Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Panama City

Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 2,900,000 4,617,560 8,053,663 15,520,000 880,691
Official language(s) Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Vietnamese Turkish Spanish
Level of English High Very high Moderate Low Low
Main airport Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit September - December March - May, September - November January, February, October - December April - June, September and October December - April
Currency ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $1321 $1549 $1167 $659 $2359
Rent $844 $618 $503 $354 $1036
Groceries $98 $129 $151 $44 $236
Dining out $121 $269 $134 $81 $371
Cafe $25 $32 $39 $18 $43
Coworking space $95 $151 $72 $49 $157
Mobile internet $11 $27 $4 $3 $21
Public transportation $9 $55 $20 $6 $12
Taxis $9 $21 $13 $6 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $14 $49 $0 $2 $0
Sport and cultural events $24 $19 $3 $11 $35
Museums and sights $4 $15 $4 $15 $9
Nightlife $23 $43 $89 $22 $117
Gym $14 $36 $57 $9 $37
Yoga $19 $56 $57 $23 $163
Massage $10 $30 $21 $15 $75
SIM card options Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar
Tipping 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Grab, GoViet BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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 sautéed 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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 Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja
Eat like a local Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow