That is my digital nomad information to residing in Hanoi. Vietnam’s capital metropolis is a incredible location for distant employees to contemplate calling their residence base. It provides the right mixture of devoted coworking areas, tradition, and social enjoyable; working remotely in Hanoi has many advantages and I’m blissful to share them with you right here.
I just lately spent a month as a Hanoi digital nomad and cherished 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.
SEE ALSO: 10 Finest Locations in Vietnam for Digital Nomads
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 thousands and thousands of holiday makers annually. It’s also known as the ‘Paris of the East‘ because of the 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 vital cultural sights 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 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 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 in every single place and I like the combination of tradition and the social setting that Hanoi provides. The final price of residing additionally signifies that a great work/ life steadiness is simpler to achieve than in most different locations I’ve visited (extra on this later).
Is Hanoi Protected?
When contemplating a brand new vacation spot to name residence, security is probably going one of many first issues to assessment. I at all times felt very secure in Hanoi, even at evening and in some very chaotic and crowded areas. Generally, it’s thought-about a secure place to go to with low crime charges throughout the board.
Like wherever, particularly in huge cities, it’s advisable to take precautions with private belongings and to at all times pay attention to your environment. Making use of fundamental widespread sense when out and about ought to mitigate any security considerations.
Guests needs to be conscious that the roads in Hanoi will be fairly loopy. Site visitors and freeway laws are seemingly left as much as interpretation. Be very cautious when crossing roads, even when the pedestrian inexperienced mild is on – this counts for little or no in Vietnam!
Finest Areas to Stay in Hanoi
Hanoi is split into 12 city districts with the varied neighborhoods providing completely different levels of consolation, comfort, and coworking alternatives. Listed here are my prime 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 trendy facilities in Hanoi, look no additional than the Hoan Kiem District. The realm additionally identified by the moniker of ‘The Previous Quarter’ has an attractive allure that draws 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 stay.
2. Oceanpark – Gia Lam
9 miles east of central Hanoi is a contemporary resort-style improvement that feels very far faraway from the bustling streets of the Previous Quarter. Ocean Park is a novel expertise, to say the least. Highrise house blocks, 3-storey townhouses, countless 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 sort of spectacular and offers 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 distinct 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 provides 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 take pleasure in in Ba Dinh.
4. Ho Tay (West Lake)
Ho Tay, also referred to 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 residence’ for guests.
The scenic views of the water make it a really tranquil and calming setting 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 full of youthful vitality, largely as a result 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 pupil nature, Dong Da provides some very inexpensive residing choices. Lease costs and the price of residing are typically decrease than in central districts. It’s an space that will be very interesting to budget-conscious distant employees who search a cushty but economical life-style.
The way to 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 find out how to preserve prices down. Listed here are a couple of of the very best locations to look, and a few my prime 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’ll be able to alleviate all lodging prices by signing up with a house-sitting platform and securing some superb sits in Hanoi. Try my earlier article Prime 10 Should-Have Expertise For Being a Profitable Home Sitter for extra info.
2. Workaway. I’ve at all times had a mushy 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 will be booked with out pre-payment. This can be a very important useful resource when budgeting and planning long run. After 15 bookings you’ll obtain stage 3 Genius Membership standing which grants huge reductions and quite a few different perks.
4. Airbnb. Lots of you should have used Airbnb earlier than so this one needs to 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 in case you’re planning to remain some time, if the dates are free chances are high they’ll be open to a deal.
SEE ALSO: The way to Grow to be a Home Sitter in Vietnam
Value of Dwelling in Hanoi
As huge 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 looking 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 road 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 at all times been within the behavior of cooking meals at residence, and it’s refreshing to see costs for issues like bread, rice, hen, 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 on the whole 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 a neighborhood letting agent. Central flats 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 beneath $100/month on common.
My month in Hanoi was booked utilizing Airbnb and it price $550, for a one-bedroom trendy house, with a fitness center, entry to the seaside and a pool, and tons of native facilities. There are nice financial savings available whenever you e-book for precisely 4 weeks or extra.
Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Discovering bus schedules or buses that persist with them is a activity 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 secure, dependable, and tracked rides with the value proven beforehand. Brief rides price me round $1 and even my 30-minute trek into town heart was beneath $6.
SIM Playing cards and Information
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 in case you can merely join through your knowledge when out and about.
There are quite a few huge telecommunications firms in Vietnam. Viettel, Vinaphone, and Mobiphone are three of the most important. 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 workers are at all times fairly adept at establishing non-Vietnamese talking guests with SIM playing cards there after which. Be sure to carry some type of identification with you similar to your passport.
Cash Saving Suggestions for Hanoi
Listed here are a couple of of my prime money-saving suggestions for Hanoi.
- Eat native. Conventional road meals distributors provide scrumptious meals for as little as $2pp.
- Keep in the course of the wet season. Lodging costs are identified to be considerably decrease in the course of the wet season (Could to September). There’s a variety of rain however the common temperature stays very excessive.
- Keep some time. There are huge reductions for month-long stays when reserving with Airbnb. Don’t be afraid to ask for a reduction too, most hosts will possible take into account it for a assured long-term reserving,
- Store native. Hanoi has many road markets that provide nice offers on every little 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.
- Glad hour. As a significant vacationer hub with a variety of Western guests, many nice blissful hours make the already fairly low cost drinks even cheaper.
