Hanoi City Guide
Hanoi Digital Nomad Guide: Visas, Coworking, SIM Cards and Weather
This Hanoi digital nomad guide covers how long you can legally stay, what the official visa pages say about working while you are there, where to find a coworking desk, how to get a data SIM and which months suit a long stay. For the sights to fill the weekends, see things to do in Hanoi.
Quick answer Visa length, coworking, data, weather
You can stay in Hanoi for 45 days without a visa if your passport is on the exemption list, or for up to 90 days on an e-visa, and the official visa pages list no digital nomad visa. A coworking desk starts from VND 2,500,000 a month at Dreamplex, which has a location at 174 Thái Hà. A 15-day unlimited data eSIM costs $10.88 and the climate is easiest from October to April.
Key takeaways
- The 45-day exemption covers 25 countries and anything longer needs an e-visa. The visa table sets out the limits and fees.
- Dreamplex lists one Hanoi coworking location and publishes network-wide starting prices. See the coworking section for the price in dollars.
- A 15-day data eSIM at $10.88 gets you online from the airport. The airport guide covers the ride into town.
- Summer reaches a mean daily high of 34.9 C in June. The weather section shows the months to avoid for a desk in a flat without cooling.
Get Online Before You Land
The 15-day unlimited 5G data SIM or eSIM costs $10.88, rated 5 from 64 reviews. You can collect a physical SIM at the Viettel counter in the Noi Bai arrival hall, which is open 24 hours, or receive an eSIM QR code by message the day before.
from $10.88
15 Days True Unlimited 5G Data Vietnam SIM & eSIM
15-day unlimited 5G data SIM or eSIM from $10.88, with 24/7 Noi Bai pickup. No voice or SMS.
Check AvailabilityCan You Live in Vietnam as a Digital Nomad?
You can stay up to 45 days visa-free on an exemption list or up to 90 days on an e-visa, and the official visa pages list no digital nomad visa. Working is a separate question, and the UK tells you to ask Vietnamese immigration which visa or work permit you need.
The table sets out the stay options on the official tourism authority page, with the UK Foreign Office's own wording on longer stays and work. Your passport decides which row applies.
| Option | Length | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa exemption | Up to 45 days | Free | 25 countries on the list, valid until 2028 depending on the country |
| Single-entry e-visa | Up to 90 days | USD 25 | Apply online, 3 to 5 working days |
| Multiple-entry e-visa | Up to 90 days | USD 50 | Same 90-day limit, you may leave and re-enter |
| Longer than 90 days | Not stated | Not stated | The UK says to contact the Vietnamese Immigration Department |
Working From a Laptop on a Tourist Stay
None of the official pages describes remote work for a foreign employer as allowed or banned on an exemption or an e-visa. The UK says to check with the Vietnam Immigration Department which type of visa or work permit you need, and that authorities can stop you leaving the country until you pay a fine if you overstay or work illegally. Ask in writing before you build a long stay on a tourist entry.
Passport Rules and Overstays
The UK says your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after you arrive, with at least 2 blank pages, and undamaged. Immigration sets the stamped exit date, so check it matches 45 days from arrival. Travellers from countries not on the list, such as Canada, need a visa before they come. The Hanoi travel essentials page covers plugs, numbers and card advice.
Source: Vietnam National Tourism Authority, GOV.UK entry requirements, Government of Canada.
Where Can You Cowork in Hanoi?
Dreamplex is the coworking operator to start with, and its own site lists a Hanoi location at 174 Thái Hà in Đống Đa. Its published coworking price starts at VND 2,500,000 per person per month.
The table gives Dreamplex's own starting prices. They are listed for the whole network, not for Hanoi alone, so ask the Thái Hà desk for the price of the space you want.
| Product | From per Person | In Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Coworking desk, per month | VND 2,500,000 | $97.17 |
| Private office, per month | VND 4,000,000 | $155.48 |
| Virtual office, per day | VND 30,000 | $1.17 |
| Meeting room, per hour | VND 250,000 | $9.72 |
Cafes and Hostels as an Office
Plenty of Old Quarter cafes see laptops, but no cafe publishes a Wi-Fi speed or a policy on long stays, so test the connection with a call before you commit to a morning there. Pay for the first drink and stay for a few hours rather than an all-day table at a busy lunch. For a stay of a month or more, the monthly desk is the more predictable choice. The where-to-stay guide compares the areas for a base.
Source: Dreamplex.
Wi-Fi, SIM Cards and Power in Hanoi
Buy a data eSIM or a physical SIM at the airport and carry a universal adapter. Vietnam runs on 220 V and 50 Hz.
