That is my digital nomad information to residing in Hanoi. Vietnam’s capital metropolis is a improbable location for distant staff to think about calling their residence base. It gives the right mixture of devoted coworking areas, tradition, and social enjoyable; working remotely in Hanoi has many advantages and I’m completely satisfied to share them with you right here.
I lately spent a month as a Hanoi digital nomad and liked my time there. There’s a pulsating beat to this capital metropolis that makes it an enthralling and motivating place to work from. There are many patches of tranquility too, and in my digital nomad information to Hanoi, I’ll define all of it.
About Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital and second most populous metropolis behind Ho Chi Minh Metropolis. Located within the north of the nation it has a inhabitants of slightly below 8.5 million folks.
A well-liked vacationer vacation spot, Hanoi welcomes tens of millions of holiday makers annually. It’s sometimes called the ‘Paris of the East‘ as a result of French affect discovered woven all through town. There are over a dozen lakes, many cute European-esque streets, and hundreds of French colonial-era buildings.
Many important cultural points of interest add to Hanoi’s attraction as a must-visit vacation spot. The Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace, and the Grand Opera Home, in addition to 9 glorious museums, are just some examples of the numerous nice methods to fill your free time.
Digital Nomad in Hanoi: Private Expertise
Dwelling in Hanoi as a digital nomad for a month was a enjoyable expertise. It gave me loads of time to discover town, check out a couple of completely different coworking spots, and discover a little bit additional afield.
The numerous digital nomad scene in Hanoi lends itself to many nice facilities that distant staff can make the most of. Being a hub for tourism, English is kind of broadly understood if not all the time spoken, making for a simple day-to-day working life.
It’s refreshing to have entry to WiFi just about in all places and I like the combo of tradition and the social atmosphere that Hanoi gives. The overall price of residing additionally signifies that a great work/ life steadiness is simpler to realize than in most different locations I’ve visited (extra on this later).
Is Hanoi Secure?
When contemplating a brand new vacation spot to name residence, security is probably going one of many first issues to evaluation. I all the time felt very protected in Hanoi, even at night time and in some very chaotic and crowded areas. Basically, it’s thought of a protected place to go to with low crime charges throughout the board.
Like wherever, particularly in massive cities, it’s advisable to take precautions with private belongings and to all the time pay attention to your environment. Making use of primary widespread sense when out and about ought to mitigate any security considerations.
Guests must be conscious that the roads in Hanoi may be fairly loopy. Visitors and freeway laws are seemingly left as much as interpretation. Be very cautious when crossing roads, even when the pedestrian inexperienced gentle is on – this counts for little or no in Vietnam!
Finest Areas to Dwell in Hanoi
Hanoi is split into 12 city districts with the assorted neighborhoods providing completely different levels of consolation, comfort, and coworking alternatives. Listed below are my high 5 areas to base your self as a digital nomad residing in Hanoi.
1. Hoan Kiem District
Should you’re a digital nomad in search of the right mix of historical past, tradition, and fashionable facilities in Hanoi, look no additional than the Hoan Kiem District. The world additionally recognized by the moniker of ‘The Previous Quarter’ has an attractive appeal that pulls locals, vacationers, and digital nomads alike.
The maze-like streets, centuries-old temples, and bustling markets combine seamlessly with a number of fashionable amenities and locations to base your self for a day of distant work. The Hoan Kiem District is the beating coronary heart of Hanoi and an thrilling if considerably chaotic place to stay.
2. Oceanpark – Gia Lam
9 miles east of central Hanoi is a contemporary resort-style growth that feels very far faraway from the bustling streets of the Previous Quarter. Ocean Park is a novel expertise, to say the least. Highrise condo blocks, 3-storey townhouses, limitless eating places, espresso retailers, and mini-marts are all constructed round an enormous man-made lake and seaside.
The white sandy seaside, the primary I’ve ever seen with a turnstile entry, is kind of spectacular and provides the entire space a tranquil vibe that you just gained’t discover in central Hanoi. There are common buses to and from town or a taxi/Seize prices round $4-$5. Dwelling right here you’ll definitely expertise a unique facet of Hanoi.
