As Hanoi moves, Ho Chi Minh City advances on a wave of technological development. Skyscrapers are skyrocketing and tech startups are popping up around every corner.
There is even a self-proclaimed Saigon Silicon City, under construction in District 9 in the eastern suburbs. Therefore, it is not surprising that many digital nomads are looking towards Vietnam’s largest city to establish their base of operations.
Why should digital nomads choose Ho Chi Minh City?
For digital nomads, the city offers delicious street food, affordable accommodation, and easy-to-find high-speed internet connections, plus a big-city vibe that appeals to remote workers who want easy access to everything 24 hours a day. . However, many coworking spaces are just as popular with local freelancers as visiting nomads, and you won’t find the same sense of community as in more popular expat hubs such as Chiang Mai or Canggu.
Those who love HCMC love it for its energy and enthusiasm, its startup mentality, and its design-oriented coffee shops that serve full-bodied French-style coffee. On the other hand, motorcycle traffic jams, air pollution, and tropical heat can take some getting used to. As the city approaches, nomads retreat to the quieter surroundings of the Mekong Delta and to places as tranquil as Phu Quoc Island, with its beaches, diving and tropical vegetation.
The best coworking spaces
Easily the most beloved coworking space in Ho Chi Minh, Dreamplex has a location in District 1 (two of them, in fact, plus two more in Binh Thanh District), fast internet access, and a no-nonsense business environment that attracts nomads. who like to get down to work. For a more social atmosphere, Spiced CoWorking is located in an area full of rooms for rent in District 2, and hosts regular networking lunches and social gatherings, as well as offering its own co-living accommodation and a pool.
internet speeds
High-speed internet is easy to find in Ho Chi Minh City, thanks to heavy investment from Singapore, and download speeds of 25Mbps are common. The promised free city-wide Wi-Fi has yet to materialise, but you’ll find cheap local SIM cards for 4G mobile coverage.
Living arrangements
Most remote workers are centrally located in Districts 1 and 3, while more established expats gravitate toward Districts 2 and 7. Rented apartments are the mainstay of nomadic accommodations, but central locations can be expensive; Many transient workers prefer cheaper rooms in shared houses, although this may mean working in cafes and coworking spaces for relative peace and quiet. On the other hand, with Vietnam’s fabulous street food, you’ll want to eat out as often as possible. To get around, Uber and Grab offer a cheap alternative to local taxis, or do what the locals do and hop on a motorcycle taxi.
Networks
There are several Facebook groups in HCMC geared specifically toward remote workers. Consider joining Saigon Digital Nomads and Expats in Ho Chi Minh City.
Things to do when you’re not working
Get off at Chinatown: The Cholon district, 5 kilometers (3 miles) southwest of downtown, offers fabulous Chinese flavors, bustling merchants, and ornate pagodas emerging from hidden courtyards.
Take a tour of the Delta: The green, rice-covered wetlands of the Mekong Delta are ready to be explored; on organized excursions or independently renting motorcycles, buses and boats.
Phu Quoc Beach Weekend Getaway: VietJet Air and Jetstar offer affordable transfers to the island’s airstrip, allowing easy access to beaches, beach bars and Phu Quoc National Park.
Pros and cons of working in Ho Chi Minh
As with any travel experience in any destination, there are good and bad things. Here’s a breakdown of things to consider:
Ho Chi Minh City is ideal for:
★ amazing food
★ Low cost of living
★ Lots of culture
★ Positive attitude
★ cafes
Ho Chi Minh City is not so good for:
★ Overcrowding
★ Pollution
★ Street crime
★ Traffic
★ Sense of community
Practical aspects
Climate: December to March is the dry season in southern Vietnam, but it gets very hot and everything becomes chaotic for the Tet Festival (January or February). The rainy season, from May to September, brings high humidity and begins with a blast of brutal heat.
How to get there: Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City. Trains quickly reach Ho Chi Minh City from northern Vietnam, while buses go to Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
Living costs: From $900 a month.
LGBT Friendly: Yeah.
