Bangkok vs Bucharest vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Seoul

Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Population 5,680,000 1,830,000 8,053,663 15,520,000 8,850,000 880,691 9,963,452
Official language(s) Thai Romanian Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Spanish Korean
Level of English Low High Moderate Low Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit January - March, November, December April - October January, February, October - December April - June, September and October March - May, October, November December - April March - May, September - November
Currency THB - Thai Baht (฿) RON - Romanian Leu (L) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1560 $1351 $1167 $659 $1867 $2359 $2184
Rent $616 $615 $503 $354 $778 $1036 $797
Groceries $191 $114 $151 $44 $281 $236 $356
Dining out $168 $165 $134 $81 $182 $371 $211
Cafe $45 $38 $39 $18 $49 $43 $69
Coworking space $127 $133 $72 $49 $159 $157 $222
Mobile internet $23 $7 $4 $3 $25 $21 $40
Public transportation $32 $21 $20 $6 $11 $12 $40
Taxis $19 $9 $13 $6 $9 $48 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $25 $0 $2 $24 $0 $13
Sport and cultural events $46 $29 $3 $11 $81 $35 $39
Museums and sights $21 $29 $4 $15 $20 $9 $6
Nightlife $50 $45 $89 $22 $64 $117 $93
Gym $96 $30 $57 $9 $69 $37 $69
Yoga $98 $59 $57 $23 $65 $163 $112
Massage $11 $31 $21 $15 $51 $75 $75
SIM card options AIS Vodafone, Orange Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 10% for restaurants, bars and services 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Grab Star Taxi, Uber Grab, GoViet BiTaksi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer Uber, Kakao
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine. Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
Eat like a local Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 416 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 57 options on Happy Cow