Remote Work
Digital Nomad in Vietnam: Remote Work Guide 2026
Vietnam is one of Southeast Asia's most established digital nomad destinations. The combination of low living costs, strong cafe culture, improving coworking infrastructure, and fast internet makes it genuinely workable for remote work. Da Nang in particular has built a real nomad community — coworking spaces, beach access, and a cost of living well below most Asian capitals.
The main limitation is the visa. Vietnam does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa. The 90-day e-visa ($25 USD) is the standard option — and border runs to Cambodia or Laos are the established workaround for extending beyond 90 days. The time zone (UTC+7) overlaps well with Australian and East Asian business hours, and works for European afternoon meetings.
Best Cities for Digital Nomads
Our Vietnam guide covers coworking spots, cafe recommendations, internet speeds, and monthly cost breakdowns for the key nomad cities.
Monthly Cost Comparison
Rough monthly budgets for a digital nomad — mid-range apartment, coworking or cafe Wi-Fi, eating out 4–5 times per week. Figures in USD at ₫25,000 = $1.
| City | Monthly Budget |
|---|---|
| Da Nang | $600–1,000 |
| Ho Chi Minh City | $800–1,600 |
| Da Lat | $400–720 |
| Hoi An | $600–1,100 |
| Hanoi | $700–1,200 |
Budget estimates based on 2026 conditions. Exchange rate used: ₫25,000 = $1 USD. Verify current rates at XE.com before planning.
Visa & Practicalities
e-Visa (90 days)
Most nationalities can apply online at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn — $25 USD, approved within 3–5 business days. The standard tourist e-visa grants 90 consecutive days with single or multiple entry options. There is no digital nomad visa — staying beyond 90 days requires exit and re-entry.
SIM Cards
Viettel has the best 4G coverage nationally, including highland areas (Ha Giang, Sapa). Mobifone is a solid alternative with good tourist area coverage. Buy at the airport or any operator shop with your passport. Tourist SIMs with 5–20GB data cost ₫100,000–200,000 ($4–8) for 30 days. eSIM options (Airalo, Holafly) are available at $10–20 USD.
Internet & Coworking
Cafe WiFi in cities typically runs 50–200 Mbps. Coworking spaces (100–500 Mbps with backup connections) are best in Da Nang (Toong, Enouvo, cWork) and HCMC (CirCO, Toong, Base). Day passes: ₫100,000–300,000 ($4–12). Monthly memberships: ₫2,000,000–5,000,000 ($80–200). Da Lat has no dedicated coworking — cafes fill the role.
Visa Reset Options
Cambodia (Phnom Penh or Siem Reap) is the most common reset from HCMC — bus from Mien Dong terminal, 6–8 hours, ~$10–15. Laos (Vientiane or Pakse) works well from Da Nang or central Vietnam. Both countries grant visa-on-arrival or e-visa to most Western nationalities. Consistency of re-entry after multiple consecutive border runs is at the immigration officer's discretion.
Ready to plan your move?