What can you get for just over a dollar at a fast-food restaurant these days? Not much. Most of them had left their “dollar menu” a long time ago. However, in places in Asia, that’s just what’s needed to buy a freshly made and very tasty breakfast.
As the cost of living increases around the world due to the global impact of post-pandemic inflation, there still are affordable corners of the earth for value-seeking digital nomads to affordably call home.
One of those very popular places is Da Nang, Vietnam, and nomads are rushing to get more bang for their buck by calling the large Asian city home.
Welcome to Da Nang
With a population of over one million and a population density of 900 people per square kilometer, its easy to see why Da Nang is easily the third largest city in Vietnam.
But even with the high density and often crowded main streets, it’s an easy place to call home for adventure seeking digital nomads.
That dollar which we struggled to buy breakfast with at the top of this article is nearly enough for a tasty banh mi sandwich or even a steamy bowl of tasty pho noodle soup.
How about a haircut? It’s only $2 in Da Nang.
Want to rent a two-bedroom city center home? An article about Da Nang says nomads should expect about $550.
Yes, being a digital nomad in Da Nang can be very affordable.
Digital Nomad Hotspot
Da Nang is not unknown among digital nomads. In fact, last year Nomad List, a popular website for digital nomads, called Da Nang the second fastest growing remote work destination in the world. What city ranked No. 1? Tokyo.
Even Freaking Nomads, another popular website with the remote working crowd, also has Da Nang ranked in its top ten of digital nomad hotspots.
Despite all of the accolades and popularity, digital nomads are still flocking to Da Nang and finding an affordable slice of online life in the Asian metro.
Some of the Drawbacks of Da Nang
The only drawback is that Vietnam does not really offer a digital nomad visa, according to Remote.com.
That means that remote workers are generally entering the country with an electronic e-visa for tourism. Vietnam issues its tourist visa for 90-day periods.
However, nomads have reported leaving the country to visit somewhere nearby while applying for a new 90-day e-visa and reentering the country.
Many digital nomads also reported in an article about remote workers in Da Nang that they often face challenges finding short-term lease properties, and when they do, they are 30 to 40 percent over the typical lease rate.
But even then, it is still more affordable than what most digital nomads have come to expect remote working in other places around the world.
While most nomads are concerned about language and culture challenges, they have found that the people are more understanding than other digital nomad hotspots.
They also appreciate that the residents of Da Nang aren’t like other destinations around the globe which are pushing back against nomads. Instead, they are welcomed with open arms.
What Digital Nomads Need to Know
If you have a spirit of adventure, patience with some technology issues and are receptive to a different culture, customs and language, Da Nang may just be a great place for remote working.
Go ahead, get a cheap e-visa and try it out for 90 days. If you don’t like it, your visa expires, and you can select somewhere else in the world. Otherwise, make a border run to renew the visa and continue the affordable adventure in Da Nang!