Bucharest vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Panama City

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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Population 1,830,000 8,053,663 15,520,000 8,850,000 880,691
Official language(s) Romanian Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Spanish
Level of English High Moderate Low Moderate Low
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit April - October January, February, October - December April - June, September and October March - May, October, November December - April
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards 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.
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $1351 $1167 $659 $1867 $2359
Rent $615 $503 $354 $778 $1036
Groceries $114 $151 $44 $281 $236
Dining out $165 $134 $81 $182 $371
Cafe $38 $39 $18 $49 $43
Coworking space $133 $72 $49 $159 $157
Mobile internet $7 $4 $3 $25 $21
Public transportation $21 $20 $6 $11 $12
Taxis $9 $13 $6 $9 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $0 $2 $24 $0
Sport and cultural events $29 $3 $11 $81 $35
Museums and sights $29 $4 $15 $20 $9
Nightlife $45 $89 $22 $64 $117
Gym $30 $57 $9 $69 $37
Yoga $59 $57 $23 $65 $163
Massage $31 $21 $15 $51 $75
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar
Tipping 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
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Grab, GoViet BiTaksi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine 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.
Local food specialities 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
Eat like a local 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
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow