I’m Sylvie, one of the founders of My Nomad Space, a community-led accommodation directory for remote professionals that compiles only highly reviewed places with verified download and upload Wi-Fi speeds. I’ve also been a digital nomad since 2022.
Even after working remotely and visiting so many places over the last four years, Ho Chi Minh City, commonly known as Saigon, is one of those cities where I could genuinely see myself staying long-term.
I love discovering new places, but when somewhere really stands out, I know I could easily spend a few months there. Vietnam‘s capital is one of those places.
Here are 6 reasons why you might love Ho Chi Minh City too if you’re a digital nomad
1. Ho Chi Minh City coffee shop culture is next level
If you’re anything like me, you probably like having your own space to work from (especially on busy call days), but also need a change of scenery to stay productive. Saigon is incredible for that. There are literally thousands of coffee shops across the city!
You’ll find places with strong Wi-Fi, proper work setups and really good drinks. A lot of them stay open late, and some are even open 24/7.
I actually feel more productive when I’m surrounded by other people working, and when there’s a good drink involved, even better. Vietnam does amazing coffee, but also matcha, iced teas and things like coconut coffee or salty cream coffee, which I love.
Here are some of my favourite cafes (with Wi-Fi speeds) below in our Instagram post.
2. The food scene is unreal in Saigon
Alongside the drinks, the food in Ho Chi Minh City is just as good. There’s an endless choice, from street food to small local spots to more high-end restaurants. In the evening, the whole city comes alive and everyone goes out to eat, and it’s easy to see why.
The food is delicious, there’s so much variety, and even if you’re craving something different, you’ll find it. Being vegetarian, I found plenty of options in the city. Initially I thought choices were limited, especially for local places. But when I eventually typed in “chay” – vegetarian in Vietnamese – on Google Maps, plenty more options appeared.
We definitely had our fair share of late-night banh mi runs and quick stops at places like Family Mart, 7-Eleven and Circle K. You won’t go hungry here, and it’s very affordable too.
3. Ho Chi Minh City is a great base for everyday life
When you stay somewhere longer while working remotely, you start enjoying more than just the tourist spots. Of course, I loved things like Book Street or the War Remnants Museum, but day-to-day life is just as good here.
There are loads of parks, great places for massages and it’s easy to get your hair or nails done in really nice places. It’s one of those cities where it’s easy to take care of yourself while still working and enjoying life.
The shopping scene is also amazing. There are so many local brands and designers, and you’ll definitely be tempted. Some good streets to check out:
- Le Van Sy
- Nguyen Trai
- Nguyen Dinh Chieu
- Hai Ba Trung
4. Vietnam's capital is easy to get around and explore
Even though it’s a big city, we ended up walking a lot and just exploring different areas. And when you don’t feel like walking, it’s super easy to order a Grab and hop on the back of a scooter.
There’s also now a metro line (Line 1), with more coming. It’s simple to use and connects some really nice areas:
- Ba Son is great for sunsets and skyline views
- Tan Cang near Landmark 81 and has a really nice park
- An Phu in the Thao Dien area, with cafes and big malls
You can also take the water taxi, which is really nice in the evening
5. Saigon has many accommodation options
Ho Chi Minh City is a huge city, so there’s a wide range of places to stay depending on your budget and the area you prefer. You’ll definitely be able to find something that suits you.
On My Nomad Space, we (and our community) share places we’ve stayed in, including both upload and download Wi-Fi speeds, to help other remote workers find reliable places.
If you’re a digital nomad, remote professional or business traveller and have stayed and worked somewhere you’d recommend, you can sign up for free and share your experience to help others too.
6. Ho Chi Minh City is surrounded by beautiful places you can escape for the weekend
If you have enough of the busy city after a little while and want to escape to somewhere calmer for the weekend. Saigon is within easy reach of several beautiful destinations, all roughly a two-hour drive away.
Here are some great options:
- Vung Tau and Ho Tram for a seaside escape
- Mui Ne (Red Sand Dune) for a beautiful sunset experience and another seaside escape in Hai Long. It’s a bit further than two hours, but worth it for the unique desert-like landscapes and beach atmosphere
- Can Gio (Mangrove Forest) for nature, monkeys and seafood lovers
- My Tho (Mekong Delta) for boat rides through canals, floating life and fruit farms
We’ve been filming our adventures as digital nomads since March 2022, all around the world and especially around SEA! Watch our Ho Chi Minh City video below, which was filmed during Tet in February 2026!
