MEET THE TRAVELLERS:
HOAI ANH
Is there more to life outside of the corporate world? How do people in Asia live, and are they truly happy? These questions were what compelled Hoai Anh to leave Germany and relocate to Asia as a digital nomad. There, she returns to her roots, rediscovers herself and confronts her own worth as a person outside of work. We interviewed her to find out more about her journey and her thoughts of living far from home.
Tell us a little about your background!
H: My Vietnamese parents came to Germany as contract workers over 30 years ago, hoping for a better future. I was raised in a small town in East Germany and moved to Berlin for university, receiving the best education possible. Before I started traveling, I lived in Berlin for 12 years and was employed at an energy company.
What made you decide to leave home to become a digital nomad?
H: Becoming a digital nomad was never part of my plan. As a German-Vietnamese, I always felt the urge to live in Southeast Asia for a while—to return to my roots. I missed a place I had only known from vacations. I love Asia, and I wanted to know how it feels to blend in, to be just one of many. I was curious about how people live, what occupies their thoughts, and whether they are truly happy.
Then my journey began when my then-partner asked me if I could imagine living in Thailand. It sounded exciting! After more than seven years in the corporate world, I was also yearning for a break. School, university, trainee program, product manager, change manager, leadership role—it had all gone well, but I started asking myself: Is there more? A journey where I could have complete freedom while discovering Southeast Asia? That sounded irresistible.
How was it relocating to Thailand?
H: Honestly, the first two weeks were rough. I wasn’t just in a new country—I had to confront my own worth as a person outside of work, free from any structures. A Vipassana retreat helped me find clarity and ease during that time.
Luckily, my then-partner had already built a strong network in Chiang Mai, and I was welcomed with open arms. That made me feel at home instantly! Thanks to my Vietnamese background, I was already familiar with aspects of Southeast Asian culture, like the calmness but also chaos, the focus on harmony, and the strong sense of community. However, adjusting to the fact that there’s no direct ‘no’ in Thai was a challenge. I also had to get used to the relaxed ‘sabai sabai’ attitude and let go of my German efficiency mindset and strict time management. What helped me immensely was surrounding myself with locals and learning from them.
What was your new life in Chiang Mai like?
H: The first week alone had me convinced. Working from cafés or co-working spaces whenever I didn’t have meetings. Evenings spent with friends at the night market. Weekends filled with trips to the countryside, lunches at Thai restaurants, visits to water parks, and unwinding with wine and barbecue on the rocks. Watching the sunset filled me with joy.
Now, I have a solid routine around work and fitness. I have a close-knit group of friends with whom I go climbing, hiking, enjoy Shabu dinners, and try new activities like pottery. Since everything is close by, plans can be made spontaneously—less stress, more flow.
What do you do for work in Chiang Mai, and how do you juggle time between work and travel as a digital nomad?
H: I am a psychologist, organizational development consultant, and certified systemic coach with over 10 years of experience in strategic and operational roles, primarily in the energy industry. Using agile and systemic approaches, I help remote and hybrid SMEs achieve their goals, implement sustainable change, and develop individuals and teams.
One key learning: Working from cafés or the beach may look cool but is far from reality. When I have B2B client meetings or coaching sessions, I make sure to do them from home. When traveling, I prioritize reliable internet, a good home workspace, nearby cafés, grocery stores, food options, and a gym. After moving to a new location, I usually need a week to regain full productivity. Routines are key.
I plan my week around specific outcomes, mainly focused on client satisfaction and business growth. Work is a vital part of my life, just like family, friends, health, and personal development, so I integrate all aspects into my weekly schedule. Typically, I work in the mornings when my focus is at its peak. Midday is for workouts or household tasks. Due to time zone differences, I sometimes have meetings at 10 PM, making long midday breaks essential for energy management. If I have trips or visits planned, I factor them into my schedule. For me, a successful day reflects all my key life areas—even if it’s just a call with a close friend.
How has travel and living so far from home changed you as a person?
H: I’ve gained a deeper sense of confidence in myself and my work. Engaging with expats and digital nomads has provided me with valuable business insights and fresh perspectives on lifestyle choices. More importantly, I’ve realized that I can feel at home anywhere, as long as I build the right social support system around me.
I’ve become more open, self-assured, and willing to step outside my comfort zone—so much so that I’ll soon take the stage as a speaker in Da Nang, something I never would have imagined before. One of the biggest shifts has been in my money mindset. Living with less has shown me how little I actually need and helped me recognize what truly matters in life. This realization has allowed me to move through life with greater ease and clarity.
Building a successful business is not just about me or my clients—it’s also about my family, whom I continue to support. My travel experiences have made me more resilient, adaptable, and aware of the different ways people work and communicate across cultures. My clients benefit from this firsthand knowledge, especially when navigating international teams and overcoming intercultural challenges. They appreciate my flexibility, creativity, and opportunity-driven approach, which allows me to help them turn obstacles into stepping stones for growth.
How long did you end up staying in Chiang Mai, and where did you go next?
H: After a year in Chiang Mai, I decided to move to Vietnam—first to Da Nang, which is emerging as a hotspot for digital nomads. Life in Da Nang is similar to Chiang Mai, but with a beach! I love walking 15,000 steps a day, eating fresh Vietnamese food, and speaking the local language. It feels like home.
After Da Nang, I’ll move to Ho Chi Minh City—I want to immerse myself in its big city vibes and compare life there with Da Nang and Hanoi. Over there, I’m expanding my network and exploring how I can bring value to the local community. This summer, I’ll visit family and friends in Germany while working on projects there. On my travel bucket list: Borneo, Taiwan, and Japan.
Would you recommend people to do what you are doing?
H: Being so far away from family and friends sometimes makes me feel really sad. That’s why I cherish every moment of quality time with them even more when I’m back in Germany–and so far, I think I’m doing a pretty good job at it. During Tết, my sister carried me around on her iPad the entire evening, so I could be part of the celebration, almost as if I were there in person. Thank you, Internet, for making distances feel a little smaller.
One thing I’ve realized for myself: I need a base. Or at least, I need to stay in one place for a longer time to maintain my routines and focus on my work. And honestly? Right now, I have a box in Chiang Mai, and 2 pieces of luggage with most of my belongings are here in Da Nang with me. I know many digital nomads who have their things scattered all over the world and it can be quite stressful.
Despite the challenges, I’d still recommend this lifestyle to anyone with a spirit of adventure, anyone who wants to truly discover who they are outside their usual surroundings. For me, being a digital nomad isn’t just about traveling. It’s about experiencing different countries and cultures in a way that a rushed three-week vacation could never offer.
HOAI ANH is a seasoned organizational development consultant and certified systemic coach with 10+ years of experience in agile transformation. She helps remote and hybrid SMEs build sustainable work cultures and navigate change with human-centered strategies. Raised in East Germany by self-employed parents, she grew up witnessing the realities of hard work and the sacrifices that come with it. This shaped her passion for fostering productivity and self-management in a way that makes work a meaningful part of life, rather than consuming it entirely. She believes in blending structure with flexibility, business with human connection, and strategy with empathy. Her journey as a digital nomad has reinforced her ability to adapt, embrace cultural diversity, and create impact across borders.
Instagram: instagram.com/_hoaianh.nguyen/
e-mail: info@hoaianhnguyen.com