Ah, Vietnam: AKA backpacker central.

Vietnam is a major destination on every backpacker’s Southeast Asia itinerary. This long ass country is packed with magnificent landscapes to discover, epic road trips, friendly people and a whooole lotta’ street food.

But then again, it’s not all roses. Sometimes you end up staying in some ropey old places that might have been alright for backpackers of 30 years ago, but definitely not for us (slightly high maintenance) modern-day backpackers!

So I’ve created a guide to the best hostels in Vietnam to help you find the crème de la crème of backpacker digs in all the land! From wild party hostels in the cities to relaxed spaces in the mountains, I’ve got chu. Whether you’re heading from Hanoi to HCMC, or HCMC to Hanoi, these are the BEST hostels in the country. 

Anyway. Let’s dive in and see what the Vietnam hostel scene has to offer you!

Nic riding a motorbike through the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam shot from a wide angle action cam.
On the hunt for the best hostels. (Mission = successful)
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short

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In a hurry? Here are my top hostel picks in Vietnam

Let’s take a closer look at each hostel

Before you start your travels, make sure you know which areas of Vietnam are best for you to stay in, which will then make choosing your hostels a heck of a lot easier! These are my favourite hostels in Vietnam:

1. Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel – Best Overall Hostel

Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel

Price: $$
Best for: Solo travellers, social backpackers
Highlights: Free walking tours, daily happy hour with free beer, luggage storage and cook classes.
Dorms from: $10
Private rooms from: N/A
Location: Hanoi

In my eyes, this is easily the BEST hostel in the whole of Vietnam, and that is a huge call from me. But when a hostel advertises itself as having a free beer every evening… You know you’re onto a winner. It’s a hostel that has everything you need, and nothing you don’t.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

  • Free beer DAILY between 6.30 and 7 pm.
  • They organise tour packages for the Ha Giang Loop, Halong Bay, Sapa and Ninh Binh.
  • Social (but not party) vibes

The hostel has a super social vibe to it and makes it easy to meet fellow travellers. However, this is not a big party hostel – if you’re after a place that’s a bit more loose buzz, scroll down a little to find my top pick for the best party hostel in Vietnam.

2. Base Backpackers Ho Chi Minh – Best for Solo Travellers

base backpackers Ho Chi Minh Vietnam
  • Price: $$
  • Best for: Solo travellers, party backpackers and social peeps!
  • Highlights: Epic pub crawls, free beers and modern, comfortable rooms.
  • Dorms from: $13.50
  • Private rooms from: N/A
  • Location: Ho Chi Minh

Travelling solo isn’t always a breeze, but staying at this hostel in Vietnam means you’ll be literally spoilt for choice for people to hang out with. This hostel is brimming with good vibes and a chilled atmosphere. There is a bar on-site where you can enjoy 2 free beers each evening while mixing and mingling with fellow travellers.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

  • On-site bar, which is the perfect place for solo travellers to meet new mates.
  • FREE beer!! Two bottles of liquid gold on the house.
  • Chilled vibes, without the pressure to party.

The Ho Chi Minh hostel is overall super clean and comfortable. The dorms have air conditioning (thank the good hostel lords), they offer lockers, and their beds have lights, USB/ powerpoints and privacy curtains. In other words, they cover all the essentials.

3. Tigon Dalat Hostel – Best Hostel for Relaxing

Tigon Dalat Hostel

Price: $
Best for: Solo travellers, budget backpackers, couples, and those looking to unwind in nature.
Highlights: Amazing views, chill vibes, family meals.
Dorms from: $3.80
Private rooms from: N/A
Location: Da Lat

Well, well, well, here’s a great shout for all you couples out there. This place is one of the most chilled-out backpacker hostels in Dalat. You’ll feel welcome and at home as soon as you step through the door. It’s actually in the outer areas of Da Lat, about 1.5 km from Dalat Market. You can walk from the bus station and walk shortly from Dalat Centre to this property.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

  • It’s the perfect spot to unwind and take in the views.
  • It’s social without the pressure to party, their family dinners are the BOMB
  • It has double beds in the dorms!!

Back at the hostel, the owners can teach you how to make Vietnamese coffee. Nice one. The beds are so comfy and have balconies overlooking the rolling hills of Da Lat. This place is prettyyyy freakin’ awesome.

