Hoi An Digital Nomad Guide: Costs, Cafes & Lifestyle
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Hoi An is a place that almost everyone visits while travelling in Vietnam. It is famous for its beautiful old colonial buildings, lantern-filled streets, and delicious food.
But one well-known problem is that the city does suffer a bit from over-tourism.
Normally, we do not like to stay in touristy towns while working online. They usually mean high prices, noise and inauthentic experiences.
But after spending one month in Hoi An, it ended up becoming one of our favourite digital nomad bases in Vietnam.
The key is to stay outside of the old town.
Once you are outside the old town, life feels so much more chilled. Every day we walked to our local pho spot, waving to local kids saying good morning on their way to school.
We loved enjoying the local village atmosphere during the day, then riding our bikes into the old town to check out the beautiful lantern-lit streets at night.
In my opinion, Hoi An has a great mix of history, culture, architecture, great food and cafes.
It is still quite a small town with no major supermarkets, but it has everything that you need to work online.
In this article, Hoi An digital nomad guide, I will share everything I learn’t form living there. Including exact costs, wifi speeds, co-working spaces, visa options and what day-to-day life will feel like.
Cost of Living: Life is Cheap For Digital Nomads In Hoi An
One of the big reasons so many digital nomads head to Vietnam is the low cost of living.
Even though the cost of living in Hoi An is slightly higher than the rest of Vietnam because of tourism. It is still dirt cheap by international standards.
We had heard from many people how cheap Vietnam is, but we were still surprised by how far our money went.
We spent a month living in Hoi An, eating out every day, going to nice cafes and staying in a beautiful guesthouse.
Even while living like this, our costs were still much lower than in other places we have visited as digital nomads, such as Mexico and Thailand.
Below is a breakdown of the costs you can expect as a digital nomad in Hoi An.
Approximate Monthly Budget
$600 – $900, depending on accommodation and lifestyle choices.
If you live outside the old town and mainly eat local foods such as Banh Mi and Pho, it is quite easy to stay on the lower end of this price scale. We also did not hire a scooter and rode free bikes from our accommodation, which cut down costs.
Typical Monthly Costs For Digital Nomads In Hoi An
| Expense | Average Monthly Cost | Notes |
| Accommodation (Countryside) | $300 – $400 | Best value, quieter, local |
| Accommodation (Central) | $450 – $550 | More convenient but touristy |
| Food (mostly eating out) | $150 – $250 | Street food + restaurants |
| Cafes | $30 – $70 | Could be more if you eat at cafes |
| Co-working Space | $180 | The Hub is excellent and a great way to meet others |
| Gym | $15 – $25 | Local gyms are super cheap |
| Sim Card | $6 – $10 | You can ride a bike if you are uncomfortable on a scooter |
| Scooter Rental | $30 – $60 | You can ride a bike if you are uncomfortable on a scooter |
Where To Stay In Hoi An As A Digital Nomad
Where you stay in Hoi An will completely change how you experience the town.
Areas around the old town can feel very hectic and loud with motorbikes everywhere. But then, if you move just 10 minutes further out, it can suddenly feel very rural with rice fields and farmland everywhere.
We personally loved staying out in the countryside away from town.
In Vietnam, we found booking accommodation particularly difficult because there are so many fake reviews and problems such as noisy neighbours, uncomfortable beds and more!
So we were happy that all our research paid off and we found an excellent guesthouse in Cam Ha on Airbnb.
Our guesthouse was run by a friendly local family and had the cutest dog ever named Boy, who would hang out with us while we worked.
But for most digital nomads, Cam Ha would be a bit too quiet and isolated. We don’t mind riding on a bike for 25 minutes in the heat to get to town. But I know this would be a nightmare for many people!
After spending many days exploring Hoi An by bike, two places I would definitely consider staying are Cam Nam and Cam Thanh.
Both of these locations are close to gyms, restaurants and the old town while also being close to farmland, rice fields and more rural areas.
If you would like to know more about each area, make sure you check out our guide on where to stay in Hoi An. I also have a list of hotels and guesthouses to stay in each area for all different budgets, and I have checked all the reviews to make sure there are no fake ratings on there.
Cafes In Hoi An: Great Coffee And Great Places To Work
In my opinion, one of the best parts of being a digital nomad in Hoi An is the cafe culture.
We love visiting cafes all around the world, and I was really surprised by the quality of the cafes in Hoi An.
Drinking coffee is very much ingrained in Vietnamese Culture. Traditional cafes are usually full of Vietnamese men drinking the darkest, strongest coffee imaginable and inhaling a mountain of cigarettes!
