With its grand French colonial buildings, dizzying array of street food, and vibrant coffee scene, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the best places to visit – and to work from.
Despite its reputation as Vietnam’s financial powerhouse, the city formerly known as Saigon manages to remain fun, friendly, and easy on the wallet, making it an ideal outpost for digital nomads.
Whether it’s a hip cafe or chic collaborative space, you’ll find something that suits your needs in the city on the Saigon River.
Soo Kafe
Located in downtown Ben Thanh ward, Soo Kafe is known for its wide selection of specialty coffees and quiet ambiance amid the hustle and bustle.
Perched on a second-floor walk-up opposite Ben Thanh Market, this cozy exposed brick and wood space boasts high ceilings and two lovely balconies where you can take a break from work.
Dominating the space are floor-to-ceiling shelves stacked with hundreds of books – a leftover from the previous tenants, the Hidden Elephant Book Cafe – which you can peruse to your heart’s content amid the aroma of freshly-brewed java.
The Workshop
Situated on the top floor of a heritage building in the historic Ben Nghe ward, The Workshop is a spacious coffee bar with distinctive large glass windows that let in cool breezes and plenty of natural light.
Besides a rotating cast of single-origin brews, their kitchen also serves up all-day breakfast and nourishing salads to keep you going.
Here you can expect soft jazz bathing the space in relaxing vibes throughout the day – if you manage to locate their nondescript ground floor entrance, of course.
Dreamplex Nguyen Trung Ngan
The flagship outlet of a homegrown co-working empire, Dreamplex Nguyen Trung Ngan in District 1, offers a flexible, open-concept office environment spread across three floors.
There’s also a full-service cafe on site, serving hand-crafted beverages and an assortment of snacks and pastries to visitors and members alike.
As one of Ho Chi Minh City’s pioneering co-working spaces, it has even hosted visiting US president Barack Obama, cementing its status as an institution.
Toong Pham Ngoc Thach
Located a skip and a hop away from the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Toong’s Pham Ngoc Thach outpost is a stylish co-working space perfect for creative professionals.
Formerly the ornate residence of Vietnamese royalty designed by famed architect Ngo Viet Thu of Independence Palace fame, this five-story building also has a rooftop garden if you prefer a workstation under the sun.
The space also often hosts contemporary art exhibitions on top of regular networking sessions for regulars, so there’s always something to do when you visit.
Work Not Work
Work Not Work boasts eight floors of workspaces, private offices, and event rooms for hire in the Binh Thanh district.
This playfully named place has a cafeteria, private lockers, meeting rooms, and a graffitied rooftop balcony with enviable views.
Billed as a place for work that doesn’t feel like work, its well-traveled founders strive to create an inclusive, collaborative environment perfect for making new connections or simply working away on your laptop.