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If you’ve been traveling the world as a digital nomad for a while, you may have realized that finding the perfect home base for working remotely considerably more challenging than you might have initially thought.
Europe is great for its cultural richness and higher standard of living, but the high level of bureaucracy is a no-no; As for Latin America, it offers delicious food and unparalleled hospitality, but crime on the other hand, it can be a huge deterrent.
We completely understand: it certainly took a while before we found it all-time Mecca for digital nomads worldwidebut there may be a strong competitor in Southeast Asia, with 3,000 kilometers of pristine coastline, a fascinating ancient heritage and affordable prices:
If you’ve exhausted all your options in the Western Hemisphere and Europe, perhaps it’s time you explore the tropical paradise that Vietnam a swirl:
Why is Vietnam the next digital nomad mecca?
According to this year InterNations study, Vietnam is the ‘ideal destination’ for ex-patsincluding remote workers.
The country took the lead in a study that also included 12,000 respondents spread across 174 countries.
If you’re still unfamiliar with Vietnam — aside from being forced to read Vietnam War textbooks in 9th grade — you might be wondering what it is that digital nomads are queuing up at the airport for the next flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Forget everything you are think As a Westerner you may be familiar with Vietnam, especially when it comes to the conflict in the 1970s:
Yes, there was a war once, and there may have been a time when going to Vietnam as an American would have been a risky move, especially if you followed societal developments.alist takeover, but now it is a relatively open, vibrant country friendly towards all nationalities.
It is home to a vast coastline interspersed with quaint fishing villages and pristine beaches, islands surrounded by turquoise waters, Buddhist temples nestled in verdant jungles and bustling cities surrounding French-built colonial centers.
Two of these, the national capital Hanoi and the unofficial ‘southern’ capital Saigon, renamed after communist leader Ho Chi Minh, are two of the fastest growing metropolises in Southeast Asia, and in recent years they have grown into global magnets for digital nomads.
A lot of Of Options To Choose From
Whether you’re here for the vibrant city life or the picturesque countryside, Vietnam has no shortage of optionsbut of all the different, unique destinations it offers, Hoi An is perhaps the most beloved among digital nomads:
A historic city centered around a yellow-washed old town, criss-crossed by scenic canals and dotted with centuries-old temples, it’s the ‘happy medium’ for most remote workers: not too big, not too small, and with enough cultural richness to make a difference. to justify a longer stay.
At the same time, others will prefer the the fast life in Ho Chi Minh Citywith its thriving business districts and host of laptop-friendly cafes, or perhaps the unparalleled social life of the vibrant seaside resort of Da Nang, especially after the influx of European expats there.
Located amid the green hills of Vietnam’s central highlands, Da Lat is yet another nomadic hub on the rise, with an idyllic atmosphere and backpacker culture.
For those looking for a quiet coastal retreat, the laid-back beach town of Mui Ne is your best bet to beat the crowds.
Vietnam is dirt cheap
Based on research by InterNations 86% of participants ex-pats rated the cost of living in Vietnam favorably – which is more than twice the global average.
Within that cohort, 65% reported feelings are ‘satisfied’ with their financial situation while living in the country.
That’s not surprising, since Vietnam is probably the cheapest country for digital nomads – based on estimates Nomad listthe leading platform for tracking digital nomad trends, it costs between $748 and $1,070 per month to live in this gem of Southeast Asia.
Moving to Numbeothe world’s largest cost of living database, you can eat for just $1.51 at a local restaurant in Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most expensive cities, while a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost you $15.11 (and that’s for two people).
Finding affordable accommodation isn’t an impossible task either: you can find private rooms for as little as $174 for the whole month on Airbnb And fully equipped apartments for only $621––outside the capital, in more rural provinces, it is even cheaper.
One of the safest destinations for digital nomads
Besides being extremely cheap, Vietnam is also incredibly safe.
It may not be a developed country like Switzerland – it lacks infrastructure and train travel is not the most comfortable – nor does it enjoy the same level of social well-being as Iceland, but unlike other underdeveloped countries in the South, The crime rates here are very low.
The US State Department considers it one Level 1 destinationa classification it applies to the two European countries mentioned above, and this essentially means that Americans don’t have to worry too much about personal safety during their visit.
Violence against foreigners is virtually unheard of, whether in a major city like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, or in a small, unheard of coastal village yet to be identified on Google Maps, and even pickpocketing is somewhat uncommon .
One of the things nomads love most about Vietnam is how respectful the Vietnamese are towards their guests, largely due to their honor-based culture And strict application of the law: believe us, in a socialist-oriented country you don’t want to break the rules.
Find out more about Vietnam here, including what visas are available for digital nomads planning to move.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