Luckily, the modern cafes in Hoi An are nothing like this. The coffee quality was way better than I expected, and they all have their own unique style.
In some places, like Bali, all the cafes feel like they could be in Australia. But in Hoi An, they often have a very distinct style that is not just copied from another country.
Vietnam also has its own types of coffee, such as coconut and egg coffee, which you have to try.
I had my first egg coffee at Ren Rua Cafe, and it was outstanding. The cafe has a lovely green courtyard in a quiet side alley in the old town. Many of the best cafes are hidden down side alleys, so we loved taking a rest in them while exploring the old town.
Not all cafes in Hoi An are ideal for working, as many local cafes are designed more for socializing and relaxing. But there are plenty of great options for working.
For more information on the best cafes in Hoi An, make sure to check out our cafe guide.
Co-Working Spaces In Hoi An
If you like getting your work done in a dedicated co-work space, then you should head to the Hub Hoi An Co-Working.
There are not a ton of co-working spaces in Hoi An, but the Hub is by far the best choice.
Hub: The Best Co-Work In Hoi An
The best thing about the Hub, in my opinion, is the view over the rice fields. The location is just outside town, and the working space looks out over beautiful green rice fields.
If they have not been harvested, it might look out over some muddy fields!
The hub offers very good value for money
- Price – a one-month membership at the hub costs 180 USD, which works out at 6 USD per day. So it is a pretty insane value for money.
- Perks -you get full access to the workspace, free coffee and access to community events.
We never actually worked at the Hub because we had a great working area at our Airbnb. But we stopped in and had a look while cycling around town, and the facilities looked very good.
Wifi Speed In Hoi An: Is It Reliable?
We found the internet to be reliable and fast enough for all the work we needed to do in Hoi An. We were always able to upload photos, stream and make calls without any issues.
One thing we noticed was that wifi was also available everywhere. Even our local pho stall with plastic chairs on the side of the road had wifi on the menu! So no matter where you are, you can usually connect.
Typical Internet Speeds
- Accommodation/Cafes: Speeds at our accommodation at some cafes ranged from 30 to 50 Mbps. Some cafes are faster than others. But it was fast enough for work calls and streaming.
- Co-Working: if you need reliable high-speed internet, then your best option is to head to the Hub. Their wifi speed ranges from 120 Mbps to 240 Mbps.
One thing we noticed was that wifi was also available everywhere. Even our local pho stall with plastic chairs on the side of the road had wifi on the menu! So no matter where you are, you can usually connect.
Cheap Data Back Up: Physical SIM vs E-SIM
It is always a good idea to have backup in case the Wifi fails at your accommodation, and luckily, data is very cheap in Vietnam.
While we were in Vietnam, I wondered how everyone could constantly just be streaming and scrolling all day on their phones. Then I found out how much data costs, and I understood why.
1. Local Physical Sim ( Best Value )
Buying a physical SIM is by far the best value for money. For just 150,000 to 250,000 VND approx 6 – 10 USD, you can get a tourist plan with almost unlimited data.
- Best Providers – Viettel has the widest national coverage, and Vinaphone is a good option if you are mainly in cities. However, both are great options.
- Registration – under Vietnamese law, all SIMs must be registered with an ID.
Tip – The airport is an easy place to get a sim because they are used to dealing with tourists. So they will be able to speak English and help with the registration process.
2. International E-Sim ( Most Convenient)
E-sims are far more expensive than buying a local sim. But they are also far more convenient if you do not need much data.
We usually only get an e-SIM with Airlao because we only use data on our phones for Google Maps and grab. So we find it much easier to just pre-load an e-SIM on our phone so it is ready to go when we land.
The data is much more expensive. But you do not have to go through the hassle of getting your passport recorded and getting a SIM when you arrive.
Food In Hoi An: Cheap, Delicious And One Of The Best Parts Of Living Here
Food is dirt cheap and declicious in Hoi An. One of our favourite things about living there was how easy it was to get cheap delicious food.
At our favourite breakfast spot in Hoi An, we could get a delicious Cao Lau from the friendliest lady in the world for just 1 USD! It was always such a nice start to the day eating our food by the local market while she smiled and laughed the whole time.
But not every street food stall in Vietnam is amazing.
Many people act like every street food stall in Vietnam is a Michelin star restaurant. But it is not true. We had plenty of terrible meals in Vietnam.
Just be prepared to shop around a bit till you find your favourite street food stalls.
My advice is to have a look around and find a few local favourites. So that you can reliably grab a solid meal when you want a break from work.
Typical Food Prices In Hoi An
- Street Food: $1 – $2
- Local Restaurant: $2-$4
- Nicer Restaurants: $4-$6
Just remember that if you want to eat Western-style food, then expect to pay a little more than the prices below. The prices below only reflect Vietnamese food prices.
