Bali vs. Hoi An: Which Digital Nomad Destination is best for You?
As a digital nomad, I’ve been fortunate enough to work remotely from numerous amazing spots. Two places that come up often during discussions with other nomads are: Bali, Indonesia and Hoi An, Vietnam. Both destinations offer unique experiences, but they cater to different types of nomads. If you’re debating Bali vs Hoi An, here’s my personal take to help you decide.
I’ll break it down into several key categories: atmosphere, accommodation, cost of living, community, internet reliability, coworking spaces and safety. By the end, you’ll have a solid idea of which spot suits your digital nomad journey.
Atmosphere and Lifestyle
Hoi An is all about a relaxed pace of life. Imagine cycling through lush rice fields and strolling around lantern-lit streets, surrounded by historical buildings. It’s calm, quaint, and beautifully serene. People here are genuinely focused on their work and personal projects. You’ll often see nomads tucked away quietly working in cafes or at the coworking spot, making it ideal if you’re aiming for productivity.
Bali, especially Canggu, offers a completely different vibe. It’s vibrant, busy, and incredibly energetic. Surfing, yoga, gyms, and nightlife. It’s a place where work often blends seamlessly with play. If you thrive on social interaction, regular events, and a buzzing atmosphere, Bali is perfect.
Accommodation
In Hoi An, we found a really cool HOUSE in the middle of a rice fields for €500 per month. It was two bedrooms, two bathrooms with fully equipped kitchen. To be fully transparent, the house was amazing, but had a bit of problem with mold. But it unfortunately is a common issue in Hoi An.
In Bali on the other hand, we got a smaller place. An apartment with one bedroom and a semi-outside living area with kitchen, for the same price, €500.
We mostly use facebook groups to find accommodations to get the best offers, but even if you use services like AirBnb you can easily find a guesthouse in a similar price range (or maybe slightly more expensive).
Cost of living
As we mentioned cost of accommodation is similar for both places. Same goes for food and daily spendings.
Meals out are inexpensive. You can get delicious bowls of pho or fresh banh mi sandwiches for just a couple of euros in Hoi An. Or a Nasi Goreng in Bali for the same price.
Scooter rental costed us around €50/month in Bali and around 70€/month in Hoi An.
Coworking spaces might be a bit more pricy. Expect to pay between €100-150/month.
Overall, when comparing Bali vs Hoi An, both are really affordable, offering a comfortable lifestyle for about €1200 per month.
Digital Nomad Community
This is where the difference becomes clear. Hoi An’s digital nomad community is smaller but incredibly close-knit. You’ll quickly become familiar with most faces and soon you’ll know everyone by name. Nomads here are usually more experienced travellers who’ve settled into a steady routine, making it feel like a family away from home. Regular meet-ups, dinners, and quiet hangouts are the norm.
In contrast, Bali’s community is massive and continuously evolving. It’s an ideal place if you’re new to digital nomading because it’s so easy to meet people. However, it often attracts younger, less experienced nomads who are more interested in exploring social life than diving deeply into their work or local culture. There are plenty of events, from networking meet-ups to beach parties.
It’s a bit of oversimplification, but can paint you a picture of what can you expect in Bali vs Hoi An.
Internet Reliability
As digital nomads, internet reliability is non-negotiable.
In Hoi An, I experienced consistently strong Wi-Fi, especially at the main coworking space. It’s stable enough for video calls, uploading content, and handling pretty much anything your digital job requires. Outside the coworking, cafes generally provide decent connections too.
Bali is similarly dependable when it comes to Wi-Fi, with numerous coworking spaces and cafes equipped for digital workers. However, mobile data can occasionally be unreliable. If you’re frequently on the go, it’s something to consider.
Coworking Spaces
Another notable difference between Bali vs Hoi An is coworking options. A this is probably one of the biggest ones.
Hoi An has fewer coworking spaces. Actually, there’s essentially just one. But what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for with quality. This single coworking hub is the heart of the nomad scene, offering a friendly, social, and peaceful workspace that quickly feels like your daily base. You can read more about Hub Hoi An in my Digital Nomad Hoi An guide.
On the other hand, Bali offers countless coworking spaces, each with a unique atmosphere. Want an energetic hub filled with events and workshops? Bali has plenty. You can check out my other blog post, if you want to know more details about coworkig spaces in Bali.
Safety
Both destinations are very safe.
I felt completely secure wandering around Hoi An late at night, and theft or petty crime was almost nonexistent. I literally left my key in a scooter at least 10 times and nothing ever happened (ok, my battery run out once).
The same goes for Bali. It’s welcoming and feels very safe, even in busier tourist areas. It’s also very safe to walk around at night, even by yourself. Petty theft might happen, as it’s a bit more touristic place, but honestly I would watch out more for monkeys than for humans!
Bali vs. Hoi An: Which Destination is Right for You?
If you’re just starting out on your digital nomad journey and crave a dynamic, social environment filled with activities, events, and an energetic community, Bali is probably the perfect place for you.
On the other hand, if you’re seeking calm, productivity, and a close-knit community of established digital nomads who are deeply focused on their projects, Hoi An is your spot. Just remember, it might not be the ideal first stop if you’re still finding your feet as a nomad.
Ultimately, both locations have incredible things to offer. It all boils down to what suits your lifestyle and work preferences best. Happy nomading!
Best regards,
Kuba
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