BUILDING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD COMMUNITY IN VIETNAM
BUILDING A COMMUNITY
Establishing Community Ties in Vietnam: Strategies for Digital Nomads in a Transient World
Traveling alone doesn’t mean you have to feel alone, especially in the digital age.
If meeting and making friends with new people is something that comes easily to you, you’re one of the lucky ones! Most digital nomads have to rely on social media, group meetups, and coworking spaces to find their communities, and even then, it can be tough. The constant travel of the nomadic lifestyle doesn’t help matters either. Whether you’re making connections for business, pleasure, or both, one thing remains the same; the physical time spent in any destination is limited.
Change your expectations: Quality over Quantity.
First, you’ll need to consider the realities of the digital nomad lifestyle. If you and the people like you are always on the move, it’s going to be tough to create long-lasting friendships. Instead, focus on the starting of a possible friendship with the expectation that your lifestyles will pull you apart. Keeping up with new friends and associates on social media is extremely important to building your connection. Make sure to check in on people, see where they are now, and where they’re headed next. Taking a quality-over-quantity approach may create fewer memories, but odds are, they’re better memories. And, when schedules magically align and you run into that person from Ho Chi Minh in Berlin one night, that’s going to be a party.
In this guide, we look at the best ways to build your community while living in Vietnam.
VIETNAM’S ONLINE COMMUNITIES FOR DIGITAL NOMAD
The quickest and easiest way to start building your community in Vietnam is joining some Facebook groups. You can start before you even get there, and keep up with them after you’re gone. People love to share their opinions about pretty much anything, so posting questions is a great way to start building friendships with the local digital nomad community. Asking about coworking spaces, internet cafes, meetups, and other nomad events is a great way to say “Hey, I’m here now.”
BEST CITIES IN VIETNAM FOR DIGITAL NOMAD COMMUNITY BUILDING
Hanoi
Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, enjoys a huge ex-pat and digital nomad community concentrated in the Tay Ho - West Lake area. There’s plenty to see and do in the city, and it’s a perfect home base for day trips exploring the beautiful northern parts of Vietnam.
Facebook Groups:
Coworking - HanoiHub
Quieter, slightly less “touristy”, and close to the Old Quarter, Ba Dinh is the perfect location for a coworking space. HanoiHub is a great place to some work done and meet other digital nomads. It’s easy to pop out for lunch and post work drinks, and there are plenty of great bars and restaurants in the neighborhood. The interior is decorated with bright colors, standing desks, bean bag chairs, relaxation rooms, and a kitchen, so it’s easy to move around and stay motivated in different settings. The social nature of the space also encourages interaction.
Other Great Coworking Spaces In Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh
The modern capital and financial hub of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh is bustling with opportunities for digital nomads. New coworking spaces are popping up all the time, and the community is strong.
Facebook Groups
Saigon Digital Nomads
Coworking - Toong
Toong has coworking spaces all over Vietnam, so if you like their style, you’ll have plenty of options should you decide to move around the country. Their focus is on personal development and their spaces reflect that curious nature. Their locations in Ho Chi Minh have art galleries, gardens, nap rooms, and libraries, all designed to inspire community and discovery. The laidback vibe at Toong is perfect for newcomers and they host lots of events for digital nomads.
Other Great Coworking Spaces In Ho Chi Minh
Da Nang
Concentrated around the newly built An Thuong area, Da Nang’s thriving digital nomad scene is the perfect place to build your community. Da Nang’s gorgeous beaches and proximity to the mountains make it a little more nature focused than the previously mentioned cities, so if hiking, swimming, and exploring are important to you, that’s probably were like-minded nomads will setup as well.
Facebook Groups
Best Coworking Spaces
VIETNAM’S “BACKPACKER” CITIES
Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh are the best choices if you’re looking to build your community, but, if you’d prefer to setup somewhere less busy and more nature-oriented, check out Ninh Binh, Hoi An, and Dalat.
FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS
You’ve joined the Facebook groups, you’ve scouted out the coworking situation, and learned about some upcoming digital nomad events, but what else can you do? Well, the most important thing you can do is trust your gut. The reason you’re traveling is because you’re curious. Get out there and explore, other curious people will be too. Don’t be afraid to visit the “touristy” places. Go see the sites. Take a bus tour. Other people traveling by themselves will have the same instincts.
Even more important, say “hi.” If you’re out there looking to connect with other like-minded travelers, odds are, they are too, and they might be shy. If you’re from New York, wear your Yankees hat. If you’re asking a question on a Facebook group, include a little bit about yourself or your business to spark interest. When you’re at a coworking space, make sure to have lunch in a common area. You’d be surprised how these little things can help spark a connection when you’re traveling.