As one of Southeast Asia’s top tourist destinations, Vietnam attracts millions of travelers from around the world are flying to Vietnam to experience not only its lovely beaches but to understand its culture, try the world-class Vietnamese cuisine, take a walk back at Vietnam’s history, try the Vietnamese coffee, ride a motorbike across the country, and of course to simply meet the locals.
RELATED POST: Check out our backpacking in Vietnam article where we answer all the questions under this topic.
Because of the unstoppable growth of tourists visiting Vietnam, businesses to accommodate the needs of foreigners are not behind. Accommodations, restaurants, and tour agencies pop out almost every month.
When I first came to Vietnam in 2015, there were hostels everywhere; many were cheap with decent reviews. But let’s be honest: affordable prices and good reviews online are not everything. That online feedback can be manipulated; those low prices have hidden “gross” features as to why it’s cheap. So, I’ve decided to list the hostels I’ve personally stayed in, plus hostels suggested by other travelers.
Check this out if you need to find anything about applying for a Vietnam visa or how to extend your visa in Vietnam. We also wrote a thorough article about motorbiking in Vietnam, and here are our recommended affordable motorbike tours around Vietnam.
Best Hostels in Hanoi
The thing about traveling in Vietnam is that there are almost only two ways to start your trip. Either through Hanoi, the capital of Ho Chi Minh, and you either make your way to the north or down South.
HANO TRAVEL TIPS: Best places to stay in Hanoi, Seasons in Hanoi, and Fun Things to do in Hanoi
Flipside Hostel
Why is it one of the best hostels in Vietnam?
Dorm rooms start at $5
Most guests in Flipside Hostel think it’s the best hostel in Hanoi because of their rooftop bar. It’s not that high, and the view is not very stunning. However, a rooftop is a rooftop. On hot days, the rooftop of this hostel is the best place to chill out, both during the day and in the evening. It’s also the best place to meet other travelers and grab a cold beer.
For only $5 a night for a dorm bed, you can be in a great location and have an awesome rooftop bar and a bed for the night. Another thing I like about this place is that if you are the kind of traveler who wants a party but not every night, this is the place for you.
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Box Hotel
Why is it one of the best hostels in Vietnam?
Dorm rooms start at $6
Probably not the most affordable hostel, but Box Hostel is praised as the best hostel in Hanoi because of its location: right at the Old Quarter, very close to Hoan Kiem Lake, and within walking distance to almost every attraction in the city. This hostel is perfect for laid-back travelers; it’s quiet and an excellent place to meet same-minded people.
The dorm beds are accompanied by curtain covers to give you a little privacy. Its past guests also appreciated the service; the staff spoke English, helped them with airport service, or simply got around the area. Box Hostel is also very close to the famous beer corner, where you can get fresh beer for $0.25.
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Best Hostels in Sapa
SAPA TRAVEL TIPS:
Go Sapa Hostel
Why is it one of the best hostels in Vietnam?
Dorm rooms start at $5
A few years ago, Sapa only had guesthouses and homestays. Because of the large flow of tourists, hostels started to pop up here. Go Sapa Hostel is the most reviewed hostel in Sapa; they are popular for their great value for money, cleanliness, and helpful staff. For only $5, you can get a bed in a dorm room, a free breakfast, and unlimited tips about traveling in Sapa. Despite being in the mountains, this hostel also offers free WiFi.
They cater tours organized by indigenous and local people, also known as the Hmong tribe. Since it’s not by the town, you need to let them know how you want to be picked up by the owner, through trekking, taxi, or motorbike taxi. They can handle luggage and bring it to the homestay. They also offer free breakfast and WiFi.
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Best Hostels in Phong Nha
Elegant Hostels
Why is it one of the best hostels in Vietnam?
Dorm rooms start at $5
For as affordable as $5, you can get a comfortable bFor as affordable as $5, you can get a comfortable bed in a dorm room with fresh blankets and a pillowcase. WiFi is also free of access, and breakfast is free. Their past guests love the elegant hostel for its impeccable service; the staff speaks English well and is very friendly. The hostel is also well-located, only a few kilometers from Phong Nha Cave and Dong Hoi Airport.
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Best Hostels in Hue
ALSO READ: What to do in Hue and food to eat and how to get to Hue
Hue Backpackers Hostel
Why is it one of the best hostels in Vietnam?
Dorm room starts at $ 6
This hostel is one of the properties of Vietnam Backpacker’s Hostels. You will probably have encountered their other Hanoi hostels when you get to Hue. This is exactly where you want to be if you are looking for a crazy party. Although there are other bars and clubs, you can drink and dance all night. Hue Backpackers Hostel is well-located, close to the “high street,” where it’s packed with restaurants, bars, and shopping places.
The beach is a little bit of a walk, but at the same time, you will get the chance to explore the other parts of the city. Tribee Hostel was recommended to me by people who have stayed here and enjoyed it a lot. There are other Tribee hostels in Hoi An, so make sure you book the right one.
