Why Vietnam Has Become a Long Stay Travel Hotspot
Imagine waking up to the smell of freshly brewed Vietnamese coffee, hopping on a motorbike to explore hidden alleys, and ending your day with a bowl of steaming pho at a night market. That’s what long stay travel in Vietnam feels like—a mix of daily routine and constant discovery.
More and more travelers are extending their stays in Vietnam, not just for a quick vacation, but for months at a time. Some come as digital nomads, others as retirees seeking a slower pace, while many simply want to immerse themselves in Vietnamese culture.
So, what makes Vietnam such an attractive destination for long stay travel? The answer lies in its unique blend of affordability, diversity, and authenticity.
Long Stay Travel Vietnam: A Complete Journey for Slow Travelers
Visas and Entry: How to Stay Longer in Vietnam
One of the first things you’ll wonder about long stay travel in Vietnam is: How long can I actually stay?
Vietnam has made the process smoother in recent years with e-visas that allow visitors to stay up to 90 days. If you want to stay longer, extensions and renewals are possible through local agencies. Some travelers even mix tourist and business visas to spend half a year—or longer—in the country.
The key is planning ahead and always checking updated rules, since visa policies can shift from year to year. But rest assured, many before you have successfully built their long stay lifestyle in Vietnam, and so can you.
The Cost of Living: Affordable Comfort
One of the biggest draws of long stay travel in Vietnam is how far your budget stretches.
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A comfortable apartment in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi might cost between $400–$700 per month, while smaller cities like Da Nang or Hoi An can be even cheaper.
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Eating out is delightfully affordable: a plate of com tam (broken rice) or a steaming bowl of pho can cost as little as $2.
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Even with extras like gyms, coworking spaces, and weekend trips, most long stay travelers live well on $800–$1,200 per month.
This balance of affordability and quality of life is why Vietnam consistently ranks high among expats and nomads looking for a base in Southeast Asia.
The Cost of Living: Affordable Comfort
Where to Base Yourself: Best Cities for Long Stay Travel
Vietnam is not a one-size-fits-all destination. Each city offers a completely different flavor of life.
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Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): A buzzing metropolis full of energy, nightlife, and coworking spaces. Perfect for digital nomads and entrepreneurs.
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Hanoi: Vietnam’s cultural heart. If you love history, traditional food, and artistic vibes, Hanoi is for you.
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Da Nang: With its golden beaches and growing expat community, Da Nang is often called the “digital nomad capital” of Vietnam.
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Hoi An: A small, charming town where time seems to slow down. Great for writers, artists, and retirees.
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Da Lat: Nestled in the mountains, offering cool weather and endless green landscapes. Ideal for those seeking peace and fresh air.
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Nha Trang & Phu Quoc: For beach lovers who want island life and water sports right at their doorstep.
The beauty of long stay travel in Vietnam is that you don’t have to choose just one. Many travelers spend a few months in different cities, experiencing the contrasts between north, central, and south.
Finding a Place to Live
Accommodation is surprisingly easy to arrange. Facebook groups, local real estate agents, and platforms like Airbnb make it simple to find both short- and long-term rentals.
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Serviced apartments give you comfort and cleaning services.
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Local houses are cheaper and more authentic, though you may need to commit to longer contracts.
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Homestays are ideal if you want to immerse yourself in family life and practice Vietnamese daily.
Most long stay travelers recommend arriving first, staying in a short-term Airbnb or hotel, and then hunting for rentals in person. That way, you can check the neighborhood and negotiate directly with the landlord.
Finding a Place to Live
Daily Life: Blending Routine with Adventure
Long stay travel in Vietnam isn’t about rushing through tourist sites. It’s about building a rhythm.
Mornings might start with a strong cup of ca phe sua da at a street-side café. Midday, you could work from a coworking space or a quiet coffee shop with high-speed Wi-Fi. Afternoons may be spent at the gym, exploring markets, or taking Vietnamese language classes. Evenings are perfect for gathering with friends over hotpot or grabbing a cold beer on Bui Vien Street.
Weekends? That’s when you hop on a motorbike and ride out to nearby waterfalls, rice terraces, or coastal towns. Every region has something different to offer, which keeps long stay travel in Vietnam endlessly exciting.
Working Remotely in Vietnam
If you’re a digital nomad, you’ll be pleased to know that Vietnam is incredibly work-friendly. Internet speeds are reliable, coworking spaces are trendy, and cafés often double as your second office.
Cities like Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City have thriving expat communities, where it’s easy to network, collaborate, or just make friends for a weekend trip. The cost of coworking memberships is also lower compared to many other Asian hubs like Singapore or Hong Kong.
Food: A Long Stay Traveler’s Dream
Vietnamese cuisine is a highlight of any long-term stay. Unlike other countries where eating out every day might drain your wallet, here it’s a pleasure you can afford daily.
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Pho for breakfast,
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Banh mi for lunch,
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Bun cha or seafood hotpot for dinner.
Beyond street food, Vietnam also has a growing international food scene. From Italian pizza to Japanese sushi, you’ll find plenty of variety in the bigger cities. But the joy of long stay travel in Vietnam is that you’ll never run out of authentic local dishes to try.
Getting Around
Transportation is another part of the adventure.
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Motorbikes are the go-to option. Renting monthly costs about $60.
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Grab app (Vietnam’s version of Uber) makes it easy to get rides without worrying about bargaining.
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Public buses and metros are available in big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
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For longer distances, affordable domestic flights connect every corner of the country.
While traffic can be overwhelming at first, many long stay travelers eventually find riding a motorbike in Vietnam to be one of their favorite experiences.
Health, Safety, and Comfort
Vietnam is generally safe, with friendly communities and low crime rates. Still, like anywhere, it’s wise to watch your belongings and be cautious in traffic.
Healthcare is accessible, with international hospitals in major cities and affordable private clinics. For peace of mind, it’s best to have travel insurance covering your long stay in Vietnam.
Health, Safety, and Comfort
The Cultural Connection
Long stay travel in Vietnam isn’t just about living cheaply—it’s about living deeply.
Take time to learn a few Vietnamese phrases, join local festivals, and understand traditions. Small gestures, like giving and receiving items with both hands or showing respect at temples, go a long way.
By staying longer, you’ll experience the rhythm of Vietnamese life—the morning exercise in parks, family meals, Tet celebrations, and the warmth of neighbors who slowly become friends.
Challenges You Might Face
It wouldn’t be fair to say long stay travel in Vietnam is perfect. Some challenges include:
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Visa renewals that require careful planning.
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Traffic chaos in big cities.
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Cultural differences that may take adjustment.
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Air pollution in urban areas during certain months.
But for most long stay travelers, these challenges are minor compared to the rewards of living here.
Absolutely. Long stay travel in Vietnam is not just about stretching your budget, but also about stretching your experiences. Few places in the world offer such a rich combination of culture, nature, community, and affordability.
Whether you’re sipping coffee by Hoan Kiem Lake, coding away in a Da Nang coworking hub, or enjoying sunsets on Phu Quoc beach, your long stay in Vietnam will leave you with stories, friendships, and memories that last a lifetime. If you’ve ever dreamed of living abroad—even temporarily—Vietnam might just be the perfect place to start.
