Vietnam is becoming an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads. These are travelers who are lucky enough to work remotely all over the world, for as long as they are able to connect to the Internet. Thanks to Vietnam’s low cost of living, more and more digital nomads are choosing to stay in the country for a much longer time. Aside from the cheap accommodation and food, Vietnam is also home to some of the world’s most beautiful sights and attractions, which is another reason why the country is becoming a hotspot for digital nomads.
If you’re a digital nomad and are thinking of staying in Vietnam for a longer period, the first thing that you need to do is to look for a place where you can base yourself. While staying in hotels is a convenient option, this is not very economical especially if you plan to stay for several months. Your best bet is to look for a house that you can rent for the entire duration of your stay in the country. So here’s your guide on how to rent a house in Vietnam.
Apply for Your Visa
Remember that as a foreign traveler, you cannot rent a house in Vietnam if you don’t have the right visa. So the first thing that you need to do is to apply for your tourist visa. A 3-month tourist visa should be ideal and you can apply for your visa at vietnamimmigration.org. You can choose to extend this visa if you realize later on that you wanted to stay in the country for a much longer period.
Set a Budget or Requirement for a House
Before you begin your search of a house, it is best to set a budget in mind and think of your preferences. The cost of renting a house in Vietnam will greatly vary, depending on several factors. One important factor is the location. If you choose to stay in big cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, then you can expect to pay more than when you stay in the towns of Hoi An or Sa Pa. Of course, a 2-bedroom house is generally more expensive than a 1-bedroom house. Ideally, you can rent a decent house in Vietnam for around $200 – $500 per month.
Some landlords would be willing to give you discounts if you choose to stay longer. Usually, the longer you stay, the better the rates are. But there should not be any problem if you rent the house for only a month.
As for the requirements, this will mainly depend on your personal preferences, but a good example would be:
- 1-bedroom house
- Excellent Wi-Fi connection
- Quiet location
- With a kitchen and living room
- Has a table for working
- Air-conditioned bedroom
- Close to the city center
Of course, you can always be flexible with the requirements. But if there are certain things that you prioritize the most, then you should never compromise on that. For instance, since you’ll be working during your stay, then it’s important that the property has a reliable Internet connection and a table where you can comfortably do your work.
Get In Touch with an Agent
Although you can probably find your ideal house just by doing a search online, you’d be able to save time and effort if you get in touch with a local property agent. There are lots of real estate agents in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh who are helping foreigners to look for their ideal properties. It is best to get in touch with them before your arrival in the country. They will normally be giving you lots of options that you can personally check upon your arrival to the country.
Ask Around
When you’re already in the country and you decided to stay longer, then your best option is to ask around from a group of expats. You can also get help from locals that you’ll encounter, such as the lady in your hotel reception, a restaurant waiter, or anyone you get into contact with. See if they know anyone in the area who is renting out their house.
You can also visit Facebook groups of expats in Vietnam and post on their page that you are looking for a place to stay for the long-term. There are also some expats who might be looking for a housemate to split the rent with. If you don’t mind sharing the house with anyone else, then this is a great option to save money.
After you have found the ideal property to rent, you need to ask about the mode of payment. There are some landlords who will choose to collect the rental payment in advance. For instance, if the property costs $200 per month and you intend to stay for 3 months, then you need to prepare $600 to pay your landlord, plus any added cost for the deposit.
