Vietnam
A slower, riverside life beside a UNESCO old town
The centre of gravity for Hoi An's long-stay foreign community. A wide public beach lined with easygoing bar-restaurants, strong flat-white coffee culture, yoga, and a steady social scene of remote workers and families. You get sea air and a village feel while the Ancient Town stays a flat 10-minute cycle away. Trade-offs: it can feel seasonal (quiet in the winter rains), and the best beachfront houses go quickly through word of mouth. Ideal for people who want community and the beach without the tourist crush of the old town.
1-bed avg: ~$450/mo
The UNESCO heart of Hoi An — ochre shophouses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, tailors and lantern shops, all car-free and endlessly walkable. Living here means the town is your front garden, but you pay for it: higher rents, restricted renovation on heritage buildings, and a tide of day-tourists every late afternoon and evening. Best for short-to-medium stays and those who want atmosphere over quiet. Cafés, markets and riverside dining are all on foot; a bicycle covers everything else.
Scores on a 1–10 scale, based on our research and resident input.
1-bed avg: ~$500/mo