Hoi An is one of famous travel destinations in Vietnam, with the well-preserved Ancient Town – a UNESCO World Heritage site, many times ranked among the most favorite destinations of international travel magazines. But recently, Hoi An is also known as an ideal place for freelancers and digital nomads, not only in Vietnam, but also around the world.
Hoi An: From a travel destination to a stop for digital nomads
Previously, the average stays of a tourist in Hoi An was just 2-to-3 days, and often combined with visiting some neighboring places such as Da Nang City. Globally, Hoi An is mainly known for tourism and as a place to chill.
However, the COVID-19 changed the situation. After the pandemic, many people have changed their thinking and way of working. The trend of working remotely rising up, instead of going to the office eight hours per day. People prefer jobs that allow them to be flexible in working time and location, have a work/life balance and can spend more time for themselves and families.
With the slow pace of an ancient town, Hoi An has its own advantages in this trend. Many digital nomads have chosen Hoi An when they realized this potential, especially the young generation who want to explore new things and to have a slow life, but still be able to devote themselves to their passion. The space, architecture and pace of life in Hoi An attract people working in creative, design and art sections.
This land is also a “promised land” for those who want to start a business in hospitality and cuisine.
Travel + Leisure magazine recently honored Hoi An in the list of World’s Best Awards: 25 Favorite Cities in the World of 2025 at the No. 6 place, with 91 points. This achievement affirms the attractiveness of Hoi An on the global digital nomads map, alongside others big names such as Chiang Mai (Thailand) and Tokyo (Japan).
So, what make Hoi An stand out?
Reasons why Hoi An attracts digital nomads
• Convenient location
Hoi An located just 40-minute drive from Da Nang City center, with convenient and quick access to Da Nang International Airport and the city center. Hoi An is also very close to the sea, such as An Bang Beach, an ideal place for your weekend getaway without having to go far or if you suddenly want to “escape a deadline.”
• Comfortable living at low cost
Compared to others big cities in Vietnam like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An has a more affordable cost of living, but is still comfortable. According to LocalNomads, long-term house rental prices here are about $250 – 300/month (~230 – 275 euros/month) for suburban areas and around $400 – 450/month (~370 – 415 euros/month) for central areas.
This site also notes the cost of food is around $100 – 150/month (~92 – 138 euros/month). Vietnamese-style meals are very affordable but still have full nutrition and extremely fresh flavors. Breakfast, usually banh mi or pho, costs only $1 – 2 (~0.90 – 1.85 euros). You can also save money by ;earning how to cook Vietnamese dishes, cooking them yourself with fresh ingredients from local markets and enjoying fun time.
Occasionally, treat yourself by going to a restaurant or relaxing at a lovely cafe in the city center. A meal at a restaurant in Hoi An costs around $4.5 – 9 (~4.15 – 8.30 euros) and a coffee is $1.42 – 1.59 (~1.30 – 1.45 euros).
Getting around in Hoi An is very convenient. The best option in central area is bicycle or motorbike. You can prepare your own transport or rent them for a period of time. It is about $1.50/day (~1.38 euros/day) for a bicycle, or $50/month (~46 euros/month) for a motorbike. If you live in the suburbs, consider buying a monthly bus pass at around $3.91 (~3.60 euros). Hoi An also has a Grab motorbike/car service if you need it.
Other utilities (internet, phone network, electricity, water, gym…) cost about $50 – 60/month (~46 – 55 euros/month) in total.
• Working spaces inspire creativity
To keep up with the trend of working remotely, many traditional cafés in Hoi An expanded their workspaces. Along with that, some co-working spaces have also opened, with beautiful and quiet space, full equipment and stable Wi-Fi.
A typical sample is Hub Hoi An – a quiet co-working space that includes both indoor and outdoor areas, with private phone booth. Other amenities include printers, scanners, lockers, meeting room and more.
Hub Hoi An is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, very convenient for you to come to work at any time. There are different daily and monthly prices for you to choose from.
Another choice is Rosie’s Café & Workspace, located very close to the Ancient Town (just a 15-
minute walk). There’s a long table area, suitable for group working.
These addresses also have small and tight-knit communities for expats and digital nomads, that are easy to connect, collaborate, share information and support each other while living and working in Hoi An.
• Small but cohesive community
The expat and digital nomad communities in Hoi An have recently developed, most of them on the small scale. However, in return, they have advantages of easy connection and creating close bonds between members. This is also a useful channel in sharing information for those who just arrived in Hoi An and who are looking for advice on living and working conditions, local culture.
In addition to job support, they also often organize activities to learn and experience Vietnamese culture through cooking classes, handicraft workshops and weekend art markets and other amenities.
• Slow but inspiring lifestyle
A slow lifestyle of an ancient town, but still full of inspiration, makes Hoi An become an ideal place for those working in creative and art, wishing a place where helps them balance their lives and inspire their creations. In Hoi An, you can work and relax at the same time right in your own space.
On weekday evenings, after the working time, all you have to do is stepping out into the streets, join in the crowd strolling around the alleys in the Ancient Town, enjoy the cool air and sparkling light from lanterns floating on Hoai River.
On weekends, you can ride a bike to the suburbs, pass through the rice fields and peaceful villages of Central Vietnam. A picnic with your nomad community or new Vietnamese friends will make you love this land even more.
Trust me, when you return, you’ll be full of energy and inspiration to start a new week.
Difficulties and challenges
Although Hoi An is a new destination for digital nomads with great potential, there are still some difficulties and challenges that you need to consider before reserving a one-way ticket:
• Infrastructure is not optimal
The infrastructure in place for digital nomads in Hoi An is not very substantial and the standard is not high. Co-working spaces are mainly suitable for individuals or small groups.
• Services and amenities
Shopping places in Hoi An mostly are local markets and small convenience stores. It will be a challenge if you’re looking for imported products from abroad.
• Extreme weather
Central Vietnam is the area that has the most extreme weather conditions across the country. Summer is hot and dry with high temperatures (~39 – 40°C, sometimes even higher) and there are strong tropical storms. The rainy season can cause flooding in some low-lying areas, affecting to daily life and traffic.
• Tourism seasonal factor
Tourism is the main economic sector in Hoi An, therefore, the seasonal factor has a big impact on life here. The peak season (June – August) very crowded with tourists and prices also increase. In the low season (September – February), some places may close due to the decrease of tourists and there are few vibrant nightlife activities.
So, in conclusion, is Hoi An a promising destination for digital nomads?
The answer is yes! Despite of its difficulties and challenges, Hoi An still has its own appeal and is a destination that worth considering. The Vietnamese government, as well as international organizations, are promoting investment to develop infrastructure here. In addition, typical factors such as the elegant architecture, history and culture, a slow lifestyle and community engagement still make Hoi An stand out.
If you prefer to immerse yourself into Vietnamese local life, desire a quiet and peaceful place, instead of the hustle and bustle, then Hoi An is the right destination for you.
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Huyen Nguyen Khanh
Huyen K. Nguyen is a freelance travel writer based in Hanoi, Vietnam, specializing in travel, food, and lifestyle. She spent eight years working in the international hospitality industry at five-star hotels before turning to writing full-time. Her articles and translations have appeared in several Vietnamese online publications. With a passion for storytelling, she brings cultural insight and personal experience to every piece. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and photography.
