Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Playa del Carmen vs Seoul

Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Population 8,053,663 15,520,000 2,427,000 8,850,000 880,691 259,453 9,963,452
Official language(s) Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Spanish Spanish Spanish Korean
Level of English Moderate Low Low Moderate Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit January, February, October - December April - June, September and October January - April, December March - May, October, November December - April January - May, October - December March - May, September - November
Currency VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $1167 $659 $1293 $1867 $2359 $2143 $2184
Rent $503 $354 $732 $778 $1036 $923 $797
Groceries $151 $44 $87 $281 $236 $127 $356
Dining out $134 $81 $131 $182 $371 $207 $211
Cafe $39 $18 $18 $49 $43 $42 $69
Coworking space $72 $49 $96 $159 $157 $160 $222
Mobile internet $4 $3 $16 $25 $21 $21 $40
Public transportation $20 $6 $21 $11 $12 $17 $40
Taxis $13 $6 $14 $9 $48 $9 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $0 $2 $0 $24 $0 $49 $13
Sport and cultural events $3 $11 $8 $81 $35 $97 $39
Museums and sights $4 $15 $9 $20 $9 $217 $6
Nightlife $89 $22 $73 $64 $117 $77 $93
Gym $57 $9 $15 $69 $37 $42 $69
Yoga $57 $23 $54 $65 $163 $54 $112
Massage $21 $15 $20 $51 $75 $101 $75
SIM card options Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar Telcel, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10-15% for restaurants Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Grab, GoViet BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer N/A Uber, Kakao
Tap water Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall 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 A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
Eat like a local Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 72 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow