Have you ever wondered what it feels like to work on the beautiful beaches in Da Nang or Nha Trang? Or in the artsy cafes of robust Saigon and Hanoi? You will never feel bored, because the start of every day will be completely new. The monotony of working from nine to five will be broken, and replaced with a fresher experience. There is a balance between work and life, and even more inspiring trips await. Try being a nomad in Vietnam.
Briefly about Working in Vietnam
In 2016, a survey conducted by Business Insider showed that Vietnam was among the 20 most attractive countries in the world for working, based on various criteria (such as economy, environment, and living conditions), on par with developed countries such as Japan and Belgium. The reason why Vietnam has become an ideal working and living destination for nomads is that the country is blessed with beautiful sceneries, extravagant food and excellent services for such affordable prices, from transportation to entertainment. In fact, 87% of expats in Vietnam truly enjoy local food every day.
Now, let us go through the seven most significant features that will convince you to move to Vietnam.
#1 – The Food
There is no doubt that the food here is darn good. Food Network recently published an article praising Vietnamese Cuisine for its fresh, delightful, and nutritional characteristics. It also mentions that Vietnamese cuisine is an exemplary diet to properly nourish your body with perfect proportions of each ingredient in every dish. The Vietnamese diet usually does not have just meat and carbs, the vegetables also play a big role. There is also less dairy and high-calorie additives. The food is clean, simple, and good for you.
Have a look at the most attractive dish in Vietnam that has made expats and travelers alike go nuts recently, pho. This simple noodle soup dish has gone overseas and established a solid position in the top of the culinary world. The combination of the ingredients and spices harmonized in a sophisticated preparation process produces a warm bowl of noodles that will melt your heart and hunger away.
#2 – The Unique and Convenient Xe Om
Xe Om = Motorbike Taxi.
For those who have not yet heard the term before, xe om is a casual word in Vietnamese to refer to motorbike taxi, a convenient privately-hired transportation. Since the motorcycle is the major transportation and the symbol of Vietnamese traffic, “xe om” is literally available on every corner. It is also the cheap and more interesting way for nomads to get from place to place when traveling around.
Motorbikes can be seen all over Vietnam, from the North to the South, from the mountains to metropolitan areas. Joining the busy flow of traffic in the street or taking a deep breath of the fresh highland air from the back of a bike will both be an extremely thrilling experience that you can only find in Vietnam. You can also check out our Onetrip Adventures for memorable trips when nomading in Vietnam.
#3 – The Super Affordable Cost
Vietnam has a low cost of living, relatively several times lower for those moving from developed countries. Research shows that 93% of expats living and working in Vietnam have enough or more money than they need to cover their expenses, and many of them also said that they can live happily here for just around 1,000 to 2,000 USD per month.
Compared to the average cost of living in the USA, you need roughly 45% of your expenses to live happily here.
If you really want to break down prices, take a look:
| Accommodation rental | 397.63 USD |
| Water & power supply | 56.76 USD |
| Public transportation | 6.60 USD |
| Price for a cup of (surprisingly good) coffee | 1.66 USD |
| Price for a local beer | 0.88 USD |
| Price of a local meal | 2 USD |
#4 – The Ideal City Life
Anyone who has visited the fastest developing city of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, has admitted that it’s addicting. The atmosphere in this city is full of hustle and bustle, there is something new to do every night and there are countless international inhabitants that breathe new life into the charming old buildings. In Saigon, after school or work, rarely will people go straight home to rest, but instead, they hang out for a while. Same goes for the weekends, nobody stays home all day, people will flock to the streets, through the alleys, exploring those new food and drink venues hidden in the many mysterious corners.
