Saigon: A Digital Nomad’s Best Kept Secret
I might regret writing this. Half of me wants Saigon to remain a hidden treasure, the other half of me wants to tell the world how great this city is for Digital Nomads.
You may have heard about working remotely from Chang Mai or Bali. I’m here to tell you to that Saigon’s quality of life to cost ratio is off the charts.
I’m an American who lived in Saigon from 2016 to 2019. Now back in Saigon as a tourist, I’m ready to tell you why Saigon is an incredible city to be a Digital Nomad.
This post contains everything I know about living in Saigon.
Getting There
Most westerners will need a visa to stay here for any extended period of time. Fortunately, the visas are not hard to come by. I recommend using https://www.vietnam-visa.com/. It’s entirely online and takes 2-3 days. If you’re in a hurry you can pay more and get a visa in as little as 2 hours.
You have a couple options for the visa:
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "8d342c5f-01c4-467e-8ddb-b28d4fac6378",
"items": [
{
"id": "8d342c5f-01c4-467e-8ddb-b28d4fac6378",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "1 month single entry: ",
"styles": [
{
"type": "bold"
}
]
},
{
"type": "text",
"content": "You’re allowed to stay in Vietnam for up to 1 month, but if you leave Vietnam for a weekend trip to "
},
{
"type": "link",
"content": "Angkor Wat",
"url": "https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/angkor-wat"
},
{
"type": "text",
"content": ", you’ll need a new visa. "
}
]
},
{
"id": "c53f8231-51d9-4d20-b959-c14d8850193a",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "1 month multiple entry: ",
"styles": [
{
"type": "bold"
}
]
},
{
"type": "text",
"content": "You’re allowed to enter and leave the country as many times as you want for 1 month."
}
]
},
{
"id": "1c0a793a-a42a-43f8-866f-5c2f5bca2c19",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "1 year multiple entry (USA only): ",
"styles": [
{
"type": "bold"
}
]
},
{
"type": "text",
"content": "You’re allowed to enter and leave the country as many times as you want for up to 1 year. For American’s only. Don’t ask me why."
}
]
}
]
}If you’re arriving through Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you’ll need to visit the Landing Visa office. When you got your visa online, you technically bought an approval letter that you need to turn into a visa. This step typically takes 15-30 minutes. The office is off to the left of Immigration Control.
In addition to paying online for the approval letter, expect to pay at least 25 USD for the visa itself. There’s more information about the process on this page.
Note: There’s currently more requirements due to COVID. You’ll need a PCR test 72 hours before arrival (expensive!) and traveler’s insurance that covers COVID treatment (~$30/mo)
Getting cash
There’s a couple ATMs at the airport you can use to pull out cash. You can find these after baggage. I typically use the Citibank ATM.
The exchange rate is currently around 23,000 Vietnam Dong for 1 USD. Rounding down to 20,000 makes the math easier:
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "27127011-1bb6-4906-874e-34748769bdee",
"items": [
{
"id": "27127011-1bb6-4906-874e-34748769bdee",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "20,000 VND is 1 USD"
}
]
},
{
"id": "968c32c8-81b8-4ece-8cfd-4279306534a4",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "100,000 VND is 5 USD"
}
]
},
{
"id": "47b2d24d-a32a-4f1e-8e8e-f905cda15f78",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "200,000 VND is 10 USD"
}
]
},
{
"id": "cf4ce533-4b3b-40d7-a6a5-1d8dcc953c2d",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "500,000 VND is 25 USD"
}
]
},
{
"id": "9ff170fe-9c63-4eb2-bc04-be6fa25b1292",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "1,000,000 VND is 50 USD"
}
]
}
]
}The maximum an ATM will allow you to take out is around 3-5 million VND per transaction. You can withdraw from the same ATM multiple times if you need more cash.