Avoiding Tourist Trap Restaurants
One thing that we noticed was that many of the restaurants around the old town were overpriced and very inauthentic.
We went to multiple restaurants in the old town with amazing reviews, and the food was pretty terrible.
I think lots of tourists have no idea what they are talking about and just give any food on their trip five stars.
We usually had our favourite meals in local areas away from the busiest parts of town.
Our go-to meals were usually Pho, Banh Mi and Cao Lau. But there is also plenty of other great street food in Hoi An.
And I think Hoi An has the best Banh Mi in the whole of Vietnam.
Every time we ordered Banh Mi in the rest of Vietnam, we were always disappointed. No one gets the buns as crispy as they do in Hoi An; you have to try them!
Cooking At Home In Vietnam
Even though eating out is super cheap, we still cooked at home at least once a day.
The food in Vietnam is delicious and cheap. But they are fairly low in protein and vegetables and we like to have a decent amount in our diet.
After eating a bowl of pho I was always hungry after an hour and a half. But I do need to eat a lot!
So if you are staying a month or longer you may want to cook some meals at home.
Grocery Shopping In Hoi An
- WinMart convenience stores are everywhere and good for basic groceries
- Local markets are much cheaper for fresh produce
- The is surprisingly no major supermarket in Hoi An
We usually bought all our fruits and veggies from local markets. it is much cheaper and it is nice to support locals. You just have to visit a few vendors before you find out the right price!
Community And Local Life In Hoi An
If you are looking for other digital nomads to meet up with, then Hoi An is a decent place. But it is not a place that is crawling with digital nomads.
Most people come to Hoi An for a couple of days and leave. So there is not a huge expat or digital nomad community. But there are a couple of great ways to connect with others.
We generally just chatted with other people at our guesthouse and had friends visit. So we didn’t have a huge desire to meet other nomads. But there are some good options if you want to connect with some.
- Hub Co-Working Community – if you sign up at the Hub, you have access to their community events. This is by far the best way to meet others because the events are designed to meet new people.
- Facebook Groups – you can check out the Hoi An Ex-Pats and Locals facebook group, which is useful for learning about events, casual meet ups and asking local questions.
I found the friendliness of the locals in Vietnam to be a bit hit-or-miss. They were either the friendliest people you had ever met. Or they could be quite cold.
But overall, I found the locals in Hoi An to be quite friendly. Especially compared to other parts of Vietnam.
In our neighbourhood, every morning, all the kids waved and said hello, and all the local food vendors were always so happy to see us.
Our local Cao Lau lady was one of the friendliest food vendors we had ever encountered in all our travels around the world. Every day, she welcomed us with a big laugh and smile.
She even invited us to go on a trip to Da Nang to have some seafood at a local restaurant and visit the Lady Buddha.
Eating breakfast at her stall every day and chatting to her son Phuc was one of the highlights of our stay in Hoi An.
I highly recommend visiting her restaurant TIỆM ĂN SÁNG CÔ NHỊ if you are looking for some of the best street food in Hoi An.
Hoi An Weather: Best Time To Visit (and When To Avoid The Floods!)
If you like hot weather, then Hoi An is the place for you. Since most digital nomad hotspots are tropical, I assume you may like the heat too.
However, the heat can be extreme in Hoi An, I would go lie in the sun for 15 minutes by the pool and sweat more than in a sauna!
Early Dry Season: Cool, Dry and Low Humidity
The best time to visit Hoi An is during the early dry season. Where you get low temperatures, plenty of sunshine and low humidity.
| Season | Months | Average Daily High | Key Benefit |
| Cool and Dry | December to April | 25°C to 28°C (77°F to 82°F) | Most sunshine, low temperatures. Best for sightseeing and being outside. |
If you visit during this period, you won’t be drenched in sweat every time you leave the house.
Wet Season: Hot, Wet and High Flood Risk
From May, the temperatures and humidity in Hoi An start to get serious. During these months, expect to be pouring with sweat whenever you leave the house.
| Season | Months | Average Daily High | Negatives |
| Hot and Humid | May to September | 33°C to 35°C (91°F to 95°F) | Extreme heat and humidity |
| Wet Season | September to November | 27°C to 30°C (80°F to 86°F) | Major flood rish in October and November |
We stayed in Hoi An for one month during the rainy season in September and October. We got quite a few heavy downpours, but luckily also plenty of sunshine. It was very hot, but we were still happy and not too bothered by the heat.
