Best South-East Asian Cities to Work for Digital Nomads

Digital nomads from western countries have always been interested in visiting Asia. Perhaps it is because their culture is so much different than ours, so we feel drawn to it in a way we cannot truely explain. It is probably due to our desire to meet different traditions and see what they’re like first hand. South-East Asia is quickly becoming a place to see if you are a digital nomad. There are many reasons for that. It is very affordable to tourists, people are friendly, and you can choose whether you’d like to stay in an urban city or in a stress-free place on the beach. In this article, you will find out what are the 5 most popular cities to work in South-East Asia. So, let’s begin. 

5. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
   

The biggest city in Vietnam, this is also a very popular destination for digital nomads. It is a great mix of urban lifestyle and traditional values. Digital nomads like it so much because it is a cheap place to live in, with good Internet speeds, and it offers a lot of places to work from. Only know one thing, these people love their motorbikes. It is a common way of getting around the city, and it will probably take you a couple of days to get used to it. Fortunately, there are a lot of hidden places where you can relax and get away from the noise. You only have to explore it.

4. Singapore

What’s not to like about this place? People are extremely friendly, you will have no trouble with communication, there are a lot of brilliant restaurants and the Internet is super fast. Let’s not forget to mention the night life, which is crazy most of the time. The weather is pretty good as well, although it can be a bit humid at times. Wait, so why is it only ranked in 4th place on our list? Well, unfortunately, it is not cheap to live here. Not one bit. You will need to have deep pockets to stay here. But then again, it is worth it.

3. Bangkok, Thailand

Another big city on our list. You might think that it’s a bad thing, but being in an urban capitol also has many advantages. First of all, you will definitely meet a lot of people, and some of them are bound to be digital nomads, just like you. In no time at all, you will feel like a part of the community. Even though it is quite a crowded place, you won’t have huge problems getting around the city, as the public transportation system is very efficient. There are a bunch of free WiFi hotspots, and it is not an expensive like some other cities from the list. However, it can get noisy and a bit dirty, but that comes with the big city.

2. Phuket, Thailand

Even though we are talking about the same country, these two places could not be more different. While Bangkok is loud and urban, Phuket is a place where you can relax and enjoy. It might not be as dynamic, but after one look at those gorgeous beaches, you will forget about that in a matter of seconds. The food is great, Internet connectivity is pretty decent, and the night life is awesome. The best thing is, you won’t have to rob a bank in order to live here. On the contrary, it is very affordable. The only problem is forcing yourself to work instead of sunbathing on the beach all day long.

1. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Even before you started to read this article, you probably could've guessed what would be the number 1. Chiang Mai is not only the best place for digital nomads in South-East Asia, it could very well be the digital nomad capitol of the world! Why is that the case? It almost seems like this place was built for us. It is modern, trendy, and full of places you can work from. The food is great, everything is very affordable, and the weather is nice. If you call yourself a digital nomad, this is a place you have to visit in your lifetime. Period.