I know you’re tired of the city’s noise and hustle and looking for a peaceful environment to work remotely and live your life as a digital nomad. Working remotely in Pu Luong would be the perfect decision for you.
Located in the northern part of Vietnam, Pu Luong is a nature reserve known for its towering limestone peaks and deep green rice terraces dotted with ethnic Thai minority villages. It is the perfect place to relax and recharge while staying connected to your work.
In this blog, I will share my experiences and tips on how to have the best time in Pu Luong on a budget and live a comfortable and affordable digital nomad lifestyle.
I will cover everything from finding cheap hostels and flights to getting around and eating on the cheap. I will also tell you about some of the best things to do in Pu Luong in your free time.
Whether you are an experienced digital nomad or just starting, I promise you won’t be disappointed with my tips. I am sure that you can successfully achieve your digital nomad dreams.
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Cost of living: How much does it cost to live in Pu Luong?
Here are some tips for having the best time in Pu Luong on a budget and living a comfortable and affordable digital nomad lifestyle:
Accommodation in Pu Luong:
When I first arrived in Pu Luong, I was overwhelmed with the number of accommodation options available. There are homestays, guesthouses, and hotels to choose from. I decided to go with a homestay because I wanted to experience the local culture and way of life.
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I stayed in a homestay in the village of Ban Hieu. My hosts were incredibly welcoming and friendly. They showed me around the village and introduced me to the other villagers. I even got to help them with some of their daily chores, like cooking and harvesting rice.
The homestay was very basic, but it was clean and comfortable. I had a private room with a fan and a mosquito net. The bathroom was shared, but it was always clean. My hosts provided me with breakfast and dinner every day. The food was delicious and authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Find cheap hostels. There are several ways to find cheap accommodation and flights to Pu Luong. You can use websites like Booking.com or Hostelworld to find budget-friendly hostels.
If you’re looking for a more luxurious accommodation option, there are also guesthouses and hotels available in Pu Luong. Prices range from $10-30 per night.
My useful personal tips:
I usually hitchhike for transportation. It helps if you have a banner so that drivers can see you from a distance and it will be easier for them to give you a lift.
If you are hitchhiking, it is important to be safe. Make sure you hitchhike in well-lit areas and let someone know where you are going.
For accommodation, I use Couchsurfing. It is a website that connects travelers with locals willing to host them for free.
Couchsurfing is a great way to meet new people and save money on accommodation. Be sure to read reviews of hosts before you book a stay.
Another thing I do for a beautiful gesture:
I always bring a gift for my host. I think it’s a beautiful gesture because I believe that if you’re eating for free and staying for free, you shouldn’t go to someone’s house empty-handed.
I don’t like it, but you understand, everyone has their thoughts.
And one thing I always do is that if I stay at someone’s house as a couch-surfer, I cook Indian cuisine for my host because I love to cook and even more, I love to feed people.
And we can exchange each other’s culture at the dining table.
Get an eSIM for your trip to Pu Luong, Vietnam
Internet in Pu Luong:
The internet connectivity in Pu Luong is generally good, but it can be slow at times. Most accommodation options offer free Wi-Fi, but the speed may vary depending on your location.
I found that the internet speed at my homestay was good enough for me to work remotely. I was able to check email, browse the web, and even make video calls without any problems. However, there were a few times when the internet went down for a few hours.
Get Around on a Motorbike or Bicycle:
Renting a motorbike or bicycle is a great way to get around Pu Luong and save money on transportation. You can rent a motorbike for around $10 per day and a bicycle for around $5 per day.
Coworking Spaces in Pu Luong:
There are currently no coworking spaces in Pu Luong. However, many homestays and guesthouses offer quiet spaces for digital nomads to work. You can also work from cafes or restaurants that offer free Wi-Fi.
I found that my homestay was a great place to work. My room was quiet and had a good view of the rice terraces. I was also able to use the common area to work if I needed more space.
Food and drink in Pu Luong:
As I said earlier, I love to cook and I always cook my food and share it with my host.
I recommend that you also cook your food. You can learn recipes from YouTube videos. And if you can, try to cook the traditional food of the place you are visiting.
This will give you more satisfaction and you will be able to learn more about the food and culture of the place.
I am not saying you should cook for yourself every day. You can also try the local street food for 1 or 2 days a week and interact with the locals. The people there are very friendly and helpful.
As a Digital Nomad, I highly recommend trying the local food in Pu Luong. It is delicious and authentic.
I particularly enjoyed the pho and the banh mi. I also found that the prices for food and drinks in Pu Luong were quite reasonable.
Pu Luong is known for its traditional Vietnamese cuisine, which includes dishes such as pho, banh mi, and bun cha. You can find local restaurants and street food vendors in the villages of Ban Hieu, Ban Don, and Ban Hang.
