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The Best Hostels to Book in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant destination brimming with activities day and night
Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant destination brimming with activities day and night | © John Davidson Photos / Alamy Stock Photo

Ho Chi Minh City is the prime traveller hub in southern Vietnam and a popular stop on the Southeast Asia backpacker trail. Whether you’re here to meet other backpackers in Pham Ngu Lao, to delve into Vietnamese history at the War Remnants Museum and the Independence Palace, or are just passing through, the city formerly known as Saigon boasts some of the finest hostels Vietnam can offer – and they’re bookable with Culture Trip.

Hangout Hostel HCM

Hostel

A dorm room with four bunk beds in Hangout Hostel HCM
Courtesy of Hangout Hostel HCM / Expedia

Close to the central bus station and the backpacker district Pham Ngu Lao, Hangout Hostel HCM is popular with the party crowd. If you can tolerate loud nights, the clean and comfortable dorm beds have private lockers. However, with one complimentary welcome drink at its sociable ground-floor bar and Walking Street pub crawls with free sample shots scheduled every night, resting your head may be the last thing you’ll want to do here.

Aquarizon Boutique Hostel and City Bar

Hostel

A double bed under an ornate arch in an orange-toned room at Aquarizon Boutique Hostel & City Bar
Courtesy of Aquarizon Boutique Hostel and City Bar / Expedia

Part social spot, part flashpacker hostel, Aquarizon brings a smattering of the North African desert to this boisterous Vietnamese megacity. While the atmospheric private rooms have pastel-hued walls, matching floor tiles and Arabesque decor reminiscent of a Moroccan riad, the dorm beds have privacy curtains, wooden partitions and individual power outlets. It’s in the centre of Bui Vien Street, but with the annexed City Bar and an intimate rooftop, you won’t have to stray far to get conversations – and parties – started.

Prei Nokor Hostel

Hostel

View from high, down through the middle of Prei Nokor Hostel; green trees and vines surround the walkway
Courtesy of Prei Nokor Hostel / Expedia

Offering separate female-only and mixed dorms, plus homely private rooms, Prei Nokor Hostel welcomes you with a ground-floor cafe – a great spot to sit, pull out your laptop and sample Vietnamese coffee. The decor, a mix of bare brick and whitewashed walls and strewn with potted plants and old-world wooden furniture, hints at early-19th-century Saigon when the original building was completed. All dorms have hangers, personal drawers and privacy curtains – the large balconies, with great views of the Ben Thanh Market, are uncommon for such budget-friendly hostels in Vietnam.

The Like Hostel and Cafe

Hostel

Several guests sit and eat at the Like Hostel & Cafe while food is cooked
Courtesy of The Like Hostel and Cafe / Booking.com

Developed inside a narrow and tall Vietnamese house, this arty hostel unfolds vertically, meshing murals, industrial-chic furniture and plenty of wood and wrought iron. Quiet yet close to all the best that District 1 has to offer, the Like Hostel has dorms with ensuite bathrooms and thoughtful touches, such as hammocks, free-flowing coffee and tea, and free luggage storage. The rooftop bar, where you can get a free beer, has incredible views and provides a fun environment to meet and mingle with like-minded travellers.

Kiki’s House Saigon

Hostel

A large bed with storage in the wall behind; part of a deluxe bunk at Kikis House Saigon
Courtesy of Kiki’s House Saigon / Booking.com

A cosy rooftop restaurant and bar overlooking Walking Street is just one of the many reasons to choose Kiki’s House Saigon. Besides smart and homely private rooms with balconies, the dorms are bright and large, with free storage space under the bed frames, reading lights and small scaffoldings where you can store your things. The shared kitchen is a nice touch if you’re on a budget, as is the free parking space, ideal for keeping your rental motorbike safe while you are in the city.

City Poshtel

Hostel

Several small bunks in a clean, white pod style at City Poshtel
Courtesy of City Poshtel / Expedia

As the name suggests, expect a flashpacker treatment at this prime Bui Vien Street property, where the bells and whistles compete with much higher categories. There’s one female-only, one male-only and one mixed dorm room, hosting 60 people total. They’re all equipped with individual cube-style pods with lockers and furnished with grace and simplicity. City Poshtel is also the only Bui Vien hostel with a swimming pool (be prepared to pay extra to access it) and on-site spa treatments.

