Formerly Saigon, Ho Chi Minh is the largest city in Vietnam, and if you are looking for a crazy experience – Ho Chi Minh never disappoints!
Ho Chi Minh is one of the backpacking capitals of the world, and with over 120 registered hostels, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
So we made it easy for you – welcome to the stress free guide to the best hostels in Ho Chi Minh!
Written for travelers, by travelers, this ultimate guide to the best hostels in Ho Chi Minh takes into account what matters to travelers, so you can find the hostel that best suits your travel-style.
Looking to party or chill? Traveling as a couple or solo? Need to get some work done, or are you just looking for the cheapest bed possible? Whatever you need, our list of the 20 best hostels in Ho Chi Minh is designed to help you book your hostel as easily as possible.
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Ho Chi Minh
- Overall Best Hostel in Ho Chi Minh – The Hideout
- Best Hostel for Couples in Ho Chi Minh – Kiki’s Hostel
- Best Party Hostel in Ho Chi Minh – The Hangout HCM
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Ho Chi Minh – Della Boutique Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Ho Chi Minh – Budget Hostel
The Best Hostel in Ho Chi Minh (Some expert advice)
Backpacking around Vietnam can be nuts, but if you do it right, it will also be cheap. If you are staying in the best hostels in Ho Chi Minh, here are a few things in particular to keep an eye out for…
- Your Travel Style – If you are traveling as a couple and in need of some alone time, do the whole hostel a favor and get a private room. This goes across the board, no matter your travel style. There are so many types of hostels available that regardless of what attractions in Ho Chi Minh you’re after, there’s a dream hostel for.
- You travel budget – If you are a super-hardcore-budget traveler, sure, book the hostel with the $2 bed. But never forget – you get what you pay for! If you are really concerned about your budget, one great thing to do is….
- Find the freebies – Our favorite travel hack is finding hostels that offer free breakfast, a free towel, or a free city guide. Sure, in a place like Ho Chi Minh these amenities don’t save that much, but when budget traveling a little bit of savings can go a long ways!
The 20 Best Hostels in Ho Chi Minh
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
The Hideout – Overall Best Hostel in Ho Chi Minh
If you wanna plan the ultimate trip to Ho Chi Minh and stay in the absolute best hostel, you better get yourself booked into The Hideout. As the best hostel in Ho Chi Minh in 2021 The Hideout offers their guests not one but TWO free beers on each night of their stay! #Winning! On top of this, they offer guests a cracking free breakfast each morning too! The Hideout is a super popular Ho Chi Minh backpackers hostel and it’s always pumping! If you’re looking for a buzzing and busy hostel in Saigon you should bunk up at The Hideout. The dorms are clean and comfy and there is air conditioning too. The Hideout crew run epic pub crawls on Sunday’s, Tuesday’s and Thursdays. Make sure you’re in town, you don’t wanna miss these action-packed nights!
The Like Hostel & Cafe
If you prefer a more low key affair, The Like Hostel & Cafe is the best hostel in Ho Chi Minh for you. That’s not to say The Like is not fun, far from it. It’s just a bit more chilled out and more calm than The Hideout! The Like is a top hostel in Ho Chi Minh and loved by all who visit. They have modern yet cosy dorms complete with air conditioning. The staff are super helpful and really welcoming. Whether you’re a solo traveller, a digital nomad or nomadic couple you’ll certainly fall for the charm of The Like Hostel & Cafe. Remember to sign up for their free city tour to get complete value for money and the best hostel experience in Ho Chi Minh!
Kiki’s Hostel – Best Hostel for Couples in Ho Chi Minh
Kiki’s House is the best hostel for couples in Ho Chi Minh; it’s a real gem! Kiki’s House has a great selection of private rooms perfect for travelling couples growing tired of Vietnam’s hostel and dorm scene. The rooms have air conditioning and ensuites but FYI they have only ‘twin’ rooms. TBF it’s actually one single and one double bed. If you get sick of your SO’s snoring you can kick them over to the other bed! It’s a win-win! On the ground floor Kiki’s House has its own Indian restaurant where you’ll be served your free breakfast, but make sure you book a table for a date night!
The Hangout HCM – Best Party Hostel in Ho Chi Minh
The Hangout Hostel HCM is easily the best party hostel in Ho Chi Minh. Not only do they have an epic happy hour each night but as their guest, you’ll be offered either two free beers or a rum/vodka and mixer between 7-8pm every night of your stay! Say whaaat! This hostel is an epic Ho Chi Minh backpackers hostel especially if you’re planning on partying your way around the Southeast Asia backpacking trail.
Flipside Hostel
You’re gonna be grateful that Flipside Hostel has a late check-out option as you’re gonna wanna make the most of every minute of your time at the coolest hostel in Ho Chi Minh! Flipside Hostel is a Kiwi run hostel and they know how to party! They’ve bought the Kiwi sense of adventure to South East Asia and the team make sure you have an amazing stay here. If you wanna party make sure you head to the roof, here you’ll find your party people, the bar and the swimming pool! The free nighttime air conditioning is the icing on the cake!