Getting a Taxi from the Airport
Once you get cash and leave the airport, you’ll be bombarded by people. Ignore them and make a beeline for the Taxi Station to the left of the exit. You’ll want to look for a Vinasun Taxi which are metered. Expect to spend somewhere between 200k-400k (10-20 USD) to get to the center of the city in District 1.
Where to Stay
First-timers should stay either in the Backpacker’s District or Japantown. You can find decent Airbnbs and hotels for around $30/night. I’d recommend staying at a hotel over an Airbnb. They cost about the same, but you’ll get room service with a hotel.
When I first arrived in 2011, I stayed at Vy Khanh Hostel which currently costs around $15/night. Miss Vy is a local celebrity for helping so many travelers land on their feet.
Eventually, it’ll be more cost-effective and comfortable to stay at a furnished serviced apartment. Serviced apartments will hire a house lady to clean the room a couple times per week and do laundry. This luxury gives you more time to focus on your business. Serviced apartments will typically run you somewhere between $450-$1500 per month. You can get a sense of what’s available on this website.
I wouldn’t worry too much about your initial accommodation, you’ll be out most of the day anyways!
Getting Settled
Getting Cell Phone Service
Getting Work Done
A Cafe for Every Mood
My absolute favorite thing about Saigon is the coffee shop scene. You could visit a new cafe every day for a month and still not scratch the surface of what the city has to offer.
You can google for a number of "best coffeeshop” lists. Here’s my current list:
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "ce2243ae-9ef5-47e3-9929-30dc494e1551",
"items": [
{
"id": "ce2243ae-9ef5-47e3-9929-30dc494e1551",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Hemmat Cafe"
}
]
},
{
"id": "dc1d34c9-f111-4f87-b444-af06b5a66749",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Joi Cafe"
}
]
},
{
"id": "111f1396-6292-499c-a5cb-e92b7ec5e399",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Kai Coffee"
}
]
},
{
"id": "3281eb5c-139a-45ee-b4bc-2e67066ace20",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "August Cafe"
}
]
},
{
"id": "a5c1db1c-8e8a-461d-ab6b-d0e3ea47c46a",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Workshop Coffee"
}
]
},
{
"id": "b3ef8031-f49a-484a-931a-effa88d86656",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Trung Nguyen"
}
]
},
{
"id": "ebbb279c-055b-4cd4-beed-ef6c82a5e957",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "The Kanteen"
}
]
},
{
"id": "3485f41a-70f8-4e04-9687-8340046a1971",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "L'Usine Le Thanh Ton"
}
]
}
]
}One thing to keep in mind is this list will get outdated. Every list gets outdated! None of my favorite coffeeshops from 2019 are still around. But that’s okay! Half of the joy is wandering around Saigon looking for undiscovered cafes tucked away in unassuming alleys. The longer you stay here the more nuanced your goto coffeeshop list becomes. Wander around and find your own favorite spots.
What should I order?
My personal favorite is the iced milk coffee (cà phê sữa đá), also known as a Vietnamese iced coffee. It’s a sweet coffee with a hint of chocolate that packs a punch. You’ll be wired in for hours.
If you’re working late, I’d recommend a fresh juice or smoothie. If they have a fresh coconut (dừa tươi) or passion fruit smoothie (sinh tố chanh dây), order it immediately.
How’s the Internet?
Most coffeeshops have an internet speed from 50-100 Mbps. This is acceptable for most things.