Just be prepared that Hoi An regularly has serious flooding during the rainy season. This year, 2026, the old town was totally underwater. So if you visit during the rainy season, have an exit strategy planned.
The Pace Of Life In Hoi An
The pace of life in Hoi An is great for people that like to take things easy.
Most mornings and evenings we would ride our bikes through the rice fields. Then grab a coffee and something to eat before wondering the lantern lit streets and relaxing at home.
When you frist arrive there are plenty of things to do such as the coconut boat tours, the old town ticket, cycle the rice fields, cooking classes and exploring the old town.
But after a week or so all the sightseeing will be done. We then started a routine of working, cafe hopping and eating around town.
If you are looking for a place with lots of events and nightlife then you should head to Da Nang because there is a lot more going on there.
Hoi An is much more chilled out and that is why we loved it. We do not need a lot of nightlife.
That being said one place that we really enjoyed in the evenings was 7 Bridges. It is a craft beer bar with a beautiful garden in the old town. It was one of the few places in town that we liked to spend the night hanging out with friends.
Beaches In Hoi An: Are They Actually Good?
Hoi An is not known as a beach town. The beaches are not the main reason to visit Hoi An but there are still great to have nearby if you stay long term.
An Bang beach is the main beach, and it is just a 10-minute scooter ride from the center of Hoi An.
When the sun is out and the waves are calm, it can be quite a beautiful beach.
I would quite often ride my bike there for sunrise because it was the only time of day when you would not get cooked by the sun!
If long walks and spending the whole day at the beach are important to you then I would recommend staying in Da Nang. The beaches there are much longer and easier to access.
Just be warned that the water does not look anywhere near as nice as the photo below when there are waves. If you want clear water, make sure to go on a calm day.
Vietnam Visas For Digital Nomads In Hoi An
Another reason Hoi An works so well as a digital nomad base is the price and length of the tourist visa.
It used to be much more complicated to visit and stay in Vietnam. But now you can stay for up to 90 days, and the process is much simpler than in other countries in Southeast Asia.
Just make sure that you sign up with evisa.gov.vn. If you Google Vietnam tourist visa the top results will be scam sites that will charge you more for the visa.
The 90 Day E-Visa Explained
The 90 Day Visa is the best option if you want to stay in Hoi An for a month or longer and then travel elsewhere in Vietnam.
| Visa Type | Duration | Fee | Benefits |
| Single Entry | 90 days | 25 USD | Cheaper, best if you have no plans to leave Vietnam. |
| Multiple Entry | 90 days | 50 USD | Great if you want to do trips to Thailand or Cambodia during your 3 months in Vietnam. |
Important Note: You must get your e-visa approved before departure. The visa is typically approved within 3-5 working days. So make sure that you do not leave it to the last minute. It is recommended to apply at least 2 weeks before your travel date.
Because the Visa lasts 90 days, you could spend a month in Hoi An, then travel around Vietnam afterwards. This makes Hoi An even more attractive as a digital nomad location.
Visa Free Entry
If you are planning only a short trip to Vietnam, you should check whether your passport qualifies for the 45-day visa exemption. There are 24 countries that qualify for this, and if you are on the list, just turn up at the airport, and you get 45 days automatically.
Final Thoughts On Living In Hoi An As A Digital Nomad
After spending one month in Hoi An it quickly became one of our favourite places in South East Asia. It is one of the few places in Vietnam that I would consider returning to.
It is not the perfect place for all digital nomads. If you want more action and events then head to Da Nang or Bali. But if you want slower days, incredible cafes, cheap food then Hoi An is a great place to spend a month or two.
After Hoi An we continued travelling through Vietnam. It is an amazing but oftren frustrating place to travel! If you are heading north, then make sure to check out our articles on
- Ha Long Bay
- Ninh Binh
- Phong Nha
Or if you want to know more information about Hoi An then you can read
- Things To Do In Hoi An
- Best Cafes In Hoi An
- Best Banh Mi In Hoi An
- Where To Stay In Hoi An
- Street Food In Hoi An To Try
- Best Pho In Hoi An
- Our Favourtie Cao Lau In Hoi An
- Hoi An Old Town Ticket Review
HOI AN TRAVEL CHECKLIST
Here are sites we use and recommend for planning a trip to Hoi An. Check out our Travel Resources for all tips!
✈️ Find cheap flights to Da Nang on Kiwi.com
🏠 Get a free place to stay on TrustedHousesitters
🤩 Find the best hotels in Hoi An on Booking.com
🤠 Book attractions and tours on GetYourGuide
🚐 Book buses, shuttles and transport with 12Go
📲 Get an eSim with lots of mobile data on Airlo
✅ Book travel health insurance with SafetyWing
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