18 Jan 2024

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!

© 2024, Zoe Hartley.

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