3. Ba Dinh
Shifting again to a extra central location, the Ba Dinh District is the place to see glorious examples of French colonial structure and leafy tree-lined streets. Though it maintains a little bit of town’s full of life ambiance, Ba Dinh gives a extra residential and peaceable setting.
In addition to some nice coworking spots and cafes, Ba Dinh is residence to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and the Hanoi Botanical Gardens. With the massive Ho Tay Lake on the District’s northern edge, there may be additionally loads of pure magnificence to get pleasure from in Ba Dinh.
4. Ho Tay (West Lake)
Ho Tay, also called West Lake, is an space constructed round Hanoi’s largest lake. There are lots of glorious bars and eating places lining the water’s edge that cater to Western tastes and provide a slice of ‘again residence’ for guests.
The scenic views of the water make it a really tranquil and calming atmosphere in comparison with the customarily busy streets of Hanoi. Quite a few outside gyms, playgrounds, and fishing decks are to be discovered on the shores of the lake. A well-liked ex-pat spot, Ho Tay is superb for assembly like-minded vacationers and fellow digital nomads.
5. Dong Da
The Dong Da District is taken into account the tutorial hub of Hanoi. It’s an space stuffed with youthful vitality, largely as a consequence of it being the house of quite a few universities and academic establishments. This vibe is additional enhanced by a wholesome variety of cafes, bookstores, and cultural websites.
Given its scholar nature, Dong Da gives some very reasonably priced residing choices. Hire costs and the price of residing are usually decrease than in central districts. It’s an space that may be very interesting to budget-conscious distant staff who search a cushty but economical way of life.
Find out how to Discover Lodging in Hanoi
Should you’re planning to spend a major period of time in Hanoi, it’s essential to know the place to search for lodging and methods to maintain prices down. Listed below are a couple of of one of the best locations to look, and a few my high suggestions for saving cash.
1. Home Sitting. Utilizing websites like Trusted Housesitters has been a recreation changer in my life as a digital nomad. You possibly can alleviate all lodging prices by signing up with a house-sitting platform and securing some superb sits in Hanoi. Try my earlier article High 10 Should-Have Abilities For Being a Profitable Home Sitter for extra info.
2. Workaway. I’ve all the time had a gentle spot for Workaway, it’s how my nomadic life began a few years in the past. Should you can spare a couple of hours every day to show some English, assist out at a hostel, or assist at a doggy daycare, for instance, you might be able to land free lodging and meals on your keep in Hanoi.
3. Reserving.com. I like Reserving.com just because most of their listings include free cancellation and may be booked with out pre-payment. It is a very important useful resource when budgeting and planning long run. After 15 bookings you’ll obtain stage 3 Genius Membership standing which grants massive reductions and quite a few different perks.
4. Airbnb. A lot of you’ll have used Airbnb earlier than so this one must be of no shock. However do you know many hosts provide large reductions on month-long stays? I’ve seen reductions as excessive as 40-50%! Additionally, by no means be afraid to ask a bunch for some low cost should you’re planning to remain some time, if the dates are free likelihood is they’ll be open to a deal.
Price of Dwelling in Hanoi
As massive metropolitan cities go, many guests will discover the price of residing in Hanoi could be very agreeable. Right here’s a breakdown of some day-to-day monetary issues.
Eating places and Groceries
Eating out and searching for groceries is an space the place guests from locations just like the US, the UK, and Australia will see some main financial savings. There are many avenue meals and conventional Vietnamese choices accessible costing as little as $2-$3pp. Even a 3-course meal in a high-end restaurant gained’t break the financial institution at $10-$15pp.
I’ve all the time been within the behavior of cooking meals at residence, and it’s refreshing to see costs for issues like bread, rice, rooster, eggs, and most fruit and veggies at round 40-50% cheaper than again within the UK. Throughout the board, grocery costs are persistently and considerably cheaper in Hanoi.
Lodging Prices
A significant pull for Hanoi and Vietnam on the whole for guests is the low price of lodging. Whether or not you’re planning a protracted Airbnb keep, or intend to hop round completely different resort rooms, many nice low-priced choices preserve a stage of high quality and nice customer support.
