues with wifi while there & further explanation. See a breakdown of all wifi speeds here.
Is it easy to meet people and make friends in Vietnam?
Plenty of digital nomad / expat hubs and younger VNese people tend to be very curious about other cultures countries – they’re going to be a bit a more shy compared to Latinos or even filipinos – but still friendly Here’s how I made friends while in the city.
How much should I budget for a month in Vietnam?
You could get by as low as $1,000 a month, I would say though $2,500 would be fine for quite comfortable living. See a breakdown of prices for common digital nomad stuff here.
Are there lots of places to work from in Vietnam?
Yes, the cafe culture in Vietnam is huge, and all of them have wifi. VNese people spend hours in cafe’s so they have no isssue with you hanging out. More details on this below.
Vietnam for Digital Nomads
Vietnam has become one of the top destinations for digital nomads, amazing food, beautiful architecture, beaches, endless cafés, fast Wi-Fi, and a cost of living that actually lets you enjoy life. But for me, Vietnam is more than that.
I lived here in 2015 teaching English, and even though I loved the country, I had reached a point where it was time for me to leave.
If you want the full story behind why I left and how I’m feeling about my return I wrote about it here: The Place That Broke Me -Returning to Vietnam 10 Years Later.
I spent a month scootering around this kick ass country, learned a lot, had a ton of fun, tried some cool stuff, made it through the craziest rain storms and flooding I’ve ever seen.
This guide covers everything you need to choose Vietnam as your next remote base, including exclusive guides for Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hoi An, three cities with completely different styles that I checked out.
It was the first time my girlfriend had been to Vietnam and she loved it so much she almost cried on our flight back to Bangkok.
So let’s dive in!
🇻🇳Vietnam VisaGuide for Digital Nomads
The visa information below may not be up to date information, nor should be used as visa advice for people working while abroad. We do not claim that you can work legally with a visitor visa or any other visa in this country or any other country in the world. As always, you will need to refer to your embassy for the latest information. We at Digital Nomad Lifestyle believe in the heavenly mandate granted to each government of every modern nation, and thus the laws and regulations therein. Therefore rules outlined by the almighty state should be followed unwaveringly and without question. In Government We Trust – Digital Nomad Lifestyle
‼️ For Most Countries You Can Not Get A Visa On Arrival ‼️
E-Visa (Most Popular Option)
Most digital nomads enter Vietnam with the official eVisa, which allows a stay of up to 90 days and is available as single or multiple entry. The application is completely online, costs $25 USD, and is usually processed within three business days.
Just print the PDF confirmation and ensure your passport has at least 6 months of validity.
Here is the website we used, since it’s a government website I wouldn’t assume it will change.
Visa Exemptions
Vietnam also offers visa-free entry for short stays:
- 45 days for citizens of: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus.
- 30 days for most ASEAN countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, and Cambodia.
These exemptions are convenient for short visits, but not ideal for digital nomads who need longer, uninterrupted stays.
🇻🇳Cost of Living in Vietnam
Vietnam remains one of the few countries where digital nomads can enjoy a high quality of life at a relatively low cost, especially compared with other Asian hubs like Bangkok, Seoul, or Singapore.
🇻🇳 Weather in Vietnam
One thing I completely underestimated on this trip?
The weather.
Vietnam is divided into three climate zones: north, center, and south, each with totally different seasons.
Long story short:
More than half my trip was under heavy rain. Da Nang got hit by a mild typhoon the day I left, and Hoi An was flooded to levels not seen since 1964. Streets underwater. Boats instead of scooters. Shops closed. It was intense, but eye-opening.
Here’s the quick version so you don’t end up soaked like I did:
- Nov–Apr: Best time overall (dry season).
- May–Oct: Rainy, humid, monsoon weather.
- Central Vietnam (Da Nang / Hoi An): Typhoons possible Sep–Dec.
- North: Cold Dec–Feb.
Check the seasons before planning your route, trust me.
A photo of me riding through the streets of Hoi An just as the flooding started, one of those wild moments you don’t forget.
🇻🇳 Best Cities in Vietnam for Digital Nomads
Vietnam offers a unique mix of modern cities, peaceful beach towns, and creative cultural hubs, making it one of the most versatile destinations for digital nomads. Below are the top three cities to consider, each with a short overview and a link to the full in-depth guide.
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s most energetic and modern metropolis, a place where productivity blends perfectly with café culture. With endless 24/7 coffee shops, top-tier coworking spaces, and a growing nomad and expat community, Saigon is ideal for remote workers who love big-city life.
Best neighborhoods for remote workers
Neighborhoods like Thao Dien, District 3, District 1, and Phu Nhuan are packed with great cafés, gyms, apartments, and everything you need to build a comfortable routine.
