A few years ago Vietnam was named the new digital nomad hot spot.
Then, COVID happened.
Now that phase is almost behind us, is Vietnam really the place for remote workers?
At Hub Hoi An, we’ve been welcoming nomads for the last 5 years. So we figured that puts us in good authority to say a thing or two about coworking in Vietnam, and how things are changing around here.
We’ll dive into the pros and cons being a digital nomad in Vietnam and what’s on offer when you visit.
Table of Contents
The TL;DR
Can You Work Remotely in Vietnam?
Yes, you can!
Vietnam continues to charge forward with (quite crazy) fast development in its cities – the technology, people and coworkings are following suit.
Vietnam is one of the most affordable countries in the world, is super easily connected worldwide, and offers year-round sunshine, as long as you don’t mind a little rain.
The variety between coworkings and coffee shops for remote work in Vietnam make this a sweet spot for digital nomads.
But we are still in Southeast Asia, so it does come with its own – and we have to say truly unique – downsides.
Vietnam Pros
- Affordable
- Great accommodation options
- Easy travel
- Cheap and good cellphone packages
Vietnam Cons
- Occassional power cuts
- Extreme weather
- Questionable repair services
- Noise pollution
What's It Like to Travel and Work in Vietnam?
Diverse scenery, beautiful beaches, and amazing food – Vietnam ticks all the boxes for traveling.
But does that still apply when you’re a digital nomad? Let’s dive into some essential details:
Travel and Accommodation
Traveling must-knows
Vietnam is hyper-connected with regular buses, trains, and cheap flights, both domestic and international – Cambodia, Laos and Thailand are super close by.
All transportation options come with a warranted risk of being delayed. Vietnam is known for traffic – both on the ground and in the sky.
It’s also home to 60 million people… at least. Some would argue you see that in Ho Chi Minh City alone. So plan extra time on each side of your travel itinerary to avoid any stressful situations.
Opting for buses and train journeys are great way to experience the beauty of the countryside if time is not an issue for you. The country is 1650 KM long with mountain ranges, valleys, desert-like roads and jungle – something you have to see to believe can exist in one place.
The trains have various classes to choose from ranging from bunk beds to wooden benches – they come with air-con and plenty of plugs to charge things, so as long as you have data, you can work away.
The buses contain little beds stacked up on top of each other with blasting air-con and blankets. So, you could work if you wanted to. Tall people, be warned – they are built for small people!
Accommodation and Coliving
The variety of accommodation options in Vietnam is impressive – everything from condo apartments to cute upcycled local homes are available for short-term and often long-term rent. And the prices are unlike anywhere else in the world.
Since Vietnam was named a digital nomad hotspot – “coworkings” and “colivings” started popping up everywhere.
There are a few coworkings in Vietnam that we love to frequent – and we’ll get into those below.
But, when it comes to colivings – as of 2024, we have noted Coworking Da Nang and Hub Hoi An, our very own coliving 900 meters from our rice paddy locatio, that are the communal living concept digital nomads are looking for.
The rest are more like hotels with designated spaces to work in. It doesn’t necessarily mean anyone else will be there. Not quite what you’re looking for, right?
As the digital nomad buzz spreads, we predict this will change quickly!
Weather and Power Cuts
Vietnam’s seasons vary across the country. But one thing is fairly consistent – rain.
In the north, there are 4 seasons. The summers can reach 40+ and winters are bone-chilling cold.
In central, the weather extremes are milder. However, it is known to be the most rain-filled region in the country with frequent storms hitting the major cities.
In the south, you can expect sunshine all year round. When the rain comes, it’s only ever for an hour.
Throughout the country, there are power cuts – some are planned and strategic, so you can move to a part of town where there is electricity. Others are created by the aforementioned storms. Before you scratch Vietnam out completely, we can assure you it is always fixed – pronto.
Noise Pollution
Each country has its own unique spirit – in Vietnam, the warm and welcoming people are a huge part of that spirit – and boy, do they like to party.
While this seems to be regulated in the cities, in the countryside it can get noisy at any hour of the day – with earth-shaking bass.
Just know that it’s only ever for a few hours (Vietnamese people are very hardworking… and need to go back to work) and lights out is always at 10.30 pm.
Visas
As of 2023, Vietnam’s 3-month visa is back up and running – slow-mad’s this is your call!
Vietnam is one of the few countries out there that offer 3-month travel visas for many countries.
Note: this is not a digital nomad visa. We haven’t heard of one being considered yet. For now, this is a nice option to get to know Vietnam more.
For others, there is a 45-day visa on arrival available.
What's the Wi-Fi in Vietnam Like?
Ah, the most important question!
The speed of the Wi-Fi in Vietnam has changed dramatically over the last few years.
No matter whether you’re in a cafe or coworking in Vietnam, the Wi-Fi is fast and strong. Most coworkings have imported Fiber Optic.
Just note, on public holidays, travel destinations will always have a dip in Wi-Fi because of the influx of people. It is also less common to find quality internet at your accommodation.
Here are some quick tips to get around this:
- Ask your accommodation for Wi-Fi speed tests before you arrive
- When selecting data packages – choose Viettel, the best and strongest provider
- As a rule, if there are 6 different Wi-Fi options for one floor – it’s a red flag!
As with most things in Southeast Asia, a little patience is required.
Having been a coworking in Vietnam for some time, the internet problems we have experienced rarely impact work schedules, and are always fixed quickly.
Coworking in Vietnam: Your Options Country-Wide
Coworking Spaces
Vietnam’s major cities – Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang have lots of coworking spots to check out.