Should you’re planning to remain in Hanoi on a long-term foundation, take into account chatting with a neighborhood letting agent. Central flats may be secured in and across the metropolis for wherever between $215 and $350 per thirty days. All utilities together with WiFi are available underneath $100/month on common.
My month in Hanoi was booked utilizing Airbnb and it price $550, for a one-bedroom fashionable condo, with a gymnasium, entry to the seaside and a pool, and tons of native facilities. There are nice financial savings available whenever you guide for precisely 4 weeks or extra.
Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Discovering bus schedules or buses that keep on with them is a process unto itself in Hanoi, however common public transport choices connecting the entire metropolis do exist and may be discovered with tickets costing as little as $0.30.
Seize is available and is a helpful app to obtain earlier than your journey. The South Asian equal to Uber gives protected, dependable, and tracked rides with the worth proven beforehand. Quick rides price me round $1 and even my 30-minute trek into town middle was underneath $6.
SIM Playing cards and Knowledge
I’d strongly advise choosing up a Vietnamese SIM card while in Hanoi. Though WiFi is available in most locations, it simply makes issues a lot simpler should you can merely join by way of your information when out and about.
There are quite a few massive telecommunications firms in Vietnam. Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobiphone are three of the largest. All provide vacationers SIMs with loads of information – costs begin at round $5-$6 a month.
Head to an official outlet, there are many them in Hanoi and the workers are all the time fairly adept at organising non-Vietnamese talking guests with SIM playing cards there after which. Be sure you deliver some type of identification with you corresponding to your passport.
Cash Saving Ideas for Hanoi
Listed below are a couple of of my high money-saving suggestions for Hanoi.
- Eat native. Conventional avenue meals distributors provide scrumptious meals for as little as $2pp.
- Keep in the course of the wet season. Lodging costs are recognized to be considerably decrease in the course of the wet season (Might to September). There’s plenty of rain however the common temperature stays very excessive.
- Keep some time. There are massive reductions for month-long stays when reserving with Airbnb. Don’t be afraid to ask for a reduction too, most hosts will doubtless take into account it for a assured long-term reserving,
- Store native. Hanoi has many avenue markets that provide nice offers on every part from clothes to groceries.
- Haggle. The Vietnamese famously like to haggle, particularly within the market, so don’t draw back from getting into right into a negotiation.
- Completely satisfied hour. As a serious vacationer hub with plenty of Western guests, many nice completely satisfied hours make the already fairly low-cost drinks even cheaper.
- Take pleasure in free points of interest. All of Hanoi’s lakes and pure magnificence in addition to the surprise of the Previous Quarter are free to discover. Different points of interest just like the Ho Chi Min Mausoleum complicated and the St. Joseph Cathedral are additionally free to enter.
- Seize Limitless. New customers of Seize are often supplied a free trial of the Limitless membership which provides much more financial savings to rides and meals deliveries.
Coworking Areas in Hanoi and WiFi Velocity
There are a couple of nice coworking areas for digital nomads to make the most of whereas in Hanoi. I discovered the costs to be very reasonably priced and the amenities have been greater than ample for my wants.
Listed below are a couple of of my favourite locations to think about basing your self for a brief (or lengthy) spell in Hanoi:
1. eSpace Coworking
Should you’re on the lookout for a modern {and professional} setup then head to eSpace. It has a contemporary vibe and an awesome ambiance that lends itself to a constructive office.
Quite a lot of snug seating choices and workspaces, glorious WiFi, and entry to a pantry without cost tea and occasional made eSpace one in every of my favourite working areas in Vietnam. Sizzling-desking costs begin at simply $80/month for twenty-four/7 utilization so it’s very reasonably priced too.
2. Toon Trang Thi
If it’s extra of a day-to-day working atmosphere you might be after, take into account Toon Trang Thi. It’s a cool coworking atmosphere in-built a formidable and historic French villa. It’s additionally ideally situated for a lot of points of interest in Hanoi.