{
"id": "c7316cfe-eebe-4787-b132-28c1371c2811",
"type": "image",
"url": "https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/a0e28483-01ab-4009-81c1-3139fd1424a5/02860292-0773-4cf7-b88b-01f7e373b8f7/CleanShot_2022-05-11_at_22.55.132x.png?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256\u0026X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD\u0026X-Amz-Credential=ASIAZI2LB4664RI2VJAE%2F20260601%2Fus-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request\u0026X-Amz-Date=20260601T053750Z\u0026X-Amz-Expires=3600\u0026X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEDkaCXVzLXdlc3QtMiJGMEQCIDu7IS5%2FIClwl84gKn5vjfvOsxh9q5B4mZsJhSE%2FYfVHAiAnL2C2FXSmHVhRafyLD0yIb%2BPm%2BtP3WJQeLF45KkGiRCr%2FAwgCEAAaDDYzNzQyMzE4MzgwNSIMOtD3FkzgYEXRohVGKtwDT%2B2jDr7Diq99NMX3gTY2cgYIt%2FC0C869jtFPc1Aa09NDDaN1foLb9ZGSr5fF6bu%2FmKCOZSk8sTXFjhrQzR1vGayf4kyeQbiEAdQHAb6urcivTHILyBjT58aCn0TLgFxINXdmICc3KQW1JxZ6HK%2FouikC%2FBk02qjG3Uanmwsnh4FtYnppbxY%2BsZjA%2Fn9quzB4R4If6zuHC2ql7Z7VDA%2BGYhvTHryjfWIHXRZi3POAaqzLzqnIJT6u1XGhIWWMBSY85pmMw2O645vYPbAYkP4LSG0Tw%2B8toBhV537Y6TBv2r5MjPFrRsQM%2BX61CE2g6cETZbScl%2FCQC1jNv5jFO5sRmzJ2VjmIcFnq8zYisZPd9DEobthGKA0vSOGcOb73PUfZ3DYMegP93ax6AZRZq40cHc59wqKYoQnfVY2geiBino3Q3%2BIs5VkoJXbR5faarLmNDi37chh%2F5TdQaDAOGafMQEQy8j8pa5y4k7SF5677XXVMitDHkSvC1fePlGgZGAMSOCsoL5zfS3YVKf3RLT%2Fq8YALGv3otg8AshZm4QveHvUDIYCPY4PuQZnLUa7Ta6WGn1dtw8CdToEv6XWW3ON7wmy9klNI02%2F144uOiPkWMvtpZ6xfCnPs%2FVtx8bwwz6bz0AY6pgHfV5syL6ljnGaVUE0D34YRa%2B%2ByNzRCgoHU7qhzfkhMtQnU%2Bc3O2ngNJTdq6Yx3ok7PjK7ZBtUy6cDJQXZ5HTRh9EHJ7WSEE7NyilwR1s5EMZuOBd0l1NEi0M1cGI4tDo9uEJxYSihsFZAqwkzbv7Sa7FDO8oSo8MIgsCq0wNKSYp1EB%2BsuvcMsDhy6AIzoR6jk4jK7LDFVhxw7uRotKCjLOFiqC2Y7\u0026X-Amz-Signature=df87fc597eb2ab4dc20875d5ecfc51f54eea5e6de4f6a72245785fffe6e5c3d1\u0026X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host\u0026x-amz-checksum-mode=ENABLED\u0026x-id=GetObject"
}If you’re a developer deploying to us-east-1, you may want to spin up some test infrastructure in Singapore.
You’ll also want to invest in a VPN service because some websites block IP addresses originating from Vietnam. I use NordVPN.
How long can I stay?
You can park your keister at a cafe all day if you like. For long workdays, I’d recommend going to a cafe that serves lunch. Trung Nguyen, Workshop and Joi Cafe serve lunch. You’ll find others that serve lunch too.
Can I leave my laptop unattended?
Feel it out. When I visit a new cafe, I’ll carry my bag wherever I go. If you’re a regular, the staff know you and you found a nice spot strategically close to the toilet, you’re probably fine. Don’t blame me for any lost possessions though!