Vy Da Backpackers Hostel

Hostel

Double bed facing two small sofas in a room with a balcony at Vy Da Backpackers Hostel
Courtesy of Vy Da Backpackers Hostel / Expedia

Vy Da Backpackers Hostel is a clean and curated option, known for the courtesy of its staff and service – a trait that may convince you to stay longer. Within a tall, narrow Vietnamese house, there’s a welcoming lounge with wooden furnishings and plenty of seating on the ground floor, along with a charming seventh-floor rooftop. Dorms have balconies and rows of neat bunk beds, while the private rooms are a notch above the standard budget digs of Pham Ngu Lao.

Coco Hostel Bar

Hostel

Dimly lit bar and dining area at Coco Hostel Bar, with several small tables and chairs, plus stools
Courtesy of Coco Hostel Bar / Expedia

With a chilled-out bar tucked on the ground floor and a cute resident cat, Coco Hostel Bar is a solid choice if you love animals and meeting people in a homely hostel atmosphere. Owner Coco will take care of you as if she were your sister and infuses the same attention and care to customer satisfaction whether you stay in a private room or dorm. The latter has suffused lights, pastel tones and charming curtains – something special at this budget price. A simple breakfast is included.

Bui Vien Hostel

Hostel

Several bunks on a wood-panelled floor at Bui Vien Hostel
Courtesy of Bui Vien Hostel / Expedia

Dorms here are bright and cosy, separated by wooden panels that complement the vintage black-and-white photos on the whitewashed walls. Each pod has large storage lockers and privacy curtains, while the common areas attract with their quirky mix of driftwood and coloured window shutters. There’s also a self-catering kitchen if you don’t feel like stepping out the front door to try all the food that Bui Vien Street has to offer.

Happy Saigon Hostel

Hostel

Social area at Happy Saigon Hostel seen from wooden staircase; there is a fridge, a sofa and a long table with nine chairs
Courtesy of Happy Saigon Hostel / Expedia

This spacious hostel has one large and bright dorm, along with private rooms that blend modern touches and a splash of vintage Vietnam. Each dorm bed lies within a wooden partition and comes with privacy curtains and a wooden storage locker. While it’s close to the chaos of Bui Vien Street, it’s also removed enough to guarantee a good night’s sleep. The staff are friendly and willing to help with tours and securing onward transportation.

The Common Room Project

Homestay, Hostel

Checkin area at the Common Room Project, with a desk, soft seating and a table; further behind is more seating and a staircase
Courtesy of The Common Room Project / Expedia

The Common Room Project is a sleek, upscale hostel in a peaceful alley on Nguyen Trai Street. There’s a community feel here, with a homey communal room where you’re encouraged to share creative ideas over dinners featuring local produce. Dorms are spacious, ranging from a 10-bed female-only room to a mixed 12-bed room, while recommendations from the front desk focus on slow travel.

Long Hostel

Homestay, Hostel

Double bed in a Long Hostel room with soft bench seating by the window
Courtesy of Long Hostel / Booking.com

This well-rated hostel is just a short stroll away from Bui Vien, the epicentre of nightlife action in Ho Chi Minh City. Here, female-only and mixed dorms are available, along with private rooms. The staff are helpful and friendly, doing an excellent job of creating a lively, fun atmosphere. Additionally, breakfast is included, and the tours sold through this hostel are all reasonably priced.

The Hideout

Hostel

Social area at Hideout Hostels Asia - Saigon, with a bar and pool table, plus colourful seating
Courtesy of The Hideout / Expedia

If you’re looking to have a lot of fun, book a room at the colourful Hideout. It sits right on Pham Ngu Lao Street, close to where the buses drop off tourists in District 1. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, it runs one of the biggest pub crawls in the city – that’s after the two free beers served daily at the rooftop bar. Choose from a 10- or 12-bed dorm, with female-only options available.

Skygon Hostel

Homestay, Hostel

If you want to escape backpackers, hipsters and tourists, you should head to this hostel in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 4. Skygon feels more like an apartment within a residential area, complete with a shared kitchen, a library and free laundry. The hostel, however, scores top marks for the views, overlooking the city and the Saigon River. The dorms here are slightly smaller, with just four or six beds per room, making a good night’s sleep much more likely.

Dung Phan contributed additional reporting to this article.

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