- Get pleasure from free sights. All of Hanoi’s lakes and pure magnificence in addition to the marvel of the Previous Quarter are free to discover. Different sights just like the Ho Chi Min Mausoleum advanced 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 Pace
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 inexpensive and the amenities had been greater than enough for my wants.
Listed here are a couple of of my favourite locations to contemplate basing your self for a brief (or lengthy) spell in Hanoi:
1. eSpace Coworking
Should you’re searching for a modern {and professional} setup then head to eSpace. It has a contemporary vibe and a fantastic ambiance that lends itself to a constructive office.
Quite a lot of snug seating choices and workspaces, glorious WiFi, and entry to a pantry totally free tea and low made eSpace certainly one of my favourite working places in Vietnam. Scorching-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 setting you’re after, take into account Toon Trang Thi. It’s a cool coworking setting in-built a formidable and historic French villa. It’s additionally ideally positioned for a lot of sights 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 workers are at all times available do you have to want any help. General, it is a very snug and inexpensive base for getting a day’s work finished.
3. The Studying Hub
One other easy-to-use, inexpensive, and environment friendly coworking house is The Studying Hub. It’s not the most important 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 do you have to want to lengthen your time there. It’s a fantastic 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 low is a giant deal throughout Vietnam. Unsurprisingly, there are some nice laptop computer-friendly cafes to situate your self for distant work. Listed here are a few of my prime picks:
- Hidden Gem Cafe: That is one very cool cafe. Improbable murals, distinctive paintings, and artifacts plus some fascinating 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 setting that draws an everyday variety of distant employees. Blackbird Espresso is a really inviting however small cafe set over two flooring that has a delicate move of shoppers and a heat and welcoming vibe.
- Highlands @ Ocean Park: A wild card however it’s the place I based mostly myself quite a few instances. Across the stunning 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 heart and provides distinctive views and a relaxed setting in Hanoi.
Actions and Issues To Do in Hanoi
I definitely didn’t develop into a digital nomad to simply sit in entrance of a laptop computer all day. Hanoi is among 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 Prepare Road
Should you’ve ever Instagrammed Hanoi, chances are high you’re conscious of Prepare Road. It’s a loopy and distinctive expertise that I extremely suggest. Many small cafes and bars line a skinny however very lengthy road by which the massive Ho Chi Minh Metropolis-bound prepare runs each few hours.
The large sleeper trains, which take over 33 hours to achieve their vacation spot move by at full pace a couple of foot from the place you sit. If you wish to get the complete 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 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 moderately than only a day journey. It’s about 3 hours from the Previous Quarter and my journey included decide up and drop off in a cushty coach.
The ship and cabin had 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 a giant metropolis and getting round to see all of the sights is usually a difficult activity. So what higher strategy to view all of it than by Soviet-era military jeep? With my military helmet on, this was a enjoyable and funky strategy to traverse town and included all the most important sights that I’d hoped to see.
Decide up and drop off had been included, as had 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 little thing 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 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 road meals stalls, cool bars, cafes, eating places, and markets to find. Lower by the completely different alleys and don’t panic about getting a little bit misplaced, the streets at all times appear to resolve themselves! Pub Road is a superb spot to choose a bar that appears good and folks 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 planet. 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 among the most stunning locations I’ve ever seen. It appears like a world away from town heart. 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.
SEE ALSO: 15 Finest Locations to Go to in Vietnam
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 time, from Could 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 because of the warmth and humidity. Through the winter, from December to February, cooler temperatures and dry climate make Hanoi a way more snug place.
The most effective 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 gentle and nice, with clear skies and cozy temperatures.
Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Hanoi
There are many positives about being a digital nomad in Hanoi however, as with wherever on the planet, there are additionally a couple of negatives to pay attention to. Listed here are my prime execs and cons to contemplate:
Execs 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.
- Value of residing. Most guests to Hanoi will discover the price of residing considerably decrease than in their very own nations.
- Coworking amenities. Hanoi is a hub for digital nomads and distant employees; there are various nice coworking choices to reap the benefits of.
- Cultural experiences. Numerous cultural sights and spectacular day journeys can be found for guests to simply expertise.
- Culinary delights. From road meals stalls promoting conventional Vietnamese delicacies to high-end worldwide eating places, Hanoi has all of it.
- Bustling setting. Hanoi is a big 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 (Could to Septemeber) heavy downpours and even typhoons can have an effect on every day life in Hanoi. This time of 12 months 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 techniques 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, similar to utilizing chopsticks for meals and attentive service with workers standing close by as you determine what to eat, to call a pair.
Digital Nomad Visa for Hanoi
Vietnam doesn’t presently provide a devoted digital nomad visa. Entry situations and permitted lengths of keep rely in your nationality.
As an example, UK residents take pleasure in visa-free entry to Vietnam for as much as 45 days and may lengthen 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 nations as effectively.
In the meantime, residents of the USA and Canada should receive a vacationer visa, which they will 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 length of keep and the variety of entries required.
In Conclusion
Hanoi is certainly one of many world’s nice cities. I rapidly understood why so many guests flock there yearly. I cherished 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 benefit of a fantastic cultural and social scene, it ticks all of the bins as a distant working location. Get pleasure from your time in Hanoi!