What to Eat
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "d1b474b0-bc73-43da-a2f9-d6d713520bf1",
"items": [
{
"id": "d1b474b0-bc73-43da-a2f9-d6d713520bf1",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Pho"
}
]
},
{
"id": "59a0818b-86f1-468b-af91-6b62fe02d31c",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Banh mi"
}
]
},
{
"id": "f55bc626-d596-4deb-9ed2-a0281c517323",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Ban Xeo"
}
]
},
{
"id": "1c15651b-2a5e-4ecf-9634-2c739e2c7629",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Bun Uot"
}
]
},
{
"id": "189fffa5-f8d5-4a12-9c25-5ca6b08c003e",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Bun Cuon"
}
]
},
{
"id": "38336e68-5e8d-49a2-bb82-684ea370d66a",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Bun thit neuong"
}
]
},
{
"id": "2718752a-42b7-4c9d-8144-6bd38d792f50",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Ho Teiu nam vang"
}
]
},
{
"id": "5c48895f-b922-4e5a-a161-2fdb5b5089f6",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Bun Cha"
}
]
},
{
"id": "0dcf8bee-e770-4ef6-ae04-08f1227d6486",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Bun Dao"
}
]
},
{
"id": "8b135e84-4b33-4b70-9f71-d28fca6c6fc9",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Cam "
}
]
},
{
"id": "722ea4f8-b123-4985-8312-c1fa3a7876ce",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Spring Rolls"
}
]
}
]
}Easy to eat healthy. You’ll lose weight here.
What to Drink
What to Say
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "d0501ae4-0a35-42ff-82bb-a95256d61a58",
"items": [
{
"id": "d0501ae4-0a35-42ff-82bb-a95256d61a58",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Hello: Xin chao (pronounced sin chao)"
}
]
},
{
"id": "00049d05-e185-420d-aee1-77b1a5ee17ea",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "No: khome"
}
]
},
{
"id": "bcdce9ab-760e-4bd6-a30c-9db4ac20a571",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Thank you: Camon (pronounced “gamon”)"
}
]
},
{
"id": "a995d19e-7a51-4c1b-a338-7b85ccd653d9",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Sorry or Excuse me: Xin loi"
}
]
}
]
}Taking a Break
Massage
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "e4935d93-f3c7-4090-98eb-5adccd633ce4",
"items": [
{
"id": "e4935d93-f3c7-4090-98eb-5adccd633ce4",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Foot Massage"
}
]
},
{
"id": "7f72fc27-012e-4b83-9f0b-37619ce4d57b",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Downtown massage place"
}
]
},
{
"id": "2f5146c2-c98b-4a75-8293-da328bcd68bf",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "April Spa(?)"
}
]
}
]
}Going to the Clubs
Fine Dining
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "7c554bda-110c-4dfc-8223-ddb60620765e",
"items": [
{
"id": "7c554bda-110c-4dfc-8223-ddb60620765e",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Hokaido"
}
]
},
{
"id": "2d6f0d20-fb99-434a-ab61-2263b2b85218",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "4Ps"
}
]
}
]
}Getting Around
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "04f8cb4c-1a18-41bd-9505-f8c676cebc64",
"items": [
{
"id": "04f8cb4c-1a18-41bd-9505-f8c676cebc64",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Renting Motorbike"
}
]
},
{
"id": "69f1aacf-c9b6-45af-8b83-6602d5241c1d",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Driver’s license"
}
]
},
{
"id": "4d3dd91b-5f8f-4eb0-9994-98bfce30f37f",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Buying a Motorbike"
}
]
},
{
"id": "c55c050d-3110-4f71-867f-23b0daef6dd4",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Grab"
}
]
},
{
"id": "89651f6e-a22f-4e97-9d02-807bb617575f",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Taxi"
}
]
}
]
}Staying Fit
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "41eabb55-25ac-4f91-87e8-b66872e9f32a",
"items": [
{
"id": "41eabb55-25ac-4f91-87e8-b66872e9f32a",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Indoor Insanity workout"
}
]
},
{
"id": "ccf0de93-eedf-4798-9330-a5f63da2dcf0",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Running in the park"
}
]
},
{
"id": "a01ff5dd-35b0-4ce4-9bde-da5987df89f0",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Fitness centers"
}
]
}
]
}Staying Longer
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "df50aafd-6696-4f15-8a98-44333c7aeec7",
"items": [
{
"id": "df50aafd-6696-4f15-8a98-44333c7aeec7",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Business Visa"
}
]
}
]
}Finding Love
Dating Apps
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "22d1e687-6bd0-4749-a38c-219491655a2d",
"items": [
{
"id": "22d1e687-6bd0-4749-a38c-219491655a2d",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "asiandating.com"
}
]
},
{
"id": "bc82071b-a9d8-433b-b057-a28f15e90743",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "vietnamdating.com"
}
]
},
{
"id": "3c53e38b-4f14-42ef-8338-b6aa5ddf7c8c",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Tinder"
}
]
}
]
}Places to Take a Date
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "5d9071ff-b9e4-4b0a-bd85-108349dccecd",
"items": [
{
"id": "5d9071ff-b9e4-4b0a-bd85-108349dccecd",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Anh Sao Bridge"
}
]
},
{
"id": "13433cbe-9976-4315-8361-30b122c88e9b",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Vanh Tanh Park"
}
]
}
]
}Tying up Loose Ends
Are American’s Welcome?
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "8274d1dc-a6e6-4c57-8d5f-9c1fb6f335ce",
"items": [
{
"id": "8274d1dc-a6e6-4c57-8d5f-9c1fb6f335ce",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Surprisingly yes"
}
]
},
{
"id": "b97d3752-3c09-4fca-922b-6c3ccf1247d3",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Vietnam had it’s “baby boom” in the 80s. The majority of the Vietnamese population is under the age of 30."
}
]
}
]
}Should I avoid street food?
Only if you want to miss out on the best of what Saigon has to offer! The ladies (and gentlemen) selling food on the street are professionals who have been making and serving the same food for decades. You won’t get sick.
Can you Drink the Water?
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "9fb0c3a1-0ea9-4488-8d20-c75d96352ece",
"items": [
{
"id": "9fb0c3a1-0ea9-4488-8d20-c75d96352ece",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "No. Buy bottled water or boil water using a kettle."
}
]
},
{
"id": "e5bf55cd-00f3-4482-ae5f-373b85cd5a04",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Don’t worry too much. You can brush your teeth with faucet water and if some water gets in your mouth while showering, don’t stress. I never got sick from the water while I was here. "
}
]
},
{
"id": "e0df2b67-986c-4862-acb5-9c2505efa9f7",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Also don’t worry about accepting water from people. They prepared it either from a bottle or boiling it first."
}
]
}
]
}Do I need Malaria Pills or any other Shots?
Nope. There’s no malaria in the city. Don’t worry, seriously.
Is it Safe?
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "bcc3dacb-0c26-48fb-99ca-9cd4a465385a",
"items": [
{
"id": "bcc3dacb-0c26-48fb-99ca-9cd4a465385a",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "No guns"
}
]
},
{
"id": "68d76d55-6b8f-43c0-882a-54751bb1ec0e",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Crime isn’t reported"
}
]
},
{
"id": "16056c9c-f2c0-48c3-9c26-ed1d06d524fd",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Watch out for motorbikes"
}
]
}
]
}Getting Help
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "07ff44f0-dd1a-4da2-93d9-c93abfdcd27b",
"items": [
{
"id": "07ff44f0-dd1a-4da2-93d9-c93abfdcd27b",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Facebook groups"
}
]
}
]
}The Downsides
Every place has its downsides.
The Heat
Air Pollution
Dirty Streets
Lack of good Parks
Noise
Critters
{
"type": "unordered-list",
"id": "cd8ae004-d42a-4f84-a4cf-5cc944004956",
"items": [
{
"id": "cd8ae004-d42a-4f84-a4cf-5cc944004956",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Cockroaches"
}
]
},
{
"id": "1f139649-5cf3-4ab0-a40f-8bce02bc6cbb",
"content": [
{
"type": "text",
"content": "Rats"
}
]
}
]
}The surroundings weren't built for you
Yo! Hello? You!
ATM Skimmers
Whenever you withdraw money, make sure to give the machine and slot reader a good tug.