Saigon is fast, inspiring, and perfect for nomads who want variety, convenience, and constant movement.
A night on Bùi Viện Walking Street
One of my favorite moments this trip was rediscovering Bùi Viện Walking Street—wild, loud, messy, full of bars, crowds, and massage places trying to reel people in.
I’d grab a beer, sit on a tiny plastic chair, and just watch the entire scene unfold.
It’s funny.
Da Nang is one of the easiest cities in Vietnam to live in as a digital nomad. It’s clean, organized, safe, and everything you need—cafés, gyms, coworking spaces, and the beach—is close by. The Wi-Fi is reliable, the cost of living is reasonable, and the lifestyle is active without being overwhelming.
Best neighborhoods for nomads
The neighborhoods most nomads choose are My An, An Thuong, and Pham Van Dong, since they have the best mix of cafés, restaurants, and apartment options.
When the weather takes over
This trip, though, the weather reminded me who’s in charge. Some days we couldn’t go out at all. And the day I left, the city got brushed by a typhoon.
But even on gray days, Da Nang has this “easy life” feeling: cafés everywhere, yoga studios, gyms, good food, fast Wi-Fi, and friendly people.
Where to get work done
If you prefer coworking spaces, Enouvo Space, IoT Coworking, and DNES are solid choices. And for café working, Kim Coffee Garden and Nia Coffee are two of the most comfortable spots, with strong Wi-Fi and plenty of space.
Hoi An is a solid option for digital nomads who prefer a quieter environment and slower pace.
Best areas for nomads
The best areas for nomads include Old Town, Cua Dai, and An Bang Beach, each offering different levels of convenience and atmosphere. Internet quality can vary depending on your accommodation, so it’s worth checking speeds before committing long-term.
A beautiful, surreal kind of calm
Hoi An is beautiful in a way that feels almost unreal—lanterns, bicycles, rice fields, rivers, cafés that smell like cinnamon and rain.
But during my visit, the city flooded. A level higher than anything since 1964. Seeing shops, homes, and entire streets underwater was emotional. People lost things. Plans changed. The calm town turned into a quiet, floating stillness.
Why I still recommend Hoi An
And yet… the people of Hoi An kept smiling. Helping each other. Carrying on.
Despite what I saw, I still recommend it. Not because it’s perfect, but because it’s real, peaceful, inspiring, and full of heart.
hidden gems 💎
Vietnam has more to offer than its main nomad hubs. If you’re exploring long-term options or planning shorter work stays, these cities can also be great alternatives depending on your lifestyle and work needs.
| Hanoi | Not exactly hidden, but really cool city. Good café culture, plenty of coworking spaces, and a more artistic, traditional vibe. |
| Nha Trang | Affordable beach city with good Wi-Fi and plenty of cafés. |
| Hue | Quiet, historic, low cost of living, ideal for focused work. |
| Dalat | Cool climate, hipster cafés, and a relaxed environment perfect for deep work. |
| Phu Quoc | Tropical island with good resorts and cafés, great for short work retreats. |
| Ninh Binh | Peaceful, nature-heavy environment ideal for creative breaks or short stays. |
🇻🇳 Internet in Vietnam
Vietnam is honestly one of the easiest countries to stay connected in. There’s Wi-Fi everywhere, cafés, restaurants (even the very local ones), gyms, hostels, hotels…
Almost anywhere you go, you’ll find a network available. And most of the time, it’s good enough to get you through a full workday.
For daily work, the Wi-Fi at cafés or colivings is usually more than enough. Still, I recommend having a backup option, either with an eSIM like Airalo or a portable hotspot. I used both while working in Da Nang and Hoi An, and they were extremely helpful on days when the Wi-Fi dropped for a few minutes.
Link if you want more info:
In this video, I share a little bit of my mini-crisis when the power went out inside my hotel. The rain and wind were so intense, and of course it happened right in the middle of a work meeting with a client. Thankfully, Solis saved me, I was able to reconnect quickly and finish the call without any major issues. It was definitely one of those remote-work moments you never forget.
🇻🇳 coliving spaces
Coliving has become increasingly popular in Vietnam, especially among digital nomads who want comfort, community, and reliable workspaces all in one place.
Most colivings in the country offer fast Wi-Fi, shared kitchens, common areas for coworking, and a built-in social circle, which makes settling in much easier, whether you’re here for one month or several.
You’ll find coliving options mainly in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hoi An, with a mix of modern studios, shared rooms, and community-focused spaces.
Prices vary depending on the location and the season, but overall Vietnam remains one of the most affordable places in Asia to enjoy a high-quality coliving experience.
Meander Saigon
Modern hostel in District 1 with spacious common areas and standout cleanliness. Solid Wi-Fi for day-to-day remote work and video calls.
SnapStay Hoi An
Social hostel with an on-site café/cowork vibe. Great for meeting people; mornings are best for work. Café Wi-Fi is stronger than room Wi-Fi.
Hub Hoi An Coliving
Peaceful coliving outside town, surrounded by rice fields. Built for digital nomads with coworking included, fast internet, and frequent community events.
The Backpacker Hotel
Small, quiet, and reliable—ideal if you want to focus. Stable Wi-Fi for video calls, a desk in the room, plus a rooftop pool for breaks.
Want more specifics on Coliving spots in Vietnam? I got you, this is the site that I personally use to book coliving spots.
🇻🇳 Best Cafés for Digital Nomads
Vietnam has one of the strongest café cultures in the world, and it’s honestly one of the reasons why working remotely here feels so easy. No matter what city you’re in, you’ll always find cafés with fast Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and long hours, perfect for getting work done without pressure.
☕️ Trung Nguyen Coffee
Classic Vietnamese chain: strong coffee, reliable Wi-Fi, plenty of seating. Great for short–medium laptop sessions.
Location → Click here
☕️ Bibli Library Café (HCMC)
Quiet, book-filled, and cozy. Solid spot for deep work, reading, and long laptop hours.
Location → Click here
☕️ Faifo Coffee (Hoi An)
Iconic rooftop with Old Town views. Best for a quick laptop sit and great photos.
Location → Click here
☕️ Hub Hoi An Coworking
Nomad favorite: ergonomic chairs, A/C, strong Wi-Fi, and a friendly remote-work crowd. Ideal for long work blocks.
Location → Click here
☕️ Nia Coffee (Da Nang)
Spacious, plant-filled, tons of natural light. Reliable Wi-Fi for multi-hour sessions.
Location → Click here
☕️ Danasol Eatery & Workspace (Da Nang)
Hybrid café + workspace: brunch menu, plenty of plugs, A/C, and a cowork-style second floor. Wi-Fi is steady for full days.
Location → Click here
🇻🇳 Transport Within Vietnam
Getting around Vietnam is surprisingly easy and budget-friendly, whether you’re traveling between major cities or just crossing town, but the real adventure is on a motorbike. I rented one from day one and rode more than 2,000 km from south to north, and for the most part it was incredible: total freedom, sunrise roads, coastal stretches, mountain curves, and that feeling of truly living the journey instead of just ticking off destinations.
Of course, there was one moment, on the second-to-last day, a bike came straight at me going the wrong way. I swerved, lost balance for a second, heart racing, but managed to control it. No crash, no injuries… just a solid reminder that Vietnam’s traffic has its own rules. And honestly? I’d still do it all over again. Just wear a helmet, stay aware, and avoid long night rides.
Fastest way to move between cities. Prices usually range from $25–$70 USD depending on the route and season.
Slow but beautiful. Short routes start around $5–$12 USD, longer trips may go up to $25–$40 USD.
Budget-friendly option. Most routes cost between $8–$20 USD, depending on distance.
Cheap and easy for short trips. Motorbike rides usually cost $1–$3 USD; cars $3–$6 USD.
Most flexible option. Monthly rentals typically range from $40–$70 USD, newer models $80–$120 USD.
Great for small towns like Hoi An. Rentals usually cost $1–$2 USD/day or $20–$30 USD/month.
Nomad Tip
If you’re staying a month or more, renting a motorbike is usually the most convenient option. Monthly rentals range from $40–$70 USD for basic bikes and $70–$120 USD for newer or more powerful models.
Keep in mind that prices can increase depending on how many kilometers you plan to ride, as some shops charge extra for long-distance use.
A good day on the bike, cruising through Vietnam’s mountain roads.
🇻🇳 Speaking & Communicating
Vietnamese is the official language—beautiful, tonal, and not always easy for foreigners. In big cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, or Hoi An, you’ll find people who speak some English, but once you get into more local areas, communication gets trickier.
Because I lived here years ago, I still remembered a bit of Vietnamese. I was rusty, so I took a few refresher lessons before the trip, and honestly, those small efforts made a huge difference.
How a few words change everything
In small towns or mountain areas, people would tense up when we walked in, unsure how to communicate. But the moment I said a few words in Vietnamese, everything shifted. They’d smile, relax, and suddenly we were having a real conversation.
Sometimes they corrected my pronunciation, sometimes they taught me new words, but they always appreciated the effort. It reminded me that the easiest way to feel welcomed is simply trying to connect.
