Becoming a Digital Nomad in Asia - Digital Nomads Blog

If you are a digital nomad, you understand the importance of having the ability to travel and work from any location in the world. Whether you are in search of a new job or attempting to establish your own business, there are certain distinctions when it comes to working in Asia compared to other parts of the world. In this article, we will explore the experience of being a digital nomad in Southeast Asia and provide guidance on embarking on this thrilling venture.

Finding Work as a Digital Nomad in Asia

When working as a digital nomad in Southeast Asia, the process is mostly comparable to working in any other location. The task at hand involves locating clients who are ready to compensate you for the services you provide. However, the distinction arises in terms of the approach to acquiring these clients and the specific skills they can provide you in exchange.

When it comes to getting started as a digital nomad, there are specifically three types of people who can assist you.

Employers who want to hire people on location—these employers may require specific skills from their employees and thus look specifically at candidates with those skills;
Collaborators who want to work together on projects but don’t necessarily require that both parties be located in the same place; and
Investors who want their project developed by a team of developers overseas (e.g., via videoconferencing).

Getting the Right Insurance for Traveling in Asia

Traveling in Southeast Asia necessitates travel insurance due to the potential for various problems. Paying for treatment or emergency evacuation out of pocket would be expensive and inconvenient. If you are unsure about the ideal insurance coverage for digital nomads or the most suitable policy for a lengthy trip, it is advisable to consult an agent from a reputable company. It is essential to have insurance that includes coverage for medical expenses, protection against loss or theft, compensation for delayed flights/trains/boats, and coverage for pre-existing conditions that may worsen while abroad, such as allergies or asthma.

In the event that we sustain injuries during our vacation, even when taking the utmost care, accidents can still occur. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that we have sufficient coverage to minimize out-of-pocket expenses associated with medical bills.

Best Places in Asia to Stay in

Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is an energetic and delightful city that provides an outstanding quality of life for digital nomads. Hanoi certainly has a multitude of offerings with its exceptional combination of history, culture, and contemporary conveniences.

Low cost of living: Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the expat neighborhood of Tay Ho is typically around 10,000,000 VND (around 430 USD), while monthly expenses including food, transportation, and entertainment can be as low as 15,000,000 VND (around 650 USD).
Good WiFi connection: There’s a plethora of cafes that offer reliable internet connection in Hanoi, making it easy to work remotely.
Cultural experience and delicious food: Hanoi has a rich history and culture, with plenty of museums, temples, and other cultural sites to explore. It’s a city that is also known for its street food and cheap and mouth-watering local food, such as Pho and Banh Mi.

Ubud, Indonesia

Ubud, situated in Bali, Indonesia, is a captivating town that has experienced a rise in popularity among digital nomads in the past few years. Its gorgeous natural landscapes, inclusive community, and laid-back ambiance make it a perfect choice for remote work and living.

Affordable cost of living: Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Ubud can range from 4,000,000-8,000,000 IDR (approximately 280-560 USD), while monthly expenses including food, transportation, and entertainment can be as low as 7,000,000 IDR (around 490 USD).
Co-working spaces and cafes: Ubud has a range of co-working spaces and cafes, including Outpost and Beluna, which offer comfortable workspaces and networking opportunities.
Beautiful surroundings: Ubud is surrounded by lush rice paddies, serene rivers, and ancient temples, providing a peaceful and inspiring environment for work and relaxation.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap is an ideal destination for digital nomads due to its fantastic blend of culture, history, and modern amenities. It offers remote workers a low cost of living, reliable internet connectivity, and a welcoming community, making it an attractive option to establish a base in Southeast Asia.

Low cost of living: Monthly rent for a furnished apartment starts at around 200 USD, and a meal at a local restaurant can cost as little as 1 USD.
Reliable WiFi: Most apartments and cafes in Siem Reap offer high-speed internet connectivity.
Vibrant expat community: Siem Reap is home to a thriving expat community, which offers a supportive network of like-minded individuals.
Cultural immersion: Siem Reap offers an immersive cultural experience, with opportunities to learn about Cambodian history and traditions. It’s also at the gateway to the ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat.

Taipei, Taiwan

With its excellent infrastructure, friendly locals, and great food, Taipei provides a comfortable, affordable, and dynamic environment for digital nomads seeking a city to live and work in. It offers everything required to fully enjoy the fulfilling digital nomad lifestyle.

Affordable cost of living: While Taipei is more expensive than other cities in Southeast Asia, it’s still relatively affordable compared to Western cities. You can expect to pay around 15,000-24,000 TWD (approximately 500-800 USD) for a decent one-bedroom apartment, and around 24,000- 30,000 TWD (approximately 800-1,000 USD) per month for food, transportation, and other expenses.
Excellent infrastructure: Taipei has an efficient and reliable public transportation system, as well as a high-speed internet connection, making it easy to work and explore the city.
Safe and friendly: Taiwan is one of the safest countries in the world, and Taipei is no exception. The locals are friendly and welcoming to foreigners, making it easy to feel at home in the city.
Cosmopolitan culture: Taipei is a melting pot of cultures, with a mix of traditional and modern influences. There are many museums, galleries, and cultural events to explore, as well as a thriving nightlife scene.

Some Tricks to Live for Digital Nomads in Asia

Use public transportation. While taxis are an easy option, they can be expensive, especially if you’re only in a country for a short period of time. Always try to use buses and trains instead. If there is no public transportation, such as in Cambodia or the Philippines, then it’s worth paying for the convenience of a taxi ride.
Use a VPN service to access local websites from your home country or region. In many Asian countries, Google has censored search results for limiting access to sensitive content that may not be appropriate for citizens but which is available on other parts of the internet (in Cambodia this includes political and news sites). For example: if you type in “Khmer Rouge” into Google it will show nothing related to them; however, if you type this same keyword into DuckDuckGo (a private company based out of Pennsylvania) then it shows all kinds of information related to this group including photos from actual members who took part during those revolutionary times! A VPN service allows users like yourself who are traveling abroad have full access when needed without needing any additional software installed beforehand which would increase costs unnecessarily since there’s usually limited bandwidth available across most networks.