Reviewed 2026-11-04. General independent information; check current official immigration, financial and medical guidance before acting.
Expert take — Cost of Asia editorial team In Ookla's February 2026 index, Indonesia's median fixed broadband was 45.40 Mbps, against 288.76 Mbps in Vietnam: more than six times slower, and ninth in ASEAN. Mobile data doesn't close the gap either (59.18 versus 188.15 Mbps). If your income depends on video calls or large uploads, Da Nang is the safer default. If you choose Bali, test the villa's connection at your working hours before you pay.
Bali and Da Nang both offer beach living, but they're very different places to work from. Bali is an island of separate towns with a large nomad community; Da Nang is a compact coastal city with fast, cheap broadband.
This page is for remote workers paid from abroad, planning one to twelve months. The trade-off: Bali has a dedicated remote-worker permit and a bigger scene, but costs more for rent and has much slower internet. Da Nang is cheaper and faster online, but has no nomad visa.
Side-by-side comparison
| Criteria | Bali | Da Nang | Better for |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom, city center (Numbeo) | Rp17.4 million (about USD 960) | ₫14.3 million (about USD 555) | Da Nang: lower rent |
| One-bedroom, outside center (Numbeo) | Rp10.6 million (about USD 585) | ₫9.2 million (about USD 360) | Da Nang |
| Home broadband, 60 Mbps+ (Numbeo) | Rp333,000 a month | ₫238,000 a month | Da Nang |
| National median fixed broadband (Ookla, Feb 2026) | 45.40 Mbps (Indonesia) | 288.76 Mbps (Vietnam) | Da Nang, by far |
| Remote-worker permit | E33G: one year, USD 60,000 foreign income | None; 90-day e-visa, no in-country extension | Bali, if you meet the income bar |
| Longest tourist-type stay | C1 visa: 60 days, extendable twice to 180 | E-visa: 90 days | Bali |
| Tax exposure | Holding a KITAS can make you resident regardless of days | Depends on days; ask an adviser | Da Nang: fewer surprises |
Dollar figures are our conversions at the rates Numbeo applied when we checked. Numbeo's Bali data is island-wide and was last updated on 5 September 2026 (38 contributors); Da Nang's on 3 November 2026 (77 contributors).
How we chose
- Cost: Numbeo's Bali and Da Nang data.
- Internet: Ookla's February 2026 national medians, as reported by SEAsia.
- Legal stay: Emerhub and Honeycombers (Bali); Freaking Nomads, Nomada and Stamped Nomad (Vietnam).
- Work setup: published coworking prices for Da Nang.
Checked on 4 November 2026. Vietnam renamed and merged many districts and wards in 2025; we use the names people still search.
1. Bali — best for community and a one-year remote-work permit
Bali suits remote workers who want a ready-made social scene and a dedicated legal route. Indonesia's E33G remote worker permit lasts one year. Emerhub lists the requirements as at least USD 60,000 a year from sources outside Indonesia and a bank balance of at least USD 2,000 over the past three months. Honeycombers (July 2026) puts the total fee at IDR 7 million. The two sources disagree on renewal: Emerhub says the permit can't be extended, Honeycombers says it can, so ask your agent in writing.
The costs are rent and bandwidth. Numbeo puts Bali's central one-bedroom rent about 74% above Da Nang's on our conversion, and its costs excluding rent are 6.5% higher than Chiang Mai's. Emerhub also warns that holding a KITAS such as the E33G can make you an Indonesian tax resident however few days you stay, so ask a qualified adviser about your worldwide income before applying.
Below the E33G bar, Honeycombers lists the C1 tourist visa at Rp1 million for 60 days, extendable twice to 180. It bars Indonesian-source work and income; ask an agent whether your remote work fits.
2. Da Nang — best for lower costs and fast internet
Da Nang suits remote workers on a tighter budget whose work runs on bandwidth. Numbeo puts a single person's spending at about USD 463 a month before rent, and home broadband costs about ₫238,000. Nomada calls the An Thuong area behind My Khe beach the city's "nomad village." VietnamSpot's August 2026 check found Seaview Coworking open 24/7 to everyone at ₫135,000 a day, and Hana's Coworking at ₫130,000 with a backup line.
The catch is the visa. Vietnam has no digital nomad visa, and the 90-day e-visa (USD 25 single entry, USD 50 multiple, per Freaking Nomads) can't be extended in-country, according to Nomada. An August 2026 directive asked ministries to pilot remote-worker visas, but Stamped Nomad reports no forms or thresholds yet. Nomada also flags September to November as typhoon and flood season.
What would this move really cost you?
Use your own rent, insurance, transport and visa assumptions. Compare options before committing.
What to check before you decide
- Your income against the E33G bar (USD 60,000 a year from abroad), and your agent's written answer on renewal.
- Upload speed in the actual unit, especially in Bali; keep a mobile backup either way.
- Your exit plan in Vietnam: a flight every 90 days, and a lease that allows it.
- Tax residency: ask an adviser before taking a KITAS.
FAQ
Is Bali or Da Nang cheaper?
Da Nang, on Numbeo's data: central one-bedroom rent is about USD 555 against about USD 960 in Bali, and broadband is cheaper.
Can I work remotely in Bali legally?
The E33G is designed for it, if your income comes from outside Indonesia and meets the USD 60,000 bar. Emerhub says even one Indonesian client falls outside the permit.
How long can I stay in Da Nang?
Up to 90 days per e-visa, then you leave and reapply.
Which should you choose?
- High earner who wants a legal one-year base: Bali on the E33G.
- Budget-conscious freelancer: Da Nang.
- Video-heavy or upload-heavy work: Da Nang.
- First-time nomad who wants instant community: Bali, after testing the internet.
- Stays of four to six months without exits: Bali's C1 route, if your agent confirms your work fits it.
Related guides
- Thailand vs Vietnam
- Bali vs Thailand
- Best areas in Bali for digital nomads
- Best areas in Da Nang for digital nomads
- Best cities in Southeast Asia for digital nomads
- Destination finder
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