Della Boutique Hostel – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Ho Chi Minh
Della Boutique Hostel is the best hostel for solo travellers backpacking Ho Chi Minh City. This gorgeous boutique Ho Chi Minh backpackers hostel is stylish, modern and an Instagram guru’s dream! For solo travellers looking for a new crew in Ho Chi Minh, you’ll be happy in your choice of Della Hostel. There’s a real sociable vibe here and a touch of party culture too. If you wanna meet new peeps you better head up to the Della Hostel rooftop bar called Zuma. Not only will you immediately be greeted with friendly faces but a tonne of great drinks deals too! Della is the coolest hostel in Ho Chi Minh if only for the amazing view over the city from Zuma Bar
Himalaya Phoenix
Himalaya Phoenix is a highly recommended hostel in Ho Chi Minh and is ideal for solo travellers. Himalaya Phoenix is a light, airy and modern hostel in the heart of Ho Chi Minh close to all the popular backpacker bars and clubs. The Ben Thanh Market, Independence Palace and the must-visit War Museum are reachable in less than 5-minutes on foot. If you’re a solo traveller keen to meet new people to explore Ho Chi Minh with, have a think about booking your stay at Himalaya Phoneix. The staff are uber friendly and they too will be your new travel buddies!
Budget Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Ho Chi Minh
The best cheap hostel in Ho Chi Minh is the appropriately named Budget Hostel. Budget Hostel has everything you could ask for from a cheap hostel in Ho Chi Minh; free WiFi, free breakfast and they’re located in District 1 – a very central area in Ho Chi Minh to stay. Cheap hostels can sometimes scrimp on cleanliness and facilities but not Budget Hostel. They have air conditioning and fans, super clean rooms and bathrooms as well as super comfy beds. Make sure to sample the coffee at their cafe. Nothing beats an authentic Vietnamese coffee in the morning!
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View on Osprey View on REISaigon Backpackers Hostel @ Cong Quynh
Saigon Backpackers is a great budget hostel in Ho Chi Minh especially if you’re exploring Vietnam on a shoestring. Offering a free breakfast and use of the guest kitchen Saigon Backpackers is ideal if you want to keep the food spend to an absolute minimum. Although the guest kitchen is great it is still cheaper to eat at the street food stalls than it is to cook for yourself, most of the time anyway. Saigon Backpackers Hostel @ Cong Quynh is unrivalled when it comes to value for money as they also offer every guest a free city tour, not to be missed!
FourC Hostel
FourC is a highly recommended hostel in Ho Chi Minh ideal for travelling couples. Particularly if you and your partner are on a tight budget! FourC is a super clean and bright youth hostel in Ho Chi Minh. If you and your lover want a few nights of privacy in Saigon you’ll be happy in your choice of FourC. Their little cafe is the best place to hang out and catch up on your travel diaries, chill with a coffee and a book or have a light lunch. FourC is an often overlooked hostel in Ho Chi Minh but is well worth considering if you want a private ensuite room.
DaBlend Hostel – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Ho Chi Minh
The best hostel for digital nomads in Ho Chi Minh is a new arrival to the scene, DaBlend Hostel. Having opened in late 2017 is squeaky clean, modern and the staff are super keen to please. They offer guests a free breakfast and free filter water refills, which can help you save $$$ in the long run and reduce plastic waste too! DaBlend is an awesome new Ho Chi Minh backpackers hostel that’s been designed with the 2021 traveller in mind. There’s plenty of common areas to work in and hammocks on the rooftop too!
The Common Room Project
If there was ever a hostel designed exclusively for digital nomads it would look a lot like The Common Room Project. TCRP is a modern hostel with plenty of common areas to work in. The WiFi is fast and reliable and you can get great coffee from their cafe on the ground floor. TCRP has a boutique feel and is a highly recommended hostel in Ho Chi Minh. It’s the little touches that make TCRP super hipster, even the towels are personalised!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Ho Chi Minh
Alleyway Hostel
Alleyway Hostel is a great budget hostel in Ho Chi Minh if you like to mingle and have a drink or two but equally love a good night’s sleep too! Alleyway Hostel is super modern, clean-cut and spacious. The beds are super comfy and you even get free air conditioning through the night, such a treat! They’re located just a few minutes walk away from Notre-Dam Cathedral, Central Post Office and other must-visit spots in Ho Chi Minh. Alleyway Hostel is a great place for digital nomads in particular.
Vy Khanh Hostel
Vy Khanh is a much loved and highly recommended hostel in Ho Chi Minh. If you went by customers’ feedback alone Vy Khanh would be the best hostel in Ho Chi Minh in 2021. In terms of hospitality, value for money and location Vy Khanh Hostel is top notch. Just 2-minutes away from Bui Vien aka Walking Street, Vy Khanh puts you at the heart of the action in Ho Chi Minh. If you’re keen to make some day trips from Ho Chi Minh, make sure you also check out the Vy Khanh tours and travel desk for all your options.
