Vietnam: From Northern Peaks to Ancient Streets

A month of wandering through Vietnam's diverse landscapes took me from the chaotic charm of Hanoi to the serene streets of Hoi An. Here's how I balanced remote work with exploring some of Vietnam's most spectacular destinations.

Week 1: Hanoi (5 Days)

Kicked off my Vietnamese adventure in the vibrant capital.

Work Setup:

• Toong Coworking Space (multiple locations)

• The Click Space (great community)

• Ministry of Coffee (excellent workspace)

Must-Do Experiences:

• Dawn coding at Hoan Kiem Lake

• Old Quarter food tour

• Weekend at Temple of Literature

• Egg coffee at Giang Cafe

• Train Street photography

• Tay Ho district cafes

Week 1-2: Ha Long Bay (3 Days)

A much-needed break between work weeks.

Experience Highlights:

• 2-night cruise (Heritage Line)

• Sunrise tai chi sessions

• Cave exploration

• Kayaking adventures

• Local fishing village visits

• Ti Top Island sunset

Week 2: Ha Giang Loop (4 Days)

Scheduled this epic adventure over a long weekend.

Adventure Highlights:

• Heaven's Gate Pass

• Lung Cu Flag Tower

• Dong Van Karst Plateau

• Ma Pi Leng Pass views

• H'mong King's Palace

• Local homestays

• Quan Ba Twin Mountains

Week 3: Sapa (5 Days)

Mixed trekking adventures with remote work.

Work Setup:

• Highland Camp & Coffee

• Sapa Hub Coworking

• Lens Cafe (mountain views)

Must-Experience:

• Cat Cat Village trek

• Muong Hoa Valley

• Silver Waterfall

• Weekend Fansipan climb

• Local market visits

• Rice terrace photoshoots

Week 3-4: Da Nang (7 Days)

Beach life meets modern workspace.

Work Setup:

• DNC Workspace

• The Hub - Work & Play

• 43 Factory Coffee

Highlights:

• My Khe Beach mornings

• Marble Mountains sunset

• Lady Buddha statue

• Son Tra Peninsula

• Dragon Bridge shows

• Hai Van Pass drive

• Monkey Mountain views

Week 4: Hoi An (6 Days)

Ancient charm for the final week.

Work Setup:

• Hub Hoi An Coworking

• Dingo Deli (great workspace)

• The Hill Station

Must-Experience:

• Ancient Town sunrise

• Japanese Bridge photos

• Lantern market nights

• Cam Nam Island cafes

• An Bang Beach work days

• Cooking class

• Tailored clothing fitting

Pro Tips for This Route:

1. Book Ha Long Bay midweek for better rates

2. Get proper insurance for Ha Giang Loop

3. Pack layers (north can be chilly)

4. Download offline maps

5. Get a Grab bike account

6. Learn basic Vietnamese phrases

Transportation Between Cities:

• Hanoi to Ha Long: Luxury minivan (2.5 hrs)

• Return to Hanoi, then night bus to Ha Giang (6-7 hrs)

• Ha Giang to Sapa: Private car transfer (7-8 hrs)

• Sapa to Hanoi: Night train

• Hanoi to Da Nang: Vietnam Airlines

• Da Nang to Hoi An: Grab car (30 mins)

Budget Breakdown:

• Accommodation: $700

• Coworking: $150

• Food: $400

• Transport: $500

• Activities: $450

• Total: ~$2200

Digital Nomad Essentials:

• VPN subscription

• eSIM for mountain areas

• Portable power bank

• Rain gear for electronics

• Multiple adapters

• Noise-canceling headphones

The beauty of this north-to-central route is the dramatic contrast between destinations. From navigating Hanoi's bustling streets to finding peace in Hoi An's ancient alleys, each stop offered a unique perspective on remote work life in Vietnam.

My biggest surprise? How seamlessly traditional Vietnamese life blends with modern digital infrastructure. You can literally code from a coffee shop overlooking century-old rice terraces or take client calls from an ancient town that hasn't changed in 400 years.

Pro tip: Schedule your most intensive work for Da Nang - it has the most reliable internet infrastructure in Vietnam and a thriving digital nomad scene!