🇻🇳My Experience Working Remotely from Vietnam as a Software Engineer

Working remotely from Vietnam as a software engineer was a truly unique experience. Although it was just for one month, the vibrant culture, delicious food, and stunning landscapes made the experience unforgettable, blending productivity with a sense of adventure. The blend of comfort, affordability, and fast internet speeds made Vietnam an ideal destination for balancing both work and relaxation. Whether I was working from the hotel or a local café, everything felt smooth and efficient, allowing me to focus fully on my work.

Work-life balance in Vietnam

The low costs, stunning nature, good weather, and freedom in Vietnam create an incredible work-life balance. The chill vibes in Da Nang, which is not by chance a digital nomad hotspot, offered the perfect blend of productivity and relaxation. With the beach just a minute away from my hotel, every morning began with a refreshing dip in the sea, followed by sunbathing. This positive energy carried me throughout the day. Additionally, the time difference worked in my favor—while my colleagues in the Netherlands started work at 9 AM, it was already noon there. This allowed me to fully enjoy my morning routine before diving into work!

In the noon I usually stayed in the hotel to get some things done for my work. It was quite hot outside and I stayed in the air condition. So this was a perfect time in the day to start working.

At night, after finishing my work it was very easy to take a stroll in the night markets, local eateries, beach bars or just walk on the beach to relax. All the people are outside and the temperature is warm and comfortable.

Freedom in Vietnam

There’s nothing more liberating than riding a motorbike, but in Vietnam, that feeling was amplified! Renting a motorbike in Da Nang was one of the most freeing experiences. What amused me the most was that they didn’t even ask for a driving license before handing over the keys! Renting a 150cc Piaggio scooter cost just $6 per day, and a liter of gas was around $1, making it incredibly easy and affordable to explore both the city and the stunning natural surroundings at my own pace. The freedom to roam so effortlessly was truly a highlight of my time in Vietnam.

The streets were bustling, with thousands of motorbikes and cars, each seemingly following its own set of traffic rules. Real-time communication on the road happened through body language—it's all about who signals they won’t stop, so the other has to! It was both amusing and a bit nerve-wracking at times. Many people from the West, including myself occasionally, find the streets of Vietnam intimidating, but what I noticed is that accidents are surprisingly rare. They have their own driving style, and it works!

Vietnam keeps you fit!

In Vietnam, it’s hard to stay inactive! There are countless sightseeing spots, historical monuments, and fascinatingly diverse cityscapes that remain captivating even after years of exploration. This means you're always on the move, walking and discovering something new!

Food in Vietnam

Vietnam is renowned for its incredible cuisine. The food was both delicious and light, helping me stay energized throughout the day and keeping my productivity high. One of the best experiences was trying the hotpot—a fun, interactive dining experience where you cook your own meal at the table with fresh ingredients brought by the staff. It felt like having a personalized barbecue, organized by the restaurant!

The flavors of Vietnam left a lasting impression, and I’ve brought some of those ideas back with me. Now, I find myself adding coriander to every dish I cook at home! But honestly, I can’t enjoy the same food in the Netherlands—it just doesn’t pair well with the colder weather. In the cold, you crave heartier, more filling meals, with richer flavors and more fat to keep you warm, which is a contrast to the light and fresh Vietnamese dishes.

When the Time Difference Worked in My Favor

One day, after deploying new changes to the production server, an unexpected issue arose due to some misconfigurations. Unfortunately, this caused the app to stop working for our users. During the night, while I was sleeping, the service team began receiving emails from customers who were experiencing problems with the app. As the team was based in a different time zone, they immediately forwarded these issues to me.

When I woke up the next morning, I saw the emails detailing the problems. Thanks to the time difference, I was able to jump on the issue right away. I quickly identified the misconfiguration, rolled back the changes, and restored the app before the workday started for many of our customers in other time zones. This was a fortunate outcome because the time difference allowed me to fix the problem early in the day, limiting the number of users impacted by the downtime.

In this instance, the time zone gap between Vietnam and Europe actually worked to our advantage, helping us minimize the disruption for our users.

Final Thoughts

Working remotely from Vietnam as a software engineer was an unforgettable experience, combining the best of work and adventure. The balance of productivity, affordable living, and access to breathtaking landscapes and delicious food made it an ideal location for anyone seeking to mix work with exploration. Despite occasional challenges like the time difference and adjusting to a new environment, the experience of working from such a dynamic and culturally rich country was worth every moment.

For anyone considering remote work, I highly recommend Vietnam. Whether you're looking for a place to reset your routine, embrace new experiences, or simply enjoy a slower pace of life, Vietnam offers an unmatched blend of adventure and productivity that’s hard to find elsewhere. Additionally, Vietnam’s growing digital nomad community provides plenty of opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals. From coworking spaces to networking events, it’s easy to build relationships and exchange ideas with fellow remote workers, making it an inspiring place to work and grow.