Aside from being my favorite country in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is also the perfect destination for digital nomads. Every time I come here, I don’t want to leave. It’s got everything you could want from a home base, and the vibe here is like no other place in the world. It’s chaotic and vibrant; the time spent here will make you feel alive. Here’s a list of why Vietnam is the best country for digital nomads.
The Best Food in the World
I know that’s a bold statement to make, but one I stand by. Vietnamese food is just amazing. The cuisine perfectly combines taste with freshness. It’s the perfect balance between strong flavors (give nuoc mam a try to see what I mean) and light ingredients. The food is not heavy, and you actually could say it’s healthy, as most Vietnamese dishes heavily incorporate some form of fresh vegetables. But make no mistake, it may lack in calories, but not in taste.
From the spicy dishes in Central Vietnam, to the hundreds of varieties of noodle soups, to the classic Vietnamese “banh mi” sandwich, it’s all just soooo good. You could stay here for months and try a different dish for every meal, and it won’t be enough.
It’s Extremely Cheap
Vietnam is cheap, even by Southeast Asian standards. It’s not unusual here to get a freshly made meal for $1. You can live in a beautiful apartment centrally located in the cities for $500. Want to get around? A 10 minute motorbike ride from the Grab app is $1.
Moreso, even flying in Vietnam is cheap. You can fly domestically on Vietjet for as low as $16 between cities. Living here, you easily have an amazing quality of life and probably still save a ton of money.
Lot’s of Cute Cafes to Work From
In the cities, such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, there are more and more cute cafes popping up each year. They usually have good wifi, and even better coffee. Vietnamese coffee is very strong, so you may even get an extra boost of motivation while working here.
Cheap Mobile Data
These days the wifi in Vietnam is getting better, and is usually fast enough to work on. This is especially true in the cities. However, if you plan to head into remote areas, just know that you can still work even if there isn’t wifi. You’ll just need to get a monthly SIM card and use the hotspot. I got one from Viettel for 200,000 VND which is about $10. It comes with 2 GB of highspeed data everyday, so it’s basically unlimited (if you aren’t streaming videos all day on it).
Beautiful Nature and Countrysides
On your days off, you will never feel bored exploring in Vietnam. This country has a bit of everything.
You can lay on the beautiful beaches in Phu Quoc in the dry season. You can take boat rides to explore the relaxing and quaint villages of the Mekong Delta. When it get’s too hot, head to Da Lat for a surprisingly cool climate and to see the tea farms. In the north, you have the well known bay of Ha Long, where you can sail around and see the limestone cliffs. If you miss the desert, there are even sand dunes in Mui Ne.
In terms of nature, Vietnam definitely ranks in my top 5 for both variety and beauty.
Fun Parties
If you like to party, base yourself in Ho Chi Minh City, and you can do just that. There are nightclubs open every night of the week. Bui Vien Road in the center of Saigon is where the backpackers go for cheap booze at any time of day. For the more sophisticated, there are rooftop bars where you can mingle with both expats and locals.
You’ll be very pleased with the nightlife scene here. It’s very active and I’d definitely say that Vietnamese people aren’t afraid of a good time.
You’ll Gain Perspective
Vietnam is a country with a very difficult past. I know this firsthand from both my parents, whos’ origins are both Vietnamese. Historically, Vietnamese people are no stranger to suffering and hardships, and a visit to the countryside here will show you just how simply some people still live.
Every time I come here, I am reminded of just how little we truly need to live and to be happy. I gain a whole new appreciation for what I have, and also am reminded of the fact that the little things are what matter most in life.
Are There Any Negatives?
Sure, there are. In fact, in Vietnam there are plenty of less than ideal aspects that depending on who you are, could greatly affect your opinion of living here.
A few negatives are:
- Poor air quality (in the big cities)
- Some areas are really dirty
- Foreigners are often ripped off and even pickpocketed
- Food poisoning is a thing
- Crazy traffic
- Locals can come off rude (it’s not part of Vietnamese culture to talk softly, let alone anything less than screaming for normal conversation)
For me, it took time to get used to some of these things, but it’s all part of the Vietnam package. Anything too easy is boring, right?
And there is your list of why Vietnam is a great country for digital nomads. I strongly believe that any traveler needs to experience Vietnam at least once. No matter how much I explore, there’s more to see. It’s a place I know I’ll always come back to, even if just to eat my way through the country.
Have you been to Vietnam? What was your experience like? Let me know!
Spain for Digital Nomads: The Ultimate Guide
The Philippines for Digital Nomads: A Complete Guide
Digital Nomad in Bulgaria: A Complete Guide
A Guide to Poland for Digital Nomads
You make me want to go so much. Thank you for all the valuable information I will draw on them as soon as I go.
How about an itinerary for Vietnam, are you planning on making some too? 🙂
Yes, I will make an itinerary just for you. Email me 🙂
I have been curious about Vietnam for a while now and I think you may have convinced me to go there, once travel opens up again, of course. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
I feel so bad that having lived in Asia for a quarter of my life, I never managed to visit any south East Asian countries. Your post definitely inspires me to visit, and perhaps stay there for a few months to savour the local culture! Perhaps, someday!
Don’t forget the food!!
I’ve been to Viet Nam but stayed only for a couple of weeks. The country has so much beauty to offer – natural and manmade. However, I totally agree that the poor quality of air is a huge negative. I remember that in Ho Chi MInh City, I had the feeling I wouldn’t inhale any oxygen at all in the afternoon – terrible. Other than that, I would return any time.
Yeah, it can get quite bad. I usually have no issues, but my dad gets sick every time in Vietnam, be it from the food, water or air. And he’s technically from there, so that’s saying something :/
I have wanted to visit Vietnam for a long time. But getting a visa seemed so hard. Lots of red tape surprisingly. Being a good destination for digital nomads, is it easy procuring a visa that allows one to live and work there (as a digital professional)? I live in Thailand and it is super hard.
The rules change frequently. When I first started going to Vietnam I had to apply for the visa before arrival and pay quite a bit for it (American passport). The visa was good for 1 year, and I just had to leave and re-enter every 90 days I believe. Last time I went, I got a visa on arrival. They are progressing quickly, but ultimately it depends on your passport.
Honestly, I am dying to visit Vietnam mostly for the food! The nature and colorful towns have also always been alluring 🙂
The food alone is worth a couple weeks there!
I want to visit Vietnam. Vietnamese cuisine has long been one of my favorites. It’s good to know that there are such good internet and nomads working conditions. I do a lot of work remotely, so it’s a perfect destination—great tips for nomads.
Awesome tips that bring back quite a few memories! Vietnam is the first place where I want to be once this thing is over! I miss getting my coffee on the plastic stools every morning! Still debating whether we’ll be in Saigon or travel around (Nha Trang or Hoi An).