In the big cities of Vietnam, there is a similar mindset to that in Ho Chi Minh City, you don’t actually have to travel far to find anything that you desire, everything is less than a ten-minute ride on the bike. These cities, like Hanoi, Da Nang, and Nha Trang, are filled with restaurants, shopping malls, and convenience stores. And not to mention the absurd amount of coffee shops everywhere. These places are working paradises, where you can sit back, enjoy the atmosphere, the interiors, the food and the drink while doing your thing and earning money. There are also a lot of co-working places for organized meetings with your fellow business partners.
Check out these articles about cafes and co-working places in Vietnam and you will get a better idea:
The Best Cafes in Saigon for Digital Nomads to Get Some Work Done
The Best Eco-Friendly Coffee Tours in Da Lat
Co-Working Spaces in Ho Chi Minh City for the Digital Nomads
#5 – The Communication Services
Communication services are well established in Vietnam, even in rural areas. But the connections in big cities are always a bit more stable, and surely more than enough than you need for working and entertainment purposes. 50 Mbits unlimited internet for corporate users costs around 40 USD per month, and a personal mobile package from major providers with unlimited calls and SMS is no more than 5 USD on a monthly basis. Furthermore, “Smart” 4.0 metropolitan areas are being established, providing seamless experiences in every aspect of work and life, based on excellent communication services.
This article will explain more about mobile providers in Vietnam.
#6 – The Out-of-this-World Weekend Getaways
Vietnam is a country with unbeatable natural sceneries, from the lush rice terraces in Sapa to the pristine beaches of Phu Quoc, attracting millions of both domestic and international travelers each year. To be honest, it is possible to go on vacation in Vietnam every weekend.
Imagine after a whole week of intensive work, for just less than a two-hour drive from any city, you will be sitting relaxed, swinging on a hammock, enjoying fresh chilled coconut, and the sea breeze with golden sand covering your happy toes. Or if you need a calm atmosphere to do extra weekend work productively, there are nearby mountainous towns that will do the trick.
Here are some suggestions for some unique weekend destinations from the North to the South:
Sapa
Come to Sapa and you will be immersed in a mysterious nature. The infamous, romantic terraced fields, mountain ranches, hidden ethnic villages, and the perfect temperate climate calm your soul. But don’t come here for the wifi, come here to stay in a peaceful homestay with a dinner of local specialties.
Ha Long Bay
Situated on the West Bank of the Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay is known for its mythology and grand sceneries. A series of unpopulated islands, floating villages, hidden beaches, and mysterious limestone caves will keep you active for at least a day.
Hoi An
Hoi An is just 45 minutes from one of the most rapid growing cities of Vietnam, Da Nang. This old town is just as rustic and charming, and makes for an excellent weekend escape. Whether it’s day or night, the ancient city is always blessed with an unmatched beauty and a gastronomic mecca that cannot be found in any other place in Vietnam. Do not forget to spend some time in the cafes!
Nha Trang
The city of Nha Trang itself is a whole resort complex surrounded by a series of hills and featuring a silky crescent-shaped beach with a countless number of tropical islands offshore. Together with impressive hospitality infrastructure, Nha Trang should always be on the bucket list of weekend vacations if you are stationed in the south of Vietnam.
#7 – Heartwarming Social Support and Best-Valued Healthcare System
Expats are extremely well-supported in the employment market of Vietnam with lucrative income, every company should ensure basic social securities. If you are working on your own and want to stay in Vietnam for a long period, applying for a prolonged visa is also relatively easy. The public healthcare is efficient enough for common sickness and some emergency cases. If you do not mind paying extra, private international hospitals in Vietnam provide the best services for an affordable price!
Being a nomad in Vietnam is on the rise. A journey to the country will inspire you a lot, with its unique cities, nature, and people. To discover more and more interesting features of the cities in Vietnam, check our Christina’s Blog for weekly updates, including traveling tips and tricks, new destinations and delicious dishes!
Here are some articles that will help you to settle down in Vietnam:
Vietnam’s Top Three Cities for Digital Nomads
The Ultimate List of Things to Know When Traveling to Vietnam
Why We Love Vietnam from the Christina’s Editorial Team
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