It attracts many tourists every year, and now thanks to its fast-growing economy it’s becoming an attractive destination for many digital nomads and remote workers.

Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia, bordering China, Laos, and Cambodia. The Vietnamese culture is beautiful. Vietnamese people are kind, friendly, and always open to foreigners. It’s definitely a destination to keep in mind!

The best advantage of living in Vietnam as a digital nomad is the low cost of living. You can comfortably live on $800 per month, but it depends on the city you wish to live at.

You can rent a small apartment in Ho Chi Minh City for $250/month. If you wish to live with a little bit more luxury, you can find an apartment in the city center of Ho Minh City for $800/month.

You can spend from $250-$500 a month for food, transportation, and entertainment. A basic lunch menu costs around $5.

Vietnam is among the countries with the most internet users in the Asia Pacific Region. It comes to no surprise then that in the big cities, you’ll find fast internet everywhere. Plenty of coffee shops, restaurants, and shops offer free Wi-Fi.

Staying connected in Vietnam is inexpensive. The best thing to do is to purchase a SIM card with a mobile data plan. There are plenty of providers with good plans for you to choose from. Viettel offers tourist SIM cards for $5-$10, and you can buy credit to top off. They also have monthly packages on 4G and 3G network.

Vietnam is a great destination for many digital nomads. That said, it does not have a visa available specifically for remote workers. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t options for digital nomads to visit Vietnam for a long period of time.

They have a tourist visa available to many countries, most of whom can stay in the country for 30 days, with the possibility to extend it. The Vietnamese government allows tourists to apply online or on arrival, through a facilitated process.

There are some countries that do not need a visa to enter the country. People from Germany, Italy, Denmark, Finland, France, Spain, and Sweden can enter the country for 15 days without a visa. People from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore can enter the country for 30 days without a visa. You must wait at least 30 days between visits if you want to re-enter Vietnam after you leave. There are other countries that can enter the country without a visa for a specific amount of time. To check the complete list, head towards this website.

If your country is not included in that list, then you can apply for a tourist visa. Keep in mind that you are technically no supposed to be working when you’re on the 30-day tourist visa.

Thankfully, it is incredibly easy to apply. You can apply online, on arrival, or at an embassy.

Citizens of certain countries are able to submit their application for a Tourist Visa online on this website. In order to apply for a Tourist eVisa, you have to visit the Vietnam Immigration Portal website and start a new application.

Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City

Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi

Danang Airport in Da Nang

Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong

Cam Ranh Airport in Nha Trang

The third option is for those that are not eligible for an eVisa, or if you want to have the visa on your passport when you enter Vietnam. You can apply at an Embassy or Consulate of Vietnam near you and send the documents through mail, or go deliver them yourself.

In order to apply for the Tourist Visa, you’ll need the following documents:

Passport

Vietnam Visa Application Form.

Letter of Approval (if you’re applying for the Visa upon arrival)

Entry and exit form (you’ll get it on the airplane)

Passport-size pictures

Proof you have paid the Vietnam Visa fee

Any other additional documents that the Vietnam Embassy/Consulate may require

The digital nomad visa for Vietnam costs $25 if you’re applying online.

If you’re applying for the visa upon arrival, then a single-entry costs $25. For multiple-entry it costs $50.

If you’re applying for the visa at an Embassy or Consulate, then the price will depend on the specific Embassy or Consulate you’re applying at.