4. The Hideout Ho Chi Minh – Best Party Hostel

The Hideout Ho Chi Minh Vietnam

Price: $$
Best for: Party backpackers, solo travellers.
Highlights: Party vibes, pool table, bar onsite, movie room, good location.
Dorms from: $12
Private rooms from: $45
Location: Ho Chi Minh

For those of you who are sick of me saying “it’s social but not a party hostel”, well, this one’s for you – IT IS A PARTY HOSTEL! Woop woop! If you’re planning to visit Ho Chi Minh City and you’re a bit of a beer monster, do yourself a favour and book a bed at this HCMC backpacker’s hostel. It’s one of the best party hostels in the whole damn country.

Why you’ll love this hostel

  • Free beer DAILY, happy hours, beer pong tournaments, tours, and a general party atmosphere
  • Prime location, surrounded by the best street food, nightlife, and top sights to see
  • A cosy movie room with a huge TV, comfy bean bags, and a whole lotta’ movies!

The air-conditioned dorm rooms make waking up with a hangover that little bit easier. And although it is a party hostel, it’s still possible to get a good night’s sleep (if you want to).

5. SnapStay Hoi An – Best for Digital Nomads

SnapStay Hoi An Vietnam

Price: $$$
Best for: Solo travellers, digital nomads, couples
Highlights: Rooftop terrace, swimming pool, on-site cafe, great location
Dorms from: $16.5
Private rooms from: $59
Location: Hoi An

You can’t get much better than this when staying in Hoi An! This gaff comes complete with a rooftop AND a pool. Just imagine seeing the city sights (like the Japanese covered bridge) in the tropical heat and then heading back to the hostel to float around in the pool with a few beers with your new travelling buddies. An absolutely backpacker dream.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

  • Cafe onsite with good wifi, which doubles as a great coworking space
  • Social vibes, minus the party energy.
  • A rooftop and a swimming pool (!!)
  • 24/7 air conditioning in the common area, all dorms & private rooms

SnapStay is not only a social hostel but also a co-working cafe & community hub within just 200m of the beautiful Ancient Town. This place has got it all! It has a cafe on the bottom floor, which is the perfect place to get some work done or just to relax with a book. Oh, aaand they also have a cute cat!

6. Bong Backpackers & Bikes – Best for the Ha Giang Loop

bong backpackers and bikes vietnam
  • Price: $$
  • Best for: Solo travellers, couples, those doing the Ha Giang Loop
  • Highlights: Great small group Ha Giang Loop tour, free breakfast, good location.
  • Dorms from: $13
  • Private rooms from: $40
  • Location: Ha Giang

Planning on riding the Ha-Giang Loop? Bong is the perfect spot to base yourself brfore nd after. These guys organise their own Ha Giang Loop tour that you can either drive yourself or go with an easy rider. I did it with these guys last year and can vouch that they take safety seriously, and although you can dabble in the “happy water” and karaoke nights, they don’t fully send it. It’s a perfect balance.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

  • They organise a brilliant and very popular Ha Giang Loop tour, with daily departures.
  • Super social vibes, and you can tell that they make an effort to match you with a crew similar to you
  • Included buffet breakfast (the perfect start to the trip)

The hostel itself is modern and kept clean. The whole place is centred around the daily departures of the loop; it’s a well-oiled machine, and you’ll feel in good hands.

7. Tavan Chopai Homestay Sapa – Best for Epic Views

Tavan Chopai Homestay Vietnam
  • Price: $$
  • Best for: Solo travellers, party backpackers
  • Highlights: Swimming pool, epic views, terrace bar, and included breakfast
  • Dorms from: $5
  • Private rooms from: $38
  • Location: Sa Pa

This hostel in Sapa is ridiculously cool with its epic swimming pool, terrace and views – you seriously cannot beat it. The owners (Lo and his family) are amazing and super knowledgeable about the local area and culture.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

  • Tour organisation for Sapa Trekking, Sapa Motorbike Loop and Ha Giang Loop.
  • Family dinners that are the perfect way to meet other guests
  • Solid free breakfast!
  • Oh, and of course, the terrace bar and swimming pool with a view of the mountains are insane.

