Thailand vs. Vietnam for Digital Nomads
Thailand has been the default Southeast Asian base for remote workers for over a decade. Vietnam is catching up fast, and in some categories, it has already pulled ahead.
Cost of living
Vietnam is cheaper. A solo digital nomad in Da Nang can operate on $750 to $1,300 per month, covering a furnished studio ($250-500), coworking ($50-80), food ($150-300), and transport ($30-60). Thailand runs higher. Bangkok or Chiang Mai will cost $1,200 to $2,000 for a comparable lifestyle, with accommodation alone starting around $400-600 for a one-bedroom.
Da Nang prices are climbing. The influx of nomads, Korean tourists, and real estate speculation since 2025 has pushed costs up noticeably. It still undercuts Thailand, but the gap is narrowing.
Visas
Thailand's Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is the stronger option. It is valid for 5 years, allows 180-day stays with one extension per year, and requires THB 500,000 (~$15,300) in savings or income. You cannot work for Thai companies or clients, but remote work for foreign employers is permitted.
Vietnam has no dedicated digital nomad visa. Most remote workers use the 90-day e-visa (single or multiple entry, fully online). A new 5-year Talent Visa launched in August 2025, but it caps continuous stays at 90 days and targets specific professional categories. For long-term stays, you are looking at visa runs or a business visa with a local sponsor.
Internet and infrastructure
Vietnam has surged ahead on raw speed. Fixed broadband hit 195 Mbps in August 2025. Mobile speeds reached 102 Mbps thanks to 5G expansion. Thailand's Bangkok offers reliable 200-500 Mbps fiber in apartments and coworking spaces, but outside major cities, coverage drops.
Coworking density still favors Thailand. Bangkok and Chiang Mai have mature ecosystems with hundreds of spaces. Da Nang's coworking scene is growing but smaller, with day passes running $4-6 and monthly memberships at $50-80.
Tax
Thailand taxes residents (180+ days) on worldwide income remitted to the country. As of January 2024, all foreign income brought into Thailand is taxable regardless of when it was earned. Progressive rates run from 0% to 35%, with the first THB 150,000 tax-free.
Vietnam taxes residents (183+ days) on worldwide income at progressive rates from 5% to 35%. Non-residents pay a flat 20% on Vietnam-sourced income.
Healthcare
Thailand's private hospital system is world-class and well-established. Bumrungrad in Bangkok is a medical tourism destination in its own right. Vietnam's healthcare is improving rapidly in major cities but remains inconsistent outside them. For anything serious, many expats in Vietnam still fly to Bangkok or Singapore.
The case for each
Thailand is the safer pick for long-term stays. Better visa structure, mature infrastructure, established nomad communities in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and healthcare you can rely on. Vietnam, and Da Nang specifically, is the value play. Lower costs, faster internet, and a city that is still building its identity rather than resting on a reputation.
tl;dr
Thailand wins on visa options (5-year DTV), healthcare, and coworking infrastructure. Vietnam wins on cost (30-40% cheaper), internet speed, and value. Neither has a clean tax picture for long-stay remote workers. Da Nang is the destination to watch, but Thailand remains the more complete package.