The 15-day SIM above is the cheapest way to cover your first fortnight, and the airport guide explains the ride in. The IEC lists flat two-pin (type A) and the round-pin Europlug (type C) sockets for Vietnam, so a universal adapter covers every case. A hotspot from the SIM is your backup when a cafe connection drops. The travel essentials guide has the plug and voltage detail.
Source: IEC World Plugs.
What Is the Weather Like for a Long Stay in Hanoi?
October to April is the easy half of the year and June to August is the hard half. Hanoi's long-term averages swing from a mean daily high of 20.2 C in January to 34.9 C in June.
Winter is cool and grey rather than cold: January averages 16.4 C with 10.3 rain days and February 12.4 rain days. Summer brings both heat and rain, with June at a mean maximum of 34.9 C and August the wettest month at 273.7 mm over 17.2 rain days. November is a good start for a long stay, with a mean maximum of 26.7 C and 8.1 rain days.
The UK also lists air pollution among Vietnam's health risks and points readers to TravelHealthPro for air quality, so check it if you work indoors in a room without a filter. The best time to visit Hanoi has the full month table.
Source: Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology climate normals via Wikipedia, GOV.UK health.
Is Crime Bad in Hanoi?
Petty theft is the main risk: the UK says bag snatching by thieves on motorcycles is common. Hold your bag in front of you and carry your laptop in a bag that does not hang on the road side.
The UK also advises buying your own drinks and keeping them in sight, and being wary of job offers that appear too good to be true. Take health insurance that covers evacuation, since the UK says a policy should cover existing conditions, air ambulance transport and repatriation. The emergency numbers are police 113, fire 114 and ambulance 115. The where-to-stay guide shows which areas suit a quiet base.
Source: GOV.UK safety, GOV.UK health.
Can You Live Off $1,000 a Month in Vietnam?
No official source prices a month in Hanoi, so build it from the lines you can check. A desk starts at $97.17 a month and a data SIM at $10.88 for 15 days.
Rent and food have no government price list, so this page gives no figure for them. Two fixed lines are known: the Dreamplex desk at $97.17 a month and the 15-day SIM at $10.88. For the daily spend on food, taxis and tours, the Hanoi budget guide builds a daily budget from tour prices and official fares.
Source: Dreamplex.
Weekend Tours for Remote Workers in Hanoi
A data SIM, a cooking class, a coffee workshop, and two day trips for the days off, each with the operator's own price and rating. More are on the Hanoi tours hub.
from $24
Hanoi Coffee Class learning 5 famous coffee in Hanoi
2-hour hands-on class making 5 Hanoi coffees including egg and salted, with snacks, at $24.
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from $35
Hanoi Cooking Class: Culture, Tales, Market, Free Transfer
Cooking class with market walk and free Old Quarter transfer, from $35. Rated 4.9 from 894 reviews.
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from $48
Hanoi: Ninh Binh, Bai Dinh/Hoa Lu, Trang An & Mua Cave Tour
Day trip to Ninh Binh with buffet lunch, Trang An boat and Mua Cave, two start options. 11,916 reviews.
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from $40
Hanoi: Ha Long Bay Day Cruise with Swimming, Meal and Kayaking
Ha Long Bay day cruise with lunch, caves and kayaking. Port-only meeting is an option, Hanoi transfer adds $10 there. 14,910 reviews.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own. Dollar figures are the listed prices. The platform bills in your account's currency.
Hanoi Digital Nomad FAQ
Is there a digital nomad visa for Vietnam?
The official tourism authority and the UK Foreign Office pages list a 45-day exemption, a 90-day e-visa and work permits, and no digital nomad visa. Ask Vietnamese immigration before you plan a longer stay. The visa table has the limits.
How long can I stay in Hanoi on a tourist stay?
Up to 45 days on the exemption list or up to 90 days on an e-visa, which costs USD 25 for one entry and USD 50 for several. The visa section sets out both. Staying longer and wanting to give time? Volunteering in Hanoi is covered separately.
Can I work remotely in Hanoi on an e-visa?
No official page says it is allowed or banned. The UK tells you to ask the Vietnam Immigration Department which visa or work permit you need. See the working section.
Where can I find a coworking space in Hanoi?
Dreamplex lists a location at 174 Thái Hà, Đống Đa, with coworking from VND 2,500,000 per person per month, about $97.17. The coworking section has the table.
Can you live off $1,000 a month in Vietnam?
No official source prices rent or food in Hanoi, so a monthly total cannot be checked. A desk is about $97.17 and a data SIM $10.88 for 15 days. See the costs section.
Is crime bad in Hanoi?
The main risk is bag snatching by thieves on motorcycles, and drink spiking is also reported. Hold your bag in front of you and keep drinks in sight. Read the safety section.
Prices, hours and terms are set by the venue or operator and confirmed at checkout.
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