Chill out at the open terrace bar and enjoy a drink while you marvel at the sunset moving over the top of Fansipan Mountain. The bar usually plays jazz or the local minority music. I told you this place was a vibe.

8. Like Hostel and Café – Best for Social Travellers

Like Hostel and Café Vietnam

Price: $
Best for: Solo travellers and digital nomads.
Highlights: Rooftop, social activities, kitchen facilities, great location.
Dorms from: $9
Private rooms from: N/A
Location: Ho Chi Minh

The cool little hostel is super nicely designed and has a chill cafe with strong Wi-Fi, so you can grab yourself a strong cup of coffee and get working. As it says in the name, there is a cafe in the hostel so you can perch up guilt-free and get some shit done.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

  • The kitchen on the rooftop is available to use for those of you staying longer.
  • Plenty of social activities to join. Family dinner, karaoke night, local dinner trip, city walking tour, Vietnamese lessons and more.
  • And more… free beer!

It’s tucked down a quiet alley, so there isn’t too much noise from the street. From the hostel, it’s easy to walk anywhere in the city centre; you’re never far from Ho Chi Minh’s coolest attractions. Just a few minutes’ walk from Bui Vien Backpacker Street, Ben Thanh Market, War Remnants Museum, the Opera House and the Cathedral Church.

9. Hue Happy Homestay – Best for Local Culture

Hue Happy Homestay Vietnam
  • Price: $
  • Best for: Solo travellers, couples, those looking for homestay vibes instead of just hostel vibes.
  • Highlights: Free breakfast, great location, really helpful family who run it.
  • Dorms from: $5
  • Private rooms from: $15
  • Location: Hue

Tucked down a little alleyway in Hue, staying in this cool hostel in Vietnam will mean being welcomed into a super-friendly family who’ll make sure you’re happy (it’s literally in the name). Close to all the good eateries, bars and the evening market in town, in the day you can easily head over the river to see the Imperial City, and at night, you can sleep safe and sound in the calm and very safe dorms.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

  • Really helpful and welcoming family who run the hostel
  • The breakfast is bangin’
  • Perfect location right in the thick of the action, while also feeling tucked away

The hosts are a big reason why this hostel stands out. They are incredibly welcoming, kind and truly make you feel like you’re in a local homestay. They will also sort you out with a good place to rent a bike or arrange tours for you so you can see all of the sites around the city, too.

10. Dalat Family Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel

Dalat Family Hostel best hostels in Vietnam
  • Price: $
  • Best for: Solo travellers, social butterflies and couples.
  • Highlights: Swimming pool, family dinners, on-site gym.
  • Dorms from: $4
  • Private rooms from: $19
  • Location: Da Lat

A self-described “Crazy House”, this Dalat backpackers hostel doesn’t disappoint when it comes to living the hostel life! The genuinely friendly social vibe going on with other backpackers staying here is almost second to none. You’ll have an amazing time here. Side note: one of the staff members is called “Crazy”. That is absolutely true.

Why you’ll love this hostel:

  • Their food and family dinners are top-tier
  • The swimming pool is freezing but refreshing
  • With an on-site gym, there is no reason not to keep fit while travelling!

This hostel is a little out of town, so it’ll take a wee hike to get there. But once you get there, it’s great value for money. Their private rooms are a level up from their dorms, hence why I’ve added this one as a goodie for couples!

Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Vietnam

Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect them. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Vietnam.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Still not sure where to stay in Vietnam?

Aaaand that’s a wrap! I hope you found your dream hostel to stay in for your backpacking trip in Vietnam. There are so many to choose from that it can be a little overwhelming sometimes. I feel ya. I hope my summary made your life a bit easier.

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure, I’d recommend locking in my overall top pick: Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel. Located in Hanoi, a classic traveller go-to, it’s got everything you could want from a hostel. Social vibes, free beer and a bangin’ location. Plus, it’s the perfect place to meet some mates to travel up north with.

Wherever you end up staying, I hope you LOVE Vietnam as much as I did. It’s a backpackers’ paradise (as you can tell from all the free beer on offer!).

If I’ve missed any goodies, please let me know in the comments 🙂

Looking for more info on travelling to Vietnam?