If you’re planning to travel here…
If you’re planning to travel here, learning a few basics goes a long way, like:
| English | Vietnamese |
|---|---|
| Hello | Xin chào |
| Thank you | Cảm ơn |
| Please | Làm ơn |
| How much is it? | Bao nhiêu? |
| The bill, please | Tính tiền |
| Gasoline | Xăng |
| Full tank | Đổ đầy bình |
| One coffee | Một cà phê |
| Where is the bathroom? | Nhà vệ sinh ở đâu? |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Một, hai, ba, bốn, năm |
Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, the effort alone opens doors.
🇻🇳 Staying Active in Vietnam as a Digital Nomad
Staying active while traveling doesn’t have to be complicated, and Vietnam makes it surprisingly easy. Whether you prefer structured workouts or casual movement, there are plenty of ways to keep your body moving while enjoying the country.
| Activity | Description | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Gym / Fitness Centers | Well-equipped local and modern gyms available in most cities. Great for weight training or full sessions. | $2–$5 USD per day or $15–$30 USD per week |
| Running Outdoors | Safe, scenic runs along beaches, rivers, or quiet neighborhoods. Best early mornings. | Free |
| Hiking / Mountain Trails | Available in places like Da Lat, Sa Pa, and Ninh Binh. Perfect for cardio + nature. | Free–$10 USD (depending on entry fees) |
| Yoga Studios | Many studios offer drop-in classes with English-speaking instructors. | $6–$10 USD per class |
| Beach Workouts | Bodyweight sessions, long walks, swimming — especially in Da Nang and Hoi An. | Free |
Nomad Tip
Traveling can actually boost your motivation. New places and new routines make it easier to restart healthy habits, even small things like a 10-minute stretch, a walk, or a quick workout help you stay consistent.
The goal isn’t perfection, it’s consistency. Some weeks you’ll train more, others you’ll explore more. Both count. What matters is keeping a rhythm that feels good while still enjoying the adventure.
🇻🇳 Finding Community / Making Friends
If you want to meet people, find events, or ask questions while you’re in Vietnam, these online communities are a great place to start. You’ll find other digital nomads, expats, and long-term travelers sharing tips, housing options, café and coworking recommendations, and social plans.
1. Mundo Lingo (Language Exchange Meetups)
Connecting with people in Vietnam is surprisingly easy if you know where to look.
My go-to place has always been Mundo Lingo. When I lived here in 2015, every Thursday night I was there — practicing languages, meeting people from everywhere, building my own little community.
This trip, I went back. And it felt the same in the best way.
I worked in the café during the day, then joined the event at night. I met people from five different countries in one hour. I spoke English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. I left smiling.
https://classic.mundolingo.org/docs?page=connect-online-local-groups
2. Facebook Groups (Connect With Locals & Nomads)
Facebook groups are one of the easiest ways to meet people, ask questions, and find what’s happening around you. Most groups include apartment listings, events, café recommendations, meetups, and general advice for living in Vietnam.
Here are some useful groups:
- 👉https://www.facebook.com/groups/2333220550043074/?action_source=group_mall_recommendation_affordance
- 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/2996554537338962
- 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitalnomadsindanang
3. Hostels (Easy Social Vibes)
Hostels are one of the most natural ways to meet new people, especially other travelers and remote workers. Many hostels host events like family dinners, rooftop nights, walking tours, barbecues, and group outings.
Even if you don’t stay in a hostel full-time, joining their activities or using their common areas can be an easy way to make friends quickly.
4. Meetup.com (Events, Activities & Social Groups)
Meetup is perfect for joining hiking groups, fitness meetups, coworking days, social gatherings, tech events, and more.
You can filter events by the city you’re staying in (Saigon, Da Nang, Hanoi, etc.) and find something happening almost every week.
👉 https://www.meetup.com/find/?source=GROUPS&location=vn–Ho+Chi+Minh+City&distance=anyDistance
🇻🇳 Roadtrip Across Vietnam
This is a one-month trip from the south to the north of Vietnam, more than 1,600 kilometers with two digital nomads, no plan, no fixed route, and only one mission: make it to the north in 30 days.
If you want to see everything that happened along the way, the good, the unexpected, the chaos, the quiet moments, and what it’s really like to travel and work across the whole country, you need to watch this video.
Closing Thoughts
After riding through the country, getting soaked in storms, drinking way too much cà phê sữa đá, speaking broken Vietnamese, watching the ocean in Da Nang, floating through a flooded Hoi An, and rediscovering old memories in Saigon, I can say this:
Vietnam stays with you.
It’s not perfect. It’s not always easy.
But if you’re a digital nomad looking for a place that inspires you, challenges you, excites you, and supports your lifestyle…
Come to Vietnam.
Let it surprise you.
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