Gisenyi vs Hoi An: cost of living for digital nomads
Gisenyi, Rwanda and Hoi An, Vietnam, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Gisenyi is about 2% cheaper than Hoi An for a month of nomad living ($975 vs $990).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $380 in Gisenyi against $400 in Hoi An.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Hoi An: 100 Mbps typical against 75 Mbps.
- Gisenyi is temperate; Hoi An is tropical.
Gisenyi wins 4 of the measured lines; Hoi An wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Gisenyi or Hoi An?
Gisenyi is cheaper: about $975/month against $990/month in Hoi An, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Gisenyi or Hoi An?
Gisenyi and Hoi An score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Gisenyi or Hoi An?
Hoi An has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 75 Mbps in Gisenyi.
| Line | Gisenyi | Hoi An |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $975 | $990 |
| Rent | $380 | $400 |
| Food | $280 | $280 |
| Transport | $30 | $40 |
| Coworking | $70 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 75 | 100 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | small | small |
| Setting | mountain | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Gisenyi September 11, 2026, Hoi An September 10, 2026.