Sofia House
Sofia House is a something of a hidden gem and is a highly recommended hostel in Ho Chi Minh. Far from a pumping party palace, Sofia House is a super chilled, cosy and charming youth hostel in Ho Chi Minh. Host Sofia and her team go out of their way to help backpackers in any way they can. Together they have created a homely and relaxed hostel that will instantly make you feel at ease. If you’re looking for a home from home in Ho Chi Minh, a place to just take a few days off, be sure to book a bed at Sofia House.
Town House 50
Town House 50 is an ideally located youth hostel in Ho Chi Minh; you’ll find them on the super popular Bui Thi Xuan Street and surrounded by tonnes of fun things to do. Town House 50 is a super-smart, super chic hostel, with an almost hotel feel to it. They have a number of private rooms perfect for couples and a good selection of dorm rooms too. The rooms are modern and super spacious, they all have air conditioning too! Town House 50 serves up a great breakfast every morning, included in the rate of your room, making it one of the best hostels in Ho Chi Minh.
Saigon Marvel Hostel
Saigon Marvel Hostel is a top hostel in Ho Chi Minh ideal for travellers who like a touch of privacy but the option to mingle if they wish. The dorm beds at Marvel Hostel all have their own privacy curtain, reading light and plug sockets. The WiFi at Saigon Marvel is ultra-fast and super reliable, it works throughout the hostel, even in the dorm rooms. They have a great happy hour at their bar and have free cocktails for the ladies too! If you like a chilled-out hostel with a bit of drinking culture but no mad party scene you’ll enjoy Marvel Hostel.
Si. Goong Hostel
Si.Goong is a super modern, hipster and trendy youth hostel in Ho Chi Minh. Perfect for just about everyone Si. Goong is set to become a super popular Ho Chi Minh backpackers hostel in 2021. The thing travellers love about Si.Goong is the showers; always hot and always high pressure! Each dorm bed has its own reading light and power socket and beneath the bunks, you’ll find big storage drawers for each guest. Big enough for your whole backpack. If you like your hostel hipster Si.Goong is the place for you!
Vietnam Inn
Vietnam Inn is the incredibly popular Ho Chi Min backpackers hostel in the heart of District 1. As the biggest youth hostel in Ho Chi Minh Vietnam Inn is always pumping. With epic drinks deals, an amazing party vibe and attracting a super cool crowd of people Vietnam Inn is something of a Ho Chi Minh institution for the hostel livers and stayers. The team host event nights every night, this includes live sets from their resident DJ and bar crawls. The dorms are super comfy, clean and always full of fun-loving backpackers like you, making it one of the best hostels in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
Lee Hostel
Lee Hostel is THE cheapest hostel in Ho Chi Minh. It’s totally amazing but you should bear in mind you get what you pay for. At less than $2 a night, you can’t go expecting 5-star! That said Lee Hostel is a friendly and welcoming hostel with basic but clean and functional dorm rooms. As a true home for backpackers, Lee Hostel is certainly the best budget hostel in Ho Chi Minh. The team are happy to help with travel arrangements and they’re always on hand to give directions to Ho Chi Minh’s must-see sights too.
What to Pack for your Ho Chi Minh Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Ho Chi Minh
Boom! There you have it. Ho Chi Minh’s finest budget accommodation options.
With the help of this no stress guide, you’ll be able to isolate the hostel that best fits your travel-needs, and be confident booking your trip to Ho Chi Minh!
And just in case your still stuck – go with The Hideout. It’s our top pick for best hostel in Ho Chi Minh for 2021.
FAQ about Hostels in Ho Chi Minh
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Ho Chi Minh.
How much does a hostel cost in Ho Chi Minh?
This all depends on whether you would prefer a private room with an ensuite bathroom, or a bed in a shared dorm. According to our research, the average prices start at USD$7 for a bed in a shared dorm room, heading up to USD$10+ for a private room.
What are the best hostels in Ho Chi Minh for couples?
Kiki’s Hostel is an ideal hostel for couples in Ho Chi Minh. It has a great selection of private rooms with air conditioning.
What are the best hostels in Ho Chi Minh near the airport?
DaBlend Hostel, our best hostel for digital nomads, is 4.1 km from Tan Son Nhat International Airport. It’s modern and offers guests free breakfast and free filter water refills.
Travel Safety Tips for Ho Chi Minh
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.
If you’re still worried about staying safe in Vietnam, then check out our comprehensive guide packed with travel tips, safety advice, and more.
More Epic Hostels in Vietnam
Hopefully, by now, you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Ho Chi Minh.
Planning an epic trip all across Vietnam or even Asia itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Asia, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Ho Chi Minh has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Vietnam for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh covered.
- Check out the best places to stay in Ho Chi Minh before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Southeast Asia backpacking guide.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