For something a little more rural, our community-centered coworking in Hoi An is an experience you can’t miss out on 😉
In our opinion, you can draw a line in the sand between coworkings specifically for digital nomads in Vietnam and those that are actually startup offices.
We’re being honest here.
Getting to a coworking to find out your squatting in an office… and paying for it – sucks. Period. And not why you do what you do!
To save you some time, here’s a breakdown of our favorites in each city
Hanoi
Hanoi is one of two major working cities in Vietnam. So, it’s difficult to find coworking spaces in Hanoi that aren’t a startup office. Here’s our favorite:
eSpace Coworking
eSpace is a stone’s throw from Hoan Kiem Lake, which is central to all that you need to see in the city. Although we do recommend checking out the other districts – the old-time vibe of Hanoi has to be soaked in when you’re here!
The coworking is light, bright has great chairs, desks, and lightning-speed Wi-Fi – that’s all you need, right?
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City (affectionately known as Saigon) is a massive city. It’s easy to get lost in all the options here. But, we only go to one spot.
Hive
The Hive is a chain of workspaces spread across East Asia. Their main hub in Vietnam is in the designated expat area, Thao Dien. It’s been there for as long as we can remember.
This is where digital nomads in Vietnam go when in the city, and our top recommendation – you’ll meet people living there too.
Da Nang
This city is really on steroids in 2024. New coworking spaces are popping up all over the place. Of those, we’ve found two that hit the spot for us.
Coworking Da Nang
This coworking has a chill Da Nang-style vibe with a balance between focus deep working space and garden relaxation while still getting stuff done.
The coworking is centered around community and hosts regular social events to get to know folks. Most people that go here are longer-term residents of the city.
Ace Coworking
Ace has indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as a small selection of intimate events to help you connect with others.
The coworking has ergonomic chairs which we like. As with most new spots in Da Nang, the design is really on point.
Hoi An
A buzzing and beautiful ancient city that is top of anyone’s Vietnam to-do list, Hoi An has just one coworking – ours!
Hub Hoi An
Hub Hoi An was one of the first coworking spaces in Vietnam.
The new space has two glass air-con rooms and outdoor spaces for a more relaxed vibe. Why glass? So you don’t miss out on the 360-degree views of the rice fields – bliss!
The coworking is community-led, with events throughout the week that vary depending on who is passing through.
Coffee Shop Culture – Coworking "Vietnam Style"
Vietnam is one of the biggest coffee producers in the world, and with that comes one of the richest, and most diverse coffee cultures in the world – and we’ve traveled pretty far 🙂
Cafes range from small plastic chair-littered corners to urban concrete brassieres – the prices and coffee quality often match the aesthetic, but every now and then, you’ll meet a street-side connoisseur.
With that, comes an interesting niche – those who do cafe meetings and spend the afternoon coworking Vietnam-style – over a coffee! When catching up on remote work in Vietnam, it’s rude not to shake things up by working in new places with people who like to do the same.
If you only have a few hours to put in, try a local coworking Vietnam-style experience at our favorite spots across the country:
Hanoi
Hanoi Social Club
Set in a 1920s old French villa, Hanoi Social Club is spread across multiple floors. It’s super well-known for its food, and its well-earned spot on the city’s music scene. Because of the quiet corners on offer, it’s become a nomad hot spot too.
Infact Coffee Ba Trieu
Didn’t believe us that the coffee-coworking was a thing? Infact is exactly that. Here, you can expect a much more local experience, working alongside students and those taking their business meetings elsewhere.
Ho Chi Minh City
Bosgaurus Cafe
A fancy establishment tucked into one of the many high risers of Saigon, Bosgaurus is where the city’s entrepreneurs have their meetings. The coffee is amazing, the location affluent – and company promises to be a good networking opportunity.
L’Usine
This cafe and restaurant has been around for as long as we have – it’s the perfect brunch spot with the added bonus of not asking questions if you stay around for an extra 5 hours.
With good working tables, L’Usine has stable Wi-Fi, and amazing food, you can’t ask for much else for a cafe working spot.
Da Nang
Beans
Beans has two locations – one city side, and one beach side. It’s a local favorite that catches Da Nang’s bustling city vibe with open spaces and cool furnishings.
The cafe has multiple floors, each serving a different purpose – the casual coffee people, the coffee-meeting people, and the coworking area. You’ll find a nice mix of locals and nomads here.
Roots
A vegan hot spot just 2 minutes from the beach, Roots’ current location has a beautiful indoor, air-con area where you’ll see many nomads getting work done.
We haven’t personally checked it out, but word is the area upstairs is great for a longer working stint when you don’t feel like hitting up a coworking.
Hoi An
Inner Hoi An
This secret hideout is the perfect escape for a beautifully crafted drink in the old town. What’s more, the open-plan, glass air-con area, complete with all the sockets you could need, and speedy Wi-Fi makes Inner Hoi An a great afternoon work spot.
9 Grains
Always quiet, insanely affordable, and centrally located – we love 9 Grains for a quick work session!
They have an outdoor area that is surprisingly quiet, considering the location. The inside is not a vibe, but they do have comfortable seats, good Wi-Fi and food, perfect for working for a few hours. Just be warned they close at 4 pm
Experience Coworking in Vietnam For Yourself
With so many options for working and easy flight connections across the world, it’s easy to see why Vietnam is becoming the next digital nomad hot spot.
To get a taste of what’s good, why not start with our very own coworking in Vietnam, in the beautiful Hoi An?
Browse our membership options, find a package that suits you – and we’ll see you in the rice paddies 😉
