Hanoi vs Penang (George Town)
📶
Hanoi has 2x faster internet
🌡️
Subtropical vs Tropical Wet climate
🛂
Malaysia offers a digital nomad visa
💰 Cost of Living Breakdown
Monthly expenses comparison in USD
Expense
Hanoi
Penang (George Town)
Total Budget
$900/mo
$850/mo ✓
Rent (1BR)
$450/mo
$350/mo ✓
Coworking
$80/mo
$75/mo ✓
Meal Out
$2 ✓
$3
Coffee
$1.5 ✓
$3
Penang (George Town) is $50/mo cheaper (6% savings)
💻 Remote Work Essentials
Internet, timezone, and language comparison
🇻🇳 Hanoi
📶 Internet150 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC+7
🗣️ Englishmedium
🛂 Nomad VisaNot available
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West0h
🇺🇸 US East0h
🇬🇧 London4h
🇩🇪 Berlin5h
🇲🇾 Penang (George Town)
📶 Internet100 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC+7
🗣️ Englishhigh
🛂 Nomad VisaAvailable
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West0h
🇺🇸 US East0h
🇬🇧 London4h
🇩🇪 Berlin5h
🌡️ Climate Comparison
Weather patterns and best times to visit
Hanoi
ClimateSubtropical
Avg Temp24°C
Rainy Days164/year
Best months: November, March, December, October
Penang (George Town)
ClimateTropical Wet
Avg Temp27°C
Rainy Days284/year
Quarterly Temperatures
Jan
17°27°
Apr
26°28°
Jul
29°28°
Oct
26°27°
HanoiPenang (George Town)
📊 Full Comparison
Category
🇻🇳Hanoi
🇲🇾Penang (George Town)
💰
Monthly Budget
$900
$850
📶
Internet Speed
150 Mbps
Winner100 Mbps
🛡️
Safety
4/5
4/5
⭐
Nomad Score
4.2/10
4/10
🍽️
Food Scene
9/10
10/10
🎉
Nightlife
6/10
5/10
🚶
Walkability
6/10
7/10
👥
Community
medium
medium
1
Hanoi wins
vs
0
Penang (George Town) wins
Which City is Right for You?
Recommendations based on your nomad style
💵Budget Nomad
Either works
Similar costs - choose based on other factors
💻Developer
Hanoi
150 Mbps is essential for video calls & uploads
🦋Social Butterfly
Either works
Similar social opportunities
🛡️Safety-First
Either works
Both cities are similarly safe
🍜Foodie
Either works
Both have great food scenes
🎉Party Person
Either works
Both have great nightlife
🇻🇳Hanoi
Pros
- +Extremely affordable cost of living
- +World-class street food scene
- +Rich history and cultural heritage
- +Fast and reliable internet
Cons
- −Chaotic traffic can be overwhelming
- −Air pollution especially in winter months
- −Language barrier outside tourist areas
- −Cash-heavy society with limited card acceptance
🇲🇾Penang (George Town)
Pros
- +Legendary street food scene - Asia's food capital with Char Kway Teow laksa and more
- +Extremely affordable - comfortable living under $850/month
- +UNESCO World Heritage Site - stunning colonial architecture and temples
- +High English proficiency - easy communication everywhere
Cons
- −Hot and humid year-round - 24-32°C with high humidity
- −WiFi historically slower than other destinations - improving with fiber rollout
- −Limited coworking scene compared to KL or Bali
- −Monsoon season September-November brings heavy rain