In 2026, as the yen weakens, more Japanese are considering "remote work in the tropics" or a "short-term move." Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi — the three cities Digital Nomad Index rated as "20 to 30% cheaper than Thailand or Malaysia" in its 2026 guide — are rare destinations where a life with a furnished apartment plus fiber-optic internet plus eating out works out to 100,000 to 150,000 yen a month. This article organizes the latest rents, coworking, visas, and medical costs by city and reads the realities of moving to or working remotely from Vietnam.
The latest Vietnam costs shown by the Digital Nomad Index 2026 edition
Digital Nomad Index's "Vietnam Digital Nomad Guide 2026," published in April 2026, laid out the monthly living-cost ranges for the three cities: Da Nang 700 to 1,100 USD (about 110,000 to 170,000 yen), Hoi An 800 to 1,300 USD, and Ho Chi Minh City 900 to 1,600 USD. For rent, a single studio runs 250 to 500 USD in Da Nang's An Thuong, over 400 to 700 USD in central District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi's Tay Ho district is on par with Ho Chi Minh City. Co-living (furnished, with utilities and coworking included) converges at 400 to 750 USD in every city.
Notable is the strength of the communications infrastructure. Coworking spaces come standard with 100 to 300 Mbps fiber, and an unlimited 4G SIM costs 5 to 10 USD a month. Few Southeast Asian hubs let you secure speeds that pose no trouble for video calls and large data transfers for under 15 USD a month.
The reality of Ho Chi Minh City's "Thao Dien" — is a 1BR really 60,000 yen a month?
In Ho Chi Minh City, Japanese expats and Western nomads concentrate in the Thao Dien area of District 2. A 1BR at Masteri Thao Dien or The Ascent runs 700 to 1,000 USD a month (about 110,000 to 150,000 yen), and a 2BR at Gateway or Estella Heights runs 900 to 1,300 USD. Japanese schools, English international schools, Japanese supermarkets, and Japanese restaurants cluster within walking distance, making it an easy first posting for families.
On the other hand, if you're aiming for a "1BR at 60,000 yen a month," you'll need to widen your search to District 3, Binh Thanh District, and Go Vap District. Local properties go for around 200 to 350 USD (about 30,000 to 55,000 yen). Because risks increase — landlords who don't speak English, sudden rent revisions, deposit troubles — the standard move is a two-stage approach: use a Japanese agency in Thao Dien for the first six months, then move to a local district once you're settled.
Three-city cost comparison table (as of April 2026)
| Item | Ho Chi Minh City | Da Nang | Hanoi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR rent (central) | $400-1,000 (about 60,000 to 150,000 yen) | $250-500 (about 40,000 to 75,000 yen) | $350-700 (about 55,000 to 105,000 yen) |
| Co-living | $400-750 (about 60,000 to 110,000 yen) | $400-750 (about 60,000 to 110,000 yen) | $400-700 (about 60,000 to 105,000 yen) |
| Coworking monthly | $60-120 (about 9,000 to 18,000 yen) | $40-90 (about 6,000 to 13,500 yen) | $50-100 (about 7,500 to 15,000 yen) |
| Eating out (local / meal) | $2-5 | $2-4 | $2-5 |
| Eating out (Western / meal) | $8-15 | $5-12 | $6-13 |
| Unlimited 4G SIM / month | $5-10 | $5-10 | $5-10 |
| Fiber-optic speed | 100-300Mbps | 100-300Mbps | 50-200Mbps |
| Monthly total (single) | $900-1,600 (about 140,000 to 250,000 yen) | $700-1,100 (about 110,000 to 170,000 yen) | $800-1,300 (about 120,000 to 200,000 yen) |
Reactions from locals and industry insiders
A Japanese nomad living in Da Nang (an IT engineer in his 30s)posted on social media: "I used to live in a one-room in Tokyo for 150,000 yen a month, but in Da Nang I have an ocean-view 1BR five minutes' walk from My Khe for 450 USD a month. Even going to a café every day, food runs about 50,000 yen a month. I've run out of reasons to go home."
A staffer at a Japanese real-estate agency in Ho Chi Minh Citysays, "Since late 2025, inquiries for short stays have doubled with the accelerating weak yen. Three-to-six-month monthly contracts in particular are increasing, and furnished properties with WiFi and housekeeping included have become a scramble."
