Most nomads in Vietnam start in Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, which each have a full guide with neighbourhoods and coworking spaces. The country has plenty of other good places to spend a few months, from a lantern-lit old town to a cool mountain city and long, empty beaches. This page compares nine of them.
The costs below are ballpark figures for a comfortable month for one person: a one-bedroom apartment on a monthly rate, eating out most days, a scooter or Grab, and a social life. Rent is the biggest variable.
The Bases at a Glance#
| Base | Comfortable month | Best months | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Da Nang | about $1,400 | February to May | Beach city, first-timers |
| Ho Chi Minh City | about $1,600 | December to April | Big-city life, healthcare |
| Hanoi | about $1,400 | October, November, March, April | Culture, food, seasons |
| Hoi An | $1,200 to $1,600 | February to May | Small town, rice fields, beach |
| Da Lat | $1,000 to $1,400 | December to March | Cool weather, nature |
| Nha Trang | $1,200 to $1,600 | January to August | Beach city, diving |
| Quy Nhon | $1,000 to $1,400 | February to August | Quiet beaches, few foreigners |
| Phu Quoc | $1,400 to $2,000 | November to April | Island life, resorts |
| Vung Tau | $1,000 to $1,400 | December to April | Seaside escape near Saigon |
Da Nang#
Vietnam’s most popular nomad base: a clean, modern city with a long beach, mountains on the edge of town, an airport in the middle and costs well below the big two. Most nomads live near the beach in An Thượng and My An. The rainy and typhoon season from September to December is the time to be elsewhere. See the Da Nang digital nomad guide.
Ho Chi Minh City#
Vietnam’s business capital is fast, loud and full of energy, with the country’s biggest coworking scene, great nightlife, international food and the best hospitals. District 1, District 3, Binh Thanh and Thao Dien in District 2 are where most foreigners live. It is hot all year, with daily storms from May to November. See the Ho Chi Minh City digital nomad guide.
Hanoi#
The capital is older, slower and more cultured than Saigon, with the Old Quarter, lakes, French-era streets and some of the best street food in Asia. Tay Ho (West Lake) is the expat favourite. Hanoi has four real seasons, including a cool, grey winter with the worst air pollution in Vietnam. See the Hanoi digital nomad guide.
Hoi An#
A 40-minute ride from Da Nang, Hoi An combines a UNESCO-listed old town with rice fields, bicycle lanes and the beaches at An Bang and Cua Dai. It has a long-stay community, good cafes and a few coworking spaces, and it feels like a small town rather than a city. The old town gets very busy with tour groups, and the area floods in October and November.
Da Lat#
A highland city at 1,500 metres, with pine forests, lakes, flower farms and temperatures of 18 to 25°C all year. It is the place to escape the heat. Da Lat is cheap and has a growing cafe-working scene, but the nomad community is small and it rains often from May to October. The airport has flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Nha Trang#
A big beach city with a long sandy bay, islands to dive around and plenty of apartments with sea views. It is popular with Russian and Asian tourists, and has a smaller Western nomad community than Da Nang. Its weather pattern is the reverse of most of the country: dry from January to August, rainy from October to December.
Quy Nhon#
A quiet coastal city between Da Nang and Nha Trang, with clean beaches, seafood and very few foreigners. It suits nomads who want calm, low costs and a real Vietnamese city. Infrastructure is good, but there is little coworking and you will need some Vietnamese or patience.
Phu Quoc#
Vietnam’s biggest island, off the south coast, with resorts, beaches and its own 30-day visa-free rule for foreigners arriving on international flights. Rents are higher than on the mainland, and much of the island is built around package tourism, but the west coast sunsets and the dry season from November to April are hard to beat. Medical care is limited; serious cases go to Ho Chi Minh City.
Vung Tau#
A seaside city two hours from Ho Chi Minh City by road or fast ferry, where Saigon residents go for the weekend. It has a long-standing expat community, cheap apartments and an easy pace. It suits people who want quick access to the big city without living in it.
Choosing Your Base#
- Start in Da Nang if it is your first time; it is the easiest place to settle and meet other nomads.
- Move with the seasons. The centre is best from February to May, the south from December to April, and the north in spring and autumn.
- Watch the typhoon season. From September to December, central Vietnam gets heavy rain, floods and storms.
- Check the internet before you sign. Ask for a speed test, and ask whether the building has more than one provider.
- Find rentals on the ground. Facebook groups and local agents have far better monthly rates than holiday sites.
Where to Base FAQs#
Where do most digital nomads live in Vietnam?
Most live in Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, which have the biggest communities and the most coworking spaces. Hoi An also has a sizeable long-stay community.
What is the cheapest place in Vietnam for digital nomads?
Da Lat, Quy Nhon and Vung Tau are the cheapest, at about $1,000 to $1,400 a month for a comfortable life. Of the main bases, Da Nang and Hanoi are cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City.
Is Da Nang or Hoi An better for digital nomads?
Da Nang is a proper city with more apartments, coworking spaces, hospitals and an airport. Hoi An is a small town with more charm and countryside, 40 minutes away. Many nomads live in one and spend weekends in the other.
Where should I go in Vietnam during the typhoon season?
From September to December, when central Vietnam gets typhoons and floods, most nomads head south to Ho Chi Minh City or Phu Quoc, where the rainy season is ending, or to Hanoi for its autumn.
Is Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City better for digital nomads?
Ho Chi Minh City has more coworking spaces, nightlife, international food and hospitals, and is warm all year. Hanoi is more cultural and slower, with better street food and four seasons, but has worse air pollution in winter.