Here are the places I stayed while traveling Vietnam for a month. Most are hostels with the occasional private room.
Ho Chi Minh aka Saigon
Saigon Authentic Hotel
This place is family owned and you can tell by how attentive and caring they are with every guess. Two brothers run the place along with their sister; Mom cooks a delicious breakfast and dad maintains it.
Outside of the common tourist area of district 1, this place is located in District 4. Still a very busy area but gives you more of an authentic feel. I stayed in the female dorm which was clean and well kept. They provided a towel with your stay. A good social atmosphere especially during breakfast time and hanging out on the rooftop. Saw everyone from solo travelers to families there.
Included free is:
Delicious Breakfast with multiple options, drinks and fruit; A walking tour of district 4 done by a family friend, Water refill and beer.
Payable:
A Vietnamese Cooking class done by a family friend (highly recommend as I did this and everything was delicious),Food tour on a motorbike, A tour of the Mekong Delta and the Chu Chi tunnels; pick up and drop off at the hostel is an added bonus
Booked on HostelWorld; Highly recommend this Hostel for any traveler
Hoi An
Dom Hostel and Bar
This hostel was a 5 min walk from the main area of Hoi An Old Town which was absolutely perfect. They have free breakfast which was a chocolate banana pancake; it might be repetitive to eat this every morning but when I tell you I still think about this pancake often its because it was so good. Free water refills as well.
They do advertise the bar but when I stayed there no one was ever at the bar hanging out nor working it so that took away from any social aspect the hostel may have had. With that being said I did meet people at this hostel and was able to make friends.
Now for the upkeep and cleanness of the hostel itself. It could definitely use some repairing and upgrades. Things were definitely more on the run downside. Sheets, though washed, were stained. The bathroom was pretty small for being a wet shower (as very common in Asia) so everything got wet and there was not much saving your things from also getting wet.
With that being said I do still recommended as the people working were the nicest and so helpfully; giving recommendations from the moment you walk in. Booked on Hostelworld.
Da Nang
Rom Casa Hostel Da Nang
This is gonna be your social hostel, not party but definitely social; I meet so many people here. The place is owned by American expats so they really make sure it is easy to meet people. At night people are drinking, playing pool, and laughing with one another nut music turns off right at 11 and you can either go out and continue the party or sleep.
The place is located right near the beach next to the best place to eat; The Bikini Bottom. Know, however, that this area of Da Nang is gonna be your expat region so not as much culture around but some good night life.
I stayed in a female dorm the thing I did not like was only the bottom bunk had curtain, which I found really weird. The first night I was on a top bunk, no curtains where fine I just like them as to have more privacy. Luckily I was able to move to the bottom bunk the next day.
My big downfall was the bathrooms which were not the cleanest. They were also only three showers per a floor and it was mixed; meaning boys and girls used the same showers. Its not the worse bathroom situation, I just wish it was cleaner and had a place to put your shower bag.
Recommended for the social traveller; booked on hostel world
Cat Ba
Catba Backpackers Hostel and Bar
This place was a good deal and because I was traveling with someone I actually got to enjoy a private room. They do have a pool I just was not able to enjoy it as it was cold during my stay in Cat Ba. We did interact with people but there was not much of a social atmosphere.
They do have motorbike and bicycle rental. We rented bicycles and went all around town with them. They were a little run down but still worked. Free breakfast was also included which was buffet style and pretty good. They also can arrange a tour of Lan ha and Ha long Bay for you; we did not do our tour with them but I saw a lot of others do it.
Not sure about the dorms but the room we stayed in was good. It was in what looked like a hut and had air con. Shower was also good and had hot water.
Recommended for a quick stay. Booked on hostelworld
Tam Coc
Tuan Ngoc Hotel
This was a hotel and not a hostel. It was rainy the whole time in Tam Coc so we did not get to enjoy this place too much as everything was wet.
The hotel offered free breakfast which was basic but good. They also had a pool which would be nice to enjoy in the summer.
The room we stayed in had two king size beds which was absolutely great, the shoer was also good. The air con was able to provided heat which was a benefit for us as it was cold during our stay.
Now the funny story here is that the owner also teaches english class and the classroom was right next to our room, unfortunately. The kids where loud and surrounded the outside of our door. This was not a complete downfall as when it came time to sleep there were no more kids so they stay here was alright.
Recommended if you love kids, hahaha
Hanoi
Old Quarter View Hanoi Hostel
This was my favorite hostel in Vietnam. It was clean, comfortable, and social. It was located right off of Beer Street (a popular tourist attraction in Hanoi) and very there you were able to walk to all the sites you needed to see.
They off a free walking tour which was were I met a lot of people, as well as a happy hour with free beer. During both the walking tour and the happy hour you can meet so many people and hang out with one another. It not party as the music turns off at 11 so its great for your 20 year olds who just want to chill, like me.
The room was super comfortable. I was very spacious and they had stairs instead of a latter to get to the top buck; which is always a bonus. The bathroom was an ensuite and the shower and toilet were separated so two people could use the bathroom.
Overall 10 out of 10 for me, recommended for anyone; Booked on Hostelworld.
Serenity Villa Hotel
I stayed in Hanoi twice and for the second time I opted for a hotel as it was right before leaving Vietnam. The hotel was near the hostel I stayed so pretty close to a lot of attractions. No free breakfast here but they did wash my clothes (paid for it) which turned out good.
The room itself was mostly good and so was the bathroom. It could definitely use some repairing and a fresh paint coat. There was also a slight smell in the room which I did not enjoy.
The hotel did help arrange for a car to take me to the airport which was good. And the price of the stay was the highlight $70 for three nights was not bad.
Recommended if you don’t mind smells. Booked on booking.com
