That is my digital nomad information to residing in Hanoi. Vietnam’s capital metropolis is a unbelievable location for distant employees to contemplate calling their dwelling base. It provides the proper mixture of devoted coworking areas, tradition, and social enjoyable; working remotely in Hanoi has many advantages and I’m glad to share them with you right here.
I just lately spent a month as a Hanoi digital nomad and beloved 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 individuals.
A well-liked vacationer vacation spot, Hanoi welcomes thousands and thousands of tourists annually. It’s sometimes called the ‘Paris of the East‘ as a result of French affect discovered woven all through the town. There are over a dozen lakes, many cute European-esque streets, and hundreds of French colonial-era buildings.
Many vital cultural points of interest add to Hanoi’s enchantment 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 only a few examples of the numerous nice methods to fill your free time.
Digital Nomad in Hanoi: Private Expertise
Residing in Hanoi as a digital nomad for a month was a enjoyable expertise. It gave me loads of time to discover the town, check out a number of completely different coworking spots, and discover somewhat additional afield.
The numerous digital nomad scene in Hanoi lends itself to many nice facilities that distant employees can reap the benefits of. Being a hub for tourism, English is sort of extensively understood if not at all times spoken, making for an easy day-to-day working life.
It’s refreshing to have entry to WiFi just about all over the place and I like the combination of tradition and the social atmosphere that Hanoi provides. The final price of residing additionally signifies that work/ life stability is simpler to achieve than in most different locations I’ve visited (extra on this later).
Is Hanoi Secure?
When contemplating a brand new vacation spot to name dwelling, security is probably going one of many first issues to assessment. I at all times felt very protected in Hanoi, even at evening and in some very chaotic and crowded areas. On the whole, it’s thought-about a protected place to go to with low crime charges throughout the board.
Like wherever, particularly in large cities, it’s advisable to take precautions with private belongings and to at all times concentrate on your environment. Making use of primary frequent sense when out and about ought to mitigate any security issues.
Guests needs to be conscious that the roads in Hanoi will be fairly loopy. Site visitors and freeway rules 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 Reside in Hanoi
Hanoi is split into 12 city districts with the varied 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 searching for the proper mix of historical past, tradition, and trendy facilities in Hanoi, look no additional than the Hoan Kiem District. The world additionally recognized by the moniker of ‘The Outdated Quarter’ has an attractive allure that pulls locals, vacationers, and digital nomads alike.
The maze-like streets, centuries-old temples, and bustling markets combine seamlessly with a collection of trendy 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 dwell.
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 Outdated Quarter. Ocean Park is a novel expertise, to say the least. Highrise condominium blocks, 3-storey townhouses, countless eating places, espresso retailers, and mini-marts are all constructed round an enormous man-made lake and seashore.
The white sandy seashore, the primary I’ve ever seen with a turnstile entry, is sort of spectacular and offers the entire space a tranquil vibe that you just received’t discover in central Hanoi. There are common buses to and from the town or a taxi/Seize prices round $4-$5. Residing right here you’ll definitely expertise a unique facet of Hanoi.
3. Ba Dinh
Transferring 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 somewhat of the town’s full of life ambiance, Ba Dinh provides a extra residential and peaceable setting.
In addition to some nice coworking spots and cafes, Ba Dinh is dwelling 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 take pleasure in in Ba Dinh.
4. Ho Tay (West Lake)
Ho Tay, often known as West Lake, is an space constructed round Hanoi’s largest lake. There are a lot of glorious bars and eating places lining the water’s edge that cater to Western tastes and provide a slice of ‘again dwelling’ for guests.
The scenic views of the water make it a really tranquil and calming atmosphere in comparison with the usually 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 academic hub of Hanoi. It’s an space crammed with youthful power, largely attributable to 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 pupil nature, Dong Da provides some very inexpensive 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 employees who search a cushty but economical way of life.
How you can Discover Lodging in Hanoi
Should you’re planning to spend a big period of time in Hanoi, it’s necessary to know the place to search for lodging and how you can maintain prices down. Listed below are a number of of the perfect locations to look, and a few my high suggestions for saving cash.
1. Home Sitting. Utilizing websites like Trusted Housesitters has been a sport changer in my life as a digital nomad. You may alleviate all lodging prices by signing up with a house-sitting platform and securing some superb sits in Hanoi. Take a look at my earlier article Prime 10 Should-Have Abilities For Being a Profitable Home Sitter for extra info.
2. Workaway. I’ve at all times had a smooth spot for Workaway, it’s how my nomadic life began a few years in the past. Should you can spare a number of hours every day to show some English, assist out at a hostel, or help at a doggy daycare, for instance, you could possibly 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 will be booked with out pre-payment. This can be a important useful resource when budgeting and planning long run. After 15 bookings you’ll obtain stage 3 Genius Membership standing which grants large reductions and quite a few different perks.
4. Airbnb. Lots of you’ll have used Airbnb earlier than so this one needs to be of no shock. However do you know many hosts provide big 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.
Value of Residing in Hanoi
As large metropolitan cities go, many guests will discover the price of residing in Hanoi may be very agreeable. Right here’s a breakdown of some day-to-day monetary concerns.
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 out there costing as little as $2-$3pp. Even a 3-course meal in a high-end restaurant received’t break the financial institution at $10-$15pp.
I’ve at all times been within the behavior of cooking meals at dwelling, and it’s refreshing to see costs for issues like bread, rice, rooster, eggs, and most vegatables and fruits 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 typically for guests is the low price of lodging. Whether or not you’re planning an extended 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 an area letting agent. Central residences will be secured in and across the metropolis for wherever between $215 and $350 per thirty days. All utilities together with WiFi are available in below $100/month on common.
My month in Hanoi was booked utilizing Airbnb and it price $550, for a one-bedroom trendy condominium, with a gymnasium, entry to the seashore and a pool, and tons of native facilities. There are nice financial savings available while 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 will 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 provides protected, dependable, and tracked rides with the value proven beforehand. Quick rides price me round $1 and even my 30-minute trek into the town heart was below $6.
SIM Playing cards and Knowledge
I might 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 knowledge when out and about.
There are quite a few large telecommunications firms in Vietnam. Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobiphone are three of the largest. All provide vacationers SIMs with loads of knowledge – costs begin at round $5-$6 a month.
Head to an official outlet, there are many them in Hanoi and the employees are at all times fairly adept at establishing non-Vietnamese talking guests with SIM playing cards there after which. Be sure you convey some type of identification with you resembling your passport.
Cash Saving Ideas for Hanoi
Listed below are a number 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 a whole lot of rain however the common temperature stays very excessive.
- Keep some time. There are large reductions for month-long stays when reserving with Airbnb. Don’t be afraid to ask for a reduction too, most hosts will seemingly take into account it for a assured long-term reserving,
- Store native. Hanoi has many avenue markets that supply nice offers on every thing 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.
- Comfortable hour. As a significant vacationer hub with a whole lot of Western guests, many nice glad hours make the already fairly low-cost drinks even cheaper.
- Get pleasure from free points of interest. All of Hanoi’s lakes and pure magnificence in addition to the marvel of the Outdated 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 provided a free trial of the Limitless membership which provides much more financial savings to rides and meals deliveries.
Coworking Areas in Hanoi and WiFi Pace
There are a number of nice coworking areas for digital nomads to make the most of whereas in Hanoi. I discovered the costs to be very inexpensive and the amenities have been greater than satisfactory for my wants.
Listed below are a number of of my favourite locations to contemplate 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 incredible 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 spending a dime tea and low made eSpace one among my favourite working areas in Vietnam. Sizzling-desking costs begin at simply $80/month for twenty-four/7 utilization so it’s very inexpensive 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 positioned for a lot of points of interest in Hanoi.
A day move will set you again round $6 or 3-day entry is on the market for $9. Ever necessary espresso is included and welcoming employees are at all times readily available must you want any help. General, this can be a very snug and inexpensive base for getting a day’s work executed.
3. The Studying Hub
One other easy-to-use, inexpensive, and environment friendly coworking house is The Studying Hub. It’s not the largest house, however has sufficient room for 25-30 individuals to work comfortably and I by no means noticed it utterly full. It’s a cute setup that feels fairly homely and welcoming.
