$PlaybookChiang Mai
Thailand
80 Mbps
5/10
9/10
6/10
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Vietnam's engine city — high-energy, ultra-cheap, and fueled by pho and startup ambition
ModerateStart Playbook
Nomad Score
8.3/10
Cost Tier
Budget ($)
Internet
70 Mbps
Safety
7.5/10
Walkability
5/10
English-Friendly
6/10
About Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the fastest-moving city in Southeast Asia — a place where French colonial architecture sits next to gleaming glass towers, and where a full pho breakfast costs under a dollar while a craft cocktail bar on the rooftop above runs world-class. For digital nomads, the draw is an extraordinary cost-of-living-to-quality ratio: comfortable studios for under $400/month, a maturing coworking scene anchored by spaces like Toong and Dreamplex, and a burgeoning startup scene that attracts entrepreneurial nomads from across Asia. The trade-offs are real — walkability is low (scooter is king), US citizens need a visa, and the monsoon season from May through October brings flooding and chaos.
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs in USD for a single digital nomad.
Rent (Studio)$400
Coworking$90
Groceries$150
Eating Out$180
Transport$30
Phone/SIM$8
Gym$20
Total Monthly$878
Visa & Stay
Visa-Free for US Citizens
No
Max Stay (Visa-Free)
45 days
Digital Nomad Visa
Not Available
No dedicated digital nomad visa. US citizens must obtain an e-visa ($25) allowing 90-day single entry or multiple entry stays. Vietnam also offers an e-visa for 90-day multiple entry visits. For longer stays, border runs or visa extensions through a local agent are common.
Climate
Climate Type
tropical
Best Months
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Avoid Months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Monsoon season brings heavy daily flooding across District 1 and outer areas, with streets regularly impassable after afternoon downpours.
Timezone
ICT (UTC+7)
Currency
Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Language
Vietnamese
Continent
Asia
Topics & Vibes
budgetfoodculturenightlifecoworkingstartup scene
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Frequently Asked Questions — Ho Chi Minh City
Common questions from digital nomads researching Ho Chi Minh City.
Is Ho Chi Minh City good for digital nomads?
Yes — Ho Chi Minh City scores 8.3/10 on Settled Nomad's nomad index, making it an excellent choice for remote workers. Vietnam's engine city — high-energy, ultra-cheap, and fueled by pho and startup ambition. The city is rated "moderate" difficulty for new arrivals, with a 6/10 English-friendliness score and 7.5/10 for safety. Internet averages 70 Mbps. Overall, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the fastest-moving city in Southeast Asia — a place where French colonial architecture sits next to gleaming glass towers, and where a full pho breakfast costs under a dollar while a craft cocktail bar on the rooftop above runs world-class.
How much does it cost to live in Ho Chi Minh City as a digital nomad?
A typical single digital nomad can expect to spend around $878/month in Ho Chi Minh City. The budget breaks down as: studio apartment rent ~$400, coworking space ~$90, groceries ~$150, eating out ~$180, local transport ~$30, phone/SIM ~$8, and gym ~$20. Overall, Ho Chi Minh City is a budget-friendly destination. Costs vary depending on neighbourhood, lifestyle, and whether you cook at home.
Do US citizens need a visa to work remotely in Ho Chi Minh City?
US citizens require a visa before entering Vietnam. Check with the nearest consulate for current visa requirements.
What is the internet like in Ho Chi Minh City?
Internet speeds in Ho Chi Minh City average around 70 Mbps, which is solid — adequate for most remote work including video calls. Dedicated coworking spaces reliably deliver faster and more stable connections than cafes or short-term apartments. If you plan to work from home, confirm fibre availability before signing a lease — co-working memberships are a reliable fallback during slower periods.
Is Ho Chi Minh City safe for digital nomads?
Ho Chi Minh City has a safety rating of 7.5/10 on our scale — considered very safe for digital nomads. Standard urban awareness (securing valuables, using reputable transport) is all that is needed. As with any city, basic precautions apply: use ride-hailing apps rather than unmarked taxis, don't leave laptops unattended in cafes, and be aware of your surroundings in busy tourist areas.
What is the best time of year to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
The best months to base yourself in Ho Chi Minh City are December, January, February, March. The climate type is tropical. We recommend avoiding May, June, July, August, September, October — monsoon season brings heavy daily flooding across District 1 and outer areas, with streets regularly impassable after afternoon downpours..
What currency is used in Ho Chi Minh City and how should I handle money?
Ho Chi Minh City uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Cards are widely accepted in cities. For the best rates when converting USD, use Wise or Revolut rather than airport exchange kiosks. Keep some VND cash on hand for markets, transport, and smaller establishments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best digital nomad city for me?
Start by filtering on your non-negotiables: if budget is tight, sort by cost and look at cities under $2,000/month (Chiang Mai, Medellín, Tbilisi). If fast internet is critical for video calls, filter by internet speed score. If you're on a US passport in Europe, check Schengen status — cities in Georgia, Albania, or the UK give you unlimited stay without the 90-day limit. Use the quiz to get 3 personalized picks based on your specific priorities.
What is the 'nomad score' shown on each city?
The nomad score is a 0–10 composite rating built from verified data: internet speed (25%), cost of living vs. global median (25%), safety index (20%), English proficiency (15%), and coworking availability + visa friendliness (15%). A score of 7+ indicates a city that works well for most nomads. The score is recalculated quarterly as underlying data refreshes.
Which digital nomad cities have the best internet?
The consistently highest-rated cities for internet speed are: Tallinn, Estonia (average 100+ Mbps, fiber everywhere), Seoul, South Korea (gigabit fiber standard), Chiang Mai, Thailand (fast and cheap, coworkings have 200+ Mbps), Lisbon, Portugal (fiber widely available, 100–500 Mbps in most apartments), and Mexico City (100+ Mbps in Roma/Condesa neighborhoods). For video-heavy work, any of these cities provides reliable upload speeds for HD streaming.
Can I live in these cities without speaking the local language?
Most top-ranked nomad cities have high English proficiency — Lisbon, Tallinn, Amsterdam, Prague, and Bangkok all have strong English-speaking nomad communities and service sectors. Cities with lower English scores (Tokyo, Medellín, Chiang Mai) still work well for nomads because the expat community is large, coworkings operate in English, and translation apps handle most daily situations. Every city guide includes an English proficiency rating and practical notes on language.