Bali vs Ho Chi Minh City
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for digital nomads. Ho Chi Minh City is 22% cheaper — saving you $200/month or $2,400/year.
Bali vs Ho Chi Minh City: Which is better for digital nomads?
Bali (Indonesia) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) are both popular destinations for digital nomads. Ho Chi Minh City is the more affordable option at $900/month compared to $1,100/month for Bali. Bali scores 9/10 on our nomad index while Ho Chi Minh City scores 8/10. For internet, Bali gets 7/10 and Ho Chi Minh City gets 8/10. Safety-wise, Bali scores 8/10 vs Ho Chi Minh City's 7/10.
Cost breakdown: Bali vs Ho Chi Minh City
Monthly costs compared side-by-side
Bali
$500
Ho Chi Minh City
$450
Bali
$250
Ho Chi Minh City
$200
Bali
$70
Ho Chi Minh City
$40
Bali
$100
Ho Chi Minh City
$80
Bali
$120
Ho Chi Minh City
$80
Bali
$60
Ho Chi Minh City
$50
Bali
$1,100Ho Chi Minh City
$900Quality of life scores
How Bali and Ho Chi Minh City compare on key nomad metrics
Real apartments: Bali vs Ho Chi Minh City
Actual Airbnb listings you can book right now
Bali — from $500/mo
1BR Villa with Pool Bar & Rice Paddy View
$1,800/moVilla · Canggu
Private one-bedroom villa with pool, pool bar, and stunning rice paddy views. The quintessential Bali nomad living experience.
View on Airbnb
Fancy Bamboo Style Villa – Monthly Only
$900/moVilla · Canggu
Unique bamboo-style villa with open-air living, private pool, and lush tropical surroundings. Monthly rentals only. An iconic Bali stay.
View on AirbnbHo Chi Minh City — from $450/mo
Downtown Studio Apartment in Saigon
$400/moStudio Apartment · District 1
Compact studio in the heart of Saigon's District 1. AC, fast WiFi, and weekly cleaning included. Near Ben Thanh Market and Bui Vien walking street.
View on Airbnb
AmbiHOME Park View 2BR at Masteri Thao Dien
$550/mo2-Bedroom Apartment · Thao Dien
Spacious two-bedroom in the Masteri complex in Thao Dien. Park views, pool, gym, and 24/7 security. The expat hub of Saigon with international restaurants nearby.
View on AirbnbWhere to eat: Bali vs Ho Chi Minh City
Real restaurants and typical meal prices
Bali — avg $250/mo on food
Warung Local
$2Balinese · Nasi campur (mixed rice plate)
Shady Shack
$7Healthy / Vegan · Buddha bowl with tempeh
Old Man's
$8Western / Bar Food · Fish tacos with beer
Ho Chi Minh City — avg $200/mo on food
Phở Hòa Pasteur
$3Vietnamese Classic · Phở bò tái (rare beef pho)
Bánh Mì Huỳnh Hoa
$2Vietnamese Street Food · Bánh mì with mixed cold cuts
Cục Gạch Quán
$8Modern Vietnamese · Claypot fish with caramelized sauce
Coworking: Bali vs Ho Chi Minh City
Best coworking spaces and monthly prices
Bali — avg $100/mo
Tropical Nomad
$95/moDay pass: $12
Rice paddy views from an air-conditioned workspace. 24/7 access, meeting rooms, Skype booths, and regular nomad talks and events. A Canggu favorite.
Scenic, modern, event-focused
Dojo Bali
$80/moDay pass: $15
Canggu's first coworking space, steps from Echo Beach. Two-story villa with pool view, private Skype booths, Nalu Bowls café, and coliving down the road.
Iconic, community-driven, tropical
Ho Chi Minh City — avg $80/mo
Dreamplex
$90/moDay pass: $10
Premium coworking in District 1 and Thao Dien. Stylish design, fast WiFi, and networking events.
Stylish, premium, networking-focused
CirCO Coworking
$80/moDay pass: $8
Top coworking chain in HCMC with multiple locations. Modern space, community events, and great coffee.
Modern, professional, multi-location
Best neighborhoods
Where nomads actually live in each city
Bali neighborhoods →
The nomad capital of Bali — surf, cafés, and beach clubs
Spiritual heart of Bali with rice terraces and yoga studios
Upscale beach area with boutique hotels and fine dining
Ho Chi Minh City neighborhoods →
The expat hub with international restaurants and green streets
The vibrant city center with nightlife and business energy
Modern high-rises with easy access to D1 at lower prices
Visa comparison
Entry requirements for remote workers
Bali, Indonesia
30-day visa-free, extendable once. The B211A visa allows 60-day stays (extendable to 180 days). Indonesia also offers a 5-year Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers earning $2,000+/mo.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
45-day visa exemption for most nationalities. 90-day e-visa available. Easy to extend locally.
Bali vs Ho Chi Minh City — FAQ
Common questions about choosing between Bali and Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is 22% cheaper overall. The minimum monthly budget in Bali is $1100/month vs $900/month in Ho Chi Minh City. That's a difference of $200/month or $2400/year.
FAQ: Bali vs Ho Chi Minh City for Digital Nomads
Is Bali or Ho Chi Minh City cheaper for digital nomads?
Ho Chi Minh City is 22% cheaper overall. The minimum monthly budget in Bali is $1100/month vs $900/month in Ho Chi Minh City. That's a difference of $200/month or $2400/year.
Which city has better internet — Bali or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City has better internet with a score of 8/10 vs 7/10. Both cities have reliable WiFi in coworking spaces and most apartments.
Is Bali or Ho Chi Minh City safer?
Bali scores higher for safety (8/10 vs 7/10). Both are popular nomad destinations with established expat communities.
Where is housing cheaper — Bali or Ho Chi Minh City?
Housing is cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City ($450/month vs $500/month). This covers a furnished 1-bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood.
Which has better coworking — Bali or Ho Chi Minh City?
Both cities have good coworking options. Bali averages $100/month for a coworking membership, while Ho Chi Minh City averages $80/month. Top spaces in Bali include Tropical Nomad. In Ho Chi Minh City, check out Dreamplex.
More comparisons
Compare other popular nomad city pairs