Southeast Asia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads, thanks to its affordable prices, mild climate, vibrant culture, and excellent transportation system. Find out which cities in the region have been named the best for remote workers to move to in 2025 and why.

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Many people know Southeast Asia as a great place to travel and vacation, but few say it’s also a great place to live. Nomad Capitalist recently published a ranking of the best cities in Southeast Asia for digital nomads to move to. Read on to find out which cities will be the best choice for remote workers in 2025.

How was the ranking of the best cities for digital nomads to live in Southeast Asia conducted?

According to a specially developed strategy for selecting the best cities for remote workers to move to, the following factors are considered:

- accessibility abroad,

- efficiency,

- variety of available services,

- lifestyle options,

- transportation connections.

Experts pay attention to many factors, including the level of service, the number of shopping centers, the quality of food, the level of development of the transport system, the ease of moving, etc.

Top 8 Best Cities to Live in Southeast Asia for Digital Nomads in 2025

8th Place – Bali, Indonesia

Bali is an island known for its extraordinary natural beauty and stunning beaches. It is one of the most popular places to live for expats, startups and entrepreneurs, as it offers the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation.

Digital nomads choose the following centers to live in – Ubud, Canggu and Seminyak.

Another advantage is that compared to other destinations in Southeast Asia, the cost of living in Bali is quite affordable. Bali is also an extremely popular destination for those interested in yoga, meditation, etc.

However, a foreigner should be careful, as tourists can become victims of scams on the island.

Also, internet connections can be unreliable here (make sure to buy surge protectors and power stabilizers), and traffic on the island can sometimes be quite congested.

Regarding taxes – Indonesia has adopted a worldwide taxation system, meaning expats who are considered tax residents will pay tax on income earned in Indonesia and abroad.

7th place – Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi is the cultural capital of Vietnam and a popular place for nomads and expats to move to.

The city has a colonial charm and a great cultural atmosphere, compared to the more modern Bangkok and Singapore.

Hanoi’s architecture is very attractive, as the city has some fascinating zoning laws, which has resulted in an interesting set of houses and neighborhoods.

On the downside, Vietnam also applies a global tax system, so regardless of where a person’s income is paid or earned, it will be taxed at a progressive rate of 5% to 35%.

6th place – Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a global center for banking and doing business. And while geographically Hong Kong is not always considered part of Southeast Asia, it is a truly international city that cannot be ignored when choosing the best cities for digital nomads.

The cost of living in Hong Kong is one of the highest in the world, especially for rent. However, the atmosphere in the city is truly different and therefore special. You can get anything you want in Hong Kong, and the weather is great most of the year. Plus, the nature of the big city offers many ways to live in abundance. Beaches, greenery and culture, such as the amazing bronze statue of the Big Buddha, are just a few minutes away by bus. The world’s largest gambling hub is also just an hour away by ferry.

A strong business culture and low tax rates make Hong Kong a great city for entrepreneurs. As an added bonus, Hong Kong Airport is one of the cleanest and most luxurious airports in the world, with non-stop connections to almost every country in the world.

5th place – Manila, Philippines

The Philippines is a truly fascinating place with a business-friendly environment, rich culture and a large number of English-speaking expats, especially in the capital Manila.

Each area of ​​the Philippine capital is able to give a foreigner a special charm, so choose your place to move carefully:

- People who miss home and the developed infrastructure of the West are better off choosing areas like Makati, because it is here that the familiar atmosphere and a large number of Western-style restaurants are located.

- If you’re looking for places to shop, focus your efforts on areas like Makati and Fort Bonifacio, Manila’s own version of Singapore.

While the city doesn’t have a world-class reputation for culture, it does have a few interesting museums and attractions.

However, living in Manila also has its drawbacks – it’s not the easiest place in the world to navigate. The international airport serves a small number of flights. Life here is also quite slow.

Foreigners can buy property in the Philippines, so you can easily become a homeowner in this paradise city.

In order to safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance.

4th place – Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is a city that can satisfy a wide variety of tastes and desires. It is large, bustling, with excellent transport infrastructure. Bangkok Airport is an international tourist center, which greatly simplifies flights to the Thai capital.

The low cost of living will significantly improve the quality of life for the money earned. The country is also famous for its beaches, which are easy and cheap to get to.

Overall, although the city has its limitations, Bangkok remains popular with nomads from different countries. Whether they are young digital nomads, retirees or wealthy expats, they all come to enjoy the lifestyle, culture and freedom that the city offers.

3rd place – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City is the most populous city in the country with over nine million citizens.

Ho Chi Minh City has become particularly popular with digital nomads, as its infrastructure is very well-developed, with cafes everywhere, making it easy to access the internet and thus work for remote workers.

Ho Chi Minh City offers a high quality of life at a fairly reasonable price, with a wide range of shops, fantastic restaurants and beautiful residential buildings. It is also a good place to do business, with many expats moving here to start their own businesses.

The local cuisine is represented by a variety of cafes and restaurants, which offer everything from fresh Asian food to burger joints and night clubs. If you prefer a more family-friendly lifestyle, the city will not disappoint with a large number of traditional establishments nearby.

The food is delicious, the culture is intriguing, and you can easily maintain a Western lifestyle here. In short, Vietnam is a great place for remote workers to move to.

2nd place – Singapore

Singapore is a highly developed, very beautiful, efficient and so sterilely clean city. Like Hong Kong, Singapore is a symbol of economic freedom, but a rather expensive place to live. Therefore, before going here, be sure to consider the high cost of housing and low profitability.

However, there are definitely many advantages to living as an expat in Singapore.

- The city's diverse culture and its rich status make Singapore an ideal place for sophisticated shopping.

- Many food establishments are in demand among foreigners.

- Cultural institutions create a special charm in the city.

Another advantage is that although Singapore is relatively isolated geographically, you are not far from the wonderful beaches in Indonesia or even the artificial beaches of the Singaporean island of Sentosa.

1st place – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The first place in the ranking of the best cities for digital nomads in 2025 is occupied by Kuala Lumpur, because this city has everything. It can also be safely said that Kuala Lumpur is the most underrated place to live in the world.

The advantage of moving to Malaysia will be a large proportion of the English-speaking population in the city, as well as good transport connections thanks to one of the best airports in the world.

The introduction of a special permit for digital nomads De Rantau Nomad Pass has made Malaysia one of the most popular cities in Southeast Asia for remote workers to move to.

Another advantage is the opportunity to buy a relatively nice apartment for a quarter of a million dollars. In addition, you can get a residence permit much cheaper than in Singapore.

Now that you know more about the best cities for digital nomads to move to in 2025, choosing the best destination will be much easier.

Book an employment lawyer consultation to get a digital nomad visa and move to a new country without any problems!

Reminder! Every country in the world has its own requirements for obtaining a digital nomad visa, but in most countries the main condition is the presence of an appropriate income level. We have already told you which European countries have the lowest income requirements for digital nomads in 2025.

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