Costs begin at round $5/day and The Studying Hub employees are open to negotiating costs for longer stays must you want to prolong your time there. It’s an incredible choice for an informal 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 low 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. Incredible murals, distinctive art work, and artifacts plus some fascinating seating ideas ought to definitely get the inventive juices flowing. There’s additionally nice espresso and pleasant employees.
- Blackbird Espresso: A extra refined and polished working atmosphere that pulls a daily variety of distant employees. Blackbird Espresso is a really inviting however small cafe set over two flooring that has a delicate move of consumers and a heat and welcoming vibe.
- Highlands @ Ocean Park: A wild card but it surely’s the place I primarily based myself quite a few instances. 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 the town heart and provides distinctive views and a relaxed setting in Hanoi.
Actions and Issues To Do in Hanoi
I definitely didn’t turn out to be a digital nomad to simply sit in entrance of a laptop computer all day. Hanoi is likely 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 Road
Should you’ve ever Instagrammed Hanoi, likelihood is you’re conscious of Practice Road. It’s a loopy and distinctive expertise that I extremely advocate. Many small cafes and bars line a skinny however very lengthy avenue by means of which the massive Ho Chi Minh Metropolis-bound practice runs each few hours.
The huge sleeper trains, which take over 33 hours to achieve their vacation spot move by at full velocity a few foot from the place you sit. If you wish to get the total expertise I’d advocate 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 at all times needed to go to iconic Ha Lengthy Bay and I’m so happy I opted for an in a single day keep relatively than only a day journey. It’s about 3 hours from the Outdated Quarter and my journey included decide 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 is usually a tough process. So what higher technique to view all of it than by Soviet-era military jeep? With my military helmet on, this was a enjoyable and funky technique to traverse the town and included all the fundamental points of interest that I’d hoped to see.
Choose 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 a good way to tick off every thing there may be to see in Hanoi. Click on right here to be taught extra.
4. Discover the Outdated Quarter
The Outdated Quarter covers numerous sq. footage so placed on some cozy footwear and get exploring. Get pleasure from 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 somewhat misplaced, the streets at all times appear to resolve themselves! Pub Road is a superb spot to choose 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 is usually a little loopy, however Vietnam has among 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, historic cities, unbelievable caves, conventional villages, and breathtaking surroundings.
It’s an exquisite expertise to sail after which cycle by means of among the most lovely locations I’ve ever seen. It appears like a world away from the town heart. There are a few glorious day journeys from Hanoi however I extremely advocate 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 intervals 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. In the course of the winter, from December to February, cooler temperatures and dry climate make Hanoi a way more snug place.
The perfect 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 intervals, the climate is delicate and nice, with clear skies and comfy temperatures.
Professionals and Cons of Residing in Hanoi
There are many positives about being a digital nomad in Hanoi however, as with wherever on the earth, there are additionally a number of negatives to concentrate on. Listed below are my high execs and cons to contemplate:
Professionals of Residing 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.
- Value 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 employees; there are lots of nice coworking choices to reap the benefits of.
- Cultural experiences. Plenty 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 Residing in Hanoi
- The wet season. In the course of the wet season (Might to Septemeber) heavy downpours and even typhoons can have an effect on day by day life in Hanoi. This time of 12 months additionally brings very excessive temperatures and excessive humidity.
- Chaotic visitors. One way or the other the roads simply appear to work in Hanoi, however heavy visitors and sometimes chaotic highway programs are fairly commonplace.
- Communication barrier. Though an increasing number of Vietnamese individuals 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, resembling utilizing chopsticks for meals and attentive service with employees standing close by as you determine 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 circumstances and permitted lengths of keep rely in your nationality.
For example, UK residents take pleasure in visa-free entry to Vietnam for as much as 45 days and might 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 get hold of a vacationer visa, which they’ll apply for on-line or at worldwide entry factors. Vacationer visas sometimes vary from 1 to three months and price between $25 and $50, relying on the period of keep and the variety of entries required.
In Conclusion
Hanoi is for sure one of many world’s nice cities. I shortly understood why so many guests flock there yearly. I beloved my time working remotely from Vietnam’s capital and would return in a heartbeat.
With so many coworking choices and amenities out there to digital nomads, plus the additional benefit of an incredible cultural and social scene, it ticks all of the bins as a distant working location. Get pleasure from your time in Hanoi!