An operator of a coworking space in Hanoisays, "Our Japanese membership is 1.8 times that of 2024. The Tay Ho district used to have many Western nomads, but lately long stays by Japanese families stand out too." Living in Vietnam 2026 analyzes that "nomads are flowing into Vietnam as rents in Bangkok and Chiang Mai climb."
Impact on Japanese readers — tropical living for 100,000 to 150,000 yen a month becomes realistic
At 156 yen to the dollar, life in Da Nang with an ocean-view 1BR, coworking, and eating out for two meals a day works out to 100,000 to 150,000 yen a month. Living in Tokyo's 23 wards on the same budget, rent alone would eat it up. Since late 2025, Vietnam's 90-day e-visa (about 50 USD) has gone online, and cases of Japanese passport holders being issued one within three business days of applying are increasing.
For families, education costs are the variable. International schools (English) run 2 to 3 million yen a year, and Japanese schools (elementary and junior high) run 1 to 1.5 million yen a year. Thao Dien and Phu My Hung in District 7 are within the Japanese school bus zone and offer solid family support.Vietnam's café cultureis a strength no other Southeast Asian country offers — an environment where you can experience it as part of daily life.
Industry ripple effects — "nomad migration" from Thailand and Malaysia
The Digital Nomad Index 2026 edition notes that "Vietnam's three cities are 20 to 30% cheaper in rent than Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, with coworking fees at about half the price." Nomads flowing in from Chiang Mai are up 40% from 2025, and the industry increasingly sees the "capital of Southeast Asian nomads" shifting from Thailand to Vietnam.
The Vietnamese government also announced a "Golden Visa" (long-stay visa) concept in 2025, and once full operation begins, demand for second homes among wealthy Japanese is expected to flow in as well.Vietnam is catching up to Thailand in visitor numbers, and behind this lies the rise of such nomads and short-term movers.
Recommended areas and cautions by city
| City | Recommended areas | Who it's for | Points to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City | Thao Dien, District 2 Phu My Hung, District 7 | Families, Japanese-school commuters, Japanese-supermarket users | The highest rent of the three cities. Risk of rent revisions |
| Ho Chi Minh City | District 3, Binh Thanh District | Single nomads on long stays who want to keep rent down | Many properties without English support. Using a Japanese agency is recommended |
| Da Nang | An Thuong My Khe Beach | Sea lovers, workation, singles wanting to keep rent down | From May to September, temperatures exceed 35°C. Air-conditioning costs rise |
| Hanoi | Tay Ho district | Those drawn to a Western nomad community and café culture | Around 10°C in winter. Some properties lack heating |
| Hoi An | Around the Old Quarter | A quiet setting; balancing sightseeing and work | Watch out in the flood season (October to November). Few properties available |
Medical costs and insurance — using a family doctor and an international clinic as needed
A first visit to a local clinic is 10 to 20 USD, while a first visit to an international clinic like Family Medical Practice or Vinmec is 80 to 150 USD. Clinics with Japanese-speaking staff, such as Lotus Clinic (Ho Chi Minh City) and Sakura Clinic (Da Nang), are also increasing. Long-stayers commonly take out Western medical insurance (500 to 1,500 USD a year).
Summary — three steps to a successful move or workation in Vietnam
In 2026, even measured in dollars, Vietnam has become one of the cheapest in Southeast Asia; in yen terms, it is a rare destination where "resort living at the cost of Tokyo rent" is possible. If you're considering it, proceeding in the following three steps minimizes mistakes.
First, spend the first 30 days on a 90-day e-visa staying in hotels and co-living to compare the feel of the three cities. Second, once you've narrowed your base, sign a three-to-six-month monthly contract through a Japanese agency and settle on your coworking space, medical facilities, and go-to shops. Third, once a longer stay comes into view, arrange your business visa, work permit, and bank account.
The idea of "wanting to live in the tropics" or "continuing to work remotely" is no longer anything special.Da Nang's summer resort appeal: it's best to experience it once before deciding.
Source
・Digital Nomad Index「Vietnam Digital Nomad Guide 2026」
・The Vietnam Yield「Cost of Living in Vietnam 2026」
・Living in Vietnam「Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh City 2026」
・MVP Vietnam「How Much Does It Cost to Live in Da Nang in 2026」
