Budapest vs Hanoi vs Larnaca vs Panama City vs Sofia

Budapest 🇭🇺
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 1,768,073 8,053,663 144,900 880,691 1,270,169
Official language(s) Hungarian Vietnamese Greek Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English High Moderate High Low High
Main airport Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - June, September - November January, February, October - December March - May, October - December December - April April-June, September-October
Currency HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) EUR - Euro (€) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $1230 $1167 $1959 $2359 $1289
Rent $499 $503 $678 $1036 $567
Groceries $108 $151 $157 $236 $10
Dining out $202 $134 $261 $371 $227
Cafe $29 $39 $56 $43 $27
Coworking space $120 $72 $209 $157 $140
Mobile internet $9 $4 $35 $21 $10
Public transportation $36 $20 $63 $12 $30
Taxis $27 $13 $42 $48 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $13 $0 $45 $0 $40
Sport and cultural events $24 $3 $28 $35 $18
Museums and sights $7 $4 $8 $9 $12
Nightlife $43 $89 $110 $117 $82
Gym $37 $57 $107 $37 $23
Yoga $48 $57 $105 $163 $62
Massage $26 $21 $54 $75 $29
SIM card options Vodafone, Telenor Viettel, Mobifone Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Claro, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Bolt, Fotaxi Grab, GoViet nTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. 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. Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. 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. Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
Local food specialities Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 47 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 7 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow