The Slow Digital Nomad Guide to Hanoi: Cafés, Culture & Tips

Hanoi, Vietnam, is a city of chaos and contrast. You either love it or hate it.

Luckily for me, I loved it, despite the number of Vietnam-based digital nomads we met in Da Nang and Hoi An who told us to avoid Hanoi at all costs.

(I’m glad I didn’t listen to them.)

With its faults and quirks, Hanoi might not be ‘idyllic’ for most remote workers.

But for those who love a melting pot city bursting with history, culture, and food—and I mean real, authentic Vietnamese cuisine—Hanoi tops the charts.

Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital, after all. Chaos is to be expected, which is precisely why I loved it here.

Compared to the seaside cities on Vietnam’s southern coast, Hanoi has much more to offer—and I mean more than just street food and egg coffee (this famous drink originates in Hanoi)!

I stayed in Hanoi for roughly two weeks as a digital nomad. While not hardly enough time, in my view, to really immerse myself in one place, it gave me a good grip on what longer-term digital nomad living would be like.

With cafes aplenty and market streets galore, I’m sure I’d not get bored even after a few months.

Here’s everything you need to know about traveling slowly and working remotely in Hanoi!

🛵 Need transport? Grab App is the go-to for bikes and cars
🛏 Find your Hanoi stay on Booking.com
📶 Get connected with a Vietnam eSIM
🇻🇳 Book local tours via GetYourGuide or Viator
✈️ Stay covered with SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

Digital Nomad Life in Hanoi: Where to Stay, Work, & Explore

Why Base in Hanoi? Things to Do & Activities

Food, culture, temples… Need I say more? While Hanoi doesn’t have beaches, it does have the grit of a capital that knows its worth.

And I think nomads like me will find Hanoi extremely charming. Almost addictive. Those who don’t—or can’t—handle its smog, unpredictable traffic, or centuries-old traditions probably should look elsewhere.

There’s plenty to do in Hanoi for the average traveler visiting on a short, 5-day itinerary, for example:

But that’s not why you should decide to base yourself in Hanoi.

Beyond its activities, you can explore Hanoi’s market streets and seep deep into its neighborhoods. Crafts, parks, temples, and hidden plazas. And did I mention some of the best food?

Hanoi has good accommodation, food, and cafes with WiFi, which is kind of the ideal recipe for digital nomads.

Plus, an international airport, cheap Uber/taxi rides, and, most importantly, a vibrant and ancient culture, which is my number one reason for even working remotely and staying longer in Vietnam.

🇻🇳 Did you know?

Vietnam is home to 54 officially recognized ethnic groups. While the Kinh (Vietnamese) majority makes up about 85% of the population, the remaining 15% represents a rich cultural mosaic of Indigenous communities with distinct languages, customs, and traditions.

Source: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (which you can visit in Hanoi!)

If you’re in Vietnam for modern conveniences, Hanoi has those, too. That’s what’s so great about Hanoi—there’s something for everyone, and it only adds to its charm.

Where to Stay as a Digital Nomad in Hanoi (Best Areas)

Where you choose to base in Hanoi will greatly shape your experience.

I stayed in two very different areas during my time in Hanoi:

• Hang Dao, in the heart of the Old Quarter, where tourists and locals rub shoulders in lantern-lit alleyways, and
• Dien Bien, which is a more residential and local-feeling neighborhood near Ba Dinh.

The contrast between the two helped me appreciate Hanoi’s different paces. Being more central in the Old Quarter was more convenient for visiting with family, but as an adventurous nomad, I really enjoyed staying a bit further out of the center.

Top areas to stay in Hanoi as a remote worker:

• Hoan Kiem (Hang Dao area): Vibrant, walkable, and full of life. Great for short visits, but can be noisy at night unless you’re tucked off a quiet street. Housing can also be challenging, as many rentals are dark and unlit.
• Tay Ho (West Lake): Peaceful, expat-friendly, and full of cafés. Think early morning or post-work strolls with lake views. Could be ideal for long stays and quiet work days if you find a nice apartment.
• Ba Dinh (Dien Bien area): Local vibes with tree-lined streets and less foot traffic. A good balance for digital nomads looking to live more like a local.
• French Quarter: Colonial buildings, boutique hotels, and is considered the luxurious shopping and governmental office area of Hanoi. It has its charm I suppose, but its a bit too commercial for my tastes.

Then, for apartment-hunting in each neighborhood, I’d first check TrustedHousesitters (for free sits), Facebook (for local rentals), Airbnb (for reasonably priced studios), and Booking.com for private rooms in social hostels.

Another option is to book a few nights and then wander around and check rental listings locally. We stayed a few nights in Dien Bien (Bi Eco Suites) and found many vacant rentals in town.

Hanoi’s Cute Café Culture: My Favorite Spots for Remote Work

Hanoi’s café culture is a reason for staying here as a digital nomad. It has a lot of options! And I mean A LOT!

Think post-it note coffee shops, tiny alleyway cafes, and roasteries housed in converted, crumbling hideouts. Vietnamese coffee also has a reputation that precedes itself.

That said, I’m pretty picky.

While Hanoi is overflowing with coffee shops (most with WiFi), not all have good lighting, comfy tables/chairs, outlets, or AC. It’s just about finding what works for you!

Hanoi cafés with WiFi and atmosphere:

• Blackbird Coffee: This coffee shop has a great location, strong brews, and good brunch options. It has an earthy vibe and a calm, relatively quiet upstairs for coworking. My first choice!
• Tranquil Books & Coffee: Bookish and cute, but can get very crowded. This place oozes cozy. Great place for writing and light laptop work!
• Hanoi Coffee Culture: A spacious, lesser-known spot to get some work done. It has downstairs outdoor seating as well as upstairs tables!

There are so many more spots but these three were the ones we’d cycle through the most.

Coworking spaces like eSpace exist, but I honestly got most of my work done in quiet cafés with outlets and reliable WiFi. Like I said, I’m picky! Why would I pay the same amount on desk space when I could spend that on coffee and brunch?

Getting Data: eSIMS & WiFi in Hanoi

Hanoi is a magnet for digital nomads because of its fast-loading speeds, even in cafes and restaurants.

You’ll easily find free WiFi almost anywhere you go, and speeds will most likely be 100 Mbps or faster.

As you’ll see, the café culture is strong here, with many Vietnamese students, expats, and remote workers on their laptops.

There might be laptop-limited lunch hours imposed in a few places. Otherwise, you don’t really need to worry for speed.

As for phone data, I simply download a Vietnam eSIM to get data for Google Maps, quick family updates, and online searches. Nowadays, I never buy physical SIMs because of how easy it is to use an eSIM.

Cost of Living in Hanoi, Vietnam

You gotta love Vietnam for its affordability. I think Hanoi exceeded all of my expectations, except my budget.

I was able to keep expenses down compared to other months. Compared to Da Nang or Hoi An, Hanoi seems more affordable for extended stays.

• Accommodation: Maybe $500–700/month
• Cafés: < $3 per coffee
• Food: Cheap! $1-5 for street food; $10+ for brunch
• Transport: On foot if based in center; $30/month for scooter or frequent GrabBikes
• Extras: $30+ for tours; $1-2 per kilo for laundry; eSIM $10/mo

Based on what I spent in two weeks, my average monthly spend would probably be around $800–$1100.

If you’re planning to stay a while, monthly rentals and home-cooked meals will stretch your dong even further.

Finding a Nomadic Community in Hanoi

If I’m going to be based somewhere for a couple of months (or even weeks), I’ll often join niche Facebook groups like Hanoi Digital Nomads or search events through Meetup.

Both outlets are good for networking and learning more about the current situation from people already there (e.g., are there resource shortages, political protests, etc.,).

Other Places in Vietnam for Digital Nomads

With Vietnam’s 90-day visa, who said you must stay in one place?

Hanoi would be an awesome choice for a full three months, however, with its multiple-day trips and long weekend trips.

From Hanoi, you can also visit:

I’d argue that 90 days is almost too short just to cover the north of Vietnam, but, if you’re feeling up to it, you could also split your time between the north and south.

Southern Vietnam is perhaps warmer year-round, which is why many nomads are attracted to the coastal towns of Da Nang and Hoi An.

However, further south is Ho Chi Minh, which is steeped in history and culture, just like the rest of the country.

It’s all about the energy and pace you’re after. If you’re more in a slow-traveling season where you need just to slow down and get deep work done, or if you’re in a backpacker-nomad era with enough stamina to explore all over.

I really want to return to Vietnam and do a northern motorbike trip, but that might be a bit complicated to combine with remote work! It sounds like I need to talk to my boss about taking a few days off! 😉

Wherever you ultimately choose, I hope you give Hanoi a real chance as a digital nomad base!