A day move will set you again round $6 or 3-day entry is accessible for $9. Ever essential espresso is included and welcoming workers are all the time readily available must you want any help. General, it is a very snug and reasonably priced base for getting a day’s work accomplished.
3. The Studying Hub
One other easy-to-use, reasonably priced, and environment friendly coworking house is The Studying Hub. It’s not the largest house, however has sufficient room for 25-30 folks to work comfortably and I by no means noticed it fully full. It’s a cute setup that feels fairly homely and welcoming.
Costs begin at round $5/day and The Studying Hub workers are open to negotiating costs for longer stays must you want to prolong your time there. It’s an awesome choice for an off-the-cuff morning of labor with free tea, espresso, and water included.
Finest Cafes to Work From in Hanoi
There’s an enormous cafe tradition scene in Hanoi, and occasional is an enormous deal throughout Vietnam. Unsurprisingly, there are some nice laptop computer-friendly cafes to situate your self for distant work. Listed below are a few of my high picks:
- Hidden Gem Cafe: That is one very cool cafe. Implausible murals, distinctive art work, and artifacts plus some attention-grabbing seating ideas ought to definitely get the artistic juices flowing. There’s additionally nice espresso and pleasant workers.
- Blackbird Espresso: A extra refined and polished working atmosphere that pulls a daily variety of distant staff. Blackbird Espresso is a really inviting however small cafe set over two flooring that has a delicate movement of consumers and a heat and welcoming vibe.
- Highlands @ Ocean Park: A wild card nevertheless it’s the place I primarily based myself quite a few occasions. Across the lovely man-made lake, tranquil turquoise lagoon, and white sandy seashores of Ocean Park are a few glorious Highlands Espresso retailers. It solely prices round $5 or $6 for a taxi from town middle and gives distinctive views and a peaceful setting in Hanoi.
Actions and Issues To Do in Hanoi
I definitely didn’t change into a digital nomad to only sit in entrance of a laptop computer all day. Hanoi is without doubt one of the nice cities to discover and there are a ton of cool actions and issues to do when the working day is thru.
1. Go to Practice Avenue
Should you’ve ever Instagrammed Hanoi, likelihood is you’re conscious of Practice Avenue. It’s a loopy and distinctive expertise that I extremely suggest. Many small cafes and bars line a skinny however very lengthy avenue by means of which the massive Ho Chi Minh Metropolis-bound prepare runs each few hours.
The large sleeper trains, which take over 33 hours to succeed in their vacation spot move by at full pace a couple of foot from the place you sit. If you wish to get the total expertise I’d suggest tying it in with a meals tour, click on right here for extra info.
2. Cruise and Keep In a single day in Ha Lengthy Bay
This journey exceeded my expectations. I had all the time wished to go to iconic Ha Lengthy Bay and I’m so happy I opted for an in a single day keep moderately than only a day journey. It’s about 3 hours from the Previous Quarter and my journey included choose up and drop off in a cushty coach.
The ship and cabin have been luxurious and the quantity of meals and occasions included was spectacular, to say the least. Cruising round Ha Lengthy Bay at sundown with a glass of wine is an expertise I’ll always remember. Click on right here to see the journey I booked.
3. Sightseeing Metropolis Tour
Hanoi is an enormous metropolis and getting round to see all of the sights could be a tough process. So what higher solution to view all of it than by Soviet-era military jeep? With my military helmet on, this was a enjoyable and funky solution to traverse town and included the entire fundamental points of interest that I’d hoped to see.
Decide up and drop off have been included, as have been lunch and drinks at a rooftop bar. It was a half day of exploring with a really educated information. It’s an effective way to tick off every part there may be to see in Hanoi. Click on right here to be taught extra.
4. Discover the Previous Quarter
The Previous Quarter covers numerous sq. footage so placed on some comfortable footwear and get exploring. Take pleasure in being immersed in a few of Hanoi’s oldest and most chaotic streets.
There are such a lot of avenue meals stalls, cool bars, cafes, eating places, and markets to find. Reduce by means of the completely different alleys and don’t panic about getting a little bit misplaced, the streets all the time appear to resolve themselves! Pub Avenue is a good spot to select a bar that appears good and other people look ahead to hours.
