7 Underrated SEA Destinations for Digital Nomads

Digital nomads are finding new corners of Southeast Asia beyond the usual Chiang Mai and Bali. From Vietnam’s central coast to Indonesian islands, these hidden gems offer reliable Wi-Fi, affordable living, and friendly coworking communities. In this guide, we explore 7 underrated SEA cities where you can work remotely with a view of sandy beaches or historic streets. Get ready to pack your laptop bag and discover your next remote office!

Da Nang, Vietnam

Da Nang is a coastal city in central Vietnam that balances modern comforts and local charm. You’ll find wide beaches, the iconic Marble Mountains, and a growing skyline of condos and cafes. The city offers fast internet, numerous coworking spaces, and a low cost of living. A modern one-bedroom apartment can cost just a few hundred dollars per month. The expat scene is growing, English is commonly spoken, and Da Nang is considered very safe and LGBTQ+ friendly.

Popular coworking spaces include Enouvo Space and Toong Da Nang. Cafes near the beach and the Han River often offer strong Wi-Fi, ample power outlets, and affordable coffee. Nomads recommend having a mobile hotspot as backup, although most accommodations have fiber-optic internet.

After work, enjoy My Khe Beach, explore ancient towns like Hoi An and Hue, or dive into the city’s street food scene. Da Nang’s nightlife is lively, with bars along An Thuong Street and the riverfront. Overall, it’s a balanced lifestyle: productivity meets paradise.

Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An, just south of Da Nang, is a UNESCO World Heritage town known for its lantern-lit streets and preserved ancient architecture. It offers a slower pace of life, ideal for nomads who enjoy peaceful, walkable environments. Internet is reliable in most cafes and guesthouses, and several coworking spaces, like Hub Hoi An, cater to remote workers.

Rent ranges from $300 to $500 per month for studios, with daily expenses remaining very low. Food is cheap and healthy, with street meals under $2. The town is known for its beauty, affordability, and a growing creative expat community. Evenings are calm, perfect for those who prefer tranquility over nightlife.

Weekend options include exploring rice paddies, relaxing at An Bang Beach, or cycling through the countryside. With its charming setting and reliable work infrastructure, Hoi An offers a magical work-life experience.

Chiang Rai, Thailand

Chiang Rai is Thailand’s peaceful northern gem, perfect for digital nomads who seek nature and authenticity. It’s less crowded than Chiang Mai, and surrounded by mountains, tea plantations, and temples like the White Temple. Life here is calm and affordable, with monthly budgets around $1,000 including rent, food, and internet.

While coworking spaces are fewer, you can work from cafes or guesthouses with decent Wi-Fi. A mobile hotspot is a smart backup. The town offers clean air, cool winters, and strong cultural roots. The expat scene is small but friendly, mostly consisting of artists, retirees, and long-term travelers.

Chiang Rai is ideal for focused work, cultural immersion, and nature-filled weekends. It’s a rejuvenating base for remote work with a low cost of living.

Koh Phangan, Thailand

Koh Phangan is evolving from a party island to a digital nomad paradise. Known for its beaches and jungle retreats, it now features solid internet, coworking spaces, and wellness hubs. Coworking spots like Working on Air are popular among nomads, and many cafes offer decent speeds and a community vibe.

The cost of living is surprisingly low, with bungalows and villas available from $200 to $500/month. Thai food is inexpensive, and yoga classes, beach workouts, and community dinners keep you connected and healthy. Events like sunset meditations or remote work meetups are common.

Koh Phangan blends productivity with paradise. Whether you’re working by the beach or hiking in the hills, it’s a wellness-focused island with reliable infrastructure for remote work.

Cebu City, Philippines

Cebu City is a vibrant urban center with strong infrastructure and quick access to beautiful islands. It offers fast fiber-optic internet in areas like IT Park and Cebu Business Park, making it a practical base for remote workers.

English is universally spoken, and the city is full of cafes, coworking hubs, and affordable apartments. Monthly budgets are under $1,000 for most nomads. Coworking spaces like The Company Cebu and Cebu CoWork are popular, and a strong startup scene is developing here.

On weekends, nomads head to nearby islands like Bohol or Malapascua for beach escapes. Cebu combines city life, good connectivity, and adventure, making it a balanced choice for remote professionals.

Kampot, Cambodia

Kampot is a laid-back riverside town in southern Cambodia. It’s known for its colonial charm, pepper farms, and slow pace of life. While small, it has reliable internet through local ISPs and a few coworking spaces such as Frexi and Nomad Working Space.

Rent is low—around $300–$400/month for riverside bungalows—and food is very affordable. Kampot is great for nature lovers, with nearby national parks and a calm lifestyle. The expat community is small but growing, offering yoga, meetups, and coworking events.

If you want to focus deeply while living affordably in a scenic place, Kampot is a gem.

Gili Air, Indonesia

Gili Air is the smallest and quietest of the three Gili Islands near Lombok, Indonesia. It’s car-free, bike-friendly, and offers beachfront coworking vibes. The internet is decent at key cafes like Musa, and some hostels have strong Wi-Fi.

Gili Air is ideal for peaceful workdays and ocean breaks. Rent ranges from $400 to $600/month for cozy bungalows. Meals start at $3. Nomads often socialize at sunset yoga, open-air movie nights, or beach bars. Internet backup is recommended, like a mobile hotspot, due to occasional drops.

For those seeking simplicity, community, and beauty, Gili Air is a dreamlike nomad destination.

Conclusion

These 7 underrated Southeast Asian destinations prove you don’t have to follow the crowds to live and work well. From Da Nang’s beaches to Gili Air’s island life, each spot offers fast-enough internet, vibrant culture, and low living costs. If you’re a digital nomad ready to explore fresh ground, give these hidden gems a try. Your dream office might just be a hammock away.