Most accommodation options also offer meals for an additional fee. If you’re looking for Western food options, you may have to travel to nearby towns such as Mai Chau or Ninh Binh.
Personal Tips:
Avoid traveling to Vietnam during national holidays and school holidays. Avoid June-July-August, as well as other major holidays.
Don’t disrespect the gov. of Vietnam. Be respectful of Vietnamese laws and customs.
Don’t underestimate the weather in Vietnam. Be prepared for hot and humid weather, as well as occasional typhoons.
Remove your shoes outside before you enter someone’s house. This is a sign of respect in Vietnamese culture.
Don’t be afraid to bargain. This is common practice in Vietnam, and you can often get good deals.
Don’t skip street food. Street food is a delicious and affordable way to experience Vietnamese cuisine.
Pros and Cons of Working Remotely in Pu Luong
How to work remotely in Pu Luong
Find a place to stay with good internet access. If you need faster internet speeds, you can purchase an eSIM card and use mobile data. Viettel is the most popular mobile network in Vietnam and offers good coverage in Pu Luong.
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I set up my workspace in my room at the homestay. I had a desk and a chair facing the window, which gave me a great view of the rice terraces. I also found that it was helpful to have a separate space for work so that I could easily disconnect at the end of the day.
I used to take breaks every day to go for walks in the rice terraces or to visit the local market. I also went on a few treks to nearby villages. Taking breaks helped me to stay focused and productive when I was working.
One thing I did that helped me to be more productive was to set clear goals for each day. I would write down a list of the tasks I needed to complete, and I would focus on one task at a time until it was finished.
I also found it helpful to take breaks every hour or so to get up and move around.
Another thing I did was to make sure to get enough sleep. When I was well-rested, I was able to focus better and work more efficiently.
I joined a Facebook group for digital nomads in Vietnam and connected with a few people who were staying in Pu Luong.
We met up for coffee and dinner and had a great time chatting about our experiences.
Vietnam is a group-oriented culture, so I made sure to be respectful of others and avoid being too loud.
Learn a few basic Vietnamese phrases, This helped me to communicate with locals and to get around more easily.
Be prepared for the heat and humidity, The weather in Pu Luong can be hot and humid, so I packed light clothing and drank plenty of water.
Additional Tips:
Be prepared for power outages. Power outages are not uncommon in Pu Luong, so it’s a good idea to have a backup power source, such as a power bank or a solar charger.
Workspace:
Set up a dedicated workspace: It’s important to have a dedicated workspace where you can focus on your work without distractions. Many homestays and guesthouses offer quiet spaces for digital nomads to work.
Make sure your workspace has good lighting and ventilation.
Have a comfortable chair and desk.
Eliminate distractions. Put your phone away and close any unnecessary tabs on your computer.
Take breaks to enjoy the outdoors and explore the local area: Pu Luong is known for its beautiful scenery and outdoor activities such as trekking, cycling, and exploring local markets.
Taking breaks to enjoy the outdoors can help you stay refreshed and motivated.
While there are currently no coworking spaces in Pu Luong, you can still connect with other digital nomads by attending local events or joining online communities.
This can help you build a support network and make new friends.
Be aware of the cultural differences. Vietnam is a collectivist culture, so it’s important to be respectful of others and to avoid being too loud.
Pu Luong: Explore Beyond Work
I spent a week in Pu Luong and I loved it! Here are a few of the things I did:
I went for a walk in the rice terraces every morning. It was so peaceful and beautiful.
I visited a local village and tried to learn about the Thai culture. I even got to dance with the locals at a traditional ceremony.
I went on a two-day trek to a waterfall. It was challenging, but it was worth it. The waterfall was amazing!
I visited the Pho Doan market and tried all sorts of delicious Vietnamese food. I also bought some souvenirs for my friends and family.
I went for a walk or bike ride to explore the scenery and villages.
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In a Nutshell
I had a wonderful time living and working remotely in Pu Luong, Vietnam. The people are friendly, the scenery is beautiful, and the cost of living is low. I would highly recommend Pu Luong to any digital nomad or solo traveler who is looking for a peaceful and serene place to live and work.
The best part of living in Pu Luong was the people. They are so welcoming and friendly, and they are always willing to help. I made many new friends during my time in Pu Luong, and I will miss them dearly.
The scenery in Pu Luong is also breathtaking. There are rice terraces, mountains, waterfalls, and streams everywhere you look. I loved spending my free time hiking, biking, and swimming.
The cost of living in Pu Luong is very low. I was able to live comfortably on a budget of less than $1,000 per month. This included rent, food, transportation, and activities.
If you are a digital nomad or solo traveler, I highly recommend checking out Pu Luong. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to live and work.
