The rise in popularity of remote work has changed how many travelers approach long trips. Besides reliable internet, city selection is influenced by the availability of life amenities, the presence of workspaces, cultural attractions, nightlife, and even weather.
A new ranking compiled by the independent platform VPN JPN covered 104 major cities worldwide. Cities were assessed based on criteria such as ease of working, entertainment, cultural sites, internet speed, cost of living, and the number of comfortable working days. Initially, the study considered 150 largest cities, 46 of which were excluded for various reasons. Each city received an overall score out of 100.
According to EuroNews, Asian cities hold leading positions in the list, with three Japanese cities making it into the top ten.
Seoul ranked first with a score of 73.60. The South Korean capital is particularly attractive to remote workers due to a high concentration of workplaces, as well as a rich selection of entertainment and cultural venues. Furthermore, Seoul demonstrates the highest internet download speed among the top 10 cities—69.27 Mbps. The accessibility rating in Seoul indicates that prices there are approximately 36% lower than the US benchmark used in the study.
Tokyo follows with a score of 72.61. Although Tokyo has slightly fewer workplaces than Seoul, the city stands out for what happens after finishing work on a laptop. It boasts the highest concentration of evening spots among the top 10, along with an impressive number of cultural attractions. For digital nomads seeking a big urban experience with many options to explore after work, Tokyo offers a very strong combination.
Hanoi ranks third with a score of 71.86. The Vietnamese capital has the highest workplace density among the top 10, at 96.88 per square kilometer. It is also one of the most affordable destinations on the list. Hanoi's climate gives it an additional advantage, as the study recorded 180 comfortable working days. However, the internet speed here is significantly lower than in Seoul and Tokyo.
Taipei scores 70.98, taking fourth place. This city combines a good selection of workspaces with numerous restaurants, nightlife spots, and cultural attractions. Prices in Taipei are also substantially lower than the US benchmark used in the study.
Osaka rounds out the top five with a score of 70.15. Like Tokyo, Osaka benefits from Japan's robust internet infrastructure and extensive entertainment options. There are over 350 evening spots per square kilometer here, second only to Tokyo among the leading destinations.
Two European cities are represented in the global top 10, both from Spain. Barcelona takes sixth place with a score of 68.11. The Catalan capital has fewer workplaces than some Asian cities ranked higher, but shows good results in other categories. Spain also demonstrates the highest national download speed among the top 15 destinations in the study. Barcelona offers many entertainment and cultural options, as well as 164 comfortable working days.
Madrid follows in seventh place with a score of 66.67. Madrid and Barcelona have identical metrics for national internet and price levels; however, Barcelona edges ahead due to a slightly higher concentration of workspaces, entertainment venues, and cultural attractions. Madrid also records fewer comfortable working days compared to Barcelona.
Sao Paulo ranks eighth, also scoring 66.67. Its main advantage is the weather: the Brazilian city registers 252 comfortable working days, the highest figure among the top 10. The cost of living here is also approximately 53% lower than the US benchmark.
Japan appears on the list for the third time, specifically Nagoya, which ranks ninth with a score of 64.97. Nagoya benefits from Japan's strong internet infrastructure, although its weather rating is weaker than some other leading destinations.
The last spot in the top 10 goes to Ho Chi Minh City, which scored 64.28. Similar to Hanoi, it combines a relatively low cost of living with a high concentration of places where remote employees can work and socialize.
For travelers considering a 'work vacation' or long-term stay abroad, this ranking highlights how competitive Asian cities have become—Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and Taiwan all feature prominently in the list.