Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 🇻🇳
#517
,
Nomad Score:
74%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Very affordable compared to Western cities; daily expenses including food and transport are low.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
79%
Weight: 80
Affordable apartments and shared housing options, though prices vary by district and quality.
🍎 Food & Groceries
91%
Weight: 40
Local markets and street food offer very cheap and diverse options; imported goods are pricier.
🚌 Transportation Cost
93%
Weight: 20
Public transport is cheap; motorbike taxis and ride-hailing apps are affordable and widely used.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
85%
Weight: 15
Plenty of low-cost entertainment options including cinemas, bars, and cultural events.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
74%
Weight: 10
Gyms are affordable but vary in quality; premium gyms cost more but still cheaper than Western standards.
💱 Currency Stability
62%
Weight: 30
Vietnamese Dong is relatively stable but subject to inflation and government controls.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
78%
Weight: 100
Good average speeds with fiber-optic in many areas; occasional outages and slower speeds in outskirts.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
86%
Weight: 40
Numerous coworking spaces catering to digital nomads, especially in District 1 and 3.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
90%
Weight: 30
Abundant cafes with free WiFi, popular among freelancers and remote workers.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
87%
Weight: 30
Many cafes are laptop-friendly with power outlets and good internet.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
89%
Weight: 100
Ho Chi Minh City is a well-known hotspot for digital nomads in Southeast Asia.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
94%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase and affordable SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
71%
Weight: 30
Busy city life can be hectic but flexible work culture and leisure options help balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
43%
Weight: 15
Air and water pollution are significant issues, especially during dry season.
🧼 Cleanliness
50%
Weight: 10
Street cleanliness varies; some areas are well-maintained, others suffer from litter and waste.
🗨️ Language Barrier
65%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken in business and tourist areas but limited outside these zones.
💨 Air Quality
38%
Weight: 15
Often poor due to traffic and industrial pollution; occasional smog episodes.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
55%
Weight: 25
Limited family-oriented infrastructure; more suitable for singles and couples.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
67%
Weight: 20
Good private hospitals with English-speaking staff; public healthcare is basic.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
84%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to Western countries.
🏥 Healthcare
70%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare is good in private sector; public system less reliable.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
76%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with hot, humid weather; distinct wet and dry seasons.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
60%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters but occasional flooding during rainy season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
52%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces in the city center; some parks available but small in size.
❄️ Air Conditioning
91%
Weight: 15
Widely available in accommodations, cafes, and coworking spaces.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
23%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate means little seasonal variation; mainly wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
39%
Weight: 10
High noise levels due to traffic, street vendors, and construction.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
88%
Weight: 20
Rich history and vibrant local culture with many festivals and traditions.
🌃 Nightlife
89%
Weight: 15
Lively nightlife with bars, clubs, and night markets popular among locals and expats.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
61%
Weight: 15
Limited natural outdoor spaces within city; day trips to countryside and beaches possible.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
73%
Weight: 10
Many language schools and informal opportunities to learn Vietnamese.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
84%
Weight: 10
Wide range of cultural tours, cooking classes, and local experiences available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
77%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
95%
Weight: 25
World-renowned street food and diverse culinary options at very affordable prices.
🧠 Yoga Studios
70%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers catering to expats and locals.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
72%
Weight: 15
Good availability of gyms, fitness classes, and sports clubs.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
81%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of organic and health-focused cafes and markets.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
68%
Weight: 20
UTC+7 is convenient for Asia-Pacific clients but less so for Europe and Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
83%
Weight: 25
Active expat and digital nomad communities with frequent meetups and events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
55%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most nomads work for foreign companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
64%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community but still developing infrastructure and support.
🏢 Coworking Quality
80%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities and community events.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
67%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with increasing investment and incubators.
💳 Local Payment Services
71%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and e-wallets are popular but cash still dominant.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Growing interest but regulatory environment is cautious and evolving.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
78%
Weight: 30
Tan Son Nhat International Airport offers many regional and some international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
45%
Weight: 20
Bus system exists but is limited and not very user-friendly for foreigners; metro under development.
🚶 Walkability
53%
Weight: 20
Sidewalks often crowded or uneven; walking possible in central districts but traffic is chaotic.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
92%
Weight: 15
Widely used apps like Grab provide convenient and affordable transport options.
🚲 Cycling
40%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; traffic and road conditions make cycling challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
75%
Weight: 15
Good bus and train connections to other Vietnamese cities; affordable flights available.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
90%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals are ubiquitous and affordable; essential for local mobility.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
84%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G coverage citywide; 5G rollout progressing.
🔒 VPN Reliability
76%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well but occasional restrictions may occur.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
79%
Weight: 15
Stable electricity supply with rare outages in urban areas.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and malls but not widespread outdoors.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
63%
Weight: 40
Visa policies are improving but still require planning; e-visas available for many nationalities.
📊 Tax Friendliness
57%
Weight: 30
Tax system can be complex for foreigners; no specific digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
32%
Weight: 15
Government controls media and internet; limited freedom of expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
74%
Weight: 20
Stable one-party state with low risk of unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
59%
Weight: 15
Possible but requires local presence and paperwork; some banks more foreigner-friendly.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
61%
Weight: 10
Bureaucratic but improving; foreign ownership restrictions apply.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
20%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa as of 2025; standard tourist/business visas used.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
78%
Weight: 50
Overall welcoming environment with growing support for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
75%
Weight: 25
Regular meetups and networking events organized by local communities.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
80%
Weight: 20
Active Facebook groups and online forums for digital nomads in Ho Chi Minh City.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
73%
Weight: 100
Generally safe for tourists and expats; petty crime like pickpocketing exists.
♀️ Female Friendly
68%
Weight: 50
Women can live and work safely but cultural norms and occasional harassment require caution.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but some cultural misunderstandings may occur.