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Hoi An Backpacker’s Hostel
Why is it one of the best hostels in Vietnam?
Dorm room starts at $ 7
Vietnam Backpacker’s Hostel didn’t miss bringing the party to Hoi An. If you are not tired of dancing, you could stay in Hoi An Backpacker’s Hostel; they renovated recently and greatly improved. They have a swimming pool, and every night, there is an event and, of course, an epic pub crawl.
You will enjoy a great view of the mountains and the city on their rooftop. The free breakfast can be enjoyed with this view. After exploring Nha Trang, enjoy a cold beer and meet new people. If you love Vietnamese food, come join them on their FREE food tour every night.
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iHome Nha Trang
Why is it one of the best hostels in Vietnam?
Dorm room starts at $5
More parties are held at the best party hostel in Nha Trang; everyone has free beers every night for one hour. Go hang out at their rooftop bar, where all the cool things happen. Even though it is known for its party, iHome Nha Trang is also known for its amazing staff, free breakfast, and comfortable and clean rooms. There is no other reason why you should not stay or at least check out this hostel.
The people who work here are young people who speak excellent English, are easy-going and are helpful in everything you need. The dorm rooms have little curtains to give you some privacy, and their location is only a few minutes’ walk from the city center.
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Best Hostels in Mui Ne
MUI NE TRAVEL TIPS:
- How to get from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne
- Where to stay in Mui Ne and Phan Thiet
- Top things to do in Mui Ne
Mui Ne Hills Backpackers
Why is it one of the best hostels in Vietnam?
Dorm room starts at $2
Why is this one of the best hostels in Mui Nei? This hostel has two large pools where everyone hangs around, plays pool games, shares travel stories, gets tanned, and parties at night. For $2.50, there is no way you can find a better deal than this.
Well located with a beautiful view, the hostel caters for tours at a very good price. The reception desk operates 24 hours a day to help you, and they also have a bar and restaurant to offer you food throughout the day and night.
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LongSon Mui Ne
Why is it one of the best hostels in Vietnam?
Dorm room starts at $3
For an affordable place with a great view and location, LongSon Mui Ne will take care of you. They have a daily offer of $1 for a snack or drink, and every Friday, you can rent a camp tent for $1. The rooms are designed in a very tropical way, clean and are well ventilated with fresh air. They also have a bar and restaurant that is open 24/7.
The location is excellent; it is right at the front beach and only a few minutes walk from the main street. If you need to go to the main town, the staff can help you arrange transportation.
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Best Hostels in Ho Chi Minh City
If you are looking for other options for accommodations, check out our Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City article.
Kha Hostel and Cafe
Why is it one of the best hostels in Vietnam?
Dorm room starts at $9
Kha Hostel and Cafe is not the cheapest place in Ho Chi Minh City. However, there is a great reason why. They surely offer the best in the city for a really comfortable room in a shared room. Your bed has its own reading light, you have your own curtain for privacy, and between beds is solid wood.
Imagine those capsule dorm rooms, Kha Hostel Cafe offer the same but is very cosy and private. They also offer free breakfast, they serve food all day. They are located perfectly, not far from the backpacker’s street (Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien), but at the same time, they are away from the annoying traffic noises. The must-see in Ho Chi Minh City are only a few minutes walk. The hostel opened recently, which guarantees very clean common areas.
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Long Hostel
Why is it one of the best hostels in Vietnam?
Dorm starts at $6
If you want a more laid-back place to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, Long Hostel offers a quiet, clean room. The location is not far from the backpacker’s street (Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien), but the foot and car traffic is a lot less. Their biggest dorm room has only 5 beds, which means more privacy compared to other hostels that come up to 14 or 20 beds.
They offer free breakfast and free beers to their guests, the staff are helpful if you need any assistance with what to see around, transportation, and other essentials. Long Hostel is a smaller hostel that offers you a great break in such a busy city.
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Hangout Hostel
Why is it one of the best hostels in Vietnam?
Dorm room starts at $6
If you want to play it safe and would rather stay in a hostel that has been running for a while, the Hangout hostel is a good fit. They are one of the most booked hostels by backpackers. They offer complimentary breakfast, free shot, and free beers for an affordable price, and all their rooms are with AC.
They also have a computer to use for free. The rooms are clean, the beds are comfortable, and their best feature is their location. Located right at the heart of the backpacker’s street, Pham Ngu Lao, there is no doubt why most travelers love them.
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Where are you going after Ho Chi Minh City? If you want to go to a small and quiet beach town, you can head to Vung Tau; here is how to get to Vung Tau from Ho Chi Minh City. If you are leaving Vietnam and heading to Cambodia, check out this article about the Border crossing between Ho Chi Minh to Phnom Penh.
I hope you find this article about hostels in Vietnam useful. If you have any questions, let us know in the comment section or contact us.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / worradirek.