5. Discover Tam Coc and the Hoa Lu & Mua Caves
Life in Hanoi could be a little loopy, however Vietnam has a number of the most unbelievable and tranquil countryside on the earth. Take a day journey from Hanoi to Tam Coc and uncover one other world of beautiful waterways, historical cities, unbelievable caves, conventional villages, and breathtaking surroundings.
It’s an exquisite expertise to sail after which cycle by means of a number of the most lovely locations I’ve ever seen. It looks like a world away from town middle. There are a few glorious day journeys from Hanoi however I extremely suggest the one I booked – click on right here to be taught extra.
Climate in Hanoi
Hanoi experiences a definite four-season local weather, with sizzling and humid summers, cool and dry winters, and transitional durations of spring and autumn.
Summer season, from Might to September, has very excessive temperatures that may usually be overbearing, and frequent heavy rainfall makes it a much less favorable time to go to as a result of warmth and humidity. Through the winter, from December to February, cooler temperatures and dry climate make Hanoi a way more snug place.
The very best time to go to Hanoi is in the course of the transitional seasons of spring (March to April) and autumn (October to November). Throughout these durations, the climate is gentle and nice, with clear skies and comfy temperatures.
Professionals and Cons of Dwelling in Hanoi
There are many positives about being a digital nomad in Hanoi however, as with wherever on the earth, there are additionally a couple of negatives to pay attention to. Listed below are my high professionals and cons to think about:
Professionals of Dwelling in Hanoi
- Nice local weather. Should you’re not a fan of the chilly, Hanoi maintains nice common temperatures even in the course of the winter.
- Price of residing. Most guests to Hanoi will discover the price of residing considerably decrease than in their very own international locations.
- Coworking amenities. Hanoi is a hub for digital nomads and distant staff; there are numerous nice coworking choices to make the most of.
- Cultural experiences. A number of cultural points of interest and spectacular day journeys can be found for guests to simply expertise.
- Culinary delights. From avenue meals stalls promoting conventional Vietnamese delicacies to high-end worldwide eating places, Hanoi has all of it.
- Bustling atmosphere. Hanoi is a large metropolitan metropolis, and as such, has a vibrant and electrical ambiance that many will discover motivating and endearing.
- Nice social scene. There are such a lot of nice bars and cafes throughout Hanoi, catering to locals and Westerners alike.
Cons of Dwelling in Hanoi
- The wet season. Through the wet season (Might to Septemeber) heavy downpours and even typhoons can have an effect on each day life in Hanoi. This time of yr additionally brings very excessive temperatures and excessive humidity.
- Chaotic site visitors. Someway the roads simply appear to work in Hanoi, however heavy site visitors and sometimes chaotic highway methods are fairly commonplace.
- Communication barrier. Though an increasing number of Vietnamese folks communicate and perceive English there’ll usually be communication points to beat when conversing with locals.
- Cultural variations. Guests to Hanoi will expertise cultural variations, corresponding to utilizing chopsticks for meals and attentive service with workers standing close by as you resolve what to eat, to call a pair.
Digital Nomad Visa for Hanoi
Vietnam doesn’t at the moment provide a devoted digital nomad visa. Entry situations and permitted lengths of keep rely in your nationality.
As an illustration, UK residents get pleasure from visa-free entry to Vietnam for as much as 45 days and may prolong their keep for as much as 90 days by making use of on-line earlier than arrival or at designated entry factors. This coverage applies to residents of 12 different international locations as properly.
In the meantime, residents of the USA and Canada should acquire a vacationer visa, which they will apply for on-line or at worldwide entry factors. Vacationer visas usually vary from 1 to three months and value between $25 and $50, relying on the period of keep and the variety of entries required.
In Conclusion
Hanoi is undoubtedly one of many world’s nice cities. I rapidly understood why so many guests flock there yearly. I liked my time working remotely from Vietnam’s capital and would return in a heartbeat.
With so many coworking choices and amenities accessible to digital nomads, plus the additional advantage of an awesome cultural and social scene, it ticks all of the packing containers as a distant working location. Take pleasure in your time in Hanoi!