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Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Cape Town ๐ฟ๐ฆ
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Hanoi ๐ป๐ณ
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 8,053,663 | 6,578,0179 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Vietnamese | Spanish |
| Level of English | High | Very high | Moderate | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Nแปi Bร i International Airport (HAN) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | January, February, October - December | March - May, September - November |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | VND - Vietnamese Dong (โซ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $1167 | $2498 |
| Rent | $932 | $618 | $503 | $1174 |
| Groceries | $121 | $129 | $151 | $175 |
| Dining out | $403 | $269 | $134 | $313 |
| Cafe | $45 | $32 | $39 | $51 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $72 | $196 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $4 | $10 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $20 | $78 |
| Taxis | $48 | $21 | $13 | $44 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $0 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $3 | $54 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $4 | $20 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $89 | $82 |
| Gym | $81 | $36 | $57 | $44 |
| Yoga | $93 | $56 | $57 | $142 |
| Massage | $59 | $30 | $21 | $64 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Viettel, Mobifone | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | Grab, GoViet | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable |
| Overall cuisine | Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. | South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | 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. | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